Cutting a first media portion while printing on a subsequent media portion

A primer, a method, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are described. An example non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to instruct a printer to advance a media by a first distance. The instructions, when executed, also cause the processor to instruct the printer to advance the media by a second distance different than the first distance to align the media with a cutter assembly. The instructions, when executed, also cause the processor to adapt an interleave mask based on the second distance. The instructions, when executed, also cause the processor to instruct the cutter assembly to separate a first portion of the media from a second portion of the media while the printer is printing on the media.

BACKGROUND

When printing on a media roll, at some point the printed media portion needs to be separated from the rest of the roll. Media rolls or other media types may be cut by a cutter device that is separate from the printer. Sometimes a cutter device is integrated with or attached to a printer already. Sometimes, a media roll needs to be positioned for cutting after printing a first media portion, and then repositioned for printing a second media portion. Cutting media, including positioning and repositioning, may provide for a substantial delay of the printing process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. The examples in the description and drawings should be considered illustrative and are not to be considered as limiting to the specific example or element described. Multiple examples may be derived from the following description and/or drawings through modification, combination or variation of certain elements. Furthermore, it may be understood that also examples or elements that are not literally disclosed may be derived from the description and drawings by a person skilled in the art.

FIG. 1shows an example of a printer1. The printer1includes a printhead assembly2and a cutter assembly3arranged downstream of the printhead assembly2. In the shown example, the cutter assembly3includes a carriage9and a cut edge10. The cutter assembly3is arranged to cut in a direction perpendicular to a media advance direction11.

In the shown example state, media is positioned in the printer1. In the shown example state a first media portion4has already been printed and a second, subsequent media portion5is being printed. The first media portion4is located downstream of the second media portion5. The second media portion5may be part of a larger media roll. The rest of the media roll may be located upstream.

In one aspect of this disclosure, the printer1includes a control circuit6that is configured to instruct the cutter assembly3to separate a printed first media portion4from the subsequent media portion5during printing of the subsequent media portion5. Such separation may be achieved by cutting. This process may allow for the printer1to cut media without interrupting the print process or relocating the media after separation.

In an example, the control circuit6an integrated circuit7, for example an analogue and a digital integrated circuit. In further examples, the control circuit6includes a Raster Image Processor (RIP) or a formatter. The control circuit6may be configured to instruct different printer parts such as drive parts and the print head assembly2. The control circuit6includes a storage device8, for example a non-volatile storage device8comprising a hard disk drive or a flash drive or any other suitable storage device8. The storage device8may store a computer program12. The computer program12may include a code configured to instruct the control circuit6to instruct a cutter assembly3to separate the first printed media portion4from the subsequent media portion5during printing of the subsequent media portion5. In other examples, at least a portion of the computer program12may be stored on a distant location, such as a wirelessly connected storage device or a server. The printer1may be connected to the internet through a wired or wireless connection and may receive instructions for printing through the internet.

In a further example, the printer1may be a large format printer for printing on large format media. The media4,5may be provided as a media roll wherein the printed media portions4are separated from the roll by cutting. The printer1may be an inkjet printer. In an example, the cutting movement is executed between two subsequent media advance movements. In an example, the print head assembly2is a scanning print head assembly2, and a cutting movement of the cutting device3may run parallel and either synchronous or asynchronous to a print head assembly scanning movement. The control circuit6may be configured to instruct the cutter assembly3to cut off the first media portion4between subsequent media advance movements for printing the subsequent media portion5.

FIG. 2shows an example of a cutter assembly3. The shown example cutter assembly3may be integrated with the printer1and arranged downstream of the printhead assembly2as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 3. In a further example, the cutter assembly3may be provided as an accessory that is arranged to be mounted to the printer1, for example near the media outlet part. In an example, a computer program12is provided together with the cutter assembly accessory for driving the cutter assembly3may be provided. The computer program12may be provided as a software upgrade or driver or the like to be installed in the printer storage device8for facilitating operation of the cutter accessory.

