Patent Application
20160142571
The present invention relates to a calibration system for a conveyor mechanism for conveying or transporting sheets, especially sheets of a print medium in a printing system, such as an inkjet printing system. The present invention also relates to a sheet conveyor mechanism and to a printing system which includes such a calibration system to improve and/or optimize productivity of the system. Further, a method of calibrating a sheet conveyor mechanism for synchronised operation with a device for processing the sheets on the conveyor mechanism is provided.
In many printing systems, such as inkjet printing systems, sheets of print medium to be printed are conveyed or transported by belt-type conveyor mechanisms. For example, such a belt-type conveyor mechanism will typically convey or transport the sheets to be printed into and through an image forming device or printing head of the printing system. To achieve high print quality in an inkjet printing system, the distance between the printing heads and the sheet to be printed is desirably kept small. Furthermore, to obtain optimum performance and output quality in a printing system, particularly an inkjet printing system, it is important to control the position of the sheets with respect to the printing heads of the image forming device very accurately. In this regard, an inkjet printing system aims to achieve micrometer accuracy in the positioning of ink droplets from the inkjet print heads operating at a fixed frequency.
It has been found that manufacturing tolerances and operating variations generally make it too difficult to provide a belt-type conveyor mechanism which operates at a sufficiently precise velocity and/or a reliably repeatable velocity for the level of accuracy desired in delivery of print medium sheets to an image forming device or to the printing heads in an inkjet printing system. To address this issue, a system has been developed which synchronizes operation of the image forming device or the printing heads with the movement of the conveyor mechanism. Accordingly, in developments to date, a system for operating the image forming device or inkjet printing heads based on movement of the conveyor drive mechanism has been proposed. This way, a precisely known constant speed or velocity of the conveyor mechanism should no longer be of primary relevance for accurate positioning of the ink droplets from the inkjet print heads. It has been found, however, that such a system still produces discrepancies or mismatches between the actual and the desired ink application.
US 2003/037689 A1 describes a method for determining and correcting registration errors caused by the rotational speed of a print cylinder changing. At least one first registration mark is applied onto the conveyor belt prior to a sheet being transported thereby, and at least one second registration mark is applied onto the conveyor belt after the transported sheet. By the detection of the first registration mark and the second registration mark, a calculation of a timing number can be made. The calculated timing number is compared to a target value to determine any error due to change in angular velocity of the print cylinder due to engagement with the sheet.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,380 A describes an image processing apparatus, wherein image forming units transfer a register mark on the conveying belt. A distance between a register mark detecting sensor and one of the plurality of image forming units adjacent to the register mark detecting sensor is a multiple of an integer of a circumference of the drive roller. A distance between adjacent ones of the plurality of image forming units is a multiple of an integer of the circumference of the drive roller.
US 2011/102816 A1 describes a conveyance mechanism includes a conveyance belt having a detection pattern containing a plurality of isolated patterns.
US 2007/236528 A1 describes an image-forming apparatus having a transfer belt and a bell reference sensor detecting a belt reference mark provided on the transfer belt.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,008,826 A describes a system for controlling color plane image alignment in a multi-color, single pass laser printer which achieves such alignment by imprinting of alignment marks directly on a belt which carries and/or drives media sheets past plural developer modules in a process direction.
It is therefore an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved sheet conveyor mechanism for conveying sheets of print medium along a transport path in a printing system which addresses this problem. It is also an object of the invention to provide a printing system or printing machine which includes such a sheet conveyor mechanism.
In accordance with the invention, a calibration system having the features recited in claim 1 is provided for calibrating a conveyor mechanism for conveying sheets along a transport path, especially sheets of print medium in a printing system, for synchronisation with a device, especially an image forming device, for processing the sheets on the conveyor mechanism. Preferred and/or advantageous features of the invention are recited in the dependent claims.
According to one aspect, therefore, the invention provides a calibration system for calibrating a conveyor mechanism which conveys sheets along a transport path, such as sheets of print medium in a printing system, for synchronisation with a device for processing the sheets on the conveyor mechanism. The conveyor mechanism comprises a movable conveyor body configured to hold a plurality of sheets, such that movement of the conveyor body conveys the sheets along the transport path, and a drive mechanism which supports and/or drives movement of the conveyor body to convey the sheets along the transport path. The calibration system is adapted or configured to detect a position, a speed, and/or skewing of the conveyor body as it conveys the sheets along the transport path and comprises one or more markers which are provided on or in the conveyor body and a sensor arrangement for sensing or detecting each marker at two or more discrete positions spaced apart from one another by a predefined distance along the transport path. A plurality of markers are distributed or spaced apart along a length or extent of the conveyor body, wherein each marker is fixed with respect to the conveyor body. Each marker is further distinguishable by the sensor arrangement. This allows the calibration system to determine which individual marker of the plurality of markers is momentarily detected by the sensor arrangement. Thereby each marker is uniquely identifiable by the sensor arrangement, for example by means of unique characteristics for each individual marker.
