Printer Processing Unit Positioning for Reduced Conveyance Delay
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printers experience prolonged downtime between cutting and conveying processes due to the cutter carriage's movement back to a waiting position, delaying the start of paper conveyance downstream.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a controller that moves the processing unit from a second position to a first position after conveying a processed printing medium, allowing for immediate conveyance of the next medium without needing to reposition the unit, thus reducing processing time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the processing unit returns to a waiting position after processing the printing medium, then the processing unit is prepared for the next processing action, but the time required until the start of conveyance of the next printing medium is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The processing unit returns to the waiting position before the next printing medium arrives at the processing position. This preliminary positioning action ensures the processing unit is ready to immediately process the next medium without waiting, thereby eliminating idle time and reducing the overall conveyance start time for subsequent materials.
Solution Approach 2:
By coordinating the processing unit's movement with the conveyance timing, the system maintains continuous useful action. The processing unit moves to and from the processing position in sync with the material flow, ensuring no idle time occurs between processing cycles, thus achieving continuous productive operation.
2Productivity
If the processing unit moves back to the first position before conveying the processed printing medium, then the processing unit is ready for next operation, but the overall processing time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the timing of the processing unit's movement based on the conveyance status of the printing medium. Rather than following a fixed sequence, the processing unit moves to and from the processing position in coordination with the real-time position and speed of the conveyed material, optimizing the cycle time while ensuring readiness for continuous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a conveying unit which conveys a printing medium in a conveying direction; a printing unit which prints an image on the printing medium conveyed by the conveying unit; a processing unit which includes a processing member and which executes a processing action for processing the printing medium by moving the processing member while causing the processing member to contact the printing medium; and a controller. The controller executes a processing process for causing the processing unit to execute the processing action with respect to the printing medium by moving the processing unit from a first position to a second position in an intersecting direction; a first conveying process for causing the conveying unit to convey a processed printing medium in the conveying direction; and a first moving process for moving the processing unit from the second position to the first position after the first conveying process.