Applying and measuring toner in a print on a substrate by a printing machine
AssigneeNexPress Solutions LLC
InventorWolfgang Luxem
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Applying a toner print to a substrate, in particular to a substrate (3). At least one print (7) is applied to the substrate. Then, the amount of toner applied to the substrate is measured by a measuring device (21). Finally, the difference between the actual amount of toner and a desired amount of toner in the print (7) applied to the substrate is determined, the printing process being influenced on the basis of the deviation in such a way that the difference in the amounts of toner is reduced or at least remains the same during subsequent prints.
Claims10
A method of applying a toner print by a printing process to a substrate (3), preferably paper or board, or to a transport surface (17) for a substrate (3), which comprises the following steps:
- applying the toner to the substrate such that the toner print contains at least one test image (23/1, 23/2, 23/3, 23/4), and the shape and/or size of the test image is matched to at least one electrode of a sensor (19;
- 19/1, 19/2, 19/3) used to measure the amount of toner, measuring the amount of toner transferred to the substrate by a measuring device (21), and influencing the printing process in such a way that the difference between the actual amount of toner in the toner print on the substrate and a desired amount of toner in the toner print applied to the substrate is reduced or remains constant.
A printing machine for applying a toner print by a printing process to a substrate (3), preferably paper or board, or to a transport surface (17), including at least one transport belt (13), for a substrate (3), comprising:
- a measuring device (21) for determining the amount of toner applied to the substrate by a printing unit (9), said measuring device (21) having at least a first capacitive sensor (19;
- 19/1, 19/2,19/3), in particular a proximity switch or distance measuring device arranged opposite at least one said transport belt (13) of a transport device (11) for the substrate (3), at least one of said first capacitive sensor is arranged downstream of said printing unit (9), as viewed in the transport direction of the substrate, in at least the area of said at least first capacitive sensor (19;
- 19/1, 19/2,19/3), said at least one said transport belt is guided over at least one guide rail (27) in particular in a fixed position, wherein at least two capacitor plates are formed by said at least first capacitive sensor (19;
- 19/1, 19/2, 19/3) and the substrate or transport surface.
The printing machine as claimed in 6, wherein a plurality of first sensors (19;
- 19/1, 19/2, 19/3) are arranged over the width of said transport belt, preferably at a distance from one another.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.