WIDE FORMAT PRINTER WITH INDEPENDENTLY OPERABLE PRINTHEAD SERVICE MODULES
A wide format printer that has a printhead assembly for printing media fed along a media path, the media path being more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide, and a plurality of service modules for the printhead assembly. Each of the service modules is configured to operate in a plurality of different modes and each of the service modules are independently operable.
1 . A wide format printer comprising:
a printhead assembly for printing media fed along a media path, the media path being more than 432 mm wide; and,
a plurality of service modules for the printhead assembly, each of the service modules being configured to operate in a plurality of different modes; wherein,
each of the service modules are independently operable.
2 . The wide format printer according to claim 1 wherein the printhead assembly has a plurality of printheads positioned to span the media path, each of the service modules configured to service one of the printheads respectively.
3 . The wide format printer according to claim 2 further comprising a platen having an apertured platen face, wherein the plurality of service modules are positioned for accessing the printheads through the apertured platen face.
4 . The wide format printer according to claim 3 wherein the apertured platen face has an aperture for each one of the plurality of service modules respectively.
5 . The wide format printer according to claim 4 wherein one of the modes is a platen mode for use when the aperture corresponding to the service module is completely covered by the media.
6 . The wide format printer according to claim 5 wherein one of the modes is a spittoon mode for use when the aperture corresponding to the service module is partially covered by the media.
7 . The wide format printer according to claim 5 wherein one of the modes is a capping mode for use when the printhead corresponding to the service module is inactive.
8 . The wide format printer according to claim 5 wherein one of the modes is a priming mode for use when the printhead corresponding to the service module is a newly installed replacement printhead.
9 . The wide format printer according to claim 8 wherein the service modules that do not correspond to the newly installed replacement printhead are configured to operate in the capping mode while the newly installed replacement printhead is primed.
10 . The wide format printer according to claim 1 further comprising:
a drive roller configured to engage and push media into a print zone; and,
a movable media engagement assembly configured to engage one side of the media and pull the media while the drive roller remains engaged with the media.
11 . The wide format printer according to claim 10 wherein the movable media engagement assembly has an apertured surface that has a media engagement side and low pressure region at a side opposite the media engagement side.
12 . The wide format printer according to claim 11 wherein the movable media engagement assembly has a vacuum belt configured to receive the media from the print zone.
13 . The wide format printer according to claim 12 wherein during use a leading edge of the media traverses from the drive roller to the vacuum belt during the first time period.
14 . The wide format printer according to claim 13 wherein the drive roller is configured to control a media translation speed until the media disengages from the drive roller.
15 . The wide format printer according to claim 14 wherein the vacuum belt is configured to control the media transport speed subsequent to disengagement of the media from the input roller.
16 . The wide format printer according to claim 1 further comprising a media encoder positioned in the vacuum platen and configured to produce timing signals for operating the printhead assembly.
17 . The wide format printer according to claim 16 further comprising a scanner adjacent the vacuum belt to capture information from the media for feedback control of the pagewidth printhead assembly.
18 . A wide format printer according to claim 17 wherein the information captured by the scanner is used to align printing from each of the printheads with that of adjacent printheads in the array.
19 . A wide format printer according to claim 16 wherein the vacuum platen comprises a plurality of individual vacuum platens that are each aligned with a corresponding one of the printheads, each of the individual vacuum platens being movable relative to the printheads.
20 . A wide format printer according to claim 19 wherein the service modules are configured to cross the media path to engage the printheads during a capping or servicing operation.