COMPACT DISC AND RECORDABLE COMPACT DISC THERMAL TRANSFER PRINTER

摘要

A thermal printer (10) for printing onto circular objects (14) includes a housing (30) that mounts a platen (15) and a carrier (17) for the circular object (14), and a separate removable and latchable carriage (36) carrying the printhead (12) and positionable on the housing (30) to retain the printhead (12) in a fixed location. The carrier (17) for the circular object (14) is driven relative to the printhead (12) while printing takes place. The platen (15), carrier (17) and circular object are urged against the printhead as the carrier moves. An actuator (68, 80) is used for moving the platen (15) and carrier (17) with a variable force to vary the force of the circular object (14) against the printhead (12) so that the force is increased when the length of the line of printing increases to span the circular object (14).