APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING A WORK OPERATION WITH A CONSUMABLE WEB

摘要

A machine (10) and method of performing a work operation requiring a known or predetermined length of unconsumed web (W) has a cassette (18) containing consumable web material, and the cassette has an indicator (20,658,858) for identifying a length of unconsumed web in the cassette. The length of unconsumed web in the cassette is compared (32) to a known or predetermined length of unconsumed web required to perform the work operation, and the operation is performed if the length of unconsumed web in the cassette is at least equal to the required length of unconsumed web. In one embodiment, the indicator takes the form of a potentiometer (158,658,858) mounted on an exterior surface of the cassette for electrically indicating the amount of unconsumed web, or a pointer (164) carried by a worm gear (160) rotatably coupled to a spool (84) of the cassette, wherein the pointer moves relative to indicia (172) on the cassette upon rotation of the spool to visually indicate the amount of unconsumed web in the cassette.