Duplex Printing Bypass Layout for Inversion Device Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing double-sided printing systems face downtime due to abnormalities in the intermediate inversion device, preventing tandem printing between upstream and downstream printing devices.
Innovation Solution
A printing system with a first inversion device that includes a bypass transport section to allow printing on one surface while the first in-device inversion section is abnormal, enabling the medium to be inverted and transported to a second printing machine for printing on the other surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an intermediate inversion device is used in a double-sided printing system, then the medium can be inverted between upstream and downstream printing devices, but if an abnormality occurs in the intermediate device, tandem printing cannot be performed and downtime occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate inversion device is divided into two independent parts: the first in-machine inversion section (integrated in the upstream printing device) and the first in-device inversion section (in the intermediate device). When the in-device inversion section malfunctions, the in-machine inversion section can compensate by performing inversion before the medium reaches the intermediate device, allowing printing to continue without downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The upstream printing device performs preliminary inversion of the medium through its integrated in-machine inversion section before the medium is transported to the intermediate device. This preliminary action ensures that even if the intermediate device's inversion section fails, the medium has already been inverted and can proceed to the downstream printing device, preventing production stoppage.
2Productivity
If the intermediate inversion device is used for double-sided printing, then printing on both surfaces can be achieved, but the system complexity increases due to multiple inversion sections
Solution Approach 1:
The upstream printing device is designed with dual functionality: it serves both as a printing device and as an inversion device through its integrated in-machine inversion section. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated inversion devices, thereby simplifying the overall system structure while maintaining double-sided printing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inversion function is merged into the upstream printing device, combining the printing and inversion operations into a single integrated unit. This merging eliminates the need for a separate standalone inversion device, reducing system complexity while achieving the same functional result of inverting the medium for double-sided printing.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing system includes a first printing machine having a first printing section configured to print on a medium and a first in-machine inversion section configured to inverse the medium; a first inversion device having a first in-device inversion section configured to inverse the medium from the first printing machine and a bypass transport section configured to transport the medium from the first printing machine toward a second printing machine without via the first in-device inversion section; the second printing machine having a second printing section configured to print on the medium from the first inversion device; and a control section, wherein when printing is performed on the medium in a state where an abnormality has occurred in the first in-device inversion section, the control section transports the medium inversed by the first in-machine inversion section toward the second printing machine via the bypass transport section.