Abstract: Systems and methods for producing vehicle components or components for use with vehicles or in other non-vehicle applications allow an end user to select and produce at a local job site, or optionally elsewhere as desired. The system and method can allow a manufacturer or designer to send a design for a component to a consumer for the consumer to produce. The consumer can then use one of a variety of methods, such as three dimensional printing or machining, to produce the component. The consumer can produce a component from a stock data file or can customize the component before production.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a developer container, a data recording medium, a contact terminal, a detector, and control circuitry. The developer container is detachably attached in the apparatus body. The data recording medium is on the developer container. The contact terminal is disposed in the apparatus body and contacts the data recording medium. The detector detects a communication failure between the data recording medium and the apparatus body. The control circuitry executes a control mode to vibrate the data recording medium when the detector detects the communication failure.

Abstract: A method of printing a three-dimensional (3D) color object, layer-by-layer, comprises: obtaining a 3D CAD specification defining a 3D geometry and a surface color distribution for the color object to be printed, defining regions on a surface of the color object; defining colors for each region based on the CAD specification; determining, using the 3D geometry of the specification, conditions applying at respective regions that are liable to cause color variation, such that using the colors as defined at the respective regions may give rise to a coloration error; selecting color corrections defined for respective determined conditions; correcting the defined colors; and printing the 3D color object with the color corrections.

Abstract: A recording device includes a recording unit configured to perform recording on a medium, a transporting belt configured to transport the medium, a wiper configured to wipe an outer circumferential surface of the transporting belt by coming into contact with the outer circumferential surface, a holding portion configured to hold the wiper, a support portion configured to support the holding portion such that the wiper is movable toward the outer circumferential surface, an elastic member configured to bias the holding portion such that the wiper comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface while the holding portion is supported movably by the support portion, and a fixing portion configured to fix the holding portion to the support portion.

Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to a spacer textile comprising a first layer, a second layer, and a plurality of tie yarns that interconnect the first layer and the second layer. The spacer textile further comprises one or more discrete areas from which the first layer is absent along with a portion of the length of the tie yarns in those areas.

Abstract: A method of forming additive energy directors according to various exemplary embodiments can include dispensing a molten material onto a substrate at a predetermined location. The method also includes solidifying the molten material to form at least one additive energy director onto the substrate.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a support, and a print head connected to and moveable by the support. The system may also include an encoder configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of material passing through the print head, and a controller in communication with the encoder. The controller may be configured to selectively implement a corrective action in response to the signal.

Abstract: A tattoo machine is disclosed herein. The tattoo machine comprises at least one brace for supporting the machine on a body part. A base carriage is supported on the brace and is displaceable along a length of the brace. A top carrier is hingeably coupled to the base carriage. A holder plate is displaceably coupled to the top carrier, wherein the displacement of the holder plate within the top carriage is facilitated in a direction along the length of the holder plate. A tattoo applicator is supported at a free end of the holder plate, wherein the tattoo applicator comprises a ball for housing a tip of a needle. One aspect of the tattoo machine is that the depth at which the tattoo applicator operated on a body part is manually adjustable.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a platen, a dispenser apparatus positioned above the platen to dispense a layer of powder over the platen, and an energy source to selectively fuse the layer of powder. The dispenser apparatus includes a support structure, a dispenser secured to the support structure and including a reservoir to hold the powder and one or more openings configured to deliver powder from the reservoir in a linear region that extends along a first axis, a spreader extending along the first axis and secured to the support structure and positioned to spread powder already delivered on the platen by the dispenser, and a drive system to move the support structure along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis such that the dispenser and blade move together to sweep the linear region along the second axis to deposit and level the powder.

