High speed color apparatus

Abstract

A high speed color reproduction machine comprised of four separate xerographic type processing units, one for each of the primary colors plus black. The multiple processing units are arranged in close nested relationship to one another with the image transfer stations thereof in close succession along the path of movement of the copy substrate material. A combination air flotation type and vacuum based belt transport system is employed to bring copy substrate material from a supply source into transfer relation with the successive processing units. Exposure of the processing unit's photoreceptors is simultaneous. A precise dimensional relationship between photoreceptor length and spacing for each processing unit assures registration of the color images produced with one another. Following transfer of the last color image, the image bearing copy material is brought to a fuser where the image is fixed. The finished copy is thereafter discharged, or returned for a second duplex pass. The photoreceptor of each processing unit comprises an endless photoconductive belt. The length of each photoconductive belt is the same. Vacuum tensioning is employed with each belt to provide preset belt lengths between exposure and transfer stations for each processing unit. A flying spot type exposure system is used with laser light source and optical elements to simultaneously project independent image exposure beams to the exposure stations of the several processing units.