Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing an automated process that independently manipulates a plurality of span-wise discrete individual pressure actuators in a movable pressure assembly associated with a nip-based drive unit to drive tensioned web continuous feed image receiving media in web-based printing devices. The disclosed process varyingly adjusts a relative pressure of between the opposing rolls to address a detected wrinkling condition. A closed loop detection and control scheme is provided in which, based on a determination that wrinkling is occurring in tensioned web continuous feed image receiving media, and isolation of a spanwise location in which the wrinkling is occurring, differential signals may be sent to one or more of a plurality of span-wise discrete individual pressure actuators in a movable pressure assembly to varyingly adjust a relative pressure of the two opposing rolls across a spanwise pressure nip.

Abstract: In a system, at least two picker support elements are positioned adjacent a transport surface that is moving workpieces, and at least two picking elements are connected to each of the picker support elements. The picking elements have physical picking features that remove the workpieces from the transport surface and move the workpieces to another location. A controller is operatively connected to the picker support elements and the picking elements, and the controller independently controls the picker support elements and the picking elements to dynamically position the picking elements in coordination with a dynamic size, spacing, and transport speed of the workpieces being moved by the transport surface.

Abstract: A web printing system automatically detects the location of a wrinkle in a moving web. The web has a plurality of marked reference positions including an inboard position, a center position, and an outboard position. A plurality of contact image sensors detect the reference positions after the web passes through a spreader and an inboard distance and an outboard distance are respectively measured from the center position. If the inboard distance is less than a nominal inboard distance, the wrinkle is identified as inboard of the center position. If the outboard distance is less than a nominal outboard distance, the wrinkle is identified as outboard of the center position. The machine operator is notified of the fault condition and takes action to remedy the situation.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods that allow for concurrent leading edge registration and side edge registration of print media sheet(s). Specifically, segmented scuffer disk(s) are mounted to an axle above a tray. The disk(s) can each comprise multiple segments and, as the axle rotates, these segments can engage a print media sheet in the tray (e.g., the top print media sheet on a stack in the tray) and can continuously force that print media sheet in a first direction against a leading edge registration guide. The segments can also be independently flexible in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. This independent flexibility allows tamper(s) to perform a tamping process in the second direction at the same time as the print media sheet is forced in the first direction, thereby avoiding any slippage of the print media sheet away from the leading edge registration guide.

Abstract: A self-adjusting clamp mechanism prevents sheets from migrating back during the compiling of sheets in a stacker. The mechanism consists of a spring-loaded ball bearing in a converging track placed just before a registration wall. The sheets would be scuffed under the ball bearing and against the registration wall. The track converges away from the registration wall such that: it allows sheets to enter freely against the registration wall; exerts little resistance for side tamping; and prevents the sheets from moving away from the registration wall as the ball bearing is driven tighter into the converging track.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cart having a support surface with a selectively adjustable contour for providing essentially uniform support to a load (e.g., a stack of print media sheets) during receiving and storing modes and for facilitating transfer of the load to another support surface during a transferring mode. The cart can comprise a support surface with alternating fixed and movable sections. In the receiving and storage modes, the movable sections can be top aligned with the fixed sections so that the support surface has an essentially planar contour for providing essentially uniform support. In the transferring mode, the movable sections can be dropped lower so that the support surface has a corrugated contour for facilitating transfer of the load (e.g., using an interdigitation technique). Also disclosed is a printing system sheet stacker incorporating such a cart for receiving, storing and transferring of a sheet stack as well as associated methods.

Abstract: Methods and devices include a patterning device positioned along a processing path. The patterning device forms one or more holes through workpieces at a contact location of the workpieces. A transport device is positioned along the processing path. The transport device removes the workpieces from the processing path and stacks the workpieces by simultaneously moving at least two of the workpieces together in workpiece sets. The transport device comprising a vacuum device that contacts the contact location of the top workpiece within each of the workpiece sets. The vacuum device applies vacuum through the holes of the top workpiece to the bottom workpiece within each of the workpiece sets to maintain the workpieces together in the workpiece sets when performing the removing and the stacking.

Abstract: Methods and systems output printed items based on a job of instructions from a printing device; cut the printed items into cut items and output the cut items to a first location based on the job of instructions using a patterning device; and pick the cut items from the first location and place the cut items on a first conveyor based on the job of instructions using a robotic arm. The first conveyor is adjacent the first location. Further, methods and systems transport the cut items to a receiving conveyor based on the job of instructions using the first conveyor. The receiving conveyor is adjacent the first conveyor. Also, methods and systems move the receiving conveyor to position the receiving conveyor to receive specific ones of the cut items in corresponding locations based on the job of instructions.

Abstract: A scissor lift apparatus includes a sliding carriage member and a pivoting linkage added to a conventional scissor lift in order to lower the force required to lift a tray holding heavy media during the initial portion of the lifting action where the scissor lift is fully compressed.

Abstract: In a system, one or more robotic arms are positioned adjacent a transport surface that is moving workpieces, and one or more picking elements are connected to each of the robotic arms. The picking elements have physical picking features that remove the workpieces from the transport surface and move the workpieces to another location. A controller is operatively connected to the robotic arms and the picking elements, and the controller independently controls the robotic arms and the picking elements to dynamically position the picking elements in coordination with a dynamic size, spacing, and transport speed of the workpieces being moved by the transport surface.