Abstract: A computer-controlled system determines attributes of a frexel, an area of human skin, and applies a modifying agent (RMA) at the pixel level, typically to make the skin appear more youthful and so more attractive. The system scans the frexel, identifies unattractive attributes, and applies the RMA, typically with an inkjet printer. The identified attributes relate to reflectance and may refer to features such as irregular-looking light and dark spots, age-spots, scars, and bruises. Identified attributes may also relate to the surface topology of the skin, for more precisely enhancing surface irregularities such as bumps and wrinkles. Feature mapping may be used, for example to make cheeks appear pinker and cheekbones more prominent. The RMA can be applied in agreement with identified patterns, such as adding red to a red frexel, or in opposition, such as adding green or blue to a red frexel, according to idealized models of attractiveness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for printing a three-dimensional light guiding structure (1) by curing droplets (7) of a printing material by light irradiation, wherein in a first step the droplets (7) of printing material are deposited by a nozzle (30) or a print head of an inkjet printer such that the droplets (7) of printing material form a layer (10) and in a second step light is directed from a light source to an array (5), wherein the array (5) comprises a plurality of mirror elements (6), wherein at least one mirror element (6) of the array (5) can be orientated such that the at least one mirror element (6) of the array (5) reflects in directly or directly light either onto a screen (3) or onto the layer (10) formed by the droplets (7) of printing material.

Abstract: A device is disclosed herein which may comprise a droplet generator producing droplets of target material; a sensor providing an intercept time signal when a droplet reaches a preselected location; a delay circuit coupled with said sensor, the delay circuit generating a trigger signal delayed from the intercept time signal; a laser source responsive to a trigger signal to produce a laser pulse; and a system controlling said delay circuit to provide a trigger signal delayed from the intercept time by a first delay time to generate a light pulse that is focused on a droplet and a trigger signal delayed from the intercept time by a second delay time to generate a light pulse which is not focused on a droplet.

Abstract: Provided is an electrochromic compound represented by the following general formula (I) or (II) where R1 to R13 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a monovalent organic group, or a polymerizable functional group, and at least one of the R1 to the R13 is a polymerizable functional group.

Abstract: A three-dimensional forming apparatus includes: an ejecting portion that ejects a forming material from an opening portion to a forming table; a moving portion that changes a relative position between the forming table and the ejecting portion; and a controller that controls the ejecting portion and the moving portion. The ejecting portion includes a tip surface having the opening portion. An external shape of the opening portion is polygonal. When the three-dimensional object is formed, the controller controls the moving portion such that a distance (Gp) between the tip surface and an estimated position to which the forming material is to be ejected from the ejecting portion satisfies the following Expression (1). (Sq1×Gp)/Vt<1.0??(1) where Sq1 represents an area of the opening portion, and Vt represents a volume of the forming material that is ejected per unit moving amount by the ejecting portion.

Abstract: A printing method wherein a scanning-type printer, or a printer comprising a page-wide array of multiple printheads, is used for printing an image on a substrate in a plurality of adjacent swaths, the method comprising a step of determining positions of boundaries between the adjacent swaths on the basis of image contents to be printed, preferentially in such a way that artefacts are least likely to be visible.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam, wherein a direct measuring unit (4) is provided for determining a position and/or a travel distance of at least one moveable component (5) of the apparatus (1).

Abstract: An ink jet recording method includes: heating a recording medium; and ejecting a white color water-based ink composition from an ink jet head to a recording medium heated in the heating of the recording medium and causing the white color water-based ink composition to adhere to the recording medium, the causing of the white color water-based ink composition to adhere is performed by performing scanning, in which the ink composition is ejected while relative positions between the ink jet head and the recording medium are changed in a scanning direction, a plurality of times, and a maximum time of the scanning performed once is equal to or greater than 0.8 seconds, and the white color water-based ink composition contains first particles that are a white color pigment and second particles that are particles of a different kind from the first particles and that are inorganic fine particles.

Abstract: A medium transporting device provided in a printer includes a curved path in which a paper sheet after recording is curved and inverted, a plurality of first ribs that extend in a medium transportation direction in a facing area facing a recording head, that are provided at intervals in a width direction intersecting the medium transportation direction, and that form cockling on the paper sheet, a plurality of second ribs that are provided on an outer curved portion of the curved path, and a plurality of third ribs that are provided on an inner curved portion of the curved path. The plurality of second ribs and the plurality of third ribs are disposed at positions in the width direction that correspond to a mountain portion and a valley portion of the cockling of the paper sheet that is formed by the plurality of first ribs.

