Abstract: According to one example there is provided apparatus for curing ink on a substrate. The apparatus comprises a substrate support, a curing sheet positionable above the substrate support to create a gap between a substrate on the substrate support and the curing sheet. The apparatus further comprises an oxygen-depletion mechanism for reducing the oxygen level in the gap and an ultra-violet, UV, radiation source to apply UV radiation through the curing sheet to a substrate on the substrate support.

Abstract: A vacuum source is coupled to an ink reservoir to establish a backpressure to prevent ink from dripping from a printhead. The vacuum source is also coupled to a backpressure capacitor so that a first liquid-gas interface rises to a first level. When the vacuum source is decoupled, the liquid-gas interface falls to a second level so as to maintain sufficient backpressure on said ink to prevent it from dripping from the inkjet printhead.

Abstract: Examples are provided of plural light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged as vectors within an array. The vectors are individually drivable by way of a controller. A sensor scans the array and individual energy output values are correlated to electrical drive currents for each vector. The correlated data is recorded and used to control the vectors such that an equalized or uniform photonic energy profile is incident upon a media positioned as a target with respect to the LED system.

Abstract: An ink delivery device, method and non-transitory computer readable medium, the device may include a first closed pathway for a first ink flow through a multi-nozzle printhead in a first direction, and a second closed pathway for a second ink flow through the multi-nozzle printhead, the second pathway configured to move the second ink flow in a second direction. The device may further include a first shunt between the first closed pathway and the second closed pathway at a first end of the multi-nozzle printhead, the first shunt allowing some of the first ink flow to merge with the second ink flow, and a second shunt between the first closed pathway and the second closed pathway at a second end of the multi-nozzle printhead, the second shunt allowing some of the second ink flow to merge with the first ink flow.

Abstract: According to one example there is provided a method of printing an image on a substrate using a printing system having a printhead.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a tank for holding a fluid for delivery to a printhead, the tank being open to the atmosphere. A manifold enables the fluid to flow from the tank to the printhead, a height of the manifold being lower than a level of the fluid in the tank when the fluid is flowing from the tank to the printhead. A siphon has a lower end of the siphon that is connectable to the manifold. An upper end of the siphon extends above the level of the fluid and is openable to the atmosphere. A height of a segment of the siphon between the upper end and the lower end is lower than the height of the manifold.

Abstract: An aqueous ink composition includes at least 60% water by weight, an acrylic latex polymer suspension, a polyurethane suspension, a polyethylene wax suspension, and an organic solvent that comprises about 10% to about 30% of the ink composition. In methods for preparing an aqueous ink composition, a combination of the aforementioned components is provided. The combination is subjected to conditions under which the ink composition becomes substantially uniform and then the combination is subjected to filtration.

Abstract: A method for printing with curable ink is presented. The method comprises the steps of: generating an image wise pattern of spaced apart ink droplet locations for representing the image; and separating the pattern into at least first and second different interleaved portions, each portion comprising a plurality of droplet locations and the droplet locations of each interleaved portion being spaced apart from each other and spaced apart from the droplet locations of the remaining interleaved portions. In a first printing pass, ink droplets are deposited on the substrate at the drop locations of the first interleaved portion. Then, in a final printing pass, ink droplets are deposited on the substrate at the droplet locations of the second interleaved portion. The deposited ink droplets are then cured by exposing the deposited ink droplets to curing radiation in a first partial curing step between first and final printing passes and in a final curing step.

Abstract: According to one example of the present invention, there is provided an image processor for generating data to control an inkjet printing system. The image processor comprises an image analyzer to identify within an image to be printed an area of substantially solid color and to define within the identified area a frame portion and an intra-frame portion, and a printer control data generator to generate printing system control data to cause a printing system to print a frame portion and an intra-frame portion of the identified area.

Abstract: A carrier for an array comprising a plurality of print heads, comprises an elongate bar having an ink conduit extending through the bar in a longitudinal direction. The carrier also comprises a print head receiving area adapted to receive or mount the plurality of print heads, and a heat transfer fluid conduit extending through the bar in a longitudinal direction. The carrier is arranged so that each print head received or mounted in the print head receiving area is in fluid communication with the ink conduit, wherein the heat transfer fluid conduit is disposed adjacent both the ink conduit and the print head receiving area. The carrier may comprise two ink conduits and two heat transfer fluid conduits. Heat transfer fluid may in use be conducted along the first and second heat transfer conduits in opposite directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing fluid on a substrate is provided. The method includes providing drops of the fluid on the substrate and spreading the drops of fluid to increase the surface area covered by those drops. The apparatus includes a printer having a print head for printing drops of fluid on the substrate and a spreader for spreading the fluid drops on the substrate.

