Tandem Image Forming System Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming systems with multiple apparatuses, adjustments in one apparatus often require the others to standby, leading to inefficient operation due to prolonged idle running, material deterioration, and energy waste, especially when the adjustment times differ between apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a tandem configuration with a master and slave apparatus setup, where the control sections of each apparatus manage image forming operations, stopping the print engine only when necessary adjustments are performed, and maintaining a ready state when adjustment times are shorter than predetermined judgment times, allowing for efficient resumption of operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If adjustment of one image forming apparatus is performed during image forming processing of another apparatus, then image forming quality can be maintained, but the other apparatus must standby causing idle running and energy waste
Solution Approach 1:
The control section monitors the adjustment state of other apparatuses in real-time and dynamically adjusts the standby status of the image forming section. When adjustment is detected, the system receives feedback information and transitions to an appropriate operational state, thereby avoiding unnecessary energy consumption while ensuring quality maintenance.
2Manufacturing precision
If adjustment of one image forming apparatus is performed during image forming processing of another apparatus, then image forming quality can be maintained, but the other apparatus stands by causing material deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of the image forming section based on real-time adjustment status information. Instead of static standby, the control section transitions between ready and stopped states according to the detected adjustment conditions, thereby reducing material deterioration while maintaining quality standards.
3Manufacturing precision
If the print engine is stopped during adjustment, then adjustment can be performed, but productivity decreases due to prolonged downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The control section performs preliminary actions by maintaining the image forming section in a ready state rather than completely stopping it during adjustments. This allows the system to quickly resume operations after adjustment without prolonged downtime, thereby balancing adjustment completion with productivity maintenance.
4Ease of operation
If multiple image forming apparatuses operate independently, then each can perform adjustments autonomously, but coordination becomes complex and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control section implements a feedback mechanism that automatically detects adjustment status information from other apparatuses and responds accordingly. This autonomous feedback system simplifies coordination by eliminating the need for complex manual synchronization while maintaining ease of operation and improving overall system efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an image forming system including: a plurality of image forming apparatuses provided in a series so that each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses form an image on a sheet of paper, wherein the plurality of image forming apparatuses each include: an image forming section; and a control section which, when a predetermined adjustment condition occurs, stops an image forming operation, performs a predetermined adjustment, resumes the image forming operation after the adjustment is complete, and performs a notification that the adjustment is performed to the other image forming apparatus when the adjustment is performed, and when there is a notification that the adjustment is performed from the other image forming apparatus, the control section stops the driving of the image forming section and puts the image forming section in a driving stopped state while the adjustment is performed in the other image forming apparatus.