Abstract: There is provided a method for use in molding an imprint material supplied onto a substrate with a mold to form a pattern on the substrate, the method comprising steps of: with respect to each of regions obtained by dividing a region of the mold based on information of a pattern of the mold, obtaining first information of a first arrangement pattern of the imprint material based on information of the pattern of the mold; obtaining second information of a second arrangement pattern of the imprint material based on information of a thickness of a residual layer of the pattern to be formed on the substrate; and obtaining third information of a third arrangement pattern of the imprint material to be arranged on the substrate based on the first information and the second information.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ink cartridge, ink cartridge chip, and short-circuit detection method of chip. The ink cartridge chip comprises: a short-circuit detection terminal, which is disposed between a connecting terminal to be detected and one or more connecting terminals other than the connecting terminal to be detected; a short-circuit detection and processing unit, which is connected to a voltage division and power supply unit and one or more connecting terminals other than the connecting terminal to be detected; and a voltage division and power supply unit, which is connected to the short-circuit detection and processing unit and the connecting terminal to be detected, for dividing voltage from the connecting terminal to be detected and transmitting an obtained low voltage to the short-circuit detection and processing unit. The present disclosure is able to reduce costs and satisfy long-term use of short-circuit detection in the ink cartridge chips.

Abstract: A non-aqueous magenta ink composition for ink jet printing comprising a pigment, a pigment dispersant, a binder resin and an organic solvent, wherein the pigment comprises C.I. Pigment Red 254 and a red pigment having a quinacridone skeleton, and wherein a total amount of the C.I. Pigment Red 254 and the red pigment having a quinacridone skeleton is not less than 50% by mass in the pigment.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid through a nozzle, a supply flow path that supplies liquid from a liquid container containing liquid to the liquid ejecting head, a liquid chamber provided in a buffer chamber disposed in the supply flow path, the liquid chamber being configured to change in volume, a liquid feeding unit of a reversible type disposed in the supply flow path between the liquid container and the liquid chamber, a control portion that controls driving of the liquid feeding unit, and a suction unit that suctions liquid through the nozzle. The control portion controls the liquid feeding unit to perform reverse feeding of the liquid from the liquid chamber to the liquid container before the suction unit suctions the liquid through the nozzle.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for spotting an array with fluid. Arrays produced by such methods are also provided. In one aspect of the invention, a spotter device for spotting a plurality of fluids into an array is described, the spotter device comprising a plurality of reservoirs provided in a first configuration, each reservoir holding its respective fluid, a print head having a plurality of positions provided in a second configuration, the second configuration being different from the first configuration, a plurality of tubes, each tube configured to provide fluid communication from a reservoir at a first end of the tube to a position in the print head at the second end of the tube, and a pump for pumping fluid through the tubes from the reservoir to the print head.

