In example implementations, a printer module is provided. The printer module includes a co-axial split drive roller, a first motor, a second motor, and a print bar. The co-axial split drive roller includes a first roller and a second roller that are movably coupled at a center of the co-axial split drive roller. The first motor is coupled to the first roller. The second motor is coupled to the second roller. The print bar is coupled to the housing over the co-axial split drive roller.

In example implementations, a printer module is provided. The printer module includes a co-axial split drive roller, a first motor, a second motor, and a print bar. The co-axial split drive roller includes a first roller and a second roller that are movably coupled at a center of the co-axial split drive roller. The first motor is coupled to the first roller. The second motor is coupled to the second roller. The print bar is coupled to the housing over the co-axial split drive roller.

Systems and methods are provided for configuring media transport flow paths for directing input image receiving media, including of different types, in sheet or roll form from multiple axes to provide wider latitude in selecting particular input image receiving media and combinations of input image receiving media to support execution of a print job. The disclosed schemes are directed at using one or more stationary turn bars disposed generally at 45° in an input media transport path approaching a marking module in an image forming system to allow for sheets or sheeted materials to be positioned at 90° to the in-line input image receiving media transport path directed toward the marking module thus allowing for flexibility in selection among various sources of stacked, pallet and rolled media.

In one example, a device for unwinding or winding multiple rolls of print substrate includes multiple spindles each to hold a roll of print substrate and a differential operatively connected to one end of each spindle. The spindles are aligned with one another lengthwise along a spindle axis and the differential is to output torque along a differential axis offset from the spindle axis to turn the spindles on the first axis.

Method for cutting media from a multi-roll printing system, comprising the steps of: selecting one of a first medium and a second medium, which first medium and second medium are output in parallel with respect to one another from the multi-roll printing system; transporting the selected medium to a cutting media transport path spaced apart from a further media transport path in a traverse direction perpendicular to a plane of the cutting media transport path; and cutting the selected medium positioned at the cutting media transport path.

The present invention further relates to a cutting assembly and a multi-roll printing system.

The disclosed embodiments include a printer having a printing area configured to receive distinct mediums, and printer heads arranged relative to the printing area. The printer heads are collectively configured to print independent images onto the distinct mediums. The printer heads include at least one shared printer head configured to simultaneously print portions of the independent images onto each of two adjacent mediums.

A printer includes a transport unit, a recording unit, a cutter unit, and a control unit. The transport unit is capable of transporting two pieces of roll paper in parallel. The cutter unit is movable in a width direction intersecting a transport direction, and is capable of cutting the two pieces of roll paper. The cutter unit is capable of cutting roll paper PR in both a forward path and a return path of the movement in a width direction. The control unit is capable of setting a standby position of the cutter unit to a position between the two pieces of roll paper.

An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a feeding tray inserted into and pulled out from the housing, an image forming unit, and first and second guide members. The feeding tray includes a first accommodation part in which a roll body having a configuration where a sheet-shaped medium is rolled in a roll shape is accommodated and a second accommodation part in which stacked sheet-shaped media are accommodated. The first guide member guides a sheet-shaped medium to a conveying path. The second guide member guides a roll medium unrolled from the roll body to the conveying path. The second guide member is movable between a guide position for guiding the roll medium to the conveying path, and a retreat position further distant from the first guide member than the guide position and where the second guide member does not interfere with a sheet-shaped medium accommodated in the second accommodation part.

In many continuously webbed machines, media is fed through the machine with rollers mounted to one or more rotating shafts. These shafts may be supported on each end with a cylindrical journal bearing. The rollers move at the same rate as the media to maintain traction with the media to control media position as it moves the media from one process to another through the sequence of processes in the webbed machine.

In one example, a device for unwinding or winding multiple rolls of print substrate includes multiple spindles each to hold a roll of print substrate and a differential operatively connected to one end of each spindle. The spindles are aligned with one another lengthwise along a spindle axis and the differential is to output torque along a differential axis offset from the spindle axis to turn the spindles on the first axis.