Epson 7000 service manual Platen GAP Mechanism, Platen Gap Control

EPSON Stylus Pro 7000 Revision B

PLATEN GAP MECHANISM

To produce high quality printouts, the printer must maintain a constant distance between the printhead nozzles and the paper. To do this the printer measures the thickness of the paper and adjusts the height of the carriage accordingly.

The carriage is composed of two parts; the main carriage which is secured to the CR guide rail via bearings, and the subcarriage which holds the printheads. The subcarriage is secured with a cam, and due to the cam’s shape, the subcarriage can be raised or lowered depending on the rotation of the cam. See Figure 2-17.

The platen gap adjustment is linear; the nozzle surface is constantly parallel to the paper surface.

CR guide rail

Carriage

PG cam

(Head SLID)

B/C

printheads

PG_HP sensor

PG_HP flag

View of right

side of carriage

Bearings

Subcarriage

PG slide gear

Pump motor

(CCW)

View of right side of printer

Figure 2-17. Platen Gap Control

Operating Principles Printer Mechanism Operation Outline 70