摘要 |
Thermal printing apparatus (10) is operable for applying images to opposite first and second sides of a continuous strip (12). The apparatus (10) includes first, second, third and fourth thermal printing assemblies (16, 18, 20, 22) actuatable for applying first, second, third and fourth images to the continuous strip (12) at first, second, third and fourth printing stations (24, 26, 28, 30). The first and third thermal printing assemblies (16, 20) are mounted on reversible mounting assemblies (62) capable of mounting the respective thermal printing assembly in a first position wherein the printing assembly is actuatable for applying an image to a first side of the strip (12), and a second position wherein the printing assembly is actuatable for applying an image to a second side of the strip (12). The apparatus (10) further includes a drive assembly (98) including a rotatable drive roller (104) for longitudinally advancing the strip (12) so that it passes through the printing assemblies, a stepping motor (34) rotatable at a predetermined fixed rate of stepped rotational increments per revolution for rotating a drive roller to advance said strip, and a controller (44) responsive to a predetermined number of stepped rotational increments of the stepping motor (34) corresponding to a predetermined distance between the printing assemblies (16, 18, 20, 22) for actuating the printing assemblies to apply images to the first and second sides of the strip (12).
|