Abstract: A method for reducing cyclic print errors. Applicants discovered that the cause of certain cyclic print errors was inconsistent (i.e., unequal) line spacing on the linear encoder strip used by the printer to track the position of the print head. Such inconsistent line spacing was caused by the inability of the device which makes/prints linear encoder strips to consistently match the ideal consistent line spacing desired and expected by the printer. Applicants found that such cyclic print errors were eliminated by choosing, obtaining, and installing a linear encoder strip having a consistent line spacing within the resolution capabilities of the device and, in one example, closest to the ideal consistent line spacing.

Abstract: An open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) magnet having first and second spaced-apart superconductive coil assemblies each including a toroidal-shaped coil housing containing a superconductive main coil in thermal contact with a cryogenic fluid contained in a dewar. Preferably, each main coil is located outside of and in solid-conduction thermal contact with its corresponding dewar (instead of inside the dewar). Preferably, a surrounding single (not double) thermal shield is cooled by liquid cryogen boil-off or by a cryocooler coldhead. All this allows the main coil to be located closer to the magnet's open space which reduces magnet cost by reducing the amount of coil needed for the same-strength magnetic field.