Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to characterizing a media curler for a printing. Test curls can be imposed on media having input curls with known input values using a media curler to be characterized. The media curler can impose the test curls based on curler settings of the media curler. Resulting output values from an interaction between the test curls and the input curls can be measured and the curler settings can be characterized based on the known input values and the resulting output values so that the media curler can be configured to respond to incoming media having a known input curl by applying curler setting to achieve a desired output curl.

Abstract: A control system and method for a sheet registration device including a general unit which determines desired contact point velocities for moving a sheet along a reference trajectory. The contact point velocity determination is independent of the sheet registration device. A specific unit is operably connected to the general unit. The specific unit determines registration device specific operating parameters for controlling registration device actuators to move the sheet along the reference trajectory.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of handling substrate media in a marking device using toner. The apparatus including first and second rolls for handling the substrate media. The first roll applying pressure to the toner. After the application of pressure by the first roll, the toner remains partially unfused to the substrate media. The second roll subsequently engaging the pressed toner as the substrate media passes the second roll. The first roll and the second roll being disposed remotely from one another in a process handling direction of the substrate media. The method including the application of pressure to the unfused toner on the substrate media by a first roll. The method subsequently engages the pressed toner with a second roll for handling the substrate media.

Abstract: A method of aligning transport modules in a printing system, the method including passing at least one substrate media in a process direction through two adjacent belt driven transport modules with one of the two transport modules having a belt steering control disabled. Each of the two transport modules including a transport belt for engaging and conveying the at least one substrate media, which transfers skew between the two adjacent transport modules. The method including detecting a first cross-process position of the transport belt in one of the two adjacent transport modules using a first edge sensor and detecting a second cross-process position of the transport belt in the other of the two adjacent transport modules using a second edge sensor. Further, aligning the two adjacent transport modules based on a relative skew between the two transport modules indicated by the first cross-process position and the second cross-process position.

Abstract: Aligning image transfer assembly belts using two driven image-bearing belts simultaneously engaged with a driven transport belt. Each image-bearing belt conveys image-forming marking material formed thereon, wherein the transport belt is selectively engageable by the two image-bearing belts. The selective engagement of each image-bearing belt being independent from the other, wherein the two image-bearing belts are remote from one another. The method and apparatus also output signals representing at least one detected lateral positions of an edge of a measured belt using at least one edge sensor. The detected lateral position measured can be achieved by one or two edge sensors, wherein the two edge sensors would be disposed remote from one another along an extent across which the edge of the measured belt moves. Then a skew indication of the simultaneously engaged two image-bearing belts is determined based on a the output edge sensor(s) signals.

Abstract: According to aspects described herein, there is disclosed an apparatus and method for steering a belt in an image transfer assembly. The apparatus includes a image-bearing belt, at least two image transfer nips and at least two belt steering rollers. The image-bearing belt receives portions of image-forming marking material, wherein the image-bearing belt is supported by rollers. The image-bearing belt moves in a process direction for conveying the received portions of the image-forming marking material. The at least two image transfer nips transfer at least one portion of the image-forming marking material to the image-bearing belt, wherein the image-bearing belt extends continuously between the at least two image transfer nips. The belt steering rollers being disposed remote from each other along the process direction of the image-bearing belt, wherein the belt steering rollers include idler rollers directly engaging the image-bearing belt.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a multi-color printing system in which color-to-color registration errors due to cyclical belt motion errors are minimized. A belt for transporting a substrate media or at least a partial image into a plurality of panels is segmented. A first one of the panels has a first location on the belt for receiving substrate media or a partial image. A first belt motion error value corresponding to the first one of the panels on the belt is identified and at least one image marking unit is calibrated to counteract the first belt motion error corresponding to the first one of the panels.

Abstract: A method of controlling the average sheet velocities in the separate paths in a parallel architecture to prevent sheet collision and provide for sheet arrival in the proper order at the sheet merger point(s) in the media path. Modifying the travel time of the sheets, or re-phasing strategy, at various points along the media path ensure that sheet collision is avoided even at maximum capacity. Adjusting the velocity of the sheets allow for the printer to run at maximum capacity without jamming and collision of the sheets running therethrough.

Abstract: A method of providing hybrid control of sheet transport modules in a processing device. The method includes setting velocity of a first sheet transport module of the processing device to a predetermined velocity value before transfer of a sheet from the first sheet transport module to a second sheet transport module of the processing device. The method further includes setting torque of the first sheet transport module to a torque value to control tension of the sheet to a first sheet tension value when the sheet transfers from the first sheet transport module to the second sheet transport module.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring substrate media thickness including a nip assembly having a first nip for engaging substrate media and transporting the media along a process direction. The first nip has a nip velocity. A sensor is in operative communication with the first nip for sensing the nip velocity. A processor is operably connected to the sensor. The processor determines a media thickness responsive to a change in nip velocity detected by the velocity sensor upon entry of the media in the first nip.

