Sheet transport device comprising an endless transport belt

A printer comprising:

• an endless transport belt supported on a plurality of support beams to define a medium support plane opposite an inkjet printhead assembly of a print station, wherein the transport belt comprises a plurality of spaced apart, endless, substantially non-permeable strips in between areas with openings, through which openings an underpressure is applicable to a print medium on the transport belt by means of a suction device;
• a sensor assembly for detecting a position and/or orientation of the transport belt;
• and
• a controller configured to control the transport belt to a given range so that the substantially non-permeable strips do not deviate from the support beams as a result.

A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by a computer, causes a printer to execute steps of a method,

• wherein the printer includes:
• an endless transport belt supported on a plurality of support beams to define a medium support plane opposite an inkjet printhead assembly of a print station, wherein the transport belt comprises a plurality of spaced apart, endless, substantially non-permeable strips in between areas with openings, through which openings an underpressure is applicable to a print medium on the transport belt by means of a suction device;
• a sensor assembly for detecting a position and/or orientation of the transport belt;
• and
• a controller configured to control the transport belt to a given range so that the substantially non-permeable strips do not deviate from the support beams as a result, and
• wherein the method includes the steps of:
• transporting a print medium along the print station for printing on the print medium by means of the endless, air permeable transport belt positioned over the suction device for applying an underpressure to the print medium on the transport belt, wherein the transport belt comprises the endless, substantially non-permeable strips positioned between the air permeable areas provided with openings and the suction device comprises a plurality of spaced apart support beams extending substantially in a main transport direction defined by the print station for supporting the transport belt;
• and
• controlling the position and/or orientation of the transport belt for aligning the print medium with respect to the print station, wherein each adjustment to the transport belt's position and/or orientation is restricted, such that the strips are maintained entirely overlapping the support beams.