Printer systems 19
Printer systems
Scan Axis and Carriage
Scan Axis
The Scan Axis System is the part of the Scan Axis subsystem designed to move the carriage backwards
and forwards for printing and servicing. This subsystem moves the carriage with a motor, belt, and pulley
system. Furthermore the scan axis has features to open and close the Spectrophotometer shutter (SOL) and
to enable/disable the cutter.
Scan Axis Components
Scan Beam:
It is an extruded aluminum part. Its main function is to guide the carriage along the scan axis via two rods,
and it sets its limits of movement. Apart from this it positions and holds the Service Station, the Scan Axis
motor, the two brackets and the pinch wheels assembly. It also works as an air container to be blown to
the print zone coming from the rear and leaving through several pipes located over the media and holds
the rear fans.
PPS system
The PPS consists of some screws and pockets, it locates the scan beam in reference to the side plates in
order to have a correct distance between the printheads and the media. This distance is supposed to be
constant during the life of the machine and it is set to be as small as possible without taking the risk the
having the printheads touching the media.
Left Bracket
Left Bracket is an injected plastic part, and its main function is to set an end for the carriage movement. It
also closes the scan beam to avoid the air blown to the print zone leaking. It has several features to
enable/disable the cutter and the SOL shutter. The left bracket also houses the Media Jam Sensor, which
works with the reflector panel on the carriage assembly to detect paper crashes. It also has some parts to
ensure that the encoder strip is held with tension.
Encoder Strip
The Encoder Strip contains positional data that the encoder sensor (located in the carriage) can read and
detect the position of the carriage. Since it is made of thin metal it is sharp and extreme caution is needed
when handling it. Unlike previous versions, do not clean the encoder strip as this will damage it.
Right Bracket
This part is the same in the left bracket, this metallic part closes the right hole of the scan beam extrusion.
It also holds the pulley assembly and the encoder strip.
Motor, pulley assembly and belt.
Their function is to transmit the position/speed to the carriage assembly.
Flat right bump
This plastic part defines the right end of the carriage movement. It is positioned and held by the scan
beam.
Carriage
The carriage is the subsystem of the printer that performs the printing on the substrate. It is moved across
the print path by the scan axis impelling system and with it the 6 printheads and several sensors, the
Spectrophotometer (SOL), the line sensor (Tetris), the scan axis sensor. The carriage houses an on-board
electronics system to send information to the 6 printheads though each of the interconnects, and it receives
information from the sensors. Some parts aid the ink to arrive at the printheads. It also holds in position
the cutter, used to cut some types of media.
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