Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting substrate media including a nip assembly having a drive wheel operably connected to a drive mechanism for rotating the drive wheel, and an idler member disposed adjacent the drive wheel. The idler wheel and drive wheel forming a nip. The drive wheel and idler wheel are displaceable from each other to form a nip gap therebetween. A nip force generator is operably connected to the nip assembly. The nip force generator develops a first nip force upon entry of the substrate media into the nip and formation of the nip gap and develops a second nip force subsequent to the first nip force. The second nip force is greater than the first nip force.

Abstract: According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method, a system, and a printmaking device for calibrating sensors. The method begins by transporting a media sheet along a media path, the sheet having a lead edge, a trail edge and a measurement edge. Next, the method halts the forward motion of the sheet after the lead edge of the sheet passes a fixed reference. After that, the method moves the sheet laterally relative to the media path across the at least one edge sensor using a sheet actuator. Then, the method records an actual position of the sheet actuator and an output of at least one edge sensor. Finally, the method calculates a calibration factor based on the actual position of the sheet actuator and the output of the at least one edge sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting substrate of media including a nip assembly having a drive wheel operably connected to a drive mechanism for rotating the drive wheel and an idler wheel disposed adjacent the drive wheel. The drive wheel and idler wheel forming a nip therebetween. The drive wheel and idler wheel being displaced from each other forming a nip gap, wherein the nip gap is present absent the presence of the substrate media in the nip.

Abstract: An apparatus for registering a sheet. The apparatus including a sheet registration nip assembly for changing a position and/or timing of the sheet. The apparatus also including a controller communicating a first signal to the sheet registration nip assembly to change a first sheet characteristic to a target characteristic. The first signal generated to impart the target characteristic to the sheet by the time the sheet reaches a preliminary datum. The preliminary datum disposed along the transport path between the sheet registration nip assembly and a delivery datum that is disposed downstream of the sheet registration nip assembly. The controller communicating a second signal to the sheet registration nip assembly to change a second sheet characteristic to the target characteristic. The second signal communicated when at least a portion of the sheet is disposed along the transport path between the preliminary datum and the delivery datum.

Abstract: A sheet transport system and method including a first drive module including a frame. A first drive wheel is rotatably disposed on the frame. A first drive motor is operably connected to the first drive wheel and disposed on the frame. The first drive module is pivotally secured to a structure. A first idler wheel corresponds to the first drive wheel. An actuator is operably engagable with the first drive module. The actuator is configured to move the first drive module to cause the first drive wheel to move between an open position and a closed position. The first drive wheel is configured to propel a sheet in the closed position and to not propel a sheet in the open position.

Abstract: A method and system for insuring printing accuracy in simplex imaging or duplex imaging, including a media sheet in a media path adapted to move the media sheet through the system. The media path includes sensors and a datum. The sensors include a leading edge sensor and a trailing edge sensor adapted to record the time of arrival of the edge. The edge arrival time difference is determined between the arrival time of the edge using output from the trailing edge sensor and the arrival time of the edge using output from the leading edge sensor. A correction factor is based upon the time difference. The time of arrival of the media sheet at the datum is determined using the correction factor to align items printed on both side of the media sheet.

Abstract: Systems for moving a moveable drive module in a cross-process direction are disclosed. A system includes a moveable drive module including a drive roll and a translation drive motor capable of moving the moveable drive module in a cross-process direction. The system may optionally include a plurality of idler rolls, each configured to be associated with the drive roll when the moveable drive module is in an associated position. Optionally, the moveable drive module may further include an idler roll associated with the drive roll. Alternately, the system may further include a moveable idler module including an idler roll and a translation drive motor capable of moving the moveable idler module in a cross-process direction.

Abstract: A print device for registering a printable medium during a duplex printing process. The print device includes a controller, at least one leading edge sensor operably connected to the controller, the at least one leading edge sensor configured to detect a leading edge of a printable medium having a first and a second side when the first side is facing away from the at least one leading edge sensor, a coarse registration sensor operably connected to the controller, the coarse registration sensor configured to detect a leading edge of the printable medium when the second side of the printable medium is facing away from the at least one leading edge sensor, and at least one trail edge sensor operably connected to the controller, the at least one trail edge sensor configured to detect a trailing edge of the printable medium.

Abstract: Systems for moving a moveable drive module in a cross-process direction are disclosed. A system includes a moveable drive module and a cross-process positioning system. The moveable drive module includes a drive roll. The cross-positioning system is capable of moving the moveable drive module in a cross-process direction. The system may optionally include a plurality of idler rolls, each configured to be associated with the drive roll when the moveable drive module is in an associated position. The moveable drive module may alternately include an idler roll associated with the drive roll. Alternately, the cross-positioning system may further be capable of moving a moveable idler module in a cross-process direction. Still alternately, the system may further include a moveable idler module including an idler roll and a translation drive motor capable of moving the moveable idler module in a cross-process direction.

