Print Process
This section describes paper transport and the locations of the print process.
Print Process Locations
After printing by the PM, the drying, fixing, and cooling processes are performed by the various modules.
PM (Print Module)Prints on the media.
A print belt transports the media and places it under the printhead. The printhead ejects ink with the thermal method.
*Thermal method: A method for ejecting ink by generating bubbles in the ink by heating it with a heater
The printhead is periodically cleaned. Automatic Printhead Maintenance
FM1 (Fixation Module 1)Attaches the media to the belt with suction, then dries the ink with the heated belt and blown air.
FM2 (Fixation Module 2)Transports the media held between the upper and lower belts while heating it with heaters.
CM (Cooling Module)Cools the media by blowing outside air onto it.
Paper Transport in the Print Process
The media transported from the PIM (Paper Input Module) enters the PM (Print Module).
The registration unit corrects the media position.
The media deformation detection unit detects media with curling or waving. Such media is output without being printed on.
The media passes under the printhead, then ink is ejected from the nozzle.
Air is blown to prevent mist containing minute particles of ink that did not fuse to the media from entering the inline scanner unit.
The image and media are scanned by the inline scanner unit. Then image quality is adjusted based on information such as the scanned image and media position.
Air is blown from above to prevent media deformation.
The media transported from the print belt is sent by the decoupling belt to the primary fixing belt.
The media is attached to the primary fixing belt with suction, then the ink is dried with the heated primary fixing belt and blown air.
The media held between the upper and lower fixing belts is transported while being heated by a heater.
The media is cooled by blowing outside air onto it.
The media is transported to the TM (Turning Module).
When printing on both sides of the media, the media passes through this transport path. The media is cooled during media transport.
When printing on both sides of the media, the media is inverted here.