The example cutter assembly3ofFIG. 2includes cut edges14. In the shown example, the cut edges14are part of cutter wheels13. The example cutter assembly3also includes driving wheels17that can be used to move the cut edges13over the media and retain the media4,5during movement. The shown example cutter assembly3is arranged to cut the media4,5in two opposite directions15, perpendicular to the media advance direction11. The example cutter assembly3includes two cutter wheel pairs15. Each cutter wheel pair15includes one cutter wheel13on each side of the media4,5, in use providing for a scissor-like cutting effect. Each pair15may be arranged to cut through the print media in one of the two directions16. The cutter wheels13are arranged near the respective driving wheels17to cut the media4,5where it is retained by the respective driving wheels17against a platen or guide structure18. The driving wheels17may comprise an elastomeric or polymer surface material to on the one hand provide sufficient friction to avoid displacement of the media with respect to the cutter wheels13and on the other hand avoid damage to the printed image or media4,5. The example cutter assembly3includes a carriage19to which the cutter wheels13and the driving wheels17are mounted. In the example, a guide structure18is provided for guiding the carriage19, and that supports the media and the driving wheels17. For example, the guide structure18is shaped as a hollow beam. In an example, the driving wheels17drive over the top surface while a lower part of the carriage20and the lower cutter wheels14may be arranged within the hollow beam.

A drive21of the cutter assembly3is provided. In one example, the drive21includes a servo motor. For example, the control circuit6is configured to instruct the drive21to drive the cutter assembly3while scanning the print head assembly2(FIG. 1). In further examples, the drive21includes an electro motor and a drive transmission22. In certain examples, the drive21of the cutter assembly3may be mechanically or electrically coupled to a drive of the scanning printhead assembly2, for example to cut during a printhead scanning action.

For example, the drive transmission22includes a belt that is connected to the carriage19,20, pulleys23and an encoder. The control circuit6may be configured to communicate with the encoder to determine a location of the carriage19,20. The control circuit6may be configured to determine a cutting direction based on the carriage location19,20with respect to the media. For example, the shown cutter assembly3is arranged to separate a first media portion4from a subsequent media portion5in a first cutting direction16, and later separate the subsequent media portion5from a second subsequent media portion (not shown) in an opposite cutting direction16, etc. Each cutting movement of the cutter assembly3may be executed during a corresponding scanning movement of the printhead assembly2for printing of the respective subsequent media portion5. In this way, a separation of the first media portion4may be realized without interrupting a print process of the subsequent media portion5.

The cutter assembly3includes a cauterization device24arranged to cauterize the cut media edges of the respective media portions4,5while cutting. In this disclosure cauterization may be understood as finishing the respective media edges, for example by heating, freezing, chemical agent, etc. For example, a cauterization action may melt, burn, dissolve or otherwise remove protruding fibers of the media edge after cutting. The cauterization device24may be arranged to heat, freeze, provide current to, or provide a cauterization agent on the respective media portion edges to achieve a proper finishing of the media edges.

In the shown example, the cauterization device24is provided between the cutter wheels14so as to cauterize after cutting in each of the two directions16. The cauterization device24may include one or two cauterization wheels25or for example a finger shaped cauterization device of which the end can be heated. In one example, the cutter assembly3cuts and cauterizes the respective media edges during printing of the subsequent media portion5, for example between two subsequent media advance movements for printing the subsequent media portion5, for example during a printhead assembly2scanning action. The integrated cauterization device24allows for an integrated separation and edge finishing of the printed media portion4during printing of the subsequent media portion5, that is, without interrupting a print process of the same printer. The cauterization device24may be arranged to be switched on and off to allow an operator to choose whether or not to cauterize the media portion edges during cutting.

In other examples, instead of driving wheels17other guide and driving parts may be provided, for example a slide or the like. For example, the carriage19,20may be directly supported by a belt or the like. Instead of or in addition to cutter wheels13the cutter assembly3may include other cutting devices for cutting such as cutting blades, for example in the form of a knife or scissors, in pairs or single devices, arranged to cut in one or two directions.

FIG. 3shows an example of a back side of a large format printer1that has a maximum media print width of more than 3 meters. In other examples of printers with cutter examples, the maximum media width may be more than 4, 5 or 6 meters. The cutter assembly3is provided downstream of a print zone. The cutter assembly3is mounted to the printer frame30, for example through a cutter assembly frame31. A carriage19having two pairs of driving wheels17is provided on top of the guide structure18. Although the cutter assembly3may include cutter wheels14, a cauterization device24and an inner carriage20these cannot be distinguished in this view. In an example, the cutter wheels are provided between each driving wheel pair. For example, the cauterization device24may be provided in the middle between the driving wheel and cutter wheel pairs15, and the inner carriage20may be provided under the top carriage19, in correspondence withFIG. 2. The transmission for driving the carriage19,20may be provided inside the guide structure18.

