Abstract: Disclosed are high stability ink delivery system systems and methods for their use, in which a secondary reservoir is placed upstream of a printhead. The secondary reservoir can be opened to the atmosphere through a valve, such as based on the reading of a pressure sensor placed at a point before the printhead. The purpose of this valve is to open the secondary reservoir to the atmosphere when the pressure sensor indicates that the secondary reservoir can be open while avoiding air aspiration, and closing it when this condition is not satisfied.

Abstract: A printing system having a vacuum transfer belt conveyor includes a fixed or movable perforated platen that supports workpieces, e.g., substrates, boards or other parts, to be printed. The printing system is configured to apply vacuum action through apertures or perforations defined through the perforated platen. In an embodiment, the print system is configured to mitigate deflection of ink drops, through the implementation of both a passive system, which reduces air flow in the region below the a print bar that includes one or more printheads, as well as an active system, which distributes the workpieces, e.g., substrates or boards, with respect to perforations in the transfer belt. In some embodiments, the perforated platen is comprised of a plurality of modular plates.

Abstract: A printing system having a vacuum transfer belt conveyor includes a fixed or movable perforated platen that supports workpieces, e.g., substrates, boards or other parts, to be printed. The printing system is configured to apply vacuum action through apertures or perforations defined through the perforated platen. In an embodiment, the print system is configured to mitigate deflection of ink drops, through the implementation of both a passive system, which reduces air flow in the region below the a print bar that includes one or more printheads, as well as an active system, which distributes the workpieces, e.g., substrates or boards, with respect to perforations in the transfer belt. In some embodiments, the perforated platen is comprised of a plurality of modular plates.

Abstract: A printing platform includes a printing engine with one or more printheads arranged such that the ink drops are jetted vertically upwards against the action of gravity; and a substrate transportation system where the normal to the surface in contact with the substrate is parallel and with opposite direction to the travelling direction of the jetted ink drops. It is necessary to counteract the weight of the substrate during the printing process to avoid it from falling under the action of gravity. This is achieved through any of a mechanical element that interferes with the falling of the substrate and that keeps it in place; or a system that generates adhesion forces between the element that transmits the motion to the substrate, typically a conveyor belt, and the substrate through the action of electrostatic forces, an air pressure differential between both faces of the substrate, or any other suitable mechanism.

Abstract: A media thickness detection system for inkjet printing applications monitors the thickness of media entering the printer to ensure correct printing performance by adjusting the position of the printheads on-the-fly to assure printing quality. Media that do have an acceptable printing thickness are passed through the printer without stopping operation of the printer transport and without being printed upon and are routed directly to a reject facility. Embodiments also prevent damage to the printer by immediately stopping operation of the printer when substrate thickness deviates significantly from an expected value due to variations in thickness that result from manufacturing tolerances or damage to the substrate.

Abstract: A printing platform includes a printing engine with one or more printheads arranged such that the ink drops are jetted vertically upwards against the action of gravity; and a substrate transportation system where the normal to the surface in contact with the substrate is parallel and with opposite direction to the travelling direction of the jetted ink drops. It is necessary to counteract the weight of the substrate during the printing process to avoid it from falling under the action of gravity. This is achieved through any of a mechanical element that interferes with the falling of the substrate and that keeps it in place; or a system that generates adhesion forces between the element that transmits the motion to the substrate, typically a conveyor belt, and the substrate through the action of electrostatic forces, an air pressure differential between both faces of the substrate, or any other suitable mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for a vacuum conveyor for inkjet printing with adjustment to the covered area are disclosed. In some embodiments, a controller of a vacuum conveyor expands first one or more actuators of multiple first actuators of a substrate transportation system to decrease a suction width of an area of suction provided by the vacuum conveyor in accordance with a substrate width of a substrate being inkjet printed using the vacuum conveyor. A second one or more actuators of the multiple first actuators being retracted. The controller retracts multiple second actuators of the vacuum conveyor to increase the suction length of the area of suction while the substrate transportation system moves the substrate along the vacuum conveyor for inkjet printing of the substrate. The controller expands the retracted actuators of the multiple first actuators to increase the suction length as the substrates exit the vacuum conveyor.

Abstract: A printing platform includes a printing engine with one or more printheads arranged such that the ink drops are jetted vertically upwards against the action of gravity; and a substrate transportation system where the normal to the surface in contact with the substrate is parallel and with opposite direction to the travelling direction of the jetted ink drops. It is necessary to counteract the weight of the substrate during the printing process to avoid it from falling under the action of gravity. This is achieved through any of a mechanical element that interferes with the falling of the substrate and that keeps it in place; or a system that generates adhesion forces between the element that transmits the motion to the substrate, typically a conveyor belt, and the substrate through the action of electrostatic forces, an air pressure differential between both faces of the substrate, or any other suitable mechanism.

Abstract: A printing system includes a driving belt configured to drive media through the printing system relative to one or more print heads and a vacuum conveyor system. The vacuum conveyor system includes a vacuum chamber cover having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, as well as a plurality of slots through the cover that form openings from the first surface to the second surface. A seal, disposed within and extending along at least a portion of a length of a respective slot, is drivable to open or close the respective slot. A vacuum chamber below the second surface of the vacuum chamber cover is configured to apply a vacuum to the media through the plurality of slots. The applied vacuum constrains the media on the driving belt by flattening it against the driving belt.