In this way, the inventors have provided a calibration system with which operation of a device for processing the sheets on the conveyor mechanism, such as an image forming device, can be accurately synchronised with the movement of the conveyor body holding the sheets. In particular, the inventors have ascertained that the discrepancies or mismatches between the desired ink application and the actual ink application at the image forming device in a printing system can arise due to differences between the movement of the drive mechanism and the actual movement of the conveyor body. For example, the inventors have determined that manufacturing tolerances, pollution effects, temperature effects, wear, as well as deformation of the conveyor body supported and/or driven by the drive mechanism may all induce or cause mismatches between an expected movement and an actual movement of the conveyor body. Thus, by sensing or detecting one or more markers provided on or in the conveyor body itself, the calibration system is able to exclude the sources of the discrepancies or mismatches which previously affected accurate synchronisation.
In a preferred embodiment, the markers are uniquely identifiable based on their shape, distribution, spacing, and/or emission signals. Each marker may for example have a unique shape, different from the other markers. Further, the markers may be distributed over the conveyor body, such that the spacing between each pair of markers is different. The markers may further be positioned in a pattern, such that the orientation and/or positioning of each marker with respect to its neighbour(s) is unique. A marker may be arranged for emitting a unique wireless identification signal, for example by means of an RFID chip. In a basic example, the sensor arrangement is arranged for identifying the markers by tracking or counting the markers. The sensor arrangement may for example at the start of operations, identify a first marker and identify the other markers by counting the consecutive markers following the first marker. The first marker may be distinctly shaped or identifiable to this end, but the calibration system may further comprise identical markers, wherein a marker initially or first sensed by the sensor arrangement forms said first marker. The sensor arrangement preferably then comprises information related to the total number of markers on the conveyor body to identify a single pass of said first marker. As explained above, each marker may be uniquely distinguishable by the sensor arrangement. Preferably, each marker is uniquely distinguishable or uniquely identifiable by the sensor arrangement. By being distinguishable each marker is uniquely distinguishable and as such uniquely identifiable, such that the sensor arrangement is able to determine which marker is currently being detected. Preferably, each marker being distinguishable comprises or may mean that each marker is uniquely identifiable. Basically, each marker is unique with respect to the other markers, especially with respect to detection by the sensor arrangement. The sensor arrangement's ability to distinguish the markers allows the sensor arrangement to determine which of the plurality marker is currently being detected. Thereby, each marker being distinguishable preferably further comprises each marker being identifiable or being “uniquely” identifiable. Since the sensor arrangement is arranged to distinguish the markers, i.e. to tell them apart from one another, the sensor arrangement may be able to identify each marker, based on one or more of each marker's individual properties or characteristics.
In a preferred embodiment, the calibration system comprises a plurality of markers which are distributed or spaced apart along a length or extent of the conveyor body. Each marker is configured to be fixed with respect to the conveyor body. The sensor arrangement is arranged for detecting each marker at two or more discrete positions spaced apart from one another by a predefined distance along the transport path. For example, each marker may comprise an aperture or a hole formed or provided in the conveyor body. In this way, sensing or detecting a position or a speed of each marker with the sensor arrangement directly corresponds to sensing or detecting a position or speed of the conveyor body itself. To this end, the sensor arrangement preferably comprises one or more optical sensors for sensing or detecting each marker. As the dimensions of the conveyor body itself cannot be guaranteed, e.g. due to thermal expansion, a comparative measurement system is provided. That is, the sensor arrangement is configured to sense or detect each marker at two (or more) discrete positions spaced apart from one another along the transport path by a predefined distance. It lies within the scope of the present invention to use less than the total number of markers provided on the conveyor body, i.e. to utilize only a plurality of all the markers on or in the conveyor body. In this manner, additional markers can be provided on or in the conveyor body for additional determination of conveyor speed, position, sheet alignment etc.
In a preferred embodiment, each marker is uniquely identifiable or distinguishable by the sensor arrangement. In this regard, for example, each of the plurality of markers may have its own characteristic shape or form. Alternatively or in addition, each of the plurality of markers may be distributed or spaced apart along a length or extent of the conveyor body at a unique spacing or distance, such that each marker is uniquely identifiable by the sensor arrangement. Where each marker comprises an aperture or hole formed in the conveyor body, for example, these measurement holes are not provided or arranged equidistantly to make unique identification of each hole possible. This enables a correct matching of the sensing or detecting measurements made at each position to the respective marker.