Abstract: A web printing system automatically detects the location of a wrinkle in a moving web. The web has a plurality of marked reference positions including an inboard position, a center position, and an outboard position. A plurality of contact image sensors detect the reference positions after the web passes through a spreader and an inboard distance and an outboard distance are respectively measured from the center position. If the inboard distance is less than a nominal inboard distance, the wrinkle is identified as inboard of the center position. If the outboard distance is less than a nominal outboard distance, the wrinkle is identified as outboard of the center position. The machine operator is notified of the fault condition and takes action to remedy the situation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cart having a support surface with a selectively adjustable contour for providing essentially uniform support to a load (e.g., a stack of print media sheets) during receiving and storing modes and for facilitating transfer of the load to another support surface during a transferring mode. The cart can comprise a support surface with alternating fixed and movable sections. In the receiving and storage modes, the movable sections can be top aligned with the fixed sections so that the support surface has an essentially planar contour for providing essentially uniform support. In the transferring mode, the movable sections can be dropped lower so that the support surface has a corrugated contour for facilitating transfer of the load (e.g., using an interdigitation technique). Also disclosed is a printing system sheet stacker incorporating such a cart for receiving, storing and transferring of a sheet stack as well as associated methods.

Abstract: Methods and devices control a de-curling apparatus. A roll of material is fed through a nip formed between a first roller having a concave shape and a second roller contacting the first roller. The second roller has a convex shape mirroring the concave shape. The methods and devices automatically and continually adjust the amount of pressure applied at the nip between the first roller and the second roller as the material is unrolled from the roll into the nip.

Abstract: A stacker support with automatic unload function for flexible media includes a first set of ribs and a second of ribs. The stacker support is moved between a first UP position and a second unloading position. In the first UP position and loading positions, the first set of ribs and the second set of ribs are aligned so that their surfaces from a single uniform continuous surface for supporting stack of substrate sheets. In the second unloading position, the top surface of the second set of ribs is caused to move below the top surface of the first set of ribs whereby the top surface of the first set of ribs forms a ribbed surface that supports stacked sheets. The gaps formed thereby permit unloading by a cart having offset ribs.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a crown height associated with a nip profile includes adjusting pressure of a pressure roll. This may influence the shape of the pressure roll which may influence the nip profile. This may help prevent wrinkling and extend the life of the pressure roll. The pressure roll may be configured to have a varying wall thickness across a width of the pressure roll. The pressure roll may be used for a web application.

Abstract: A belt cleaning system to clean a conveyor belt carrier surface includes a first cleaning assembly having a cleaning web sub-assembly. The cleaning web sub-assembly includes a supply roller, a take-up roller, a cleaning web and an applicator. The cleaning web extends from a supply of clean cleaning web wound on the supply roller to the take-up roller. The applicator is disposed intermediate the supply roller and the take-up roller to bias the cleaning web into contact with the conveyor belt carrier surface. The belt cleaning system may also include a second cleaning assembly positioned after the first cleaning assembly in the direction of travel of the conveyor belt. The cleaning webs of the first and second cleaning web sub-assemblies may be dry or wetted with a cleaning liquid.

Abstract: A belt cleaning system to clean a conveyor belt having a carrier surface includes a dry ice blasting device and a debris recovery subsystem. The dry ice blasting device includes a delivery system having at least one nozzle disposed adjacent the conveyor belt. Dry ice pellets are discharged from the nozzle onto the conveyor belt carrier surface, whereby the dry ice pellets remove the debris from the carrier surface. The debris recovery subsystem includes a collector housing disposed adjacent to the conveyor belt carrier surface. The collector housing contains the debris removed from the conveyor belt carrier surface and directs the debris away from the conveyor belt.

Abstract: An improved rotator/translator mechanism includes multiple thin discs that mate with an idler roll to distribute nip pressure and spin at different rotational velocities to produce the same linear velocity at the nip and thereby reduce marking on certain media.

Abstract: A belt cleaning system to clean a conveyor belt having a carrier surface includes a dry ice blasting device and a debris recovery subsystem. The dry ice blasting device includes a delivery system having at least one nozzle disposed adjacent the conveyor belt. Dry ice pellets are discharged from the nozzle onto the conveyor belt carrier surface, whereby the dry ice pellets remove the debris from the carrier surface. The debris recovery subsystem includes a collector housing disposed adjacent to the conveyor belt carrier surface. The collector housing contains the debris removed from the conveyor belt carrier surface and directs the debris away from the conveyor belt.

Abstract: An improved rotator/translator apparatus includes a set of drive rolls driven by a pair of rotator discs. Idler rolls are positioned above each drive roll and spring loaded to provide the required normal force to drive sheets in any direction required. A pair of magnetic couplings couple the drive rolls with the idler rolls. The magnetic couplings are spaced with about a 5 mm gap to allow sheets to pass therethrough. The couplings allow the idlers and the drive rolls to stay aligned. Thus, driving media, registering media and rotating media in a transport is obtained, but with no relative motion or slip between the drive rolls/idler rolls and the media and a larger nip surface area, thereby eliminating marking of certain media.