Abstract: A printing system includes a driving belt configured to drive media through the printing system relative to one or more print heads and a vacuum conveyor system. The vacuum conveyor system includes a vacuum chamber cover having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, as well as a plurality of openings through the cover from the first surface to the second surface. A number of seals are disposed to match the location of openings. Each seal extends along the length of the vacuum chamber cover and is drivable to open or close a region with openings. A vacuum chamber below the second surface of the vacuum chamber cover is configured to apply a vacuum to the media through one or more of the openings that are open. The applied vacuum constrains the media on the driving belt by flattening it against the driving belt.

Abstract: Disclosed here is an apparatus to flatten the substrate as the substrate travels along the print path of a printer, thus reducing damage to the transport belt, motor, gearbox, etc., and increasing print quality. The apparatus includes two strapping metal bands mounted on the printer and parallel to the print path. The two strapping metal bands are under tension from a torsion spring and a ratchet placed at least at one end of the print path. In a rest position, the two strapping metal bands are lifted off the transport belt. When a printhead of the printer lowers to engage in printing, the printhead pushes on the two strapping metal bands causing them to push the edges of the substrate downward, thus increasing the flatness of the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are high stability ink delivery system systems and methods for their use, in which a secondary reservoir is placed upstream of a printhead. The secondary reservoir can be opened to the atmosphere through a valve, such as based on the reading of a pressure sensor placed at a point before the printhead. The purpose of this valve is to open the secondary reservoir to the atmosphere when the pressure sensor indicates that the secondary reservoir can be open while avoiding air aspiration, and closing it when this condition is not satisfied.

Abstract: A printing system includes a driving belt configured to drive media through the printing system relative to one or more print heads and a vacuum conveyor system. The vacuum conveyor system includes a vacuum chamber cover having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, as well as a plurality of openings through the cover from the first surface to the second surface. A number of seals are disposed to match the location of openings. Each seal extends along the length of the vacuum chamber cover and is drivable to open or close a region with openings. A vacuum chamber below the second surface of the vacuum chamber cover is configured to apply a vacuum to the media through one or more of the openings that are open. The applied vacuum constrains the media on the driving belt by flattening it against the driving belt.

Abstract: A printing system having a vacuum transfer belt conveyor includes a fixed or movable perforated platen that supports workpieces, e.g., substrates, boards or other parts, to be printed. The printing system is configured to apply vacuum action through apertures or perforations defined through the perforated platen. In an embodiment, the print system is configured to mitigate deflection of ink drops, through the implementation of both a passive system, which reduces air flow in the region below the a print bar that includes one or more printheads, as well as an active system, which distributes the workpieces, e.g., substrates or boards, with respect to perforations in the transfer belt. In some embodiments, the perforated platen is comprised of a plurality of modular plates.

Abstract: Disclosed are high stability ink delivery system systems and methods for their use, in which a secondary reservoir is placed upstream of a printhead. The secondary reservoir can be opened to the atmosphere through a valve, such as based on the reading of a pressure sensor placed at a point before the printhead. The purpose of this valve is to open the secondary reservoir to the atmosphere when the pressure sensor indicates that the secondary reservoir can be open while avoiding air aspiration, and closing it when this condition is not satisfied.

Abstract: A printing system having a vacuum transfer belt conveyor includes a fixed or movable perforated platen that supports workpieces, e.g., substrates, boards or other parts, to be printed. The printing system is configured to apply vacuum action through apertures or perforations defined through the perforated platen. In an embodiment, the print system is configured to mitigate deflection of ink drops, through the implementation of both a passive system, which reduces air flow in the region below the a print bar that includes one or more printheads, as well as an active system, which distributes the workpieces, e.g., substrates or boards, with respect to perforations in the transfer belt. In some embodiments, the perforated platen is comprised of a plurality of modular plates.

Abstract: A printing system having a vacuum transfer belt conveyor includes a fixed or movable perforated platen that supports workpieces, e.g., substrates, boards or other parts, to be printed. The printing system is configured to apply vacuum action through apertures or perforations defined through the perforated platen. In an embodiment, the print system is configured to mitigate deflection of ink drops, through the implementation of both a passive system, which reduces air flow in the region below the a print bar that includes one or more printheads, as well as an active system, which distributes the workpieces, e.g., substrates or boards, with respect to perforations in the transfer belt. In some embodiments, the perforated platen is comprised of a plurality of modular plates.

Abstract: Disclosed are high stability ink delivery system systems and methods for their use, in which a secondary reservoir is placed upstream of a printhead. The secondary reservoir can be opened to the atmosphere through a valve, such as based on the reading of a pressure sensor placed at a point before the printhead. The purpose of this valve is to open the secondary reservoir to the atmosphere when the pressure sensor indicates that the secondary reservoir can be open while avoiding air aspiration, and closing it when this condition is not satisfied.