Inline Image Forming System Varnish Conveyance Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming systems of the inline type, performing varnish application processing alongside other processing can lead to a decrease in the quality of printed products or a decrease in productivity due to conveyance failures.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system that includes an image forming apparatus, a varnish application apparatus, and a sheet conveyance apparatus, where the control units of these components can communicate with each other to coordinate the varnish application processing and other processing inline on a sheet, thereby preventing conveyance failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If varnish application processing is performed inline with other processing on a sheet, then productivity is improved by continuous processing, but conveyance failures occur leading to decreased quality and productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet conveyance path is divided into multiple independent conveyance paths: a first conveyance path for sheets requiring varnish application and a second conveyance path for sheets not requiring varnish application. This segmentation allows sheets to be routed appropriately, preventing conveyance failures by ensuring sheets are only conveyed through paths compatible with their processing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
A sheet conveyance apparatus acts as an intermediary between the image forming apparatus and the varnish application apparatus. This intermediary controls sheet conveyance based on processing requirements, routing sheets through appropriate paths and coordinating between different processing units to prevent conveyance failures.
2Productivity
If varnish application processing is performed inline with other processing, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but quality of printed products decreases due to conveyance failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the processing flow into distinct paths: one for varnish application and one for other processing. By segmenting the conveyance paths and using independent conveyance mechanisms for each path, the system maintains high manufacturing efficiency while preventing quality degradation that would result from conveyance failures in shared paths.
3Productivity
If multiple processing units are integrated in an inline system, then device complexity increases, but coordination between control units becomes necessary to prevent conveyance failures
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet conveyance apparatus serves as a mediating control unit that coordinates between the image forming apparatus and the varnish application apparatus. It receives information about processing requirements and autonomously routes sheets through appropriate paths, reducing the coordination burden on other control units while maintaining the benefits of an integrated inline system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where control units exchange information about sheet processing status and requirements. The sheet conveyance apparatus receives feedback from the image forming apparatus about which sheets require varnish application and adjusts conveyance routing accordingly, enabling coordinated operation of multiple processing units.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit and a first control unit which controls the image forming unit, a varnish application apparatus provided downstream in a sheet conveyance direction with respect to the image forming apparatus and including a varnish application unit which applies varnish to a sheet and a second control unit which controls the varnish application unit, and a sheet conveyance apparatus provided between the image forming apparatus and the varnish application apparatus in the sheet conveyance direction and including a receiving roller which receives a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus, a processing unit which performs predetermined processing on a sheet present in the sheet conveyance apparatus, and a third control unit which controls the processing unit, wherein the first control unit is capable of communicating with the second control unit and the third control unit.