Dual mode interchangeable modules cut sheet or web printing system with

Abstract

A plural mode printing system utilizing a cut sheet print engine for printing conventional cut sheet print substrates, in which page print images are generated and transferred to the cut sheets at an image transfer station. This plural mode printing system selectively provides printing onto either the cut sheets or onto an uncut continuous web printing substrate, in the same cut sheet print engine. An independently moveable continuous web printing substrate supply module is selectively operatively docked with the cut sheet print engine. That web printing module has a web feeding and image transfer assistance system for feeding the continuous web uncut into the cut sheet printing engine for transferring the page print images onto the web instead of onto cut sheets when the print engine is operatively docked with the web printing substrate module. The web printing module does not itself need to print. Rather, it can feed an extended loop of the continuous web into the cut sheet print engine image transfer station. The web module may provide either simplex printing or duplex printing onto both sides of the web with a duplexing system for feeding the web into the print engine for image transfer twice, with web inversion in between. The web modules are also preferably interchangeable with an optional cut sheet supply module.