Abstract: A stacker module includes a lift table, a stacker configured to place sheets that are successively supplied thereto onto the top of a stack forming on the lift table, a controller configured to lower the lift table as the stack grows, a height-adjustable eject table, and an eject mechanism configured to transfer a completed stack from the lift table onto the eject table. The eject mechanism is height-adjustable for transferring stacks onto the eject table in different height positions of the lift table.

Abstract: A method of using an interface device to interface to a processing unit is disclosed. The interface device and the processing unit are part of a station of a plurality of stations in a sheet processing line. The method involves using the interface device to receive a control signal from an upstream station, and comparing a selection part of the control signal with a reference, the selection part being part of an addressing part of the control signal. If the comparison result is negative, a further control signal is determined from the control signal, which is derived from and differing from the addressing part of the control signal and the interface device outputs the further control signal to a different interface device corresponding to a processing unit of a downstream station. If the comparison result is positive, an instruction signal is sent from the interface device to the processing unit.

Abstract: When a sheet ejector ejects an unsuitable sheet from a transport path in a printing system, additional sheets downstream of said unsuitable sheet are generally discharged to preserve the image order as prescribed by the print instructions. This results in large amounts of waste material (sheets and ink). The amount of waste may be reduced by providing a controller which, when receiving print instructions concerning a first and a second set of images, schedules the images of the first and second sets into an alternating image sequence defining the print order. Sheets printed with images from the first set are designated to a first output holder while sheets printed with images from the second set are transported to the second output holder. When a sheet for the second image set is rejected, the first image set need not be discharged, resulting in a reduced amount of waste material.

Abstract: A method and print system for stopping the print system are disclosed. The print system includes a control unit for controlling the printing of sheets, a print engine for printing recording material on the sheets, an input tray for holding sheets to be printed upon, and a finishing unit. The method includes scheduling printing and finishing of a plurality of sheets, including sending a sheet request from the control unit to the finishing unit, and upon receiving the sheet request, the finishing unit provides an earliest expected arrival time of a sheet at the finishing unit to the control unit. When this time is too huge, operator intervention is required and the finishing unit reports an error to the control unit, after a previous sheet has been deposited in the finishing unit, and the control units stops the print engine before the sheet leaves the input tray.

Abstract: A method and print system for stopping the print system are disclosed. The print system includes a control unit for controlling the printing of sheets, a print engine for printing recording material on the sheets, an input tray for holding sheets to be printed upon, and a finishing unit. The method includes scheduling printing and finishing of a plurality of sheets, including sending a sheet request from the control unit to the finishing unit, and upon receiving the sheet request, the finishing unit provides an earliest expected arrival time of a sheet at the finishing unit to the control unit. When this time is too huge, operator intervention is required and the finishing unit reports an error to the control unit, after a previous sheet has been deposited in the finishing unit, and the control units stops the print engine before the sheet leaves the input tray.

Abstract: A method of using an interface device to interface to a processing unit is disclosed. The interface device and the processing unit are part of a station of a plurality of stations in a sheet processing line. The method involves using the interface device to receive a control signal from an upstream station, and comparing a selection part of the control signal with a reference, the selection part being part of an addressing part of the control signal. If the comparison result is negative, a further control signal is determined from the control signal, which is derived from and differing from the addressing part of the control signal and the interface device outputs the further control signal to a different interface device corresponding to a processing unit of a downstream station. If the comparison result is positive, an instruction signal is sent from the interface device to the processing unit.