Abstract: A position control system includes a roller rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and a pivotable member having a first member end rotatable about a first pivot axis and a second member end coupled to the roller. The second member end is rotatable about a second pivot axis spaced from the first pivot axis and the first and second pivot axes are movable relative to one another. A motor is adapted to move the roller along the longitudinal axis wherein movement of the roller along the longitudinal axis causes the pivotable member to pivot the roller relative to the longitudinal axis. A control system is responsive to a sensed parameter for controlling the motor. A position control method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A printing system includes a first imaging unit configured to print a first image and a registration mark associated with the first image on a web contemporaneously during a production run, and a sensor configured to detect the registration mark at a point where the registration mark is within a second imaging unit. The printing system further includes a controller configured to calculate an offset along a width direction of the web based on the registration mark and to instruct the second imaging unit to print the second image on the web. The second image is shifted in its entirety in accordance with the calculated offset and is printed on the same side of the web as the first image.

Abstract: A position control system includes a roller rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and a pivotable member having a first member end rotatable about a first pivot axis and a second member end coupled to the roller. The second member end is rotatable about a second pivot axis spaced from the first pivot axis and the first and second pivot axes are movable relative to one another. A motor is adapted to move the roller along the longitudinal axis wherein movement of the roller along the longitudinal axis causes the pivotable member to pivot the roller relative to the longitudinal axis. A control system is responsive to a sensed parameter for controlling the motor. A position control method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance station to cleaning a nozzle plate of a printhead and a method of operating the printhead maintenance station are disclosed. The printhead maintenance station includes a wiper bar, a wiper secured to the wiper bar, a wiper cleaning assembly, and an actuator. The wiper is stored in the wiper cleaning assembly when not in use. The controller operates the actuator to rotate the wiper bar to move the wiper from the wiper cleaning assembly to a wiping position, and causes relative movement of the printhead maintenance station and the print unit to wipe the nozzle plate with the wiper.

Abstract: An ink supply unit and a method of supplying ink to a printhead are disclosed. The ink supply unit includes a lower ink reservoir, an upper ink reservoir, and a flow regulation apparatus. The upper ink reservoir is coupled to the lower ink reservoir. First and second fluid input ports are disposed on opposite sides of the flow regulation apparatus. A first fluid line and a second fluid line couple the first and the second input ports, respectively, with the upper ink reservoir, and a third fluid line is adapted to couple the flow regulation apparatus with a printhead.

Abstract: A method for operating a printing device and an image generation kit are disclosed. The image generation kit is adapted to controllably eject individual drops of a gating agent, and is operating the image generation kit in synchronism with a principal substance application apparatus to deposit the drops of the gating agent on a substrate and to transfer a principal substance to the substrate. The drops of the gating agent on the substrate define image and non-image areas of the substrate, the image and non-image areas of the substrate are undefined until the drops of the gating agent are deposited thereon, and the substrate with the principal substance transferred to the image areas is an end product of the printing device.

Abstract: An ink supply unit and a method of supplying ink to a printhead are disclosed. The ink supply unit includes a lower ink reservoir, an upper ink reservoir, and a flow regulation apparatus. The upper ink reservoir is coupled to the lower ink reservoir. First and second fluid input ports are disposed on opposite sides of the flow regulation apparatus. A first fluid line and a second fluid line couple the first and the second input ports, respectively, with the upper ink reservoir, and a third fluid line is adapted to couple the flow regulation apparatus with a printhead.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance station to cleaning a nozzle plate of a printhead and a method of operating the printhead maintenance station are disclosed. The printhead maintenance station includes a wiper bar, a wiper secured to the wiper bar, a wiper cleaning assembly, and an actuator. The wiper is stored in the wiper cleaning assembly when not in use. The controller operates the actuator to rotate the wiper bar to move the wiper from the wiper cleaning assembly to a wiping position, and causes relative movement of the printhead maintenance station and the print unit to wipe the nozzle plate with the wiper.

Abstract: A printing system includes a first imaging unit configured to print a first image and a registration mark associated with the first image on a web contemporaneously during a production run, and a sensor configured to detect the registration mark at a point where the registration mark is within a second imaging unit. The printing system further includes a controller configured to calculate an offset along a width direction of the web based on the registration mark and to instruct the second imaging unit to print the second image on the web. The second image is shifted in its entirety in accordance with the calculated offset and is printed on the same side of the web as the first image.

