Vacuum pulldown of print medium in printing system

摘要

A method for printing on a moving print medium in a printing system is disclosed. The method includes providing a linehead defining one or more print zones. A plurality of transport rollers are provided, wherein at least one transport roller is disposed opposite the linehead, adjacent to the second side of the print medium, and aligned with one of the print zones. A vacuum assembly is disposed opposite the second side of the print medium and includes a vacuum manifold aligned with the aligned transport roller. The print medium is moved through the printing system and a vacuum force operates on the print medium such that at least a portion of the print medium is deflected thereby increasing a wrap angle of the moving print medium around the aligned transport roller. Liquid is jetted from the linehead onto the print medium to form a print.

主权项

1. A method for printing on a moving print medium in a printing system, including:
providing a first linehead defining one or more print zones, the first linehead adapted to jet a liquid on a first side of the print medium in the one or more print zones; providing a plurality of transport rollers, wherein at least one transport roller is disposed opposite the first linehead, adjacent to a second side of the print medium, and is aligned with one of the print zones of the first linehead; providing a vacuum assembly having a vacuum manifold disposed opposite the second side of the print medium, wherein the vacuum manifold of the vacuum assembly is aligned with the aligned transport roller, and wherein sealing rollers are disposed adjacent to the second side of the print medium and laterally adjacent to the vacuum manifold to prevent leakage of air; moving the print medium through the printing system; applying a vacuum force proximate to the second side of the print medium such that at least a portion of the moving print medium is deflected thereby increasing a wrap angle of the moving print medium around the aligned transport roller; and jetting liquid from the first linehead onto the first side of the moving print medium to form a print.