Continuous loop ribbon welding system

Apparatus for adjoining two ends of a length of fabric printer ribbon to form a continuous loop of printer ribbon, comprising:

• a plate having first and second sides, a front portion, and a rear portion, the second side including front and rear tensioning slots formed therein;
• first and second means for positioning the two ribbon ends in an x-pattern;
• first and second means for clamping a first ribbon end within said first positioning means, said first clamping means being affixed to said plate;
• third and fourth means for clamping a second ribbon end within said second positioning means, said third clamping means being affixed to said plate;
• means for tensioning said first ribbon end, said first tensioning means being disposed in the front tensioning slot and being slidable relative to said plate along a line defined by said first positioning means, said second clamping means being affixed to said first tensioning means;
• means for tensioning said second ribbon end, said second tensioning means being disposed in the rear tensioning slot and being slidable relative to said plate along a line defined by said second positioning means, said fourth clamping means being affixed to said second tensioning means;
• means for fusing the two ribbon ends along a weld bead, said fusing means adjoining the two ribbon ends to form a continuous ribbon loop with two waste ribbon ends extending from the weld bead;
• means for cutting the two waste ribbon ends from the ribbon loop close to the weld bead;
• and
• means for selecting the optimum tension for the ribbon ends,
• wherein both said first and second tension means include means for adjusting the tension to be applied to said first and second ribbon ends, respectively, to an optimum tension.