Control apparatus and method for a digital printing system

摘要

Embodiments of the present invention relate to control apparatus and methods for a printing system, for example, comprising an intermediate transfer member (ITM). Some embodiments relate to regulation of a velocity and/or tension and/or length of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to regulation of deposition of ink on the moving ITM. Some embodiments regulate to apparatus configured to alert a user of one or more events related to operation of the ITM.

主权项

1. A printing system comprising:
a. an intermediate transfer member comprising a flexible belt; b. an image forming station configured to form ink images upon a surface of the intermediate transfer member as the intermediate transfer moves so that ink images are transported thereon to an impression station; c. upstream and downstream rollers arranged upstream and downstream of the image forming station to define an upper run passing through the image forming station and a lower run passing through the impression station; and d. an impression cylinder at the impression station that is periodically engaged to and disengaged from the intermediate transfer member to transfer the ink images from the moving intermediate transfer member to a substrate passing between the intermediate transfer member and the impression cylinder, the system being configured such that:
i. the periodic engagements induce mechanical vibrations within slack portions in the lower run of the belt; andii. torque applied to the belt by the upstream and downstream rollers maintains the upper run taut so as to substantially isolate the upper run from the mechanical vibrations in the lower run.