Abstract: A method of forming a base for additive manufacture in order to print an object or part object on the wax base involves forming the wax base on a printing tray. The base is constructed by providing a layer of wax on a surface of said printing tray. The wax is heated to above a melting point thereof so that the wax in contact with the tray is molten, and then the wax is slowly cooled while continually pressing on the wax. The slow cooling ensures a bond between the wax and the printing tray which may be enhanced if the tray surface is roughened.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating mosaics from a given image. The method and apparatus comprise scanning the image into a computerized form, optionally marking guidelines on the image, and generating a mosaic description from the image. The mosaic description comprises tiles placed along the guidelines in directions tangent to the guidelines. A user can edit and make changes to the mosaic description. The mosaic description is optionally split to sheets, and transferred to a placing machine, preferably pick and place machine such as an SMT machine for generating a mosaic from the mosaic description.

Abstract: A method of producing ink-jet printed images with high resistance to physical and chemical damage on plastic surfaces, by coating the plastic object with an inkjet receptive layer comprising a mixture of hydrophilic polymers and UV curable pre-polymers deposited from an emulsion, ink-jetting an image onto the coating using ink-jet ink comprising a colorant and aqueous carrier, warming the printed surface to drive part of the water in the ink into the surface coating and to evaporate the other part of the water, UV curing the dried surface and over-coating the UV cured surface with lacquer or with lamination material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing an accurately positioned white layer to serve as an undercoat for inkjet process colors imaging on a substrate, by accurately ink jetting a colorless loosely-bonded frame onto the substrate, thereby defining an area to be imaged, ink jetting or spraying a white layer, the white layer at least partially overlapping the frame and covering the area defined by the frame.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing an accurately positioned white layer to serve as an undercoat for inkjet process colors imaging on a substrate, by accurately ink jetting a colorless loosely-bonded frame onto the substrate, thereby defining an area to be imaged, ink jetting or spraying a white layer, the white layer at least partially overlapping the frame and covering the area defined by the frame.

Abstract: A method of producing ink-jet printed images with high resistance to physical and chemical damage on plastic surfaces, by coating the plastic object with an inkjet receptive layer comprising a mixture of hydrophilic polymers and UV curable pre-polymers deposited from an emulsion, ink-jetting an image onto the coating using ink-jet ink comprising a colorant and aqueous carrier, warming the printed surface to drive part of the water in the ink into the surface coating and to evaporate the other part of the water, UV curing the dried surface and over-coating the UV cured surface with lacquer or with lamination material.