Abstract: A web printing apparatus comprising a support platen facing the processing station for supporting the web, when being processed by the processing station and a first guard for guarding a side edge of a web, the first guard being connectable to the support platen for guiding the web along a transport path, when the web is processed by the processing station. A detector is provided for detecting the first guard when connected to the support platen as well as a control unit configured for controlling the processing station to process the web, wherein the control unit is configured to identify the guard based on a detection signal provided by the detector to the control unit. Thereby, the first guard is identified by the control unit which may then control the movement of the print carriage to avoid the first guard, preventing collisions.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a web in a printing apparatus The printing apparatus includes a transport assembly for moving the web through a transport path along a printing unit for printing an image onto a print area of the web. The method includes feeding the web from a supply roll through the transport path to the transport assembly; and switching the printing apparatus to a ready-to-print mode, wherein the printing unit does not print an image on the web and the web is maintained ready to be printed on. In a printing mode after the ready-to print mode, the following steps are performed: moving the web through the transport path in a transport direction along the printing unit by the transport assembly; and printing the image onto the print area of the web by the printing unit. The image is printed by applying an image material, which solidifies on the web during the printing step.

Abstract: The invention provides a web winding device for attaching a leading edge of a web to a take-up roller positioned at an end of a transport path. A guide device is rotatable around the roller axis of the take-up roller from a first to a second angular position. The first angular position is positioned adjacent the end of the transport path and the second angular position is positioned in a space between the transport path and the take-up roller. The guide device is arranged for: at the first angular position, pushing the leading edge of the web against the take-up roller; during rotation, holding the leading edge in pushing engagement with the take-up roller; and at the second angular position, guiding the leading edge between the web on the transport path and the take-up roller for attaching the leading edge to the take-up roller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a guide device for guiding print medium onto a take-up roll in a printing system. The guide device comprises a first guide member presenting a substantially planar surface for limiting or preventing lateral deviation of a printed medium output from the printing system as the medium moves along a transport path towards a take-up roll for winding or taking up a length of the medium. The first guide member is stationary in use. A position of the first guide member is adjustable in a direction transverse to the transport path for setting the position to limit or prevent lateral deviation of the medium along the transport path. The guide device further comprises a second guide member presenting a support surface configured and arranged to support the medium thereon as the medium travels along the transport path towards the take-up roll. The first guide member and the second guide member are preferably integrally formed as a guide unit.

Abstract: A web printing apparatus comprising a support platen facing the processing station for supporting the web, when being processed by the processing station and a first guard for guarding a side edge of a web, the first guard being connectable to the support platen for guiding the web along a transport path, when the web is processed by the processing station. A detector is provided for detecting the first guard when connected to the support platen as well as a control unit configured for controlling the processing station to process the web, wherein the control unit is configured to identify the guard based on a detection signal provided by the detector to the control unit. Thereby, the first guard is identified by the control unit which may then control the movement of the print carriage to avoid the first guard, preventing collisions.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a web in a printing apparatus The printing apparatus includes a transport assembly for moving the web through a transport path along a printing unit for printing an image onto a print area of the web. The method includes feeding the web from a supply roll through the transport path to the transport assembly; and switching the printing apparatus to a ready-to-print mode, wherein the printing unit does not print an image on the web and the web is maintained ready to be printed on. In a printing mode after the ready-to print mode, the following steps are performed: moving the web through the transport path in a transport direction along the printing unit by the transport assembly; and printing the image onto the print area of the web by the printing unit. The image is printed by applying an image material, which solidifies on the web during the printing step.

Abstract: The invention provides a web winding device for attaching a leading edge of a web to a take-up roller positioned at an end of a transport path. A guide device is rotatable around the roller axis of the take-up roller from a first to a second angular position. The first angular position is positioned adjacent the end of the transport path and the second angular position is positioned in a space between the transport path and the take-up roller. The guide device is arranged for: at the first angular position, pushing the leading edge of the web against the take-up roller; during rotation, holding the leading edge in pushing engagement with the take-up roller; and at the second angular position, guiding the leading edge between the web on the transport path and the take-up roller for attaching the leading edge to the take-up roller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a guide device for guiding print medium onto a take-up roll in a printing system. The guide device comprises a first guide member presenting a substantially planar surface for limiting or preventing lateral deviation of a printed medium output from the printing system as the medium moves along a transport path towards a take-up roll for winding or taking up a length of the medium. The first guide member is stationary in use. A position of the first guide member is adjustable in a direction transverse to the transport path for setting the position to limit or prevent lateral deviation of the medium along the transport path. The guide device further comprises a second guide member presenting a support surface configured and arranged to support the medium thereon as the medium travels along the transport path towards the take-up roll. The first guide member and the second guide member are preferably integrally formed as a guide unit.

Abstract: In order to enable simple and easy handling of a large number of large format sheets, an output assembly is provided. The output assembly comprises a lower output tray element for receiving the sheets. In order to reliably transport and deposit a large format sheet from the printing device onto the lower output tray element, a guide element is provided just below an output opening of the printing device such to guide a leading edge of the sheet onto the lower output tray element. Once the leading edge is supported by the lower output tray element, the guide element is retracted such to enable a trailing edge to be deposited on the lower output tray element.

Abstract: In order to enable simple and easy handling of a large number of large format sheets, an output assembly is provided. The output assembly comprises a lower output tray element for receiving the sheets. In order to reliably transport and deposit a large format sheet from the printing device onto the lower output tray element, a guide element is provided just below an output opening of the printing device such to guide a leading edge of the sheet onto the lower output tray element. Once the leading edge is supported by the lower output tray element, the guide element is retracted such to enable a trailing edge to be deposited on the lower output tray element.

Abstract: A sheet collecting device for collecting sheets leaving the printing device, which includes a delivery rack for collecting sheets, a front edge stopper for collecting the front edge of a sheet in a first position of the sheet collecting device in which the sheet is deposited on the delivery rack, and wherein the sheet collecting device can be placed in a second position in which the sheets can be deposited on the delivery rack without the intervention of the front edge stopper.