Image Forming System With Preemptive Front-To-Back Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming methods reduce productivity due to the need to pause continuous printing for front-to-back registration adjustments when switching sheet feed trays, leading to potential misalignment of images on the front and back sides of sheets.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that includes a controller to print a front-to-back registration adjustment chart on a second tray, read the chart using a reading section, and perform adjustments without stopping the print job on the first tray, allowing simultaneous image formation on both trays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If front-to-back registration adjustment is performed after switching sheet feed trays, then image alignment accuracy is improved, but printing productivity deteriorates due to pausing continuous printing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs front-to-back registration adjustment in advance for the second tray while the first tray is still being used for printing. When the tray switch is detected, the registration adjustment has already been completed, allowing immediate resumption of printing without pausing. This preliminary action ensures image alignment accuracy is achieved before the actual printing from the second tray begins, while maintaining continuous printing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous printing operation by performing registration adjustment for the second tray during the printing process from the first tray. The printing operation never stops - while the first tray continues to feed sheets for printing, the system simultaneously prepares the second tray by performing registration adjustment, ensuring uninterrupted useful action and maintaining high productivity.
2Manufacturing precision
If front-to-back registration adjustment is performed before switching trays, then alignment accuracy is improved, but the adjustment cannot be applied to sheets from the first sheet causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs front-to-back registration adjustment for the second tray in advance, but specifically targets the second tray rather than the first tray. This ensures that when the tray switch occurs, the registration adjustment values are ready and can be immediately applied to all sheets from the second tray, including the first sheet, ensuring both accuracy and reliability without misalignment issues.
3Productivity
If continuous printing is maintained without pausing for registration adjustment, then productivity is improved, but image alignment accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the registration adjustment for the second tray in advance while the first tray is still in use, so that when the tray switch occurs, the adjustment is already complete. This allows continuous printing to resume immediately without pausing, maintaining high productivity while ensuring accurate image alignment through the preliminary registration adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus in an image forming system including: a first tray that feeds recording media; a second tray that feeds recording media; and a reading section, wherein the image forming apparatus includes: a controller; and an image forming section that forms images on the recording media fed from the first tray and second tray. The reading section is configured to read the images formed on the recording media fed from the first tray and second tray. The controller, while performing a print job on the recording media fed from the first tray: prints, using the image forming section, a front-to-back registration adjustment chart on a recording medium fed from the second tray; reads the printed front-to-back registration adjustment chart using the reading section; and performs a front-to-back registration adjustment for the second tray based on the read front-to-back registration adjustment chart.