Claims
- 1. In an image producing machine including a controller and an imaging member having an imaging surface including a marking material control pattern thereon, a paper supply for supplying image receiving sheets, and an image transfer station, a method of reconditioning said imaging surface, the method comprising:
(a) moving said imaging surface of said imaging member along a first plane; (b) cleaning release oil, marking material residue and debris from said imaging surface; (c) moving an abrading surface of a surface reconditioning apparatus for forming a surface reconditioning nip against said imaging surface; and (d) simultaneously moving said abrading surface along said first plane and translating said abrading surface back and forth along a second plane against said imaging surface, for reconditioning said marking material control pattern on said imaging surface, thereby preventing marking material drawback during image formation and thereby improving imaging quality.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said imaging surface is being moved in a first direction along said first plane.
- 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said imaging member comprises a drum and said imaging surface is being rotated along said first plane and in said first direction within said surface reconditioning nip.
- 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said cleaning function comprises operating the image producing machine without imaging on said imaging surface and without oiling said imaging surface, and running a number of blank sheets against said imaging surface through said image transfer station.
- 5. The method of claim 1, wherein moving said abrading surface comprises connecting said surface reconditioning apparatus to said controller and programming said surface reconditioning apparatus to be moved after a number of formed images.
- 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said surface reconditioning apparatus is moved at a second speed and in a second direction along said first plane.
- 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said imaging surface is being moved at a first speed along said first plane.
- 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said abrading surface comprises abrading media having a grit rating within a range of from about 200 to about 1200 for preventing polishing as well as excessive wearing of said imaging surface.
- 9. The method of claim 1, including a vacuum device mounted adjacent said abrading surface for removing abraded debris from said reconditioning nip.
- 10. The method of claim 6, wherein said second direction of said abrading surface is opposite to said first direction of said imaging surface.
- 11. An imaging surface field reconditioning apparatus for reconditioning in the field, a marking material control pattern on an imaging surface of in an image producing machine, the imaging surface field reconditioning apparatus comprising:
(a) an abrading device including an abrasive member having an abrasive surface; (a) drive means for moving said imaging surface of said imaging member along a first plane; (b) first moving means for moving said abrading surface of said abrading member into contact with said imaging surface for forming a surface reconditioning nip therewith; and (d) at least a second moving means for simultaneously moving said abrading surface along said first plane and translating said abrading surface back and forth along a second plane, for reconditioning said marking material control pattern on said imaging surface, thereby preventing marking material drawback during subsequent image formation, and improving imaging quality.
- 12. The imaging surface field reconditioning apparatus of claim 11, including a vacuum device mounted adjacent said abrading surface for removing abraded debris from said reconditioning nip.
- 13. The imaging surface field reconditioning apparatus of claim 11, wherein said abrading surface comprises abrading media having a grit rating within a range from 220 to 800 for preventing polishing as well as excessive wearing of said imaging surface.
- 14. The imaging surface field reconditioning apparatus of claim 11, wherein said abrading device comprises a cartridge mounted movably on rails within the image producing machine.
- 15. A phase change ink image producing machine comprising:
(a) a control subsystem for controlling operation of all subsystems and components of the image producing machine; (b) a movable imaging member having an imaging surface including a marking material control pattern formed therein; and (c) an imaging drum maintenance assembly including a surface reconditioning apparatus for reconditioning said marking material control pattern on said imaging surface, said surface reconditioning apparatus including:
(i) an abrading device including an abrasive member having an abrasive surface; (ii) drive means for moving said imaging surface of said imaging member along a first plane; (iii) first moving means for moving said abrading surface of said abrading member into contact with said imaging surface for forming a surface reconditioning nip therewith; and (iv) at least a second moving means for simultaneously moving said abrading surface along said first plane and translating said abrading surface back and forth against said imaging surface along a second plane, for reconditioning said marking material control pattern on said imaging surface, thereby preventing marking material drawback during subsequent image formation, and improving imaging quality.
- 16. The phase change ink image producing machine of claim 15, including a vacuum device mounted adjacent said abrading surface for removing abraded debris from said reconditioning nip.
- 17. The phase change ink image producing machine of claim 15, wherein said abrading surface comprises abrading media having a grit rating within a range of from about 200 to about 1200 for preventing polishing as well as excessive wearing of said imaging surface.
- 18. The phase change ink image producing machine of claim 15, wherein said abrading device comprises a cartridge mounted movably on rails within the image producing machine.
- 19. The phase change ink image producing machine of claim 15, wherein said second direction of said abrading surface is opposite said first direction of said imaging surface.
- 20. The phase change ink image producing machine of claim 16, wherein said vacuum device is movable into and out relative to said reconditioning nip.
RELATED CASE
[0001] This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. ______(Applicants' Docket NO. D/A2249Q) entitled “Phase Change Ink Image Producing Machine Including An Imaging Member Having A Textured Imaging Surface” filed on even date herewith, and having at least one common inventor.