Imaging drum with automatic balance correction

A method for balancing a self-balancing imaging drum having an external surface with a plurality of vacuum holes, comprising the steps of:

• creating a first vacuum supply to the external surface;
• rotating said self-balancing imaging drum;
• loading said print media on said external surface of said self-balancing imaging drum wherein said print media is held on at least a portion of said vacuum holes connecting a hollowed-out interior portion of said self-balancing imaging drum to said external surface;
• rotating said self-balancing imaging drum;
• and
• using at least one balance corrector consisting of at least one vacuum cylinder to form a second vacuum supply during the rotation of said drum, and communicating said second vacuum supply to said vacuum holes thereby, and if said print media does not cover at least one vacuum hole, the balance corrector moves radially to a position to correct balance of the self-balancing imaging drum for the missing print media.

A self-balancing imaging drum for supporting print media comprising:

• an external surface surrounding an interior portion;
• a plurality of vacuum holes piercing said external surface;
• first vacuum supply for holding print media onto said external surface through said plurality of vacuum holes;
• and
• at least one balance corrector consisting of a vacuum cylinder mounted in one of said end walls for creating a second vacuum supply to said plurality of vacuum holes and wherein said balance corrector is adapted to move radially to a position to correct the balance of the self-balancing imaging drum if print media is not covering all the plurality of vacuum holes.

A method for balancing an self-balancing imaging drum wherein said drum has a surface with a plurality of vacuum holes and at least one vacuum piston communicating with at least one vacuum hole, comprising the steps of:

• loading print media on the surface of the drum wherein said print media is held on said surface through a first vacuum supply drawing through at least one of said plurality of vacuum holes;
• rotating said self balancing imaging drum;
• and
• if no print media is over at least one hole, then the vacuum piston communicating with that vacuum hole will move radially to a position to correct balance of the self-balancing imaging drum for the missing print media.

A self-balancing image processing apparatus for forming images on print media comprising:

• an imaging drum comprising:
• an external surface;
• a plurality of holes disposed in said external surface;
• a printhead for forming an image on said print media adjacent to said imaging drum;
• a motor for rotating said imaging drum connected to said drum;
• a blower for creating a first vacuum supply for said imaging drum, and wherein said first vacuum supply is connected to said central vacuum opening;
• at least one balance corrector engaging at least one vacuum hole, wherein said balance corrector comprises:
• a vacuum cylinder;
• a vacuum piston contained within said vacuum cylinder;
• and
• a return spring to radially move the balance corrector when print media is over said at least one vacuum hole imaging.