Reconfigurable Parallel Printing System Design for Field Performance and Service Improvement

Parallel printing systems offer many advantages to users in terms of system uptime and overall productivity through continuous operation even when certain components of the system fail. Additionally, parallel printing system architectures allow for implementation of different field service policies, giving an important advantage to applications where system uptime is critical. In this paper, we present a case study for evaluating performance of reconfigurable parallel printing system concepts. The field performance of three parallel printing system concepts with varying degrees of modularity and various service policies are evaluated through simulation. It is concluded that developing an optimal service policy in conjunction with developing a modular reconfigurable printing architecture is key to obtaining optimal field performance.