Abstract: A method and system for determining sheet position and orientation of a sheet as the sheet moves along a feed path is provided herein. The method includes moving the sheet along the feed path and past at least one point sensor to measure a first position of the sheet relative to a first reference axis coinciding with the process direction of the feed path. Next, the method provides for moving the sheet along the feed path and past at least one linear array sensor to measure a second position of the sheet relative to a second reference axis disposed perpendicular to the first reference axis and an angular orientation of the sheet in the reference plane relative to a third reference axis perpendicular to the reference plane. After that, a sheet velocity is determined. Then, one or more estimated sheet positions along the feed path are determined.

Abstract: A method of aligning transport modules in a printing system, the method including passing at least one substrate media in a process direction through two adjacent belt driven transport modules with one of the two transport modules having a belt steering control disabled. Each of the two transport modules including a transport belt for engaging and conveying the at least one substrate media, which transfers skew between the two adjacent transport modules. The method including detecting a first cross-process position of the transport belt in one of the two adjacent transport modules using a first edge sensor and detecting a second cross-process position of the transport belt in the other of the two adjacent transport modules using a second edge sensor. Further, aligning the two adjacent transport modules based on a relative skew between the two transport modules indicated by the first cross-process position and the second cross-process position.

Abstract: One disclosed feature of the embodiments is a method of aligning transport modules in a printing system, the method comprising a step (a) including passing at least one substrate media in a process direction through two adjacent belt driven transport modules with at least one module belt steering control disabled. The method also comprising a step (b) including detecting a position of at least one module transport belt in a cross-process direction using an edge sensor. Further, the method comprising a (c) including aligning the two adjacent transport modules based on the detected cross-process position.

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. 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: A method of providing hybrid control of sheet transport modules in a processing device. The method includes setting velocity of a first sheet transport module of the processing device to a predetermined velocity value before transfer of a sheet from the first sheet transport module to a second sheet transport module of the processing device. The method further includes setting torque of the first sheet transport module to a torque value to control tension of the sheet to a first sheet tension value when the sheet transfers from the first sheet transport module to the second sheet transport module.

Abstract: A processing device to provide hybrid control of sheet transport modules. The processing device includes a first sheet transport module, a second sheet transport module and a control subsystem. The first sheet transport module and the second sheet transport module are configured to transport a sheet. The control subsystem is configured to set velocity of the first sheet transport module before a transfer of the sheet from the first sheet transport module to the second sheet transport module. The control subsystem is further configured to set torque of the first sheet transport module to a torque value to control tension of the sheet to a first sheet tension value when the sheet transfers from the first sheet transport module to the second sheet transport module.

Abstract: A compiling unit includes a collection tray and a variable-speed compiling system adapted to operate at at least two speeds to thereby receive a sheet of media at a higher speed and register the sheet of media within the collection tray at a lower speed. A control system is adapted to selectively operate the variable-speed compiling system at the at least two speeds. A printing system having a sheet media source, at least one marking engine, such a compiling unit and such a control system is included. A method of compiling sheet media is also included.

Abstract: A control system and method for a sheet registration device including a general unit which determines desired contact point velocities for moving a sheet along a reference trajectory. The contact point velocity determination is independent of the sheet registration device. A specific unit is operably connected to the general unit. The specific unit determines registration device specific operating parameters for controlling registration device actuators to move the sheet along the reference trajectory.

Abstract: Method, system and computer-readable medium to provide hybrid control of sheet transport modules in a processing device. The method of controlling a processing device includes setting velocity of a first sheet transport module of the processing device to a predetermined velocity value. The method further includes controlling torque of the first sheet transport module when a sheet transfers from the first sheet transport module to a second sheet transport module of the processing device.

Abstract: A method and system for determining sheet position and orientation of a sheet as the sheet moves along a feed path is provided herein. The method includes moving the sheet along the feed path and past at least one point sensor to measure a first position of the sheet relative to a first reference axis coinciding with the process direction of the feed path. Next, the method provides for moving the sheet along the feed path and past at least one linear array sensor to measure a second position of the sheet relative to a second reference axis disposed perpendicular to the first reference axis and an angular orientation of the sheet in the reference plane relative to a third reference axis perpendicular to the reference plane. After that, a sheet velocity is determined. Then, one or more estimated sheet positions along the feed path are determined.