Tension module for wide format inkjet printers

A printer, comprising:

• a tension module comprising:
• a throughput roller having a length to diameter ratio of at least 10:1 and comprising a material on the surface thereof having a friction coefficient value with a print medium of less than 1;
• a plurality of pinch rollers arranged in a line parallel to the throughput roller, the plurality of pinch rollers to support the throughput roller and provide pressure on a print medium when passed along the throughput roller;
• and
• a motor operable to rotate the throughput roller, wherein the plurality of pinch rollers and the rotation of the throughput roller in combination are operable to draw the print medium between the plurality of pinch rollers and the throughput roller;
• and
• a tension lever including a plurality of stops for setting pressure between the throughput roller and the plurality of pinch rollers, wherein each of the stops is associated with one of a plurality of tension settings, and wherein manipulation of the tension lever between two of the stops adjusts pressure between the throughput roller and the plurality of pinch rollers on the print medium;
• an input roller from which the print medium is input to the printer, the input roller to maintain a tension on the print medium between the input roller and the throughput roller and plurality of pinch rollers of the tension module;
• and
• an inkjet print head positionable for printing ink onto the print medium between the input roller and the tension module.

A method of printing on a media, comprising:

• receiving a print medium at an input roller;
• positioning an inkjet print head to print fluid onto the print medium between the input roller and a tension module, the tension module comprising a throughput roller and a plurality of non-rubber pinch rollers adjacent to and supporting the throughput roller;
• holding the print medium against a platen using vacuum suction while printing inkjet ink from the inkjet print head onto the print medium;
• receiving the print medium between the throughput roller and the plurality of non-rubber pinch rollers the throughput roller having a coefficient of friction value with a print medium of less than 1 and a length to diameter ratio of at least 10:1;
• applying a pressure on the print medium using the throughput roller and the plurality of non-rubber pinch rollers to maintain a tension on the print medium between the input roller and the throughput roller;
• rotating the input roller and the throughput roller substantially synchronously to maintain the tension to output the print medium;
• and
• manipulating a tension lever between at least two of a plurality of stops for setting the pressure to simultaneously adjust the tension on the print medium and the pressure between the throughput roller and the plurality of non-rubber pinch rollers.