In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the conveyor mechanism is a belt-type conveyor mechanism, e.g. an endless belt conveyor mechanism, wherein the conveyor body comprises a belt member, e.g. an endless belt member. In the field of printing systems and printing machines, suction belt conveyor mechanisms are especially preferred. Thus, the conveyor mechanism may be configured to provide a suction or under-pressure to hold the sheets fixed in position on the conveyor body or belt member as it is moved to convey the sheets along the transport path. To this end, the conveyor body or belt member typically includes perforations or holes for communicating the suction or under-pressure to an outer surface (i.e. a carrier surface) of the belt member on which the sheets are supported. The belt member itself may be substantially stiff or rigid for high dimensional stability and for good wear properties. For example, the belt member may be comprised of steel and may optionally include a layer or coating of polymer material over the carrier surface thereof. The drive mechanism of the conveyor comprises rollers which support and/or drive the movement of the belt member to convey the sheets along the transport path. At least one of these rollers is typically a driven roller and thereby operatively connected to a drive motor for driving the movement of the belt member.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor arrangement comprises a first sensor device provided at a first position for sensing or detecting each marker and a second sensor device provided at a second position for sensing or detecting each marker, with the first position and the second position being spaced apart from one another by the predefined distance along the transport path. As noted above, each of the first and second sensor devices is preferably an optical sensor device and is desirably suited to detecting a hole or aperture provided in the conveyor body or belt member. The first position of the first sensor device and the second position of the second sensor device are preferably provided on a frame member, which thus determines or sets the predefined distance between the first and second positions. To this end, the frame member is preferably comprised of a material that is substantially insensitive to temperature change. For example, the frame member may be comprised of a iron-nickel (FeNi) alloy known as “invar”.
In a preferred embodiment, the first sensor device has a first speed sensing axis at the first position and the second sensor device has a second speed sensing axis at the second position. The first and second speed sensing axes are arranged to extend transverse or perpendicular to the transport path, and the first and second sensor devices are respectively adapted to detect each marker with respect to the first and second speed sensing axes. In this regard, each of the first and second speed sensing axes provides a reference axis for determining the position and/or speed of the conveyor body or belt member as it moves between the first and second positions. Because the distance between the first position and the second position is fixed and predefined, detection of each uniquely identifiable marker at each of the first and second positions, together with a timer to record a time of each detection, readily allows for calculation and determination of the actual belt member speed. Preferably, therefore, the calibration system includes a processor (e.g. computer processor) for processing data or signals provided or generated by the sensor arrangement, and particularly from each of the first and second sensor devices, to determine the position and/or speed of the conveyor body as it conveys the sheets along the transport path.
In a preferred embodiment, the first sensor device has a first skew sensing axis at the first position and the second sensor device has a second skew sensing axis at the second position. The first and second skew sensing axes are configured and arranged to extend generally parallel to the transport path and the first and second sensor devices are respectively configured to detect each marker with respect to the first and second skew sensing axes. That is, each of the first and second skew sensing axes provides a reference axis to assess skewing of the conveyor body or belt member as it moves between the first and second positions. A deviation of any one of the markers with respect to the first or second skew sensing axes between the first and second sensor devices is determined to represent a skewing of the conveyor body between the first and second positions. The adjustment system typically includes a processor (e.g. a computer processor) for processing data or signals provided or generated by the sensor arrangement, and particularly from each of the first and second sensor devices, to detect and/or determine any skewing of the conveyor body as it conveys the sheets along the transport path.
In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor body and the drive mechanism of the conveyor mechanism are supported or mounted on a movable conveyor frame. The adjustment system for correcting skewing of the conveyor body may include a frame shifting device for shifting or moving the conveyor frame relative to a fixed framework, such as a fixed framework of the printing system. The frame shifting device preferably includes one or more actuator, such as a servo motor, for driving movement of the conveyor frame, and especially pivoting movement or rotational movement of the conveyor frame, with respect to a reference axis. The movement of the conveyor frame is determined based on the data or signals from the sensor arrangement in relation to detected skewing of the conveyor body to compensate or correct for that detected skewing. The processor of the adjustment system is therefore configured to analyse the data or signals from the sensor arrangement to determine the degree of skewing based on a deviation of any of the markers with respect to the first or second skew sensing axes between the first and second sensor devices, and to control operation of the frame shifting device, especially the one or more actuator, based on the detected skewing to correct the skewing by pivoting or rotating the conveyor mechanism to the required degree about the reference axis. In this way, it can be ensured that the sheets conveyed by the conveyor body are delivered accurately without skewing to printing heads of an image forming device in the printing system.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, where the conveyor mechanism comprises a belt-type conveyor mechanism, the calibration system comprises an encoder for converting a rotary position of at least one of the rollers of the drive mechanism to an electronic signal for correlation to the position and/or speed of the belt member. The encoder is thus preferably a rotary encoder which typically generates a high-frequency signal (e.g. about 360 kHz) and the encoder is desirably provided at the roller that best correlates with the movement of the belt, preferably via a frequency multiplier unit. The processor in the calibration system of the invention, however, is preferably configured to correct or to adjust a value of the position and/or speed of the belt member correlated from the encoder based on data or signals provided or generated by the sensor arrangement. In this regard, the data or signals provided or generated by the sensor arrangement may be processed to provide a correction table for the position and/or speed of the belt member correlated from the encoder. Thus, the processor preferably includes a correction table unit for correcting data or signals from the rotary encoder based on the data or signals from the sensor arrangement.
