Printing system for accommodating various substrate thicknesses
AssigneeVutek, Inc.
InventorsArthur L. Cleary, Joseph A. Lahut, Rainer Rall, Paul Duncanson
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Abstract
A system for printing images on a substrate includes a multiplicity of print heads mounted in a carriage and positioned a distance from the substrate. A sensor detects the thickness of the substrate as the substrate moves through the system, and a control system receives the substrate thickness information detected by the sensor and transmits signals to a motor coupled to the carriage. These signals instruct the motor to adjust the position of the carriage to maintain a desired gap between the print heads and the substrate.
Claims18
A system for printing images on a substrate, comprising:
- a table adapted to support a substrate, including flexible and non-flexible substrates;
- a multiplicity of print heads mounted in a carriage, the print heads being positioned a distance from the substrate;
- a sensor which detects the thickness of the substrate as the substrate moves through the system;
- and
- a control system which receives the substrate thickness information detected by the sensor and transmits signals to a motor coupled to the carriage, the transmitted signals instructing the motor to adjust the position of the carriage to maintain a desired gap between the print heads and the substrate.
A method for controlling the distance between print heads of a printing system and a substrate, comprising:
- positioning a substrate on a table adapted to support flexible and non-flexible substrates;
- moving the substrate relative to the print heads;
- detecting the thickness of the substrate while the substrate moves relative to the print heads;
- transmitting the thickness information to a controller;
- transmitting height adjustment information signals from the controller to a motor coupled to a carriage which holds the print heads;
- and
- adjusting the position of the carriage with the motor to maintain a desired gap between the print heads and the substrate.
A method of printing on a plurality of substrates, including flexible and non-flexible substrates, comprising:
- positioning a first substrate having a first thickness on a table, the first substrate comprising a first one of a flexible and non-flexible substrate;
- moving the first substrate relative to the print heads;
- detecting the thickness of the first substrate;
- transmitting the thickness information to a controller;
- transmitting height adjustment information signals from the controller to a motor coupled to a carriage which holds the print heads;
- adjusting the position of the carriage with the motor to maintain a desired gap between the print heads and the substrate;
- printing an image on the first substrate;
- positioning a second substrate having a second thickness on the table, the second substrate comprising the second one of a flexible and non-flexible substrate;
- moving the second substrate relative to the print heads;
- detecting the thickness of the second substrate;
- transmitting the thickness information to a controller;
- transmitting height adjustment information signals from the controller to a motor coupled to a carriage which holds the print heads;
- adjusting the position of the carriage with the motor to maintain a desired gap between the print heads and the second substrate, the gap substantially identical to the gap between the print heads and the first substrate;
- and
- printing an image on the second substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.