FIG. 4shows a diagram of a top view of media4,5that advances under the printhead assembly2in an advance direction11. The printhead assembly2scans over the media4,5in opposite scanning directions26that are perpendicular to the media advance direction11and parallel to the cutting directions16, printing a swath27on the media portion5after each media advance movement. The cutter assembly3cuts along a cut line28. In an example, the control circuit6is configured to instruct (i) the printhead assembly2to perform a one- or two-way scanning action between two media advance movements for printing the subsequent media portion5and (ii) instruct the cutter assembly3to cut between these two media advance movements, for separating the printed media portion4during the scanning action and without interrupting the print process of the media portion5currently undergoing printing.

FIG. 5shows an example of print job information for printing a print image32on media4and cutting the media portion4that contains the image32and the cut line location33.FIG. 5illustrates the print job information, which may be a digital code for entry into the storage device8. The cut lines locations33correspond to the later actual cut lines28and the print image32corresponds to a later actually printed image34A on the printed media portion4(e.g. seeFIG. 6). The print job information may include a desired distance D between the respective cut line locations from a point or edge of the printed image. For example, the control circuit6is configured to receive said print job information and instruct the cutter assembly3to separate the first media portion4at said cut line location33, when printing a subsequent media portion5. The cut line location33may be included in the original print job information or may be received by the printer1at any given point in time, for example through a user interface.

FIG. 6shows an example of subsequent, partially overlapping swaths27A-C of a partially printed image34B on a media portion5printed subsequent to the first media portion4. The first media portion4includes a first printed image34A. The swaths27A-C are printed after each corresponding media advance movement11A-11C, respectively. After each media advance movement11A-11C a unidirectional scanning movements or one or more bi-directional scanning movements may be executed by the printhead assembly2for printing the swath. In one example, a media advance movement11A-11C is executed after each scanning movement over a media width. In other examples, a media is advanced after multiple scanning movements over the media width.

In an example, each swath27A-C has an equal total swath width. In an example, a region of each swath27A-C overlaps a previous and/or subsequent swath27A-C. In an example, more than two swaths may overlap to achieve a desired coverage. In an example, the patterns in the overlapping swath regions are determined by interleave masks35A1,35B1,35B2,35C1,35C2,35D1. These interleave masks35A1,35B1,35B2,35C1,35C2,35D1are arranged so that the subsequent overlapping swaths27A-C form a printed image34B without banding.

An example swath27B includes a first interleave mask35B1overlapping a previously printed swath27A and a second interleave mask35B2overlapping a subsequently printed swath27C. The previously printed swath27A may include a third interleave masks35A1overlapping an earlier printed swath27D and a fourth interleave mask35A2overlapping the subsequently printed swath27B. In one example, the control circuit6may include a RIP (Raster Image Processor) or formatter configured to calculate the swath's patterns, including the patterns of the interleave masks35A1,35B1,35B2,35C1,35C2,35D1, and instruct the printhead assembly2accordingly.

In an example, the control circuit6is configured to adapt at least one media advance movement11A during the printing of the subsequent media portion5, for aligning a predetermined cut line location33with respect to the cutter assembly3. As the preferred location33of the cut line28may be included in the original print job information, or has been entered manually through a user interface, and the distance D2between the printhead assembly2and the cutter assembly3is fixed and predetermined, at least one media advance movement distance d1may be adapted so that a cut line location33of the media4,5is aligned to the cutter assembly3, and the first printed media4is separated along said cut line28at the preferred location33as provided by the print job or other input. As can be seen the media advance movement11A for printing the first swath27A is shorter than the standard advance movements d2, d3so as to make the cut line28correspond to the desired cut line location33.