Abstract: A printing system includes a first imaging unit configured to print a first image and a single registration mark associated with the first image on a substrate contemporaneously during a production run, and a sensor configured to detect the registration mark at a point where the registration mark is within a second imaging unit. The printing system further includes a controller configured to calculate an offset along a width direction of the substrate based on the single registration mark and to instruct the second imaging unit to print the second image on the substrate. The second image is shifted in its entirety in accordance with the calculated offset and is printed on the same side of the substrate as the first image.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling application of a substance to a substrate involve the use of a functional agent that helps determine the association of a substance with the substrate. The apparatus and methods may utilize jet technology to apply the functional agent directly to the substrate or to an intermediate surface. The substance may be biological substance or a chemical in nature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring a principal substance applies the principal substance onto a surface and deposits drops of a gating agent onto a first portion of the principal substance applied to the first surface. The depositing of each drop of gating agent is individually controlled. A second portion of the principal substance not covered by the gating agent is transferred from the first surface to a second surface. A printing system adapted to transfer principal substance from a first surface to a second surface is also disclosed, wherein the printing system exerts mechanical pressure between the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling application of a substance to a substrate involve the use of a functional agent that helps determine the association of a substance with the substrate. The apparatus and methods may utilize jet technology to apply the functional agent directly to the substrate or to an intermediate surface. The substance may be biological substance or a chemical in nature.

Abstract: A printing system includes a first imaging unit configured to print a first image and a single registration mark associated with the first image on a substrate contemporaneously during a production run, and a sensor configured to detect the registration mark at a point where the registration mark is within a second imaging unit. The printing system further includes a controller configured to calculate an offset along a width direction of the substrate based on the single registration mark and to instruct the second imaging unit to print the second image on the substrate. The second image is shifted in its entirety in accordance with the calculated offset and is printed on the same side of the substrate as the first image.

Abstract: In a system and method for using a wiper to clean a nozzle plate of an inkjet head, a spring is disposed between the wiper and a mounting body, and the mounting body has a top portion and a bottom portion. The wiper is disposed proximate the top portion of the mounting body relative to the bottom portion of the mounting body. In addition, the wiper blade is transported across the face of a nozzle plate for wiping portions of the nozzle plate. A distance between the wiper blade and the bottom end of the mounting body is varied in accordance with variations in distances between the portions of the nozzle plate and the bottom portion of the mounting body.

Abstract: In a system and method for operating an ink supply to an inkjet cartridge, wherein the ink supply includes an ink reservoir and an ink tube, ink in the ink reservoir is coupled to ink in the ink tube. Ullage above the ink in the ink reservoir is coupled with ullage above the ink in the ink tube. Ink from the ink tube is supplied to the inkjet cartridge.

Abstract: Systems and methods for high-speed variable printing are provided. Ink jet technology and lithographic systems may be combined in such a way to create a fully variable and high-quality print system. Ink is applied to a first cylinder. Aqueous solution is applied to a second cylinder to produce a negative image. At least a portion of the ink from the first cylinder is transferred to the second cylinder. A positive image in ink is then transferred from the second cylinder to a print medium, and residue ink and aqueous solution is cleaned from the second cylinder. The systems and methods described herein may be used to create high-quality one-to-one marketing applications.

Abstract: A method of detecting an alignment error includes the steps of controlling a first portion of one or more imaging units to image on a substrate a first plurality of substantially parallel lines extending along a first direction and a second plurality of substantially parallel lines extending along a second direction and controlling a second portion of one or more imaging units to image a third plurality of substantially parallel lines extending along the first direction and a fourth plurality of substantially parallel lines extending along the second direction. One or more distances between adjacent lines of the second plurality of lines are varied and one or more distances between adjacent lines of the fourth plurality of lines are varied. Further, the lines imaged by the first and second portions form an alignment pattern.

Abstract: A method for operating a printing device and an image generation kit are disclosed. The image generation kit is adapted to controllably eject individual drops of a gating agent, and is operating the image generation kit in synchronism with a principal substance application apparatus to deposit the drops of the gating agent on a substrate and to transfer a principal substance to the substrate. The drops of the gating agent on the substrate define image and non-image areas of the substrate, the image and non-image areas of the substrate are undefined until the drops of the gating agent are deposited thereon, and the substrate with the principal substance transferred to the image areas is an end product of the printing device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling application of a substance to a substrate involve the use of one or more gating agents that block the substance from or attracts the substance to the substrate. The apparatus and methods may utilize ink jet technology to apply the gating agent directly to the substrate or to an intermediate surface. The substance may be an ink, an electrically conductive material, a magnetic material, a carrier for a therapeutic, diagnostic, or marking substance other than an ink, a carrier or any other substance.