In an example, a media conveyor includes a media support platform having a suction hole, and a valve to selectively close the suction hole. A valve actuator to actuate the valve includes an air tube having an air inlet and a seal to selectively seal the air inlet.

In one example, a pallet conveyor for a printing system is described, having a track, a pallet to support a print substrate and move on the track, and a vacuum mechanism to selectively apply a vacuum at the pallet. A boundary of the vacuum applied at the pallet is synchronised with an edge of the print substrate.

In one example, a pallet conveyor for a printing system is described, having a track, a pallet to support a print substrate and move on the track, and a vacuum mechanism to selectively apply a vacuum at the pallet. A boundary of the vacuum applied at the pallet is synchronised with an edge of the print substrate.

In one example, a pallet conveyor for a printing system is described, having a track, a pallet to support a print substrate and move on the track, and a vacuum mechanism to selectively apply a vacuum at the pallet. A boundary of the vacuum applied at the pallet is synchronized with an edge of the print substrate.

Examples described herein include devices and methods for adjusting a suction force for a media holddown, comprising detecting an advancement of a media (114) relative to a media holddown surface along a media advancement direction (X), wherein the holddown surface has a plurality of suction zones arranged along the media advancement direction, and adjusting a suction force in the respective suction zones in accordance with the advancement of the media relative to the media holddown surface.

An insertion assembly for the continuous and automated feeding of laminar elements into a graphic printing station without the involvement of roller elements in the process, allowing the distance between the laminar elements in question to be adjusted such that adjacent laminar elements may be positioned very close to each other regardless of their length. Said assembly comprises an insertion device (1) that includes a rotating belt system on which the laminar elements (3) can be moved horizontally, and suction means, with the insertion device (1) connected to a stacking area (4) and; a pulling device (2) that includes a rotating belt system on which the laminar elements from the insertion device (1) can be moved, and suction means, with the pulling device (2) connected to a graphic printing station, said pulling device adjoining the insertion device (1) in a direction of forward motion.

An image formation device includes: a registration roller pair configured to shift sheet in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction of a sheet feeding direction while holding the sheet; a feeding section provided upstream of the registration roller pair in the first direction and including a feeding belt configured to convey the sheet to the registration roller pair; a first air adjustment section configured to perform air suction or blowing for the sheet conveyed by the feeding belt; and a control section configured to switch between a first operation of controlling, when the sheet is conveyed by the feeding belt, the first air adjustment section to suck the sheet with air and a second operation of controlling, when the sheet is swung by the registration roller pair, the first air adjustment section to blow air on the sheet.

A substrate support system 10 for a conveyor printer is provided, comprising a support unit 100 comprising a plurality of vacuum apertures 108 arranged for fluidic communication with a source of negative pressure. The support unit 100 also comprises at least one air bearing 114 arranged for fluidic communication with a source of positive pressure. The air bearing 114 comprises porous media 116. The substrate support system 10 also comprises a conveyor belt 150 arranged over the support unit 100 for supporting a substrate 170 to be printed on. The conveyor belt 150 comprises a plurality of belt apertures. The vacuum apertures 108 are arranged to convey a negative pressure through the belt apertures for retaining the substrate 170 on the conveyor belt 150. The at least one air bearing 114 is arranged to convey a positive pressure to support the conveyor belt 150.

A medium-suction apparatus includes a conveyer to convey a medium in a conveyance direction, a first suction unit to perform suction operation on the medium to attract the medium to the conveyer, and a second suction unit to perform the suction operation on the medium to attract the medium to the conveyer. The second suction unit being disposed next to the first suction unit in a width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. The second suction unit starts the suction operation after the first suction unit starts the suction operation.

The invention relates to a vacuum system for securing items in printing machines, comprising a printing table (2) with a perforated surface and, in relation thereto, a vacuum system for securing the items to be printed, which comprises a box structure (8) connected to a suction system and provided with a perforated wall in relation to the surface of the printing table (2), said box structure (8) having lateral panels that vertically close the interior thereof, which panels can be moved in order to adjust the gap between them in relation to the width of the items to be printed.