摘要 |
The invention provides an apparatus and a method for scanning a laser beam (2), such as from a multi-mode laser diode (1), which is particularly useful in dye thermal transfer printing such as printing 35mm slides and credit or security cards. Light from a multi-mode laser diode (1) is collimated by optics (3) and deflected and focused by optical means (4) mounted on a carriage (5) which reciprocates along the path of the collimated beam to scan the beam in a line parallel to the direction of movement of the carriage (5). A cam (13; 22), crank (26) or drive belt (33) may drive the carriage (5). Alternatively, the optical means (4) may be mounted directly to a belt drive (42). |