Image Forming Apparatus Sheet Feeding Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming systems with multiple connected apparatuses, the need for both sides of a sheet to be prepared before feeding can lead to productivity losses due to waiting for completion of image preparation states, causing sheet jams and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system with a control section that assesses the completion of predetermined processing steps for each apparatus, allowing sheet feeding and image forming to start when the previous step is completed, particularly focusing on the second apparatus saving images to a hard disk as the judgment criterion, enabling earlier start times and improved productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the image forming apparatus waits for complete image preparation in the output buffer before feeding sheets, then image quality and printing accuracy are ensured, but productivity decreases due to waiting time and sheet stopping
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary image processing steps (receiving print data, performing RIP processing, saving to hard disk) before sheet feeding begins. The control section determines that sheet feeding can start when the hard disk save operation is complete, even though final image rendering in the output buffer continues during printing. This preliminary completion of critical path operations enables earlier sheet feeding without compromising image quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If the system requires both front and back side images to be fully prepared before feeding sheets in both-side printing, then printing accuracy is maintained, but productivity is reduced due to extended waiting periods
Solution Approach 1:
For both-side printing, the system determines that sheet feeding can commence when the hard disk save operation for the first side image is complete, even though the second side image is still being processed. The RIP processing and hard disk saving of subsequent images continue in parallel during the printing operation, enabling overlapping of preparation and printing operations for both sides.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous operation by allowing sheet feeding to proceed without interruption while image preparation continues in the background. The control section manages multiple image preparation tasks concurrently, ensuring that each side is printed with sufficient image quality while minimizing idle time between sheets.
3Manufacturing precision
If the image forming apparatus stops sheets at positions before writing to allow image preparation, then image quality is ensured, but sheet jams occur due to subsequent sheets catching up
Solution Approach 1:
The system completes critical image preparation steps (RIP processing and hard disk saving) before sheet feeding begins, eliminating the need to stop sheets during the writing phase. This preliminary completion ensures that when sheets are fed, the image data is ready and stable, preventing both quality degradation and sheet catching-up jams.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes a first image forming apparatus located upstream and a second image forming apparatus located downstream in a sheet conveying direction to perform a both-side printing operation. The system further includes a control section for judging whether a predetermined processing step serving as a judgment criterion has been completed with respect to an image to be formed on a subsequent sheet in each of the apparatuses, and for performing a control to start image forming operation on the subsequent sheet when judging that the predetermined processing step has been completed, and a processing step serving as the judgment criterion for the image to be formed in the second image forming apparatus is located in a step prior to a processing step serving as the judgment criterion for the image to be formed in the first image forming apparatus.