Moveable drive nip

Abstract

Systems for moving a moveable drive module in a cross-process direction are disclosed. A system includes a moveable drive module and a cross-process positioning system. The moveable drive module includes a drive roll. The cross-positioning system is capable of moving the moveable drive module in a cross-process direction. The system may optionally include a plurality of idler rolls, each configured to be associated with the drive roll when the moveable drive module is in an associated position. The moveable drive module may alternately include an idler roll associated with the drive roll. Alternately, the cross-positioning system may further be capable of moving a moveable idler module in a cross-process direction. Still alternately, the system may further include a moveable idler module including an idler roll and a translation drive motor capable of moving the moveable idler module in a cross-process direction.

1 . A system comprising:
 a moveable drive module comprising a drive roll;   a cross-process positioning system capable of moving the moveable drive module in a cross-process direction; and   a plurality of idler rolls,   wherein a first idler roll is configured to be associated with the drive roll when the moveable drive module is in a first position,   wherein a second idler roll is configured to be associated with the drive roll when the moveable drive module is in a second position.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the moveable drive module is operably connected to a positioning shaft, and   the cross-process positioning system comprises a translation drive motor configured to move the moveable drive module in an inbound direction by rotating the positioning shaft in a first direction and configured to move the moveable drive module in an outbound direction by rotating the positioning shaft in a second direction opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a pulley attached to the positioning shaft, wherein the pulley and the positioning shaft have a common axis of rotation; and   a belt operably connecting a drive shaft of the translation drive motor and the pulley.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein:
 the positioning shaft comprises a threaded shaft; and   the moveable drive module is operably connected to the threaded shaft by a hub containing internal threads.   
     
     
         5 . A system comprising:
 a moveable drive module comprising a drive roll;   a moveable idler module comprising an idler roll; and   a translation drive motor capable of moving the moveable drive module in a cross-process direction.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein:
 the moveable drive module is operably connected to a positioning shaft, and   the translation drive motor is configured to move the moveable drive module in an inbound direction by rotating the positioning shaft in a first direction and configured to move the moveable drive module in an outbound direction by rotating the positioning shaft in a second direction opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a pulley attached to the positioning shaft, wherein the pulley and the positioning shaft have a common axis of rotation; and   a belt operably connecting a drive shaft of the translation drive motor and the pulley.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6  wherein:
 the positioning shaft comprises a threaded shaft; and   the moveable drive module is operably connected to the threaded shaft by a hub containing internal threads.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the translation drive motor is further capable of moving the moveable idler module in a cross-process direction. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein:
 the moveable idler module is operably connected to a positioning shaft, and   the translation drive motor is configured to move the moveable idler module in an inbound direction by rotating the positioning shaft in a first direction and configured to move the moveable idler module in an outbound direction by rotating the positioning shaft in a second direction opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a pulley attached to the positioning shaft, wherein the pulley and the positioning shaft have a common axis of rotation; and   a belt operably connecting a drive shaft of the translation drive motor and the pulley.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein:
 the positioning shaft comprises a threaded shaft; and   the moveable idler module is operably connected to the threaded shaft by a hub containing internal threads.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 an idler translation drive motor capable of moving the moveable idler module in a cross-process direction.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein:
 the moveable idler module is operably connected to a positioning shaft, and   the idler translation drive motor is configured to move the moveable idler module in an inbound direction by rotating the positioning shaft in a first direction and configured to move the moveable idler module in an outbound direction by rotating the positioning shaft in a second direction opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a pulley attached to the positioning shaft, wherein the pulley and the positioning shaft have a common axis of rotation; and   a belt operably connecting a drive shaft of the idler translation drive motor and the pulley.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14  wherein:
 the positioning shaft comprises a threaded shaft; and   the moveable idler module is operably connected to the threaded shaft by a hub containing internal threads.   
     
     
         17 . A system comprising:
 a moveable drive module comprising:
 a drive roll, and 
 an idler roll associated with the drive roll; and 
   a cross-process positioning system capable of moving the moveable drive module in a cross-process direction.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein:
 the moveable drive module is operably connected to a positioning shaft, and   the cross-process positioning system comprises a translation drive motor configured to move the moveable drive module in an inbound direction by rotating the positioning shaft in a first direction and configured to move the moveable drive module in an outbound direction by rotating the positioning shaft in a second direction opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a pulley attached to the positioning shaft, wherein the pulley and the positioning shaft have a common axis of rotation; and   a belt operably connecting a drive shaft of the translation drive motor and the pulley.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18  wherein:
 the positioning shaft comprises a threaded shaft; and   the moveable drive module is operably connected to the threaded shaft by a hub containing internal threads.