Platen Routing Control for Multi-Lane Print Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a print system with multiple printers, conveying a platen to a specific printer can hinder the increase in print processing capacity within a certain period.
Innovation Solution
A conveyance control device and method that determines whether to convey a platen to a first or second lane based on the recording medium, optimizing the choice of printer for the medium, thereby increasing print processing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the platen is conveyed to a specific printer only, then the printer can process the recording medium, but the number of print processes in a certain period is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the conveyance destination of the platen based on real-time printer status and recording medium characteristics. The conveyor can redirect the platen between different lanes and printers during operation, transforming a static one-to-one mapping into a dynamic many-to-many relationship that optimizes throughput while managing complexity through automated control logic
2Productivity
If multiple printers are provided with multiple lanes, then the number of print processes increases, but the determination of which printer to convey to becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors printer status, recording medium properties, and lane occupancy. This feedback information is used to automatically determine the optimal conveyance destination, reducing the complexity of printer selection by replacing manual or ad-hoc decisions with automated rule-based or intelligent routing logic that adapts to current system state
3Productivity
If the platen is conveyed through a pretreatment device to one of multiple printers, then print processing efficiency increases, but the conveyance path determination becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary determination of the conveyance destination before the platen actually reaches the branching point. By predicting the optimal printer based on recording medium characteristics and current printer status, the system can prepare the conveyance path in advance, reducing the complexity of real-time path determination and enabling smoother operations through pre-planned routing decisions
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyance control device includes a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to control a conveyor. The conveyor is configured to convey a platen from a conveyance start position of the platen to one of a plurality of printers via a pretreatment device. The pretreatment device is configured to perform pretreatment on a recording medium placed on the platen. The conveyor is configured to convey the platen to one of a first lane including a first printer group formed of a plurality of the printers or a second lane including a second printer group formed of a plurality of the printers. The memory stores computer-readable instructions that instruct the processor to perform determination processing of determining whether to convey the platen to the first lane or to convey the platen to the second lane, based on the recording medium placed on the platen.