In a preferred embodiment, the measurement, i.e. sensing or detecting, performed by the first and second sensor devices is typically at a much lower frequency (e.g. 100 Hz) than the rotary encoder provided in the drive mechanism of the conveyor. If one of the first and second sensing positions is located downstream of printing heads in a printing system, the measurements made by the sensor arrangement will only available “after the fact” (i.e. after operation of the printing heads for that portion of the conveyor belt member) and will therefore not be very practical for synchronization with the printing heads directly. As a discrepancy or error between the encoder measurements and the actual belt member movement typically only arises relatively slowly, the filtering of any discrepancy or error can be performed via the sensor arrangement. The data or signals from the sensor arrangement can thus be used to calculate an encoder correction table online or continually. In this context, it is preferred to incorporate only the zero'th and the first order harmonic of the encoder roller, and to use up to three full rotations of the belt member for the correction fit. This eliminates most of the measurement noise, resulting in a very accurate encoder table. To prevent errors from being introduced by updating of the encoder table, the frequency multiplier unit is configured to only switch to an updated encoder table when the encoder starts a new rotation. This process may be repeated periodically (e.g. about every 5-10 seconds) such that the encoder table is updated to effectively suppress all slower disturbances.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sheet to be printed is a sheet of a print medium selected from the group comprised of: paper, polymer film, such as poly-ethylene (PE) film, polypropylene (PP) film, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, metallic foil, or a combination of two or more thereof. Paper is especially preferred as the print medium and each sheet of paper typically has a density in the range of 50 g to 350 g per square metre.
According to another aspect, the invention provides a conveyor mechanism for conveying sheets along a transport path, especially sheets of a print medium in a printing system, comprising:
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the conveyor mechanism further includes an adjustment system for correcting skewing of the conveyor body which conveys the sheets along the transport path. That is, the adjustment system is configured to detect any skewing of the conveyor body which occurs as it conveys the sheets along the transport path. To this end, the adjustment system preferably comprises the one or more markers provided on or in the conveyor body and the sensor arrangement for detecting each marker at two or more discrete positions spaced apart from one another by a predefined distance along the transport path. In this regard, however, the first sensor device includes a first skew sensing axis and the second sensor device includes a second skew sensing axis, wherein the first and second skew sensing axes extend substantially parallel to the transport path. The first and second sensor devices are thus respectively configured to detect each marker with respect to the first and second skew sensing axes. A deviation of any one of the markers with respect to the first or second skew sensing axes between the first and second sensor devices is determined to represent a skewing of the conveyor body between the first and second positions.
In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor body and the drive mechanism of the conveyor are supported or mounted on a conveyor frame. The adjustment system for correcting skewing of the conveyor body includes a frame shifting mechanism for shifting or moving the conveyor frame relative to a fixed framework, such as a fixed framework of the printing system. The frame shifting mechanism preferably includes one or more actuator, such as a servo motor, for driving movement of the conveyor frame, and especially pivoting movement or rotational movement of the conveyor frame, with respect to a reference axis. The movement of the conveyor frame is determined based on the data or signals from the sensor arrangement in relation a detected skewing of the conveyor body to compensate or correct for that detected skewing. The processor is therefore configured to analyse the data or signals from the sensor arrangement to determine the degree of skewing based on a deviation of any of the markers with respect to the first or second skew sensing axes between the first and second sensor devices, and to control operation of the frame shifting mechanism, and particularly the one or more actuator, based on the detected skewing. By adjusting or correcting for skewing of the conveyor body via the adjustment system, the sheets can be even more accurately synchronized with operation of the image forming device.
