Slitter module with optional cutter

1. A slitting mechanism for a wallpaper printer, the slitting mechanism comprising:

a chassis having end plates,

the end plates being separated by a transverse portion of the chassis to allow a web of media to pass between them; and

a rotating carrousel of rotating slitting shafts arranged about a central support shaft extending between the end plates, each slitting shaft having at least one slitter arranged along its length in a predetermined position different from those of the slitters of the other slitting shafts, each slitter having a cutting edge,

wherein the slitting mechanism is selectively engageable to either enter or not enter a path followed by the web according to an input provided by an operator of the printer, the position of the slitting mechanism in relation to the path determining a width or widths of wallpaper output from the printer, based on a discrete number of width options provided to the operator.

2. A slitting mechanism as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:

the slitting mechanism further comprises a pair of rotating end brackets between which extend the slitting shafts and the support shaft, at least one of the brackets rotated by a motor carried by one of the end plates.

3. A slitting mechanism as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

a guide roller which extends between the end plates and under the path of the media;

the guide roller having a number of circumferential grooves, one groove corresponding to the location of each slitter associated with the slitting mechanism.

4. A slitting mechanism as claimed in claim 3 ,

wherein each shaft is positionable such that each slitter carried by a selected shaft enters a corresponding groove of the guide roller when the selected shaft is rotated into a cutting position.

5. A slitting mechanism as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

a transverse cutter extending between the end plates;

the transverse cutter supported at each end to perform a cutting motion which begins on one side of the web and finished on an opposite side of the web.

6. A slitting mechanism as claimed in claim 5 , wherein:

one end plate supports a motor which is coupled to the transverse cutter.

7. A slitting mechanism as claimed in claim 5 , wherein:

the transverse cutter has a driven end that is carried eccentrically by a rotating member.

8. A slitting mechanism as claimed in claim 7 , wherein:

each end of the transverse cutter is carried eccentrically by a rotating member.

9. A slitting mechanism as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the transverse cutter is configured:

to perform the cutting motion in response to a signal received from a processor in a self contained wallpaper printer in which the cutter is located; and

so that the performance of the cutting motion determines a length of wallpaper output from the printer, based on a length selected by an operator of the printer.

10. A slitting mechanism as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:

the end plates have extending between them a pair of entry rollers in proximity, at least one of the entry rollers being powered.

11. A slitting mechanism as claimed in claim 10 , wherein:

the end plates have extending between them a pair of exit rollers in proximity, at least one of the exit rollers being powered.

12. A slitting mechanism as claimed in claim 11 , wherein:

one each of the entry and exit rollers is powered by a single motor carried by the chassis.

13. A slitting mechanism as claimed in claim 12 , wherein:

the one each of the entry and exit rollers are powered by a belt which passes around the one each of the entry and exit rollers and a rotating shaft associated with the motor.

14. A slitting mechanism as claimed in claim 13 , wherein:

the belt is external to one of the end plates which carries it.