Altering the operation of printing devices having engageable components

A printing device comprising:

• a photo imaging surface;
• a developer roller to transfer ink or toner to the photo imaging surface, the developer roller having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
• a first engagement device operatively connected to the first end to move the first end into and out of engagement with the surface;
• a second engagement device operatively connected to the second end to move the second end into and out of engagement with the surface;
• a first load sensor to measure a load on the first engagement device;
• a second load sensor to measure a load on the second engagement device;
• and
• a controller to:
• receive first load information from the first load sensor and second load information from the second load sensor;
• determine a first engagement force between the first end and the surface based on the first load information;
• determine a second engagement force between the second end and the surface based on the second load information;
• and
• determine whether or not to alter an operational parameter of the printing device by comparing the determined first engagement force and the determined second engagement force.

A method for adjusting an operational parameter of a printing device having a photo imaging surface and a developer roller to transfer ink or toner to the photo imaging surface, the method comprising:

• a first engagement mechanism moving a first end of the developer roller to engage or disengage the photo imaging surface;
• determining a first time at which the first end of the developer roller engages or disengages the photo imaging surface, based on first load data relating to the load on the first engagement mechanism moving the first end of the developer roller to engage or disengage the photo imaging surface;
• a second engagement mechanism moving a second end of the developer to engage or disengage the photo imaging surface;
• determining a second time at which the second end of the developer roller engages or disengages the photo imaging surface, based on second load data relating to the load on the second engagement device moving the second end of the developer roller to engage or disengage the photo imaging surface;
• comparing the first time with the second time to determine whether or not a significant difference exists between the first time and the second time;
• and
• responsive to a determination that a significant difference exists, altering a predefined activation time of one or both of the first engagement mechanism and the second engagement mechanism by an amount based on the difference.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising a set of computer-readable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to, in a printing device:

• monitor a difference between a load on a first engagement mechanism for engaging a first end of a developer roller of the printing device with a photo imaging surface of the printing device and a load on a second engagement mechanism for engaging a second end of the developer roller with the photo imaging surface;
• detect if the monitored difference meets a predefined criterion;
• and
• responsive to a detection that the monitored difference meets the predefined criterion, control the printing device to reduce the monitored difference such that it does not meet the predefined criterion.