Dryer management system and method of drying a material deposited on a web

A dryer management system to manage drying a material deposited on a web, comprising:

• a web transport adapted to convey the web;
• a dryer unit associated with and disposed downstream of an imager unit having at least one heater unit adapted to generate a flow of heated air to heat the web;
• a temperature sensing device disposed proximate the web to develop an indication of a temperature of the web as the web is convey past the heater unit;
• and
• a closed-loop dryer controller that monitors the indication of the temperature developed by the temperature sensing device and sufficiency of drying of material deposited on the web and adjusts operation of the heater unit to sufficiently dry the material deposited on the web and maintain the indication of the temperature developed by the temperature sensing device below a maximum temperature;
• and
• a camera disposed downstream of the dryer unit, wherein the closed-loop dryer controller receives an image of the web from the camera, analyzes the received image to detect insufficient drying of the material deposited on the web, and in response adjusts operation of the heater unit.