Abstract:
An apparatus and method for printing directly onto print media including smooth non-absorbent media substrates (e.g., polymer films) inks having a wide range in viscosity, so that flexographic, gravure, and lithographic inks can all be contemplated. The proposed method is able to print with variable data/imaging. Dampening fluid may be patterned onto an imaging roll by coating the imaging roll with a layer of the dampening fluid and selectively evaporating off a patterned portion via a laser imaging device. The imaging roll then contacts the print substrate and transfers the patterned dampening fluid onto the substrate via film splitting. The substrate then passes through an inker station where ink is deposited directly to the substrate for attachment thereto except where rejected by the dampening fluid.
Abstract:
A system for printing at least one stretchable ink on a thermoformable substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The system includes an unwinder, a printing module and a rewinder. The unwinder is arranged to feed the thermoformable substrate from a first roll into a printing module. The printing module includes a flood coater arranged to deposit a coating layer on the first surface of the thermoformable substrate. The rewinder is arranged to receive the thermoformable substrate and to form the thermoformable substrate into a second roll.
Abstract:
A direct-to-object printer includes an ultraviolet (UV) curing verification subsystem. The verification subsystem includes a ribbon that frictionally engages an image on an object that contains UV curable material. An imaging device generates image data of the ribbon that engaged the image and the image data is processed to determine whether any uncured UV material is present on the ribbon.
Abstract:
An ink-based digital printing system includes a dampening fluid delivery system that forms a dampening fluid layer on a reimageable surface of an imaging plate using vapor condensation. The system includes a delivery nozzle having a chamber that receives atomized dampening fluid, mixes the fluid with hot air or nitrogen gas for rapid vaporization, and directs the vapor onto an imaging member surface for condensation and dampening fluid layer formation.
Abstract:
When tacking print media to a print media transport belt in a printer, a tack module having a pair of nips is employed to control charge migration in across the print media in order to tolerate lead edge curl while ensuring uniform printing. An upstream nip is formed by a first bias transfer roll and a first backup roll, and a downstream nip is formed by a second bias transfer roll and a second backup roll. The respective backup rolls are offset slightly upstream of the respective bias transfer rolls. Charge of opposite polarities is applied to the first backup roll and the second bias transfer roll to facilitate taking of the print media to the print media transport belt.
Abstract:
An intermediate roller positioned between a fountain solution vapor supply and an imaging member decouples fountain solution vapor deposition from the surface of the imaging member. The intermediate roller may be temperature controlled. A uniform layer of fountain solution condenses onto the surface of the temperature controlled intermediate roller regardless of the imaging blanket temperature. The fountain solution condensate layer deposited onto the intermediate roller splits and deposits a thin uniform layer of fountain solution liquid onto the imaging member surface. This liquid layer split may be independent of the temperature of the imaging member surface, resulting in a uniform layer of fountain solution on the imaging blanket for better imaging quality. Remotely locating the vaporizing chamber away from the imaging member prevents undesired heat transfer from a hot vaporizing chamber/baffle to the imaging member surface.
Abstract:
A printer includes an ultraviolet (UV) curing device having UV light emitting diodes (LEDs) to cure UV curable inks ejected onto a surface after the surface travels past a plurality of printheads in the printer. A UV detector having UV sensors is positioned opposite the UV curing device so the UV sensors and UV LEDs are opposite one another in a one-to-one correspondence. A controller operates the UV curing device to direct UV light into the UV detector and receives electrical signals generated by the UV sensors. The controller compares these electrical signals to a predetermined threshold to identify defective LEDs in the UV curing device. The controller then determines how to move the UV curing device across the path of the surface to irradiate areas of the surface previously opposite the defective UV LEDs.
Abstract:
A print system and a method for confirming complete curing of a marking material are disclosed. For example, the print system includes a plurality of printheads arranged in a two-dimensional array, a curing light source, a curing confirmation system, a movable member to hold an object and a controller to control movement of the movable member to move the object past the array of printheads, to operate the plurality of printheads to eject the marking material onto the object as the object passes the two-dimensional array of printheads, to operate the curing light source to cure the marking material and to operate the curing confirmation system to confirm that the curing of the marking material is complete.
Abstract:
A system for printing on a multi-dimensional object includes a plurality of print heads, and a printing chase comprising one or more alignment elements configured to provide accurate registration of an object holder (also configured as an object packaging) relative to the print heads. The system further includes an actuator configured to move the printing chase relative to the print heads. The system is configured to receive information corresponding to an alignment element that is employed for positioning the object holder on the printing chase, determine a position a printable area using the retrieved information, receive information relating to print data to be printed on the printable area, use the determined position of the printable area to control a movement of the printing chase relative to the print heads, and operate the print heads to eject marking material onto the printable area to print data on the printable area.
Abstract:
A cleaning apparatus includes an inker roller and an ink source holding ink for the inker roller. The inker roller contacts a reimageable surface of an imaging member downstream of an ink image transfer station that transfers an ink image from the surface to a print sheet, with the surface having residual ink remaining thereon after the transfer of the ink image. The inker roller applies ink from the ink source against the reimageable surface. However, instead of the ink transferring from the inker roller to the surface, the ink stays with the inker roller and removes the residual ink from the surface to clean the surface for a subsequent ink image. The inker roller is not contaminated from removing the residual ink as the inker roller is designed to be coated by ink that adds to its coating of ink via the removed residual ink.