Abstract: A circuit board to be mounted on a casing of a cartridge includes an insulating substrate, an integrated circuit mounted on the substrate, terminals and a dummy electrode. The terminals are electrically connected to the integrated circuit, while the dummy electrode is electrically disconnected from the integrated circuit. The terminals and dummy electrode are formed on the substrate to satisfy an inequity of L1+L2<L3, where L1 is a shortest distance among distances between edges of the terminals and an edge of the dummy electrode in a direction perpendicular to a predetermined direction in which the terminals are aligned with one another; L2 is a shortest distance between an edge of the dummy electrode and an edge of the casing in the predetermined direction; and L3 is a shortest distance among distances between edges of the terminals and the edge of the casing in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A modular automated additive manufacturing system of the present invention is preferably made up of one or more optional accessories including but not limited to additive manufacturing, 3D printing, Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), subtractive manufacturing, material handler, material dispenser, 3d scanner, power generation system, engraving, laser, material spray and the like integrated into a shipping container for purposes of additive manufacturing and or digital fabrication. The system of the present invention preferably includes a linear motion body with modular attachment head and other accessories mounted within a shipping container or other housing for the purposes of digital fabrication.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a cosmetic apparatus configured to sense at least a motion of a cosmetic implement during application of a cosmetic substance to the skin surface of a user; and a client device having processing circuitry configured to receive sensory information transmitted wirelessly from the cosmetic apparatus regarding the sensed motion of the cosmetic apparatus, and control display of information about the sensed motion of the cosmetic apparatus to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to [1] a process for producing pigment-containing modified polymer particles, including the step of reacting pigment-containing polymer particles (A) containing a functional group and a compound (B) containing a reactive group capable of reacting with the functional group of the polymer particles (A) in a medium under such a condition that a ratio [(B)/(A)] of total moles of the reactive group of the compound (B) to total moles of the functional group of the polymer particles (A) is from 0.10 to 0.62; [2] a pigment water dispersion including an aqueous medium and the modified polymer particles produced by the aforementioned process which are dispersed in the aqueous medium; and [3] an ink including the aforementioned pigment water dispersion and an organic solvent.

Abstract: A first waste liquid reservoir disposed in a housing of a liquid ejection apparatus includes a first container, and a first retainer disposed in the first container to retain the liquid conveyed through a passage member. A second waste liquid reservoir disposed in the housing includes a second container, and a second retainer disposed in the second container so as to be in contact with the first retainer. The second retainer retains the liquid conveyed through the passage member. The second waste liquid reservoir is movable in a first direction, and one of the first waste liquid reservoir and the second waste liquid reservoir is movable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. At least one of the first retainer and the second retainer protrudes in the second direction from corresponding at least one of the first container and the second container.

Abstract: Included are embodiments of a cartridge assembly for modifying a treating surface. These embodiments may include a reservoir for storing a treatment composition, where the treatment composition is being applied to the treating surface. The cartridge assembly may also include a body portion that is coupled to the reservoir and configured to engage with a cartridge housing. The body portion may include a plurality of engagement rails, including a primary engagement rail and an auxiliary engagement rail, where the auxiliary engagement rail has a shorter length than the primary engagement rail to facilitate engagement with the cartridge housing in a desired configuration.

Abstract: Micro- and nano-patterns in imprint layers formed on a substrate and lithographic methods for forming such layers. The layers include a plurality of structures, and a residual layer having a residual layer thickness (RLT) that extends from the surface of the substrate to a base of the structures, where the RLT varies across the surface of the substrate according to a predefined pattern.

Abstract: Both stability and high glossiness of a glossy ink used for printing can be achieved. A printer is provided that performs inkjet printing for a medium. The printer includes a glossy ink head as an inkjet head that discharges droplets of a glossy ink, a heater, and an ultraviolet light source. The glossy ink includes an ultraviolet-curable resin curable by being irradiated with ultraviolet light, a glossy pigment, and a solvent added to disperse the pigment. Particles of the glossy pigment have particle sizes less than or equal to 0.5 ?m. The heater heats the medium to volatilize and strip the solvent in the ink. The ultraviolet light source irradiates dots of the glossy ink on the medium with ultraviolet light after a preset waiting time has passed subsequent to a timing of the droplets of the glossy ink landing on the medium.