In a further example, the control circuit6is configured to adjust another characteristic of at least one swath27A,27B for printing the subsequent media portion5when aligning the media4,5with respect to the cutter assembly3. For example, an interleave mask35A1or35B1may be adjusted to ensure proper matching of subsequent swaths27A,27B. For example, the interleave mask35A1or35B1may be rearranged. For example, the interleave mask35A2may be repositioned or widened for proper matching of subsequent swaths27A-D. For example a respective interleave mask pattern35A2may be rearranged for proper matching with a respective swath27A-C. Multiple interleave masks35A1,35B1,35B2,35C1,35C2,35D1may need to be adapted to align the media to the cutter assembly3so that the eventual cut line28at least approximately corresponds to the predetermined cut line location33.

Adjusting the media advance movement distance d1and the interleave mask35A2may allow for separating the media during printing of a along a predetermined or input cut line location33. In different examples, the cut line location33may be (i) a standard distance from a printed image's border, (ii) entered manually or (iii) retrieved from the print job information. In another example, the first media portion4is separated without adjusting a media advance movement distance d1-d3, for example while performing a standard printhead assembly scanning action after a standard media advance action and without changing an interleave mask characteristic. Herein, the cut line location is adapted to the scan and media advance characteristics of the subsequent print.

In a further example, the control circuit6is configured to receive an immediate cut instruction, for example through a user interface, and, upon receiving such instruction, separate the first media portion4at a current, next or other subsequent printhead assembly scanning action. For example, a media advance movement distance or interleave mask characteristic need not be adjusted.

In another example, the printhead assembly2includes a page wide array printheads instead of a scanning printhead assembly and media advance movements may be adapted or interrupted for allowing separation of the first media portion4, for example on a predetermined cut line location33, while the subsequent media portion5is being printed.

FIG. 7shows a flow chart of an example of a method of printing. The example method includes printing a first portion4of a media (block100), for example forming a first printed image34A. The example method includes printing a second portion5of the same media (block110), for example forming the second printed image34B. The example method includes separating the first portion4from the second portion5during printing of the second portion5(block120).

FIG. 8shows a flow chart of a further example of a method of printing. The example method includes printing a first media portion4(block200). The example method includes executing a unidirectional scanning movement or one or more two-way scanning movements of the printhead assembly2for printing a swath27A,27E over the second portion5(block210). The example method includes separating the first portion4from the second portion5during the scanning movement (block220), with the cutter assembly3. For example, the cutter assembly3moves while the scanning movements are being executed, between two subsequent media advance movements11A-11D, approximately parallel to the printhead assembly2.

FIG. 9shows a flow chart of another example of a method of printing. In the example method, the control circuit6receives first and second print job information (block300), for example through a wired or wireless connection or from a second storage device. In an example, at least one of the first and second print job information includes a cut line location33for separating the first media portion4from the second media portion5. The example method includes printing the first print job on the first media portion4(block310). This results in the first printed image34A. The example method includes at least partially printing the second print job on the second media portion5(block320), providing for the second, partially printed image34B. The example method includes adjusting at least one swath characteristic of the second print job so that the cutter assembly3is aligned (block330). For example, the swath characteristic may be at least one of a media advance movement distance d1and an interleave mask characteristic. For example, the interleave mask characteristic may include a repositioning and a rearrangement of the interleave mask35A1,35B1,35B2,35C1,35C2,35D1. In an example, the cauterization device24is switched on before cutting. The example method may include scanning the printhead assembly2to print the adapted swath and in parallel move the cutter assembly3to cut and cauterize the respective borders of the media portions4,5along the cut line28(block340).

FIG. 10shows a flow chart of an example of a method of cutting media. In the example method, media is advanced between swaths27A-D for printing the second media portion5(block400). For example, the printer1receives an immediate cut instruction (block410), for example through a user interface. For example, the first media portion4is separated from the second media portion5by executing a cut action during the next scanning action (block420). The cut action was executed during the scanning action of the printhead assembly2, so that no printing efficiency was lost in the process.

The above description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit this disclosure to the examples disclosed. Other variations to the disclosed examples can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the claims. The indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality, while a reference to a certain number of elements does not exclude the possibility of having more or less elements. A single unit may fulfil the functions of several items recited in the disclosure, and vice versa several items may fulfil the function of one unit. Multiple alternatives, equivalents, variations and combinations may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure.