Abstract: A media bypass for a printer, the media bypass comprising a convertible media support to hold a substrate and to switch between an active and an inactive configuration, wherein the convertible media support pivots from the inactive configuration towards the active configuration to extend into the printer and to guide the substrate into the printer.

Abstract: Examples relate to methods of calibrating a printing device. A method comprises generating a calibration sheet of a calibrating medium having a length at least equal to the maximum printing width of a printbar of the printing device and printing a plurality of calibration patterns on the calibration sheet with the printing device to be calibrated.

Abstract: Examples relate to printing systems comprising a safety assembly associated with a printhead. The safety assembly comprises a rolling element upstream of the printhead in the print medium advance direction to prevent a print medium from contacting the printhead.

Abstract: Print apparatus comprises: a platen to support a print substrate; a print head to apply print agent to a print substrate supported by the platen, the print head being movable relative to the platen to vary a distance therebetween; and a suction device having an inlet, the suction device to draw air from between the print head and the platen and into the inlet. The inlet of the suction device is movable with the print head to vary a clearance between the inlet and the platen.

Abstract: In an example, a dryer system may include a dryer, a plurality of passive rollers, and a tension engine to maintain tension on web media based on dryer pressure. In another example, a dryer system includes a plurality of passive rollers in a drying zone and a moveable platen having a surface defining apertures corresponding to the plurality of rows of passive rollers such that the surface of the platen moves relative to an axis of the roifers. In another example, a platen device includes a roller, a moveable platen having a surface defining an aperture through which the roller fits, and a cover that moves in conjunction with movement of the platen to cover the aperture when the surface of the platen is adjusted to a height above the axis of the roller.

Abstract: Examples relate to methods of calibrating a printing device. A method comprises generating a calibration sheet of a calibrating medium having a length at least equal to the maximum printing width of a printbar of the printing device and printing a plurality of calibration patterns on the calibration sheet with the printing device to be calibrated.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising a print engine in a print zone. A platen opposes the print engine to support print media. The platen includes a plurality of openings in communication with at least one vacuum source. The platen includes a non-vacuum region, comprising a surface devoid of openings in communication with the at least one vacuum source. The non-vacuum region underlies at least a portion of the print zone.

Abstract: A print target support assembly comprising a print platen structure providing an upper surface to support a print target as the print target passes under a print zone. The print zone is arranged across the surface perpendicular to a direction of print target advance. The surface comprises an inner belt area in the direction of print target advance, the inner belt area bounded on each side by an outer non-belt area. A belt advance mechanism, to advance a belt running across the inner belt area of the surface in the direction of print target advance, to advance the print target under the print zone. A flattening arrangement to flatten the print target onto the surface, under the print zone, across the inner belt area and the outer non-belt areas of the surface.

Abstract: In one example, a conveyance module to advance a belt toward a print station comprises a support structure to support a belt and to permit advance of the belt in a belt-advance direction toward a print station and a pair of guides. In this example, each guide is attached to the support structure and is to engage a portion of a belt. A first guide in the pair is attached to the support structure by a substantially rigid fastener to hold the first guide in a substantially fixed position relative to the support structure. A second guide in the pair is attached to the support structure by a resiliently deformable element to hold the second guide in a movable position relative to the support structure.

Abstract: A method of feeding a print medium comprises receiving a print medium by a media advance system; transporting the print medium by the media advance system to a print zone wherein the transporting comprises applying a first normal force when the print medium is at a first position of the media advance system and applying a second normal force when the print medium is at a second position of the media advance system, wherein the second normal force is different from the first normal force.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a printable medium for the use in a printer is described. The apparatus comprises a drag device, a feed device and a lock device. The drag device conveys the printable medium to a printing area. The feed device feeds the printable medium to the drag device. The lock device is disposed between the feed device and the drag device. The lock device temporarily fixes a first portion of the printable medium so as to cause a second portion of the printable medium being in contact with the drag device to slip along the drag device.

