Patent ID: 8215763
Filing Date: 2012-07-10
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A printing apparatus capable of forming an image on a recording medium, comprising: a recording head to eject ink onto the recording medium; a recording head controller to control movement of the recording head according to printing data, which represents the image to be formed on the recording medium; a carriage to carry the recording head in a main scanning direction relative to the recording medium; a plurality of platens, each of which has a holding surface to hold the recording medium thereon and is movable respectively in an auxiliary direction, which is perpendicular to the main scanning direction; a plurality of drive mechanisms, each of which drives one of the platens in the auxiliary direction; a synchronization controller that is configured to control the plurality of drive mechanisms and manipulate the plurality of platens to be moved for a same amount in a same direction simultaneously; and an extensible table, which is detachably attached over at least two of the platens; wherein the plurality of platens can be moved synchronously with one another.