CPC B41J 29/387 (2013.01) [B41J 2/0057 (2013.01); B41J 2/0451 (2013.01); B41J 2/04586 (2013.01); B41J 2002/012 (2013.01)] | 18 Claims |
1. A printing system comprising:
a. an intermediate transfer member (ITM) comprising a flexible endless belt mounted over a plurality of guide rollers;
b. an image-forming station comprising a print bar disposed over a surface of the ITM, the print bar configured to form ink images upon a surface of the ITM by droplet deposition;
c. a conveyer for driving rotation of the ITM in a print direction to transport the ink images towards an impression station where they are transferred to substrate;
d. a cleaning station disposed upstream of the image-forming station where residual material is cleaned from the surface of the ITM;
e. a treatment station disposed downstream of cleaning station and upstream of the image-forming station where a layer of liquid treatment formulation is applied to the ITM surface;
d. a detection system configured to detect, at a detection location upstream of the image-forming station and downstream of the impression station, foreign matter that is transported by the rotating ITM; and
a response system operatively coupled to the detection system to respond to the detection of foreign matter by performing at least one collision-prevention action to prevent a potential collision between foreign matter and the print bar, wherein the detection system comprises a detection element disposed at a detection location that is upstream of the image-forming station and downstream of the impression station, and wherein:
I. the detection system is configured to quantify an intensity of an impact between (i) foreign matter that is transported by the rotating ITM, if present at the detection location and in collision therewith; and (ii) the detection element; and
II. the response system is configured such that the at least one collision-prevention action is contingent upon the quantified intensity of the impact exceeding a threshold value.
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