According to a further aspect, the invention provides a printing system comprising a conveyor mechanism as described above for conveying sheets of print medium. The calibration system is configured to synchronise movement of the conveyor body with an image forming device for printing an image on the sheets held and conveyed on the conveyor body.
According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of calibrating a sheet conveyor mechanism for conveying sheets along a transport path, such as sheets of a print medium in a printing system, for synchronisation with a device for processing the sheets on the conveyor mechanism. The conveyor mechanism has a movable conveyor body configured to hold the sheets such that movement of the conveyor body conveys the sheets on the transport path, and a drive mechanism which supports and/or drives the movement of the conveyor body to convey the sheets along the transport path. In this aspect, the method comprises:
Each marker is distinguishable, meaning that each marker is individualized such that the sensor arrangement is arranged to separate (or tell apart) each marker from the other markers. To emphasize, by being distinguishable each marker becomes uniquely distinguishable. By being distinguishable, each marker becomes uniquely identifiable. As a consequence, the sensor arrangement is arranged for uniquely indentifying each distinguishable marker based on for example one or more of its individual characteristics provided e.g. by its shape, positioning, or wireless identification means. The sensor arrangement is able to single out which of the plurality of markers is being detected to increase the accuracy of the calibration system.
In a preferred embodiment, the processing step comprises analysing the data or signals from the sensor arrangement to determine the skewing based on a deviation of any of the markers with respect to a first or a second skew sensing axis of the first and second sensor devices between first and second positions. In this regard, the first and second skew sensing axes of the first and second sensor devices extend generally parallel to the transport path.
As noted above, in a preferred embodiment the conveyor body comprises a belt member and the drive mechanism comprises rollers which support and/or drive the movement of the belt member to convey the sheets along the transport path. Thus, the method preferably comprises: encoding or converting a rotary position of at least one of the rollers to an electronic signal for correlation to the position and/or speed of the belt member. The processing step then preferably includes correcting or adjusting a value correlated to the position, the speed, and/or skewing of the belt member from the encoding or converting step based on the data or signals provided or generated by the sensor arrangement. The method preferably further comprises: synchronising operation of a device for processing the sheets held on the conveyor body, e.g. an image forming device, with the conveyor body position and/or speed determined in the processing step.
For a more complete understanding of the invention and the advantages thereof, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference characters designate like parts and in which:
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate particular embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention and many of the attendant advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated as they become better understood with reference to the following detailed description.
It will be appreciated that common and/or well understood elements that may be useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are not necessarily depicted in order to facilitate a more abstracted view of the embodiments. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily illustrated to scale relative to each other. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps in an embodiment of a method may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrences while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used in the present specification have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study, except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.
With reference to
To improve spreading and pinning (i.e. fixation of pigments and water-dispersed polymer particles) of the ink on the print medium, in particular on slow absorbing media, such as machine-coated media, the print medium may be pre-treated, i.e. treated prior to the printing of an image on the medium. The pre-treatment step may comprise one or more of the following:
It will be appreciated that any conventionally known methods can be used to apply the pre-treatment liquid. Specific examples of an application technique include: roller coating (as shown), ink-jet application, curtain coating and spray coating. There is no specific restriction in the number of times the pre-treatment liquid may be applied. It may be applied just one time, or it may be applied two times or more. An application twice or more may be preferable, as cockling of the coated print medium can be prevented and the film formed by the surface pre-treatment liquid will produce a uniform dry surface with no wrinkles after application twice or more. A coating device 5 that employs one or more rollers 7, 7′ is desirable because this technique does not need to take ejection properties into consideration and it can apply the pre-treatment liquid homogeneously to a print medium. In addition, the amount of the pre-treatment liquid applied with a roller or with other means can be suitably adjusted by controlling one or more of: the physical properties of the pre-treatment liquid, the contact pressure of the roller, and the rotational speed of the roller in the coating device. An application area of the pre-treatment liquid may be only that portion of the sheet S to be printed, or an entire surface of a print portion and/or a non-print portion. However, when the pre-treatment liquid is applied only to a print portion, unevenness may occur between the application area and a non-application area caused by swelling of cellulose contained in coated printing paper with water from the pre-treatment liquid followed by drying. From a view-point of uniform drying, it is thus preferable to apply a pre-treatment liquid to the entire surface of a coated printing paper, and roller coating can be preferably used as a coating method to the whole surface. The pre-treatment liquid may be an aqueous liquid.
