Abstract: A method of three-dimensional (3D) printing is provided. Print data is received, which defines patterns of at least one agent to be applied to a layer of build material. The print data is modified to add a further pattern of a detailing agent to be selectively applied to the layer of build material to generate fracture regions in a processed volume of build material.

Abstract: A method of three-dimensional (3D) printing is provided. Print data is received, which defines patterns of at least one agent to be applied to a layer of build material. These patterns are at least partially based on a 3D model of at least one object to be generated. The print data print data is processed to determine regions which are distant from said patterns. The print data is modified to add a further pattern of a detailing agent to be selectively applied to the layer of build material to generate fracture regions in a processed volume of build material.

Abstract: In some examples, a printing system includes a bed on which layers of a three-dimensional (3D) object are to be formed, a moveable delivery platform, and a moveable belt to carry a build material and to deposit the build material onto the delivery platform. An actuator is to move the delivery platform from a lowered position to a raised position to allow spreading of the deposited build material on the delivery platform to the bed.

Abstract: In some examples, a build material delivery system for a printing system includes a moveable belt to transport a build material between locations in the printing system, where an outer surface of the belt is to carry the build material. A drive system is to move the belt, and the drive system includes a roller to engage an inner surface of the belt, the inner surface of the belt comprising transport structures defining cavities to transport stray build material that has seeped into an inner region containing the drive system from the outer surface of the belt.

Abstract: A pinch roller acts in combination with a drive roller to provide a nip through which sheets are passed in a sheet handling system. To reduce hand-off errors in the line feed accuracy of the sheet handling system, the pinch roller includes a compliant outer surface and soft undersurface volume. The flexibility of the outer surface allows the pinch roller to shift its holding force from the media to the pinch roller as the media leaves the nip between the rollers. This reduces the force seen by the media in the direction of the media travel, thus reducing the localized push on the back edge of the media. The soft undersurface volume is formed by a foam core.

Abstract: A multiple-function printing device provides for picking pages from a stack of sheets in an input feeder for roller-driven movement along a first path through a printing station to an output, and for picking pages from a stack of documents in an input feeder for roller-driven movement along a second path through a scanning station to an output, with at least a portion of the first and second paths being commonly shared, with a document deflector which, in a document scanning mode of operation, is pivoted into a lowered position generally parallel to a print station platen to constrain the top and bottom of curled documents exiting from the scan station so as to prevent an incipient paper jam. The deflector is actuated by a drive mechanism including a ball link and cranks connected to a common motor in a service station for capping and wiping print cartridges in the printing station.

Abstract: A common printer platen for conveying printed media and documents to a printer exit includes an exit mechanism having a series of floating spaced guide ribs to accommodate printed media or documents of a first range of thickness and printed media or documents of a second range of greater thickness. An exit chassis includes a longitudinal first edge, a series of spaced guide ribs including an integral beam forming a star wheel carrier is pivotably mounted transversely to the chassis first edge, and spring members extend between the chassis and the beams for accommodating printed media or documents of a greater thickness conveyed through a nip formed by the star wheels and a printer roller.

Abstract: A multiple-function printing device provides for picking pages from a stack of sheets in a sheet feeder for roller-driven movement along a first path through a printing station to an output stacker, and for picking pages from a stack of documents in a document feeder for roller-driven movement along a second path through a scanning station to the output stacker, with at least a portion of the first and second paths being commonly shared, the scanning station being underneath the commonly shared path, and with common mechanisms including a first pick and second pick for picking from the document and sheet pages, providing roller-driven movement through the processing stations. A media chassis is provided, including an integral platen, with integral spaced side walls which rotatively mount each of picks on and between at least one of the side walls. A prescan drive roller, a fixed deflector and a gear train are attached to a side wall of the chassis, the latter for driving the respective picks.

Abstract: A multiple-function printing device provides for picking pages from a stack of sheets in an input feeder for roller-driven movement along a first path through a printing station to an output, and for picking pages from a stack of documents in an input feeder for roller-driven movement along a second path through a scanning station to an output, with at least a portion of the first and second paths being commonly shared, and with common mechanisms being used for various steps such as for picking, providing roller-driven movement through the processing stations, and for actuating a pressure plate in the input feeders. A document guide in a document scanning mode of operation is pivoted into a lowered position generally parallel to the print station platen to constrain and contain the top and bottom of any curled document exiting from the scan station into an output roller nip so as to prevent an incipient paper jam. Prior to a printing mode of operation on a paper sheet, the document guide is pivoted about 100.

Abstract: The invention uses two very inexpensive rotary encoders in combination--a close-coupled one (or more) for high accuracy, and a remote-coupled one for high resolution. High-accuracy information is then combined with high resolution information in a digital processing system to yield composite information that is high in both accuracy and resolution. This information can be used to establish image positioning on a print medium. The overall system cost is lower than with an equivalent single encoder. Insidious cyclical errors in the coupling system (gear train or the like) are removable without expensive high tolerances and assembly or test fixtures. Residual cyclical error due to eccentric mounting or other error in the direct-coupled encoder scale also can be substantially removed, if desired, by adding another one or more encoders reading that scale, and suitably combining the information about that scale from the different sensors.

Abstract: A hardcopy device has various page processing steps in a printer, fax machine or the like which are actuated by a single motor which connects through a gear mechanism to drive a main drive roller, a pick roller, and automatically move a pressure plate in a feeder slot to and fro between a position of engagement holding a stack of pages against the pick roller and a position of disengagement. A reverse action of the pick roller kicks out partially picked pages into the feeder slot after the pressure plate is moved to a position of disengagement.

Abstract: A media advance system for swath-type printers for precisely positioning the media for successive swath printing. A dual photodiode line sensor is mounted on the print head. The diode active areas are separated by less than the line widths of lines printed in the media margin. Circuitry is provided to provide a signal indicative of the difference between the photocurrents produced by each photodiode. For the first swath of the page or plot, marginal lines are drawn by the first and Nth print device of the print head. Without moving the media, the line sensor is positioned over the marginal line printed by the first device, and the resulting difference signal is saved as a reference value. The media is then advanced until the same value of the difference signal is obtained from the line image of the marginal line drawn by the Nth print device. The media is then advanced a predetermined amount to precisely position the media for the next successive swath to be printed.

Abstract: A rigid link is provided between a plot medium (14) and a position transducer (50) so that accurate plot medium advance measurement can be attained. The device (30) comprises a movable carriage (42) and an arm-like extension (38) that juts out from the carriage to the plot medium. A friction hold is made between the extension arm and the plot medium by applying a force to the extension arm normal to the plot medium by means of an electromagnet (33) which includes a coil (34), the extension arm serving as the armature. The electromagnet is located beneath the platen (12) which supports the medium on a base (32) which also supports the carriage.With the electromagnet activated, the extension arm is held against the plot medium. As the plot medium is advanced by a plot medium drive system (20), the extension arm and carriage are pulled along. Plot medium advance is stopped when the proper advance distance has been sensed by the position transducer.