Abstract: A sensor support, as well as a platen and printer for use with the sensor support. The sensor support comprising a first section and a second section. The first section is capable of receiving a sensor. The first section and the second section are associated together such that there is at least a degree of freedom of movement of the first section relative to the second section. The sensor support further comprises biasing means to urge the first section away from the second section.

Abstract: According to an example, a method to wind media in an output roller downstream a media advance engine comprises advancing a medium for a determined medium length, collecting a first portion of the determined medium length at a first speed by rotating the output roller in a winding direction, and collecting a second portion of the determined medium length by rotating the output roller in a winding direction at a second speed, wherein the first speed is greater than the second speed.

Abstract: A sensor support, as well as a platen and printer for use with the sensor support. The sensor support comprising a first section and a second section. The first section is capable of receiving a sensor. The first section and the second section are associated together such that there is at least a degree of freedom of movement of the first section relative to the second section. The sensor support further comprises biasing means to urge the first section away from the second section.

Abstract: A platen having a first dimension and a second dimension. The first dimension is perpendicular to the second dimension. The platen has two opposing long edges along the first dimension and two opposing short edges along the second dimension. The platen has a higher stiffness in the direction of the second dimension than in the direction of the first dimension. Each of the two opposing long edges has at least three biased attaching members spaced therealong to bias the platen towards a structural support.

Abstract: It is disclosed a motor identification method for determine possible incorrect connections in a system comprising a plurality of motors corresponding to a plurality of sub-systems, the method comprising: applying an input to at least one of the motors causing its movement; and determining a detection signal corresponding to a position, speed or acceleration of the motor during a detection period; wherein the system comprises a memory storing a set of characteristic signals corresponding to at least some of the sub-systems and wherein the method comprises comparing, by a controller, the detection signal with the set of characteristic signals and correlating the at least one of the motors to a determined sub-system.

Abstract: There is provided a print apparatus and a media roll for the print apparatus, comprising a media identifier located on an end of a core section of the media roll. A type of media loaded into the print apparatus is determined by sensing the media identifier on the media roll using a non-contact sensor to scan the end of the core section.

Abstract: A printing system includes a feeding mechanism adapted to feed substrate from a substrate roll to a print zone, the feeding mechanism including a roller with an associated encoder configured to provide an encoder signal. A printhead is located in the print zone, and a controller configured to receive the encoder signal from the encoder, and to correlate the encoder signal to a substrate type.

Abstract: It is disclosed a substrate selection method wherein the printer comprises a feeding mechanism including a feeding roller to receive a substrate roll and a media advance roller to receive a substrate from the substrate roll, the method comprising: actuating the feeding roller or the media advance roller; measuring a feeding mechanism parameter on the feeding roller or the media advance roller; calculating a substrate parameter in view of the feeding mechanism parameter; determining from a table a substrate type of in view of the substrate parameter; and selecting a preset on the printer in view of the substrate type.

Abstract: It is disclosed a substrate compactness detection method for a printer wherein the printer comprises a roller to receive a substrate roll and a media advance mechanism to receive a substrate from the substrate roll, the method comprising: determining a substrate thickness; advancing the substrate for a length; measuring an angular displacement of the roller caused by the advancing of the substrate; determining the substrate roll radius by using the length and the angular displacement; and calculating a compactness parameter in view of the substrate roll radius and the substrate thickness.

Abstract: An example printing apparatus is described comprising a wiping element before the print zone, for slipping in contact with a print medium and wiping a printing surface of the print medium. An implementation of a wiping roller for wiping the printing surface of a print medium may comprise a rigid core, a layer of elastic material and a driving pinion. An example method for printing is also described, comprising spreading over a larger print medium area, by wiping, amounts of a substance that may migrate through a print medium and that is present on the printing surface of a print medium, before printing on the print medium.

Abstract: Provided in one example is a printing system that has a printing zone with a platen (10), a drive, a suction force generator (18), a media advance sensor (26) to monitor movement of the medium through the printing zone in a medium advance direction, and a controller 28) to perform suction force calibration prior to printing. The suction force calibration includes controlling the drive to cause movement of the medium from an initial position at least partly through the printing zone while the suction force generator is controlled to generate at least one suction force level, determining a suction force level to be used during printing on the medium based on the output of the media advance sensor during the movement, and moving the medium back to the initial position.

Abstract: A device (2) includes a media roll (4) to output a print medium (M) in a forward direction (26) and a wiper roll (6) to contact the surface of the print medium (M) at a rotation speed to cause friction on the print medium (M). The device (2) may determine a radius (r2) of the media roll (4) outputting the print medium (M) and, based on this radius (r2), adapt parameters such as the rotation speed of the wiper roll and a back tension (T2) exerted by the media roll (4) on the print medium (M) so as to control the friction caused by the wiper roll (6) on the print medium (M).

Abstract: In one example, a printer having a removably-installable platen. The platen has a platen type. A surface of the platen has a feature that is indicative of the platen type. The printer includes a single platen-type-discriminating sensor. The sensor detects a distinguishing characteristic of the feature. A controller determines the platen type from the distinguishing characteristic.

Abstract: A device (2) includes a media roll (4) to output a print medium (M) in a forward direction (26) and a wiper roll (6) to contact the surface of the print medium (M) at a rotation speed to cause friction on the print medium (M). The device (2) may determine a radius (r2) of the media roll (4) outputting the print medium (M) and, based on this radius (r2), adapt parameters such as the rotation speed of the wiper roll and a back tension (T2) exerted by the media roll (4) on the print medium (M) so as to control the friction caused by the wiper roll (6) on the print medium (M).

Abstract: An example printing apparatus is described comprising a wiping element before the print zone, for slipping in contact with a print medium and wiping a printing surface of the print medium. An implementation of a wiping roller for wiping the printing surface of a print medium may comprise a rigid core, a layer of elastic material and a driving pinion. An example method for printing is also described, comprising spreading over a larger print medium area, by wiping, amounts of a substance that may migrate through a print medium and that is present on the printing surface of a print medium, before printing on the print medium.

Abstract: In one example, a printer having a removably-installable platen. The platen has a platen type. A surface of the platen has a feature that is indicative of the platen type. The printer includes a single platen-type-discriminating sensor. The sensor detects a distinguishing characteristic of the feature. A controller determines the platen type from the distinguishing characteristic.

Abstract: Registering images during two sided printing is disclosed. An example is carried out by program code stored on non-transient computer-readable medium. The program code is executable by a processor for printing on a first side of a media a first plurality of plots and a plurality of associated fiducials along an edge of the media. The program code is executable by a processor for determining a distance from the edge of the media to at least one of the plurality of associated fiducials based on sensed input. The program code is executable by a processor for printing a second plurality of plots on a second side of the media based on the distance from the edge of the media so that the second plurality of plots is substantially in registration with the first plurality of plots.

Abstract: Calibrating a media drive, comprising advancing media with a media drive while detecting media advances within the printer, determining an error in the media advances, and calibrating the media drive so as to at least partly compensate for the determined error.

Abstract: In one embodiment, printing, on a first side of a media, of a first plurality of plots and a plurality of associated fiducials is caused. For each of a second plurality of plots, using data from a sensor, a distance to one of the plurality of associated fiducials is measured to discern a reference for printing that plot on a second side of the media. Printing of the second plurality of plots on the second side is caused so that each of the second plurality of plots is substantially in registration with one of the first plurality of plots.

Abstract: A system for adjusting measurements is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an optical sensor having a window marked with two fiducials and at least one processor coupled to the optical sensor.