Corona or plasma treatment may be used as a pre-treatment step by exposing a sheet of a print medium to corona discharge or plasma treatment. In particular, when used on media such as polyethylene (PE) films, polypropylene (PP) films, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films and machine coated media, the adhesion and spreading of the ink can be improved by increasing the surface energy of the medium. With machine-coated media, the absorption of water can be promoted which may induce faster fixation of the image and less puddling on the print medium. Surface properties of the print medium may be tuned by using different gases or gas mixtures as medium in the corona or plasma treatment. Examples of such gases include: air, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, fluorine gas, argon, neon, and mixtures thereof. Corona treatment in air is most preferred.
When employing an inkjet printer loaded with inkjet inks, the image formation is typically performed in a manner whereby ink droplets are ejected from inkjet heads onto a print medium based on digital signals. Although both single-pass inkjet printing and multi-pass (i.e. scanning) inkjet printing may be used for image formation, single-pass inkjet printing is preferable as it is effective to perform high-speed printing. Single-pass inkjet printing is an inkjet printing method with which ink droplets are deposited onto the print medium to form all pixels of the image in a single passage of the print medium through the image forming device, i.e. beneath an inkjet marking module.
Referring to
Each inkjet marking device 91, 92, 93, 94 may have a single print head having a length corresponding to the desired printing range R. Alternatively, as shown in
In the process of image formation by ejecting ink, an inkjet head or a printing head employed may be an on-demand type or a continuous type inkjet head. As an ink ejection system, an electrical-mechanical conversion system (e.g. a single-cavity type, a double-cavity type, a bender type, a piston type, a shear mode type, or a shared wall type) or an electrical-thermal conversion system (e.g. a thermal inkjet type, or a Bubble Jet® type) may be employed. Among them, it is preferable to use a piezo type inkjet recording head which has nozzles of a diameter of 30 μm or less in the current image forming method.
The image formation via the inkjet marking module 9 may optionally be carried out while the sheet S of print medium is temperature controlled. For this purpose, a temperature control device 10 may be arranged to control the temperature of the surface of the conveyor mechanism 2 (e.g. belt or drum 3) below the inkjet marking module 9. The temperature control device 10 may be used to control the surface temperature of the sheet S within a predetermined range, for example in the range of 30° C. to 60° C. The temperature control device 10 may comprise one or more heaters, e.g. radiation heaters, and/or a cooling means, for example a cold blast, in order to control and maintain the surface temperature of the print medium within the desired range. During and/or after printing, the print medium is conveyed or transported downstream through the inkjet marking module 9.
After an image has been formed on the print medium, the printed ink must be dried and the image must be fixed on the print medium. Drying comprises evaporation of solvents, and particularly those solvents that have poor absorption characteristics with respect to the selected print medium.
As described above, the conveyor mechanism 2 in the fixing and drying unit 11 may be separate from the conveyor mechanism 2 of the pre-treatment and printing parts or sections of the printing system 1 and may comprise a belt and/or a drum. Preferably, the conveyor mechanism 2 in the fixing and drying unit 11 comprises a drum and includes a device, such as one or more fan, especially a centrifugal fan, for generating an under-pressure or suction for holding a plurality of sheets of print medium in contact with an outer periphery of the drum 3. Further details of this embodiment of the conveyor mechanism 2 in the fixing and drying unit 11 will be described later.
To improve or enhance the robustness of a printed image or other properties, such as gloss level, the sheet S may be post treated, which is an optional step in the printing process. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the printed sheets S may be post-treated by laminating the print image. That is, the post-treatment may include a step of applying (e.g. by jetting) a post-treatment liquid onto a surface of the coating layer, onto which the ink has been applied, so as to form a transparent protective layer over the printed recording medium. In the post-treatment step, the post-treatment liquid may be applied over the entire surface of an image on the print medium or it may be applied only to specific portions of the surface of an image. The method of applying the post-treatment liquid is not particularly limited, and may be selected from various methods depending on the type of the post-treatment liquid. However, the same method as used in coating the pre-treatment liquid or an inkjet printing method is preferable. Of these, an inkjet printing method is particularly preferable in view of: (i) avoiding contact between the printed image and the post-treatment liquid applicator; (ii) the construction of an inkjet recording apparatus used; and (iii) the storage stability of the post-treatment liquid. In the post-treatment step, a post-treatment liquid containing a transparent resin may be applied on the surface of a formed image so that a dry adhesion amount of the post-treatment liquid is 0.5 g/m2 to 10 g/m2, preferably 2 g/m2 to 8 g/m2, thereby to form a protective layer on the recording medium. If the dry adhesion amount is less than 0.5 g/m2, little or no improvement in image quality (image density, colour saturation, glossiness and fixability) may be obtained. If the dry adhesion amount is greater than 10 g/m2, on the other hand, this can be disadvantageous from the view-point of cost efficiency, because the dryness of the protective layer degrades and the effect of improving the image quality is saturated.
