Abstract: A material drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer identifies a time lag error corresponding to a time lag in the response of printer components to component commands. The identified time lag error is provided to a slicer program that uses the identified time lag error to compensate for the time lag in the response of the printer components.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a substrate cooling unit for use with a duplex aqueous ink jet image forming device. The substrate cooling unit includes a first transport belt that is in contact with a portion of an outer surface of the first cooling roll to substantially sandwich individual sheets of image receiving media between a first cooling roll and the first transport belt. The substrate cooling unit includes a second cooling roll positioned downstream of the first cooling roll in a process direction and a second transport belt that is in contact with a portion of an outer surface of the second cooling roll to substantially sandwich the individual sheets of image receiving media between the second cooling roll and the second transport belt. The second transport belt includes a bottom layer of woven or non-woven fibers and a top rubber layer.

Abstract: A slicer in a material drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer generates machine ready instructions that operate components of a printer, such as actuators and an ejector having at least one nozzle, to form features of an object more precisely than previously known. The instructions generated by the slicer control the actuators to move the ejector and a platform on which the object is formed relative to one another at a constant velocity to form edges of the feature.

Abstract: A slicer in a material drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer generates machine ready instructions that operate components of a printer, such as actuators and an ejector having at least one nozzle, to form features of an object more precisely than previously known. The instructions generated by the slicer use positional data from an encoder to control the actuators to move the ejector and a platform on which the object is formed relative to one another to form edges of the feature.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a substrate cooling unit for use with a duplex aqueous ink jet image forming device. The substrate cooling unit including a first cooling roll. a first transport belt, a second cooling roll positioned downstream of the first cooling roll in a process direction and a second transport belt. The first and second transports belts include a bottom layer of a fiber mesh impregnated with a polydimethylsiloxane, where the fiber mesh is selected from cotton, polyester, and nylon. The first and second transport belts include an optional intermediate adhesive layer and an optional top layer of silicone having an extractable level of less than 4 percent. The substrate cooling unit includes an invertor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a substrate cooling unit for use with a duplex aqueous ink jet image forming device. The substrate cooling unit includes a first transport belt that is in contact with a portion of an outer surface of the first cooling roll to substantially sandwich individual sheets of image receiving media between a first cooling roll and the first transport belt. The substrate cooling unit includes a second cooling roll positioned downstream of the first cooling roll in a process direction and a second transport belt that is in contact with a portion of an outer surface of the second cooling roll to substantially sandwich the individual sheets of image receiving media between the second cooling roll and the second transport belt. The second transport belt includes a bottom layer of woven or non-woven fibers and a top rubber layer.

Abstract: A material drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer identifies a time lag error corresponding to a time lag in the response of printer components to component commands. The identified time lag error is provided to a slicer program that uses the identified time lag error to compensate for the time lag in the response of the printer components.

Abstract: A slicer in a material drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer generates machine ready instructions that operate components of a printer, such as actuators and an ejector having at least one nozzle, to form features of an object more precisely than previously known. The instructions generated by the slicer use positional data from an encoder to control the actuators to move the ejector and a platform on which the object is formed relative to one another to form edges of the feature.

Abstract: A slicer in a material drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer generates machine ready instructions that operate components of a printer, such as actuators and an ejector having at least one nozzle, to form features of an object more precisely than previously known. The instructions generated by the slicer control the actuators to move the ejector and a platform on which the object is formed relative to one another at a constant velocity to form edges of the feature.

Abstract: A capping station is configured for storing printheads during printer inactivity to preserve the viscosity of the ink in the nozzles of the printheads. Each capping station has a receptacle, a vacuum source, a transducer, and a valve in an opening in a floor of the receptacle. A controller is operatively connected to actuators to move the receptacle so a seal on an upper wall of the receptacle engages a printhead housing. The controller also operates the valve to close the opening in the receptacle floor and then operates the vacuum source to establish a negative pressure in the volume within the receptacle. The transducer is then operated by the controller to fluctuate ink menisci in the nozzles of the printheads to prevent the ink from drying in the nozzles.

Abstract: A capping station is configured for storing printheads during printer inactivity to preserve the viscosity of the ink in the nozzles of the printheads. Each capping station has a receptacle, a vacuum source, a transducer, and a valve in an opening in a floor of the receptacle. A controller is operatively connected to actuators to move the receptacle so a seal on an upper wall of the receptacle engages a printhead housing. The controller also operates the valve to close the opening in the receptacle floor and then operates the vacuum source to establish a negative pressure in the volume within the receptacle. The transducer is then operated by the controller to fluctuate ink menisci in the nozzles of the printheads to prevent the ink from drying in the nozzles.