Abstract: A method and system feeds a sheet through a media path in a process direction. When the sheet is within a sheet registration carriage of the media path, the method and system align the sheet to a predetermined lateral position within the media path. The aligning process comprises unevenly activating nips within the sheet registration carriage and moving the sheet registration carriage in a lateral direction perpendicular to the process direction. When the sheet is within the sheet registration carriage, the method and system determine a lateral movement distance the sheet registration carriage will move in the lateral direction during the aligning of the sheet. If the lateral movement distance exceeds a predetermined distance, the method and system move the sheet registration carriage toward the starting position after the nips have released the sheet, but before the sheet has passed by the nips.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing sheet skew in a document processing device are disclosed. A document processing device may include a plurality of nips, a sheet skew measurement system, a feedback controller and an actuator. Each nip may include an idler wheel and a drive wheel. The sheet skew measurement system may be configured to measure sheet skew for a sheet. The feedback controller may be configured to generate a control signal in response to the sheet skew measured by the sheet skew measurement system. The actuator may be configured to adjust a loading force applied to a sheet by an idler wheel for at least one nip in response to the control signal.

Abstract: A method and system feeds sheets through a media path in a process direction and moves a laterally movable sheet registration carriage (positioned within the media path) in a lateral direction perpendicular to the process direction. It determines the lateral error of the sheets within the media path before the sheets enter the sheet registration carriage, using first sensors positioned within the media path. This allows the sheet registration carriage to be moved to a variable lateral starting position (as opposed to a consistent reset position or centered reset position) before the sheets enter the sheet registration carriage based on the error of the sheets as determined by the first sensors. The error can be the amount of lateral error, or simply can be a classification of lateral error (right error, left error, etc.).

Abstract: A sheet handling system comprising a sheet registration system having sheet registration nips and a receiving system for a sheet including a capturing point for engaging said sheet. Auxiliary nips are positioned between the sheet registration nips and the receiving station. The auxiliary nips are moveable between an open and closed position. A controller receives a signal indicative of the length of the sheet and sends a signal to the auxiliary nips to be in a sheet engaging position when the length of the sheet is less than the distance between the sheet feeding nips and the capturing point of the receiving station and be in an open position if the length of the sheet is greater than the distance between the sheet registration nips and the capturing point of the receiving station. In another embodiment, the auxiliary nips are maintained in their open position until the trailing edge of a sheet is about to leave the sheet registration nips, at which point the auxiliary nips are closed.

Abstract: Methods and system for reducing sheet skew in a sheet transport system are disclosed. A sheet transport system may include an idler wheel, a drive wheel a drive motor and an actuator. The idler wheel may have a substantially rigid outer layer. The drive wheel may have a compliant outer layer and may correspond to the idler wheel. The drive motor may be operably connected to the drive wheel and may be configured to cause the drive wheel to rotate around a shaft. The actuator may be operably connected to the drive wheel and configured to cause the drive wheel to move between a closed position and an open position. The drive wheel is configured to contact a sheet in the closed position and to not contact a sheet in the open position.

Abstract: A merge module suited to use in a printing system in which streams of marked print media arrive at angularly spaced directions from two marking engines includes a first media transport section which receives a first portion of print media and outputs it in a first direction. A second media transport section receives a second portion of print media. The second print media transport section redirects the second portion of print media, optionally rotates it, and outputs it in the first direction. A third media transport section receives a third portion of print media. The third media transport section redirects the third portion of print media, optionally rotates it, and outputs it in the first direction. Print media output from one marking engine may be alternately delivered to the second and third transport sections. An output path receives print media from the three media transport sections.

Abstract: A method of registering sheets laterally and in skew enables active sheet deskew without translating the sheet in the cross-process direction. A sensor carriage position is controlled to find the sheet edge after which deskew control can start. The average value of the carriage position can then be fed in a feedforward manner to move the image location to match the average paper position. This achieves good average lateral registration and active skew control at a reduced cost.

Abstract: A web system, such as a printing web system, having reduced power consumption is disclosed. Power consumption is reduced by joining the unwind and rewind shafts of the web system together through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT allows the unwind and rewind rolls to provide torque to each other as well, allowing fewer drive motors and/or drive motors of smaller size to be used in the web system.

Abstract: A registration and measurement system for a printing machine includes two drive rollers and two opposing idler rollers. Each drive roller and idle roller combination respectively form a drive nip. A single servo or stepper motor is operably connected to the drive rollers through a gear train, allowing the motor to drive the sheet feeding nips. A rotary encoder is attached to each idler roller. Optical sensors are provided above a desired sheet path. The optical sensors and the rotary encoders are connected to a controller and are operable to deliver output signals to the controller. The controller is operable to determine the length of a sheet passing through the nips based upon the signals received from the optical sensors and the rotary encoders.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing sheet skew in a document processing device are disclosed. A document processing device may include a plurality of nips, a sheet skew measurement system, a feedback controller and an actuator. Each nip may include an idler wheel and a drive wheel. The sheet skew measurement system may be configured to measure sheet skew for a sheet. The feedback controller may be configured to generate a control signal in response to the sheet skew measured by the sheet skew measurement system. The actuator may be configured to adjust a loading force applied to a sheet by an idler wheel for at least one nip in response to the control signal.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to calibrate a sheet velocity measurement derived from a drive nip system incorporating idler encoders. Testing has found that the velocity from an idler encoder system is subject to systematic errors, for example, errors that occur when the system is running media of different thicknesses. The system uses one or more nips with encoders mounted on the idlers and a number of point sensors that are spaced apart in the process direction. The point sensors are used to measure the transmit time of the sheet (lead edge or trail edge) between two sensor positions. The transit time is used to calculate the average sheet velocity. The average sheet velocity is compared with the velocity derived from the idler-encoders to derive a correction factor. The velocity sensor are used to calibrate the idler-encoder velocity sensors, providing a worthwhile improvement to idler-encoder technology for media handling (e.g., feeding, transport, and finishing) in direct marking systems.