Abstract: In an example, a dryer system may include a dryer, a plurality of passive rollers, and a tension engine to maintain tension on web media based on dryer pressure. In another example, a dryer system includes a plurality of passive rollers in a drying zone and a moveable platen having a surface defining apertures corresponding to the plurality of rows of passive rollers such that the surface of the platen moves relative to an axis of the roifers. In another example, a platen device includes a roller, a moveable platen having a surface defining an aperture through which the roller fits, and a cover that moves in conjunction with movement of the platen to cover the aperture when the surface of the platen is adjusted to a height above the axis of the roller.

Abstract: A media stacker (100) comprises a stacking platform (102), a feed mechanism (104), a media arresting mechanism (106) and a controller (108). The feed mechanism conveys media sheets for dispensing onto the stacking platform, wherein the media sheets are dispensed onto the stacking platform with a momentum imparted by the feed mechanism. The media arresting mechanism reduces the momentum of media sheets. The controller determines that a trailing edge of a media sheet is to be dispensed onto the stacking platform, and further control the media arresting apparatus to reduce the momentum of the media sheet in response to the determination.

Abstract: A print target support assembly comprising a print platen structure providing an upper surface to support a print target as the print target passes under a print zone. The print zone is arranged across the surface perpendicular to a direction of print target advance. The surface comprises an inner belt area in the direction of print target advance, the inner belt area bounded on each side by an outer non-belt area. A belt advance mechanism, to advance a belt running across the inner belt area of the surface in the direction of print target advance, to advance the print target under the print zone. A flattening arrangement to flatten the print target onto the surface, under the print zone, across the inner belt area and the outer non-belt areas of the surface.

Abstract: A print media support assembly includes a print platen structure having a number of through holes for applying a vacuum from a bottom side to a surface of the print platen structure, and a number of sinkholes in the surface of the print platen structure, each sinkhole associated with at least one through hole for distributing a vacuum, applied via the through holes, across the surface of the print platen structure; the print platen structure supporting a print medium in a print zone; and at least one vacuum belt running across the surface of the print platen structure in a direction of print media advance, the belt overlapping with only part of the surface of the print platen structure to form at least one belt area and at least one non-belt area on the print platen structure; wherein at least one of the density and the size of the through holes and the distribution, the area and the shape of a footprint of the sinkholes is different between the belt area and the non-belt area.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a printable medium for the use in a printer is described. The apparatus comprises a drag device, a feed device and a lock device. The drag device conveys the printable medium to a printing area. The feed device feeds the printable medium to the drag device. The lock device is disposed between the feed device and the drag device. The lock device temporarily fixes a first portion of the printable medium so as to cause a second portion of the printable medium being in contact with the drag device to slip along the drag device.

Abstract: Dryers (300) comprising a first surface (102) and a deflector (302). The first surface comprises at least one opening (104) through which air is forced during use to dry a printed media and the deflector comprises (302) a second surface to change the direction of airflow passing through the at least one opening. The deflector guides the direction of the airflow such that it flows substantially in a direction corresponding to the direction of travel (310) of the printed media.

Abstract: A method of feeding a print medium comprises receiving a print medium by a media advance system; transporting the print medium by the media advance system to a print zone wherein the transporting comprises applying a first normal force when the print medium is at a first position of the media advance system and applying a second normal force when the print medium is at a second position of the media advance system, wherein the second normal force is different from the first normal force.

Abstract: Examples described herein include devices and methods for adjusting a suction force for a media holddown, comprising detecting an advancement of a media (114) relative to a media holddown surface along a media advancement direction (X), wherein the holddown surface has a plurality of suction zones arranged along the media advancement direction, and adjusting a suction force in the respective suction zones in accordance with the advancement of the media relative to the media holddown surface.

Abstract: An example printing apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure may comprise a platen (10) on which print media may advance and which may comprise a hole (20) that is open towards a print media advance surface and in fluid communication with a vacuum source (40) and with a pressure sensor (50). In implementations of the apparatus a control unit (60) may detect the presence of print media at the hole (20) if the pressure sensor (50) measures an air pressure below a predetermined threshold.