As a post-treatment liquid, an aqueous solution comprising components capable of forming a transparent protective layer over the print medium sheet S (e.g. a water-dispersible resin, a surfactant, water, and other additives as required) is preferably used. The water-dispersible resin in the post-treatment liquid preferably has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of −30° C. or higher, and more preferably in the range of −20° C. to 100° C. The minimum film forming temperature (MFT) of the water-dispersible resin is preferably 50° C. or lower, and more preferably 35° C. or lower. The water-dispersible resin is preferably radiation curable to improve the glossiness and fixability of the image. As the water-dispersible resin, for example, any one or more of an acrylic resin, a styrene-acrylic resin, a urethane resin, an acryl-silicone resin, a fluorine resin or the like, is preferably employed. The water-dispersible resin can be suitably selected from the same materials as that used for the inkjet ink. The amount of the water-dispersible resin contained, as a solid content, in the protective layer is preferably 1% by mass to 50% by mass. The surfactant used in the post-treatment liquid is not particularly limited and may be suitably selected from those used in the inkjet ink. Examples of the other components of the post-treatment liquid include antifungal agents, antifoaming agents, and pH adjustors.
Hitherto, the printing process was described such that the image formation step was performed in-line with the pre-treatment step (e.g. application of an (aqueous) pre-treatment liquid) and a drying and fixing step, all performed by the same apparatus, as shown in
With reference now to
At least one first sensor device 22 in the form of an optical sensor, such as a laser scanner, is provided within the sensing unit 21 for sensing the surface geometry or topology of the sheets S as they travel on a first pass or a second pass along the transport path P. The laser scanner or optical sensor device 22 generates digital image data I of the three-dimensional surface geometry or topology of each sheet S sensed or scanned. When performing the sensing or measuring of the surface geometry or topology of the sheets S on the transport path P of printing system 1 with the first sensor device(s) 22, it is highly desirable for the purposes of accuracy and reliability that the sheets S are transported or conveyed in the sensing unit 21 in substantially the same manner as those sheets S are later transported in the image forming unit or marking module 9. To this end, the sensing unit 21 includes a sheet conveyor mechanism 23 configured to simulate sheet transport conditions provided by the conveyor mechanism 2 within the image forming unit 9. In this regard, both the conveyor mechanism 23 in the sensing unit 21 and the conveyor mechanism 2 in the image forming unit 9 include a belt transport device with vacuum sheet-holding pressure, as seen in
The sheet topology data from the first sensor device 22 is then transmitted (e.g. either via a cable connection or wirelessly) to a controller 24 which includes a processor device 25 for processing and analysing the digital image data I to detect and to classify any defect or deformation D in the surface geometry or topology of each sheet S sensed or scanned. The sensing unit 21 is thus arranged to scan the sheets S for detecting and measuring any deformations or defects D before the sheets S enter the image forming device or inkjet marking module 9. In this way, if the processor device 25 determines that a sheet S on the transport path P includes a defect or deformation D that would render the sheet unsuitable for printing, the controller 24 is configured to prevent the sheet S from progressing to the inkjet marking module 9. The sensing unit 21 comprising the first sensor device(s) 22 is therefore desirably provided as a separate sentry unit positioned on the transport path P sufficiently upstream of the marking module 9. The controller 24 and processor device 25 may be integrated within the sentry unit 21 or they may be separately or remotely located.
With reference now to
The conveyor mechanism 2 includes a drive mechanism 32 comprising rollers 33, 34, 35 which support and/or drive the movement of the belt member 3 to convey the sheets S along the transport path P. In this regard, one roller 33 is operatively connected to a drive motor and thus forms a driven roller for driving the circulating movement of the belt member 3. Another roller 34 has a fixed axis and therefore closely follows movement of the belt member 3. The lower rollers 35 are mounted to exert a resilient bias against the belt member 3 and have movable axes in order to maintain a desired of tension in the belt member 3, regardless of any thermal expansion or contraction in the belt member 3.
To achieve high quality printing in this printing system 1, it is important to control the position of the sheets S with respect to the inkjet marking devices 91-94 of the image forming unit 9 very accurately. For this purpose, the conveyor mechanism 2 includes a calibration system 40 for calibrating the conveyor mechanism 2, and in particular the conveyor body or belt member 3, for synchronization with operation of the inkjet marking devices 91-94 of the image forming unit 9. In this regard, the calibration system 40 is configured to precisely detect a position and/or a speed of the belt member 3 as it conveys the sheets S along the transport path P. This way, a precise or accurate positioning of the ink droplets from the inkjet heads (i.e. at micrometer level) can be realized in spite of manufacturing tolerances, pollution or contamination effects, temperature effects such as thermal expansion in the belt member 3, and wear or deformation in the belt member 3 or the rollers 33, 34, 35.
