Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (500) that controls the change of direction of a fusing belt in a printing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus can include a fusing belt (120) configured to rotate about an axis of rotation (128). The apparatus can include at least one fusing belt support roller (131) where the fusing belt can be entrained on the fusing belt support roller. The apparatus can include a pressure roller (132) that contacts the fusing belt to form a fusing nip (137), where the pressure roller, the heater, and the fusing belt can be configured to fuse an image on a media sheet (112) in the fusing nip. The apparatus can include a belt position changing mechanism (150) configured to move the fusing belt axially in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction relative the axis of rotation. The apparatus can include a belt position changing control module (152) coupled to the belt position changing mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (400, 500) that controls the rate of movement of a fusing belt in a printing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus can include a fusing belt (120) and at least one fusing belt support roller (131), where the fusing belt can be entrained on the fusing belt support roller. The fusing belt support roller can have an axis of rotation (135). The apparatus can include a pressure roller (132) that contacts the fusing belt to form a fusing nip (137). The pressure roller and the fusing belt can be configured to fuse an image on a media sheet (112) in the fusing nip. The apparatus can include a belt position changing mechanism (150) coupled to the fusing belt. The belt position changing mechanism can be configured to move the fusing belt axially relative to the fusing belt support roller axis of rotation. The apparatus can include a belt position changing control module (152) coupled to the belt position changing mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful in printing and methods of controlling the temperature of surfaces in apparatuses useful in printing are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses useful in printing includes a belt including a first surface; at least one heat source for heating the first surface; a roll including a second surface; a temperature sensor positioned to measure a temperature of the second surface; and a roll positioning device coupled to the roll for positioning the second surface of the roll in contact with the first surface of the belt to form a nip and increase the temperature of the second surface, and for positioning the second surface out of contact with the first surface to decrease the temperature of the second surface, in response to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful in printing and methods of mitigating media edge wear effects on fixing belts in printing are provided. An exemplary apparatus useful for printing onto media includes a first roll including a first surface; a second roll including a second surface; a fixing member including a third surface; a fixing belt supported on the first surface and second surface, the fixing belt including a surface forming a nip with the fixing member; a registration distribution system for translating the first roll, second roll, fixing member and fixing belt, as a unit, transversely with respect to a media travel path of media received at the nip; and a belt steering mechanism connected to the second roll for translating the fixing belt across the first surface of the first roll at the nip, transversely to the media travel path, while the registration distribution system translates the first roll, second roll, fixing member and fixing belt transversely to the media travel path.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (400, 500) that controls the rate of movement of a fusing belt in a printing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus can include a fusing belt (120) and at least one fusing belt support roller (131), where the fusing belt can be entrained on the fusing belt support roller. The fusing belt support roller can have an axis of rotation (135). The apparatus can include a pressure roller (132) that contacts the fusing belt to form a fusing nip (137). The pressure roller and the fusing belt can be configured to fuse an image on a media sheet (112) in the fusing nip. The apparatus can include a belt position changing mechanism (150) coupled to the fusing belt. The belt position changing mechanism can be configured to move the fusing belt axially relative to the fusing belt support roller axis of rotation. The apparatus can include a belt position changing control module (152) coupled to the belt position changing mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (500) that controls the change of direction of a fusing belt in a printing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus can include a fusing belt (120) configured to rotate about an axis of rotation (128). The apparatus can include at least one fusing belt support roller (131) where the fusing belt can be entrained on the fusing belt support roller. The apparatus can include a pressure roller (132) that contacts the fusing belt to form a fusing nip (137), where the pressure roller, the heater, and the fusing belt can be configured to fuse an image on a media sheet (112) in the fusing nip. The apparatus can include a belt position changing mechanism (150) configured to move the fusing belt axially in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction relative the axis of rotation. The apparatus can include a belt position changing control module (152) coupled to the belt position changing mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful for printing and methods of mitigating media edge wear effects in apparatuses useful for printing are provided. An exemplary apparatus useful for printing includes a first roll including a first outer surface; a second member including a conformable second outer surface forming a nip with the first outer surface; and a registration distribution system including a motor for translating at least the second member, relative to a medium passing through the nip, in at least a first zig-zag motion pattern from a first home position to a second home position.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (500) for an asymmetrical printer fuser nip is disclosed. The apparatus can include a housing (101) and a first fuser member (121) rotationally supported in the housing. The first fuser member can have a first fuser member end (210) and a second fuser member end (220). The first fuser member can be configured to fuse an image on a media sheet traveling in a media sheet travel direction (115). The apparatus can include a fuser nip (126) having a fuser nip width (128) dimension parallel to the media sheet travel direction and having a fuser nip length (116) from the first fuser member end to the second fuser member end. The fuser nip length can be perpendicular to the media sheet travel direction. The fuser nip width dimension can be configured to be asymmetrical along the fuser nip length. The apparatus can include a second fuser member (122) rotationally supported in the housing and coupled to the first fuser member at the fuser nip.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided methods and systems that incorporate a model predictive controller (MPC) in an image reproduction machine with known disturbance information. The MPC uses the control action at a current time in order to minimize the impact of an impending disturbance as well as to maximize current control performance. The impending disturbance is used by the MPC to determine an incremental change that combines steady state and transient state impact on the image reproduction machine. Disturbance such as print media type, image content type, physical dimension of the print media, weight of the print media, and print job data can be employed. Further, control of the image reproduction machine is generated in real time over a receding horizon, for the purpose of minimizing a cost function indicative of image variation, energy consumption, or the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically adjusting nip width based on a scanned nip print image on ultraviolet (UV)-sensitive media in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include receiving a signal to generate a nip print, automatically inserting a sheet of UV-sensitive media into a fuser nip in the image production device, pausing the sheet of UV-sensitive media in the fuser nip for a predetermined time period, illuminating the UV-sensitive media with ultraviolet light to generate a nip print, scanning the generated nip print, determining if a nip width adjustment is required based on the scanned nip print, and if it is determined that a nip width adjustment is required based on the scanned nip print, adjusting the nip width using a nip width adjustment device.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful in printing and methods of controlling the temperature of surfaces in apparatuses useful in printing are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses useful in printing includes a belt including a first surface; at least one heat source for heating the first surface; a roll including a second surface; a temperature sensor positioned to measure a temperature of the second surface; and a roll positioning device coupled to the roll for positioning the second surface of the roll in contact with the first surface of the belt to form a nip and increase the temperature of the second surface, and for positioning the second surface out of contact with the first surface to decrease the temperature of the second surface, in response to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (300) that adjusts a printer fuser nip is disclosed. The apparatus can include a media transport (110) configured to transport a media sheet (112) in a media sheet travel direction. The apparatus can include a fuser assembly (120) configured to fuse an image on the media sheet. The fuser assembly can include a fuser nip (126) that can have a fuser nip width (128) parallel to the media sheet travel direction. The apparatus can include a controller (130) coupled to the fuser assembly, where the controller can be configured to control operations of the apparatus. The apparatus can include a nip width profile generation module (140) coupled to the controller, where the nip width profile generation module can be configured to determine fuser nip width parameters based on media sheet properties and based on fuser assembly properties. The fuser assembly can be adjusted according to the fuser nip width parameters.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful for printing and methods of mitigating media edge wear effects in apparatuses useful for printing are provided. An exemplary apparatus useful for printing includes a first roll including a first outer surface; a second member including a conformable second outer surface forming a nip with the first outer surface; and a registration distribution system including a motor for translating at least the second member, relative to a medium passing through the nip, in at least a first zig-zag motion pattern from a first home position to a second home position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically adjusting nip width based on a scanned nip print image on ultraviolet (UV)-sensitive media in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include receiving a signal to generate a nip print, automatically inserting a sheet of UV-sensitive media into a fuser nip in the image production device, pausing the sheet of UV-sensitive media in the fuser nip for a predetermined time period, illuminating the UV-sensitive media with ultraviolet light to generate a nip print, scanning the generated nip print, determining if a nip width adjustment is required based on the scanned nip print, and if it is determined that a nip width adjustment is required based on the scanned nip print, adjusting the nip width using a nip width adjustment device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a fuser in a marking device is disclosed. The method may include determining a total power available for warm-up of fuser elements in a fuser, determining power constraints of the fuser elements, selecting a power allocation to be applied to the fuser elements, calculating a fuser warm-up time based on the determined total power available, the determined power constraints, and the selected power allocation, determining whether the fuser warm-up time is reduced, wherein if the fuser warm-up time is reduced, applying the selected power allocation.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful for printing and methods of controlling a temperature of a surface in an apparatus useful for printing are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses includes a first roll including a first outer surface and at least one first heating element for heating the first outer surface; a second roll including a second outer surface; a nip between the first outer surface and the second outer surface; a first temperature sensor for sensing a pre-nip temperature at a pre-nip location; and a first voltage modulator connected to each first heating element and the first temperature sensor. The first voltage modulator receives a temperature signal from the first temperature sensor indicative of the pre-nip temperature and modulates an AC voltage supplied to each first heating element to maintain each first heating element continuously ON at a power level ranging from partial power to full power to control the pre-nip temperature.

