Ink printer having improved release agent application control

An apparatus for applying release agent to an imaging member comprising:

• an intermediate imaging member controller that slows rotation of the intermediate imaging member to a transfer speed as an ink image on the intermediate imaging member approaches a transferring roller nip;
• a release agent coordinator for moving a release agent applicator into engagement with the rotating intermediate imaging member to apply release agent to the imaging member rotating at the transfer speed as the ink image is being transferred to media at the transferring roller nip;
• and
• a wiper coordinator for subsequently engaging the intermediate imaging member with a wiper blade to enable the wiper blade to meter a release agent bar formed by the applied release agent as the ink image is being transferred to the media at the transferring roller nip.

A transfer apparatus for use in a solid ink jet printer comprising:

• an intermediate imaging member onto which an image may be generated;
• a print head that ejects ink onto the intermediate imaging member to form an image on the intermediate imaging member as it rotates in a first direction;
• a drum maintenance roller that engages the intermediate imaging member to apply release agent to the intermediate imaging member during transfer of an image on the intermediate imaging member to a sheet of recording media;
• a release agent wiper blade that engages the intermediate imaging member while the drum maintenance roller applies release agent to the intermediate imaging member, the release agent wiper blade removing a portion of the release agent applied to the intermediate imaging member by the drum maintenance roller;
• and
• a controller configured to generate signals to move the drum maintenance roller and the release agent blade into engagement with the intermediate imaging member while transfer of the image to the sheet of media is occurring.