Printing Device Calibration With Perpendicular Full-Width Sheets
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Page-Wide Array (PWA) printing systems, submodules that do not fit within the printable medium width during calibration are not optimally calibrated, leading to suboptimal print quality due to factors like thermal variances and aerodynamics phenomena, and displacement along the printbar axis.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to generate a calibration sheet with a length equal to the maximum printing width of the printbar, ensuring all submodules are calibrated by printing calibration patterns on this sheet, which is aligned perpendicular to the media axis, allowing complete calibration of all nozzles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If calibration is performed using a printable medium with standard width, then calibration process is simple and fast, but submodules outside the printable width are not calibrated leading to color non-uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration sheet is rotated 90 degrees relative to the media axis, changing the orientation dimension. This allows the calibration patterns to span the entire printbar width (along the width dimension) rather than being constrained by the printable medium width, enabling all submodules to be calibrated without increasing media width
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration sheet is divided into multiple calibration patterns, with each pattern assigned to a specific submodule. This segmentation allows each submodule to be calibrated independently and completely, ensuring all submodules including those at the edges are properly calibrated
2Manufacturing precision
If printable medium width is increased to cover all submodules, then all submodules can be calibrated, but media consumption increases and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the width of the printable medium to accommodate all submodules, the calibration sheet is rotated 90 degrees so that calibration patterns are printed along the length dimension. This allows the full printbar width to be utilized within the constraints of standard media width, eliminating the need for oversized media
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation parameter of the calibration sheet is changed from parallel to perpendicular relative to the media axis. This parameter change allows the calibration patterns to be arranged in a configuration that fits within standard media dimensions while still covering all submodules
Data Source
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AI summary
Examples relate to methods of calibrating a printing device. A method comprises generating a calibration sheet of a calibrating medium having a length at least equal to the maximum printing width of a printbar of the printing device and printing a plurality of calibration patterns on the calibration sheet with the printing device to be calibrated.