Abstract: Disclosed is a cutter module to be used with a printing apparatus. The cutter module comprises a blade driving mechanism; and a rotary cutting blade driven by the blade driving mechanism. The blade driving mechanism comprises: a clutch mechanism selectively to enable the blade driving mechanism to drive the rotary cutting blade in a forward cutting direction or a backward direction. Also disclosed is a printing system comprising the cutter module and a method to be used with the cutter module.

Abstract: A printable medium support for a printer comprises a support element to support a printable medium, wherein the support element is movable between a protruding configuration to support the printable medium, and a retracted configuration in which the support element is at least partially retracted in a first direction. The printable medium support comprises an actuating element to move the support element between the protruding configuration and the retracted configuration.

Abstract: According to an example, a media roll support may comprise a sliding element movable along a guide, a hub to receive the media roll and a coupling plate. The hub may comprise an elastic element biased towards a first side of the media roll. The coupling plate may be attached to the hub and to the sliding element. Upon holding the media roll, a deformation of the elastic element may tilt the sliding element. The tilting of the sliding element may lock the sliding element movement, thereby preventing its movement.

Abstract: According to some examples, a skew detection device comprises a first roller rotatable around a first axis, a second roller rotatable around a second axis, a first sensor, and a second sensor. The first sensor measures a first rotation parameter from the first roller and the second sensor measures a second rotation parameter from the second roller. A movement of a print media over the device rotates the first contact roller and the second roller, and a controller determines a skew of the print media based on the first and second rotation parameters captured by the first sensor and the second sensor.

Abstract: A printing device includes a supply roller on which a roll of substrate is wound, and a tension motor to apply a tension to the roll of substrate. The printing device includes a drive roller to advance the substrate from the roll through a print zone, a drive roller motor to rotate the drive roller, and a drive roller motor controller to apply a drive roller motor signal to the drive roller motor. The printing device includes a closed loop tension controller to adjust the tension applied by the tension motor to the roll of substrate based on the drive roller motor signal applied to the drive roller motor.

Abstract: According to an example, a media loading device may comprise a motor and a leading-edge sensor. The motor may rotate a media roll having a leading-edge in a winding direction and unwinding direction, the motor being controlled by a processor. The leading-edge sensor may comprise a pivot arm and a detecting element. The pivot arm may contact the media roll and the detecting element may issue a leading-edge presence signal to the processor upon contact between the detecting element and the leading-edge occurs.

Abstract: A cutter assembly for a printable medium comprises a cutter to cut the printable medium, a trench adjacent to the cutter, and a trench cover, the trench cover at least partially covering the trench. The trench cover is movable between a supporting configuration to support the printable medium, and an open configuration to receive portions of the printable medium in the trench. The cutter assembly comprises an elastic element for biasing the trench cover towards the supporting configuration. The cutter comprises an engaging element and the engaging element engages the trench cover to move the trench cover from the supporting configuration towards the open configuration.

Abstract: A printing device and method is described comprising: controlling movement of a printing medium along a printing medium path to position the printing medium relative to at least one printhead to allow printing on the printing medium by the at least one printhead; and applying a plurality of respective elastic forces in a direction substantially perpendicular to the printing medium path, wherein the respective elastic forces are applied by a plurality of elastic elements of a modular assembly arranged laterally across a width of the printing medium path, wherein the printing medium acts against the elastic forces of the respective elastic elements of the modular assembly.

Abstract: A vacuum system for a printing apparatus comprises a structural member. The structural member comprises a fluid conduit to be connected to a vacuum source. The vacuum system comprises a coupling. The coupling comprises a first end and a second end defining a fluid passage therebetween. The coupling is attached to the structural member at its first end thereby connecting the fluid passage of the coupling to the fluid conduit of the structural member. The second end of the coupling comprises a resiliently deformable material. The second end is to connect to a vacuum chamber of a print unit.

Abstract: A printer comprises at least one longitudinal cutter module to cut a print medium in a longitudinal direction with respect to a print media advance direction. The printer comprises a controller to position the longitudinal cutter module along a direction perpendicular to the print media advance direction. The controller is to receive a full-bleed print job and in response to receive print job to position the at least one cutter module along the direction perpendicular to the print media advance direction. The longitudinal cutter module is positioned by the controller to longitudinally cut the print medium.

Abstract: According to an example, a cutting module may comprise a carriage and a cutting blade, wherein the carriage may be capable of reciprocating movement along a cutting path. The carriage may be supported by a support structure and the cutting blade may have a fitting pin to engage with the carriage. During a first direction movement along the cutting path, the fitting pin may obtain a first cutting-edge angle. During a second direction movement along the cutting path, the fitting pin may obtain a second cutting-edge angle.

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: A cutter assembly for a printer includes a cutter module including a rotary cutting blade and a gear associated with the rotary cutting blade, wherein rotation of the gear is transmitted to the rotary cutting blade to drive the rotary cutting blade, a toothed belt extending along a cutting direction and arranged to engage with the gear; and a support component extending along the cutting direction and comprising a ledge to support and guide the toothed belt.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cutter module to be used with a printing apparatus. The cutter module comprises a blade driving mechanism; and a rotary cutting blade driven by the blade driving mechanism. The blade driving mechanism comprises: a clutch mechanism selectively to enable the blade driving mechanism to drive the rotary cutting blade in a forward cutting direction or a backward direction. Also disclosed is a printing system comprising the cutter module and a method to be used with the cutter module.

Abstract: A printer comprises at least one longitudinal cutter module to cut a print medium in a longitudinal direction with respect to a print media advance direction. The printer comprises a controller to position the longitudinal cutter module along a direction perpendicular to the print media advance direction. The controller is to receive a full-bleed print job and in response to receive print job to position the at least one cutter module along the direction perpendicular to the print media advance direction. The longitudinal cutter module is positioned by the controller to longitudinally cut the print medium.

Abstract: A cutter module comprises an active rotary cutting blade driven by a blade drive, a passive cutting blade opposite the active rotary cutting blade, and a traction mechanism to pinch a medium to be cut in an area adjacent to the active rotary cutting blade and the passive cutting blade.

Abstract: A cutter is positioned at a cutting position according to a virtual coordinate system. Media is cut at the cutting position using the cutter to create a cut. The actual location of the cut in the media is detected and the virtual coordinate system is calibrated based on an offset between the cutting position and the actual cut location.

Abstract: A cutter arrangement for a printer is described, the cutter arrangement including a cutter module slidably arranged on a shaft, the shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to a media advance direction of the printer, wherein the cutter module comprises a movable cutting blade and a transmission group transmitting rotation of the shaft to movement of the cutting blade.

Abstract: A cutter assembly for a printable medium comprises a cutter to cut the printable medium, a trench adjacent to the cutter, and a trench cover, the trench cover at least partially covering the trench. The trench cover is movable between a supporting configuration to support the printable medium, and an open configuration to receive portions of the printable medium in the trench. The cutter assembly comprises an elastic element for biasing the trench cover towards the supporting configuration. The cutter comprises an engaging element and the engaging element engages the trench cover to move the trench cover from the supporting configuration towards the open configuration.

Abstract: A printable medium support for a printer comprises a support element to support a printable medium, wherein the support element is movable between a protruding configuration to support the printable medium, and a retracted configuration in which the support element is at least partially retracted in a first direction. The printable medium support comprises an actuating element to move the support element between the protruding configuration and the retracted configuration.