Abstract: A method includes issuing a state change fluid into an internal passage of an additively manufactured article and causing the state change fluid to change from a first state having a first viscosity to a second state that is either solid or has a second viscosity that is higher than the first viscosity within the internal passage. The method can also include causing the state change fluid to change back from the second state to the first state and flushing the state change fluid from the internal passage to remove residual powder from the additively manufactured article.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating human skin that has an applicator head having one or more applicator nozzles which may be in a array. The apparatus further has a reservoir comprising a treatment composition, a sensor, and a CPU. The sensor takes an image of at least 10 ?m2 of skin, the CPU analyzes the image to calculate one or more localized L values of individual pixels or group of pixels of the skin. Then the CPU compares the local L value to a predetermined background L value to identify skin deviations. A skin deviation occurs where the difference between the background L value and the local L value is greater than a predetermined ?LS value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a high-speed, closed-loop fabric printer comprises a plurality of consecutive stations that can be managed by a single operator. In particular, shirts or other fabric garments may be individually loaded and secured on a pallet by an operator, and the loaded pallets may then cycle through a plurality of unmanned stations positioned along a contiguous path (e.g., oval). The stations may be configured for pretreating the fabric surface, drying and pressing the pretreated fabric with heat, and then inkjet printing a selected image, among others. In this manner, a “wet-to-dry-to-wet” direct to garment (DTG) printing process may thus be achieved, along with optimal controls for maximum adaptability. Furthermore, due to the closed-loop design, a recently printed fabric product returns to the operator to be unloaded at the position in which a new unprinted fabric is loaded, allowing for increased throughput and minimal operator requirements.

Abstract: An image processing device causing an image forming apparatus to form a laminate image including a recording unit to discharge a liquid to a recording medium, a curing unit to cure the liquid discharged by the recording unit, and a drive unit, includes a scanning control unit to control the drive unit to move the recording unit and the curing unit of the image forming apparatus in a sub-scanning direction and scan the recording unit and the curing unit in a main scanning direction multiple times; and a matte lamination control unit to cause the recording unit of the image forming apparatus to form the laminate image on an image forming area being a part of an entire image forming area by scanning the recording unit in the main scanning direction in an amount of lamination and move the recording unit in the sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: A process including providing a curable gellant ink composition having a phase transition temperature; heating the ink composition to a temperature above the phase transition temperature; depositing the ink composition onto a substrate; wherein upon contact with the substrate the ink composition freezes to provide a gel ink layer; treating at least a portion of the gel ink layer whereby treated gellant ink reacts to form a three-dimensional object and wherein untreated gellant ink does not react and remains in gellant form; optionally, wherein the unreacted gellant ink provides a support structure for overhang portions of the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A nonlinear nanocomposite optical-element comprising a nanocomposite comprising one or more optically nonlinear (NLO) nanofillers dispersed in a cured organic-matrix. The NLO nanofillers have a high ?(3) susceptibility relative to a linear nanofiller. The distribution of the NLO nanofiller has a nanofiller gradient that changes based on optical radiation intensity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods for printing on a convex or concave glass surface and for an apparatus for holding the one or more work pieces for printing. The invention operatively couples one or more curved pieces in a mounting fixture, wherein each of the one or more curved pieces comprise a convex surface or a concave surface. Furthermore, the invention accesses a flattened image of the convex outer surface or the concave inner surface of one or more generally curved pieces and disposes pigment on the convex surface or the concave surface of the one or more curved pieces according to the flattened image. Further embodiments may be directed towards printing on curved pieces such as glass eyes.

Abstract: A novel 3D printing technique is used to mobilize a 3D printer while printing thus creating an unlimited build volume. The 3D printer is mobilized by printing track or scaffold that guides the 3D printer as it moves in a spiral or helical, corkscrew, or linear fashion. After printing a segment the printer subsequently utilizes the track or scaffold printed during the process, after the material has set to the desired or specified hardness, for advancement and support of the printer.

