Adaptive method for handling inkjet printing media

A method of accommodating manufacturing tolerance variations accumulated during assembly of an inkjet printing mechanism having a printhead that prints on media in a printzone, the method comprising the steps of:

• assembling a media handling system for an inkjet printing mechanism from plural components each having unique dimensions ranging between maximum and minimum limits, with said plural components including a printhead, a drive motor, a media support member that defines a printhead-to-media spacing in the printzone between the printhead and media when supported thereby, and a spacing adjuster, with the system having a manufactured printhead-to-media spacing when assembled;
• measuring the manufactured printhead-to-media spacing;
• comparing the measured manufactured printhead-to-media spacing with a nominal value for printhead-to-media spacing to determine a spacing difference therebetween;
• determining the amount to drive the motor that corresponds to the determined spacing difference;
• operatively coupling the motor to the support member using the spacing adjuster;
• and
• following the coupling step, selectively adjusting printhead-to-media spacing by the driving spacing adjuster with the motor the determined amount to arrive at an adjusted spacing.

An adaptive method of printing using an inkjet printing mechanism having a printhead that prints on media in a printzone, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a drive motor, a media support member that defines a printhead-to-media spacing in the printzone between the printhead and media when supported thereby, a spacing adjuster, and a controller having a memory portion with a tolerance adjust value stored therein;
• selecting a desired printhead-to-media spacing and selecting an amount to drive the motor that corresponds to the desired printhead-to-media spacing;
• summing the tolerance adjust value and the selected amount to drive the motor to arrive at a total motor drive value;
• operatively coupling the motor to the support member using the spacing adjuster;
• and
• following the coupling step, selectively adjusting printhead-to-media spacing by the driving spacing adjuster with the motor for the total motor drive value.