Image producing process and apparatus with magnetic load roller

摘要

An image processing apparatus (10) includes: a) a rotatable, magnet-attracting imaging drum (300) arranged to mount a receiver sheet (32) and a donor sheet (36) in superposed relationship; b) a motor (258) for rotating the imaging drum; c) a sheet transport assembly (91); d) a printhead (500); e) a lead screw (250) for moving the printhead; f) a linear translation subsystem (210); and g) a magnetic load roller (350) for eliminating entrained air. Also, an image producing process herein includes the steps of: a) rotating an imaging drum (300) in a first direction; b) driving a sheet of thermal print media (32) to the imaging drum (300) until a leading edge of the thermal print media sheet (32) engages the imaging drum (300); c) rotating the imaging drum (300) in a second direction of rotation; d) moving a magnetic load roller (350) into engagement with the leading edge of the thermal print media sheet (32); e) rotating the imaging drum (300) in a second direction until a trailing edge of the thermal print media sheet (32) is under the magnetic load roller (350); and f) moving the magnetic load roller (350) away from the imaging drum (300). These steps can be repeated for the donor material (36).