The current Kodak dry ink station (DIS), pictured in figure 1.0 below, incorporates two “Oldham” couplings to transmit power and high-quality motion from the motor and gear box to the appropriate output shafts. These couplings currently experience two modes of failure: complete fracture, which causes stoppage of the DIS, and misalignment, which causes motion quality degradation. While fractures are easy to spot, misalignments are difficult to diagnose. Many Kodak Field Engineers are not comfortable in diagnosing and replacing misaligned couplings, so instead they will replace the entire DIS system. There is a significantly larger cost to replacing the entire DIS system when simply replacing the coupling would suffice. Kodak aims to lower the cost of maintenance and net replacements in the field.

The goal of this project is to design and build a test fixture that standardizes the measurement of key values of a coupling system within the DIS in order to better understand the modes of coupling failure. The ultimate goal of this work is to minimize maintenance cost for Kodak. The physical test fixture, along with any design documents, technical papers, final poster, and required code is to be the main deliverable to Kodak. All code compiled must be done in LabView and total project budget is not to exceed $4k. The project also must be completed by the end of Fall semester 2017.

For more detailed background information, download the Project Information Package here.

Kodak Dry Ink Station (image from eBay)

Kodak Nexpress Electrophotographic Process Video

Project Name

Kodak Dry Ink Station Coupling Test Bed

Project Number

P17521

Start Term

2017

End Term

2018

Faculty Guide

Louis J. Beato, ljbeec@rit.edu

Primary Customer

Timothy J. Young, Timothy.j.young@kodak.com

Sponsor (financial support)

Eastman Kodak, contact

Planning & Execution

Project Photos and Videos

Imagine RIT

Problem Definition

Systems Design

Preliminary Detailed Design

Detailed Design

Build & Test Prep

Subsystem Build & Test

Integrated System Build & Test

Customer Handoff & Final Project Documentation