Abstract: An image recording method including the steps of forming an image by applying an ink to an ink receiving member and applying a treatment liquid containing an ink-viscosity-increasing component to the ink receiving medium so as to overlap with at least a part of a region of the ink receiving medium to which the ink is applied. The treatment liquid contains a surfactant which lowers a surface tension of water to 25 mN/m or less when added into the water in an amount of 0.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to control operation of a printer based on whether a marker is detected in a pigment ink are disclosed. Example apparatus include an optical sensor to detect a marker in a vehicle component of the pigment ink. The vehicle is depleted of a pigment component. The apparatus also includes a controller to control operation of the printer based on whether the marker is detected. The apparatus can also include an authorizer to determine whether the printer in which the pigment ink is installed is authorized to use the pigment ink having the marker. The controller of the apparatus is to control operation of the printer by transmitting a control signal to a print head processor to halt printing operations. The apparatus can additionally include a filter to deplete the vehicle component of the pigment component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for applying an image of an electrically conductive material onto a recording medium. In the method, the recording medium is heated and the electrically conductive material is jetted onto the recording medium. The invention further relates to a device for ejecting droplets of an electrically conductive fluid onto a recording medium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for reducing drooling, wetting or adhesion on a front face of an inkjet printhead configured for ejecting aqueous ink. The methods including disposing an anti-wetting, low adhesion coating onto a surface of the inkjet printhead front face, wherein the anti-wetting, low adhesion coating is a reaction product of a reactant mixture including a triisocyanante and a perfluoropolyether diol compound having an ethyoxylated spacer; and ejecting a drop of an aqueous ink having a surfactant from the printhead, wherein the aqueous ink drop exhibits a contact angle of greater than about 40° and a sliding angle of less than about 30° with a surface of the coating on the inkjet printhead front face.

Abstract: The present inventions refers to a method for printing an optical element (11) comprising the steps of ejecting at least one droplet (6) of printing material comprising silicone towards a substrate (8) in a first step and curing the droplet deposited on the substrate in a second step.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement are disclosed for producing an electrically conductive pattern on a surface. Electrically conductive solid particles are transferred onto an area of predetermined form on a surface of a substrate. The electrically conductive solid particles are heated to a temperature that is higher than a characteristic melting point of the electrically conductive solid particles, thus creating a melt. The melt is pressed against the substrate in a nip, wherein a surface temperature of a portion of the nip that comes against the melt is lower than said characteristic melting point.

Abstract: A photon detector having an optical transparent plate and photodiode array interconnected by an optical light guide array. The optical light guide array including elements providing a transmission line between the optical transparent plate and the photodiode array, where the position of one or more optical light guide elements is formed to adjust for a miss-registered photodiode individual element.

Abstract: A sheet pasting and binding apparatus has a paste application unit, an acquisition unit, a detection unit, and a controller. The paste application unit can change an application amount for applying paste to fed sheets. The acquisition unit acquires the number of printing instructed sheets. The detection unit detects the remaining amount of the paste. The controller controls the paste application unit so that pasting and binding are performed using a second paste application amount which is smaller than a first paste application amount while the pasting and binding are performed using the first paste application amount which is specified in advance as the paste application amount for maintaining a binding force between the sheets, based on the reception number and the remaining paste amount.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for filling and optionally bumping through-silicon vias (TSVs) in device circuits utilizing inkjet printheads for ejecting sufficiently small droplets of conductive nanoparticle inks into the TSVs. Ejected drops are accurately impinged along the length of each TSV within a substrate being heated to drive evaporation of the solvent carrying the metal nanoparticles into the trenches while not de-encapsulating the particles. Once all TSVs are filled, and optionally bumped, to a desired level while they are being heated then bonding and sintering can be performed, such as utilizing thermocompression bonding to another integrated circuit.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide anti-wetting, low adhesion coatings for use with aqueous ink jet printheads. Exemplary embodiments directed to aqueous ink jet printheads with the anti-wetting, low adhesion coating on the front face thereof and methods for reducing drooling, wetting or adhesion on a front face of an ink jet printhead configured for ejecting aqueous ink are also described.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes: a nozzle plate provided with nozzle openings; an actuator unit including a flow channel formation substrate in which pressure generation chambers are provided and piezoelectric actuators that cause a change in the pressure of the liquid within respective pressure generation chambers; a communication substrate in which communication channels that communicate between the pressure generation chambers and corresponding nozzle openings are provided; a first case member that is a frame member affixed to the communication substrate so that the actuator unit is disposed within the first case member and that, along with the actuator unit, forms a manifold that holds the liquid to be supplied to the pressure generation chambers; and a second case member that is affixed to the first case member and in which is formed an introduction channel that sends the liquid from the exterior to the manifold.