Print Media Alignment via Sequential Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printing devices face challenges in post-print processing due to moisture-induced distortions and increased sheet-to-sheet friction in inkjet printing, leading to cockling, waviness, and alignment issues, which are not effectively addressed by using higher paper weights, resin-coated media, or reducing printing fluid and resolution, as these solutions either increase costs or result in less durable products.
Innovation Solution
A print finisher system utilizing sheet channels and a plurality of clamps to control print media distortion and alignment, allowing for the processing of partially dried sheets by guiding them through sheet channels to prevent sheet-to-sheet contact and maintaining x-axis and y-axis registration, thereby reducing errors and improving processing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If inkjet printing is used to print on print media, then printing efficiency and durability are improved, but moisture-induced distortions and sheet-to-sheet friction increase causing cockling, waviness, and alignment issues
Solution Approach 1:
The print media is divided into multiple sections with different stiffness characteristics. The leading edge portion is designed with higher stiffness to maintain alignment during transport, while other portions can have different properties optimized for printing quality and moisture absorption characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The print media is pre-treated or pre-conditioned before printing to control its moisture content and stiffness characteristics. This preliminary action ensures that the media enters the printing process in an optimal state that minimizes distortion from the outset.
2Stability of the object's composition
If higher paper weights are used, then resistance to moisture-induced distortions is improved, but product cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly increasing the weight of the entire print media, the invention applies higher stiffness or weight only to specific local areas (such as the leading edge) where it is most needed for maintaining alignment and reducing distortion during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The print media utilizes composite construction with different materials or layers having different stiffness and moisture absorption properties. This allows optimization of specific regions for distortion resistance while keeping overall cost lower than uniformly heavy media.
3Stability of the object's composition
If resin coated media is used, then resistance to moisture absorption is improved, but printing durability and visual appeal decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The print media has non-uniform moisture resistance properties across different regions. The leading edge or specific portions have higher moisture resistance to prevent distortion, while other areas maintain higher porosity and absorption characteristics for optimal ink bonding and durability.
4Force
If reduced printing fluid amount is used, then sheet-to-sheet friction is reduced, but printing durability and visual appeal decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The print media has varying absorption and friction characteristics across different regions. Certain areas are designed with properties that control moisture retention to manage friction, while other areas optimize for ink bonding and durability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively controls print media distortion and alignment during post-print processing, reducing errors and maintaining registration, even with partially dried sheets, thus enhancing the efficiency and quality of the printing process without the need for additional mechanical complexity or higher-cost media.
Implementation Method 1
The clamp assembly may be closable to generate a clamping force by pinning a leading edge of the sheet of print media to the stack of printed media
Implementation Method 2
the physical properties of the print media may be altered by the moistening action of the printing fluid penetrating through and/or adhering to a surface of the print media
Implementation Method 3
subsequently undergo drying of the printing fluid onto the print media
Data Source
AI summary
Example implementations relate to print media stacks. In some examples, a device may include a sheet channel to guide a sheet of print media within the sheet channel above and separated in a vertical direction from a stack of printed media when the sheet of print media exits a print path of a printer. The device may include a plurality of clamps to control alignment of the sheet of print media on the stack of printed media when the sheet channel moves outboard from the sheet of print media to allow the sheet of print media to fall onto the stack of printed media, wherein the plurality of clamps sequentially pin the sheet of print media to the stack of printed media from a middle portion of the sheet of print media outward.