The calibration system 40 comprising a plurality of markers 41 which are provided as holes formed in the belt member 3 and a sensor arrangement 42 for detecting each marker 41 at two discrete positions A, B spaced apart from one another by a predefined distance X along the transport path P. Each of the marker holes 41 is distributed or spaced apart along a length or extent of the conveyor belt member 3 at a unique spacing or distance, such that each marker hole 41 is uniquely identifiable by the sensor arrangement 42. The sensor arrangement 42 comprises a first sensor device 43 provided at a first position A for sensing or detecting each marker 41 and a second sensor device 44 provided at a second position B for sensing or detecting each marker 41, with the first position A and the second position B being spaced apart from one another by the predefined distance X along the transport path P. In this regard, each of the first and second sensor devices 43, 44 is an optical sensor device and is suited to detecting a hole 41 provided in the conveyor body or belt member 3. The sensor devices 43, 44 are mounted at opposite ends of an elongate frame member 45 provided in the form of a rod or beam. In this way, the frame member 45 effectively defines the first and second positions A, B and determines or sets the predefined distance X between those first and second positions A, B. To avoid variations in this distance X, the frame member 45 is comprised of an iron-nickel (FeNi) alloy known as “invar” that is substantially insensitive to temperature change.
Referring also now to
The calibration system 40 further comprises a rotary encoder 47 for converting a rotary position α of the non-driven fixed-axis roller 34 of the drive mechanism 32 to an electronic signal for correlation to a position and/or speed of the belt member 3. The encoder 41 generates a high-frequency signal s2 (e.g. 360 kHz) that correlates to the movement of the belt member 3 via a frequency multiplier unit 48. As effects described above, such as manufacturing tolerances, pollution, thermal effects and wear or deformation, cause discrepancies or errors between the encoded position of the roller 34 and the correlated position and/or speed of the belt member 3, the processor 46 in the calibration system 40 is configured to use data or signals s1 generated by the sensor arrangement 42 to correct or adjust a value of position and/or speed of the belt member 3 correlated from the encoder 47. The data or signals s1 generated by the sensor arrangement 42 are processed to provide a correction table for the position and/or speed of the belt member 3 correlated from the encoder 47. In other words, a measurement is performed with the first and second sensor devices 43, 44 of the sensor arrangement 42 to determine how many encoder pulses it takes for a particular marker hole 41 in the belt member 3 to travel from the first position A to the second position B, and to determine which encoder angle corresponds to that measurement. Thus, the processor 46 includes a correction table unit 49 for correcting the data or signals s2 from the rotary encoder 47 based on the data or signals s1 from the sensor arrangement 42.
The measurement of the position and/or speed of the belt member 3 performed by the first and second sensor devices 43, 44 is typically at a much lower frequency (e.g. 100 Hz) than the rotary encoder 47 provided in the drive mechanism 32 of the conveyor mechanism. That is, the measurement with the sensor arrangement 42 is performed with sub encoder resolution; for example, using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). This way it is possible to very accurately measure movement the belt member 3 has made as a function of the encoder angle, independent of the belt velocity. As a discrepancy or error between the encoder measurements and actual movement of the belt member 3 typically only arises slowly, correction of any discrepancy or error can be performed via the sensor arrangement 42. The data or signals s1 from the sensor arrangement 42 can thus be used to calculate an encoder correction table online or continually. In this context, only the zero'th and first order harmonic of the encoder roller 34 are employed, and up to three full revolutions or circulations of the belt member 3 are used for the correction fit. This eliminates most of the measurement noise, resulting in a very accurate encoder table. To avoid introduction of errors by updating of encoder table, the frequency multiplier unit 48 is configured to only switch to an updated encoder table when the encoder 47 starts a new rotation. This process may be repeated periodically (e.g. every 6 seconds) so the encoder correction table unit 49 is updated to effectively suppress all slower disturbances.
Referring now to
As can be seen in
Referring to
Although specific embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations exist. It should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Generally, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.
It will also be appreciated that in this document the terms “comprise”, “comprising”, “include”, “including”, “contain”, “containing”, “have”, “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to be understood in an inclusive (i.e. non-exclusive) sense, such that the process, method, device, apparatus or system described herein is not limited to those features or parts or elements or steps recited but may include other elements, features, parts or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, the terms “a” and “an” used herein are intended to be understood as meaning one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise. Moreover, the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on or to establish a certain ranking of importance of their objects.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14193711.0 | Nov 2014 | EP | regional |
| 14193722.7 | Nov 2014 | EP | regional |