Abstract: A vacuum source is coupled to an ink reservoir to establish a backpressure to prevent ink from dripping from a printhead. The vacuum source is also coupled to a backpressure capacitor so that a first liquid-gas interface rises to a first level. When the vacuum source is decoupled, the liquid-gas interface falls to a second level so as to maintain sufficient backpressure on said ink to prevent it from dripping from the inkjet printhead.

Abstract: A method for producing reactive fine particles, includes: admixing at least one latent curing agent selected from the group consisting of a urea derivative, an imidazole, a dicyaniamide (DICY), a mixture of any one or more thereof, and a precursor thereof, in a solvent to form a clear solution; spraying the clear solution onto at least one inorganic inert particle selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, a mineral filler, a natural filler, and a mixture of any one or more thereof, the at least one inorganic inert particle having a specific surface area in the range of about 10 to about 50 m2/g; and removing the solvent to form reactive fine particles that includes a core of inert material coated by a coating layer that includes the at least one latent curing agent.

Abstract: A method for printing with curable ink is presented. The method comprises the steps of: generating an image wise pattern of spaced apart ink droplet locations for representing the image; and separating the pattern into at least first and second different interleaved portions, each portion comprising a plurality of droplet locations and the droplet locations of each interleaved portion being spaced apart from each other and spaced apart from the droplet locations of the remaining interleaved portions. In a first printing pass, ink droplets are deposited on the substrate at the drop locations of the first interleaved portion. Then, in a final printing pass, ink droplets are deposited on the substrate at the droplet locations of the second interleaved portion. The deposited ink droplets are then cured by exposing the deposited ink droplets to curing radiation in a first partial curing step between first and final printing passes and in a final curing step.

Abstract: A method for producing reactive fine particles, includes: admixing at least one latent curing agent selected from the group consisting of a urea derivative, an imidazole, a dicyaniamide (DICY), a mixture of any one or more thereof, and a precursor thereof, in a solvent to form a clear solution; spraying the clear solution onto at least one inorganic inert particle selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, a mineral filler, a natural filler, and a mixture of any one or more thereof, the at least one inorganic inert particle having a specific surface area in the range of about 10 to about 50 m2/g; and removing the solvent to form reactive fine particles that includes a core of inert material coated by a coating layer that includes the at least one latent curing agent.

Abstract: A reactive fine particle includes one or more functional compounds A or its precursors having a maximal size of less than 2 microns, adapted for synthesis, modification, curing, cross-linking, secession and/or initiating of polymerization of polymers; and one or more inert particles B having at least the maximal size of 2 microns and carrying said functional compounds A at its outer surface and/or in its inner portion. The compounds A to inert particles B weight ratio is ranging from 0.01A:100B to 50A:100B.

Abstract: A reactive fine particle includes one or more functional compounds A or its precursors having a maximal size of less than 2 microns, adapted for synthesis, modification, curing, cross-linking, secession and/or initiating of polymerization of polymers; and one or more inert particles B having at least the maximal size of 2 microns and carrying said functional compounds A at its outer surface and/or in its inner portion. The compounds A to inert particles B weight ratio is ranging from 0.01A:100B to 50A:100B.

Abstract: A carrier for an array comprising a plurality of print heads, comprises an elongate bar having an ink conduit extending through the bar in a longitudinal direction. The carrier also comprises a print head receiving area adapted to receive or mount the plurality of print heads, and a heat transfer fluid conduit extending through the bar in a longitudinal direction. The carrier is arranged so that each print head received or mounted in the print head receiving area is in fluid communication with the ink conduit, wherein the heat transfer fluid conduit is disposed adjacent both the ink conduit and the print head receiving area. The carrier may comprise two ink conduits and two heat transfer fluid conduits. Heat transfer fluid may in use be conducted along the first and second heat transfer conduits in opposite directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying ink, according to a soldermask pattern, to a printed circuit board having elevated pads defining pad edges, the method including flooding the printed circuit board with ink such that the ink advances to the pad edges and is stopped thereby and thereat, without climbing onto the elevated pads.

Abstract: Liquid thermosetting ink for ink-jet applications includes at least a resin, at least one solid latent curing agent having a maximal particle size of less than 2 microns and an inert filler having fine particles. The single-pack or two-pack ink has a viscosity lower than 50 Cp at the application temperature, a surface tension lower than 80 dyn/cm at the application temperature, and a glass transition temperature of cured ink of greater than 120° C.