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: Disclosed is a print apparatus (1) comprising a platen (2), a support (3) to receive a driver (11), and an adjustment mechanism (4), coupled or couplable to the platen (2), to cause movement of the platen (2) relative to the support (3) in use. The adjustment mechanism (4) comprises an interface (5) connectable to the driver (11) to receive input motion from the driver (11) to thereby cause the movement of the platen (2) relative to the support (3).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mounting system for mounting a print medium supporting structure in a printing device, a printing device and a method of operating a printing device. The mounting system comprises a carrier assembly that is to carry the supporting structure. The carrier assembly comprises a bushing element to movably mount the carrier assembly on a guiding rod in the printing device. The bushing element comprises a first bushing that is to slidably receive the guiding rod and to allow for a tilting motion of the carrier assembly relative to the guiding rod around a first axis perpendicular to the guiding rod. The carrier assembly further comprises a flexible element to couple the supporting structure to the carrier assembly. The flexible element is to allow for a tilting motion of the supporting structure relative to the carrier assembly around a second axis different from the first axis.

Abstract: A printing system comprises an air-transmissive platen, a vacuum source, a cap and a controller. The vacuum source is configured to draw air through the platen to bias print media towards the platen. The cap is provided on a surface of the platen, between the vacuum source and the platen. The cap is configured to limit air flow through the platen, and comprises a plurality of closable openings provided in a plurality of zones along a length of the cap in a print media advance direction. The controller is configured to selectively open or close the openings of each of the plurality of zones to permit airflow through a portion of the platen overlain by print media and limit airflow through a portion of the platen not overlain by print media.

Abstract: Examples relate to adjusting systems to adjust a distance between a print medium support and a printhead. The adjusting system comprises a support structure and a print medium input beam and a print medium output movably coupled to the support structure to support the print medium support. The adjusting system further comprises an input and an output beam driving assembly to respectively move the print medium input and output relative to the support structure between an upper and a lower end including a home position. In addition, the adjusting system comprises an input beam sensor assembly and an output beam sensor assembly comprising a reference sensor and a relative sensor.

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: 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: 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 clamping device for a feed of a printable medium comprises a clamp to clamp the printable medium; and a force transfer mechanism to press the clamp against the printable medium; wherein the clamp comprises a magnet to increase a force onto the printable medium during clamping.

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: A method of determining calibration values for a media advance system of a page wide array printing device is described. A test pattern is printed on a calibration medium which advances along a media axis through the printing device. The test pattern comprises a plurality of test marks. The test pattern is scanned along a scan axis using a sensor and the calibration medium is advanced along the media axis through the printing device. The dimensions of the scanned test marks are analyzed, and calibration values are determined from the analyzed dimensions of the test marks. The scan axis is orthogonal to the media axis.

Abstract: An example apparatus is described which comprises a rotary member supported by a bearing. A rotary encoder is registered with respect to the rotary member to rotate therewith and a sensing arrangement is registered with respect to a surface of the bearing. The sensing arrangement is responsive to rotation of the encoder to generate a signal indicative of a rotational characteristic of the rotary member.

Abstract: A method of determining calibration values for a media advance system of a page wide array printing device is described. A test pattern is printed on a calibration medium which advances along a media axis through the printing device. The test pattern comprises a plurality of test marks. The test pattern is scanned along a scan axis using a sensor and the calibration medium is advanced along the media axis through the printing device. The dimensions of the scanned test marks are analyzed, and calibration values are determined from the analyzed dimensions of the test marks. The scan axis is orthogonal to the media axis.

Abstract: An example apparatus is described which comprises a rotary member supported by a bearing. A rotary encoder is registered with respect to the rotary member to rotate therewith and a sensing arrangement is registered with respect to a surface of the bearing. The sensing arrangement is responsive to rotation of the encoder to generate a signal indicative of a rotational characteristic of the rotary member.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of transport elements to cause a movement of a medium received at a media input in a movement direction towards a media output, wherein the plurality of transport elements are arranged spaced apart from each other in the direction transverse to the movement direction of the medium, wherein the plurality of transport elements include a first transport element to be moved with a first velocity, a second transport element to be moved with a second velocity, and a third transport element to be moved with a third velocity, the second transport element arranged between the first and third transport elements, and wherein the first and third velocities are greater than the second velocity.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of transport elements to cause a movement of a medium received at a media input in a movement direction towards a media output, wherein the plurality of transport elements are arranged spaced apart from each other in the direction transverse to the movement direction of the medium, wherein the plurality of transport elements include a first transport element to be moved with a first velocity, a second transport element to be moved with a second velocity, and a third transport element to be moved with a third velocity, the second transport element arranged between the first and third transport elements, and wherein the first and third velocities are greater than the second velocity.