Abstract: A fusing apparatus includes a fuser roll and a pressure roll which define a nip therebetween. An internal heat source is disposed within a interior of the fuser roll. An external heat source is disposed adjacent the fuser roll for heating an outer surface of the fuser roll. One or both of the internal heat source and the external heat source is controlled during a print job such that the thermal gradient across the fuser roll is adjusted. As a result, a temperature overshoot which generally occurs after the print job is finished can be reduced. The influence of subsequent jobs on the fuser roll surface temperature can also be accommodated.

Abstract: A heated drum assembly improves thermal control of a rotating drum in a printer. The assembly includes a hollow drum, two stationary heaters located within an internal cavity of the drum, one of the two stationary heaters being at one end of the drum and the other stationary heater being at another end of the drum, a fan located at one end of the drum, a temperature sensor at one end of the drum, and a second temperature sensor at the other end of the drum, and a controller electrically coupled to the heaters, the fan, and the two temperature sensors to control a temperature of the wall of the drum to a set point by activating at least one of the heaters in response to a signal indicating a temperature below a first predetermined temperature threshold and operating the fan at one of three speeds.

Abstract: An adaptive approach is described that maximizes xerographic transfer efficiency, i.e. minimizes post toner image transfer residual mass, in response to changes in operational conditions, variations in material, and/or changes in other factors that may otherwise adversely affect xerographic transfer efficiency. The described approach may be used during a set up phase, or startup phase, of a xerographic system to determine an initial transfer field that provides a desired level of toner image transfer efficiency. The described approach may also be used in real time to dynamically adjust a transfer field to maintain a desired level of transfer efficiency. The described approach allows optimal toner image transfer efficiency to be achieved despite changes in the operational environments, and/or changes in the materials, e.g., paper, toner, etc., being processed.

Abstract: A heated drum assembly enables improved thermal control of a hollow drum in the heated drum assembly by selectively directing air flow from a fan to different portions of the hollow drum.