Abstract: A capping station is configured for storing printheads during printer inactivity to preserve the viscosity of the ink in the nozzles of the printheads. Each capping station has a receptacle, a planar member having a shaft that moves bidirectionally within an opening in a floor of the receptacle, a source of cleaning fluid, and a vacuum source. A controller is operatively connected to actuators to move the receptacle so a seal on an upper wall of the receptacle engages a printhead housing and to move the planar member within the receptacle. The controller also operates a pump to move cleaning fluid through the receptacle and to operate the vacuum source to pull ink from the nozzles of a printhead to the faceplate of the printhead. The planar member is moved proximate the faceplate so the ink forms a film that preserves the viscosity of the ink in the nozzles.

Abstract: An inkjet printer for printing on a continuous web of recording media includes a receiver to receive a beam of collimated light transmitted across the surface of a continuous web of recording media supported by a roller. The intensity of the transmitted beam received by the receiver can be used to determine the presence of a defect in the continuous web or in the roller. A controller is configured to reduce the speed of or stop movement of the web through the printer and to retract one or more printheads from a printing location to prevent the defect from damaging the printhead(s).

Abstract: A mobile cart for a three-dimensional object printing system includes a mechanism that enables vertical movement of the platen with reference to ejector heads in the system. The mobile cart includes a pair of links at each end of a cart that pivotally connect a member positioned between the cart and the platen to the cart and the platen. An actuator is configured to laterally move the member bi-directionally and along an axis that is orthogonal to the member. This movement of the member pivots the links to raise and lower the platen depending on the direction in which the member is urged by the actuator.

Abstract: A mobile cart for a three-dimensional object printing system includes a mechanism that enables vertical movement of the platen with reference to ejector heads in the system. The mobile cart includes a pair of links at each end of a cart that pivotally connect a member positioned between the cart and the platen to the cart and the platen. An actuator is configured to laterally move the member bi-directionally and along an axis that is orthogonal to the member. This movement of the member pivots the links to raise and lower the platen depending on the direction in which the member is urged by the actuator.

Abstract: In a large-scale ink-jet printer with multiple rows of printheads, an apparatus collects waste material such as paper particles and excess ink. A set of trays is stacked vertically to correspond to the rows of printheads. Each tray includes a drain valve therein. The trays are mounted on a rack that is slidably mounted on a bracket. When the rack is lowered to a drain position on the bracket, a linkage on the rack engages a surface within the printer, such as on the bracket, and the linkage is pushed upward to open the valve associated with each tray. The opened valves cause the trays to drain out their waste material, ultimately to a collection container.

Abstract: An inkjet printer for printing on a continuous web of recording media includes a receiver to receive a beam of collimated light transmitted across the surface of a continuous web of recording media supported by a roller. The intensity of the transmitted beam received by the receiver can be used to determine the presence of a defect in the continuous web or in the roller. A controller is configured to reduce the speed of or stop movement of the web through the printer and to retract one or more printheads from a printing location to prevent the defect from damaging the printhead(s).

Abstract: A system for protecting media in an image-forming device. The system includes a heating element for heating the media, and a media path adjacent to the heating element. The media is transported in the image-forming device along the media path. The system also includes a barrier assembly having one or more non-flammable restraint threads and a spring-tensioned positioner. The restraint threads are mounted between the heating element and the media path, and the spring-tensioned positioner assembly maintains the restraint thread in a fixed position.

Abstract: This is a media transport apparatus using gripper segments that are connected to conveyor belts. These segments grip the leading edges of paper media and pull the media on a path toward a paper exit. Above the conveyor belts are baffle panels that have at least two panel separations. It is through these separations that the gripper segments move as the endless conveyor belts rotate. The gripper segments are provided with shifting structures that can laterally align the paper sheets. The leading edges of the paper are held between a gripper bar and elastomeric rollers.

Abstract: This is a media transport apparatus using gripper segments that are connected to conveyor belts. These segments grip the leading edges of paper media and pull the media on a path toward a paper exit. Above the conveyor belts are baffle panels that have at least two panel separations. It is through these separations that the gripper segments move as the endless conveyor belts rotate. The gripper segments are provided with shifting structures that can laterally align the paper sheets. The leading edges of the paper are held between a gripper bar and elastomeric rollers.