Thermal transfer printer with a tape drive mechanism and a diameter measuring means, and method

摘要

A tape drive comprising two motors (14,15) at least one of which is a stepper motor (14), two tape spool supports on which spools (7,11) of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective motor, and a controller for controlling the energisation of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is operative to energise both motors to drive the spools of tape in the direction of tape transport.