Roll Paper Rewind Control for Accurate Print Restart Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming technologies on roll paper often result in wasteful operations and unsuitable restart positions due to unnecessary reverse rotation conveyance and fixed rewind distances, which do not account for varying printing conditions.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a control method that dynamically adjusts rewind distances based on printing status and conditions, including detection of splice tapes and specific printing requirements, to resume printing from optimal positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reverse rotation conveyance is always performed after printing stop, then the roll paper can be realigned for next printing, but wasteful operations are performed when reverse rotation is unnecessary
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the conveyance mode based on printing status. When printing is suspended mid-job, forward conveyance continues without reverse rotation. When job completion occurs, reverse rotation is performed to align the roll paper for the next job. This dynamic adaptation eliminates unnecessary reverse rotation operations while maintaining alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance direction parameter is changed based on the stop type. For suspension stops, the conveyance direction remains forward. For job completion stops, the conveyance direction switches to reverse. This parameter change optimizes the operation by matching the conveyance mode to the specific printing status.
2Reliability
If fixed reverse rotation conveyance is performed, then the roll paper can be rewound, but the next printing cannot be started from the suitable position when suitable rewind distance varies
Solution Approach 1:
The rewind distance is dynamically determined based on the printing status and requirements of the next job. The control unit calculates the appropriate rewind distance by considering factors such as the type of stop, remaining paper length, and next printing parameters. This dynamic calculation ensures the roll paper is rewound to the optimal position for resuming or starting the next job.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the printing status and next job requirements to determine the rewind distance. The control unit receives information about the current printing state and the parameters of the next job, then adjusts the rewind distance accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate positioning for the next printing operation.
3Productivity
If roll paper is conveyed by predetermined amount in stop, then the next picture can be printed, but a blank state portion is created and roll paper needs to be rewound
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the blank state portion that occurs during printing stops. By detecting the stop type and adjusting the conveyance mode, the system prevents the creation of unnecessary blank portions on the roll paper, thereby reducing waste paper while maintaining printing continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of stop-induced blank portions into a benefit by using the stop information to optimize conveyance. Instead of always performing reverse rotation that creates blanks, the system uses stop detection to determine the appropriate conveyance mode, turning the stop event into an opportunity to eliminate waste paper.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus, a control method of the image forming apparatus, and a storage medium can suppress occurrence of a wasteful operation and perform a rewinding operation of an optimal amount. To this end, after stop of printing by the image forming apparatus, a print status at print start is obtained, and a rewinding distance of a roll paper is set based on the obtained print status. Then, a paper conveyance unit performs rewinding conveyance (reverse rotation conveyance) based on the set rewinding distance.