Abstract: A controller for an inkjet printing device is configured to predict a remaining time period until a failure of the nozzle on the basis of a time curve of offset measurement values with regard to the offset of the ink droplets ejected by said nozzle. A compensation measure may be introduced promptly, before the actual failure of the nozzle on the basis of the prediction in order to have the effect that the compensation measure takes effect at latest at the point in time of the failure of the nozzle, and thus an interruption of the print quality may be prevented.

Abstract: In a method for simulating a printing process of print jobs in a digital high-capacity printing system with print server and printing apparatus having a plurality of modules: a simulation state of the printing apparatus is activated by (e.g. a user of) a monitoring module of the digital high-capacity printing system, a print job is started with print data at the print server by the monitoring module, the print data is transferred to the printing apparatus, printing is simulated by supplying unrastered print data to an image raster unit of the printing apparatus while data are withdrawn from the image raster, wherein the speed of the removal corresponds to the print speed, feedback is provided to the monitoring module of the digital high-capacity printing system about the occurrence of an error message.

Abstract: In a device and a method for improving the print image uniformity, at least one print image is printed by a printer with at least one print bar that has at least one print head with a plurality of print nozzles. An image detector having a plurality of dot/image detection regions detects at least one value profile of measured inking intensities. A comparator compares the value profile with at least one reference value, and generates correction values dependent thereon.

Abstract: In a method and a device for synchronizing a first printing device with a second component (e.g. second printing device), based on a property of a print image printed by the first printing device, which the property is detected by an optical sensor, a first print image is printed and at least one part of the first print image is detected using the optical sensor to generate a corresponding sensor signal. A virtual sensor signal is determined based on first print data and a known position of the optical sensor. The virtual sensor signal is compared with a curve of the sensor signal and a position signal is generated based on the result of the comparison. A second component is started depending on the position signal.

Abstract: An air fan assembly includes a suction box including a wall having an open area distributed across the wall. The suction box is configured to contain an underpressure on an inner side of the wall, so as to cause a cut sheet to adhere to a perforated transport belt. An impingement unit is configured to expel air supplied thereto towards the perforated transport belt. An air fan is arranged to create and maintain the underpressure in the suction box and to supply the air to be expelled by the impingement unit via an air outlet of the suction box. A first valve is arranged upstream of the air fan for conditionally admitting an additional air flow into the suction box. An inkjet printer and a method of operating the air fan assembly include the air fan assembly.

Abstract: An inkjet printer and a method for controlling an inkjet printer are disclosed. The inkjet printer is provided with an endless transport belt for transporting a medium to be printed; at least one roller for driving the transport belt and at least one additional roller for driving and/or suspending the transport belt; a detection system configured to detect a deformation of the transport belt including at least an in-plane bending deformation of at least a stretch of the transport belt and to generate at least one deformation signal indicating the detected deformation; an actuator assembly configured to change a position and/or orientation of at least one of the rollers of the inkjet printer; and a controller configured to control the actuator assembly based on the at least one deformation signal.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional object 38 with a shape determined by model data defining a model 10 of the object, characterized by the steps of: a) splitting the model 10 into a high elevation/low resolution base part 18 and a low elevation/high resolution cover part 20?; b) forming a base body 30 with a shape as determined by the base part 18 of the model; c) employing a 3D printing technique for printing a sheet-like cover body 34 with a shape as determined by the cover part 20? of the model; and d) matching the cover body 34 to the base body 30 by vacuum forming.

Abstract: A controller for a multi-roll printer, a printing system with such a printer and such a controller and a method for controlling such a printer are provided. A user may assign print jobs directly to one of the rolls by assigning graphical representations the print jobs to regions corresponding to those rolls in a GUI. The user may also assign print jobs to a region in the GUI that is not associated with any particular roll, as a result of which each image of said print job is individually assigned automatically to at least one of the rolls.

Abstract: A printing module includes a first imaging device and a slot for accommodating an optional second imaging device. An ink supply module includes a slot for accommodating an optional drying/fixation apparatus, and a second ink supply device. Also, the ink supply module and the printing module include ink inlet/outlet ports such that the optional second imaging device in the printing module, if present, can be supplied ink from the second ink supply in the ink supply module when the printing module and the ink supply module are combined to form a printer.

Abstract: In a method for adjusting a setup for an encoder for printing to a recording medium of unknown thickness with a multi-row inkjet print head in a printing system, a continuous test line is printed onto the recording medium, transversal to a feed direction of said recording medium, a varied width of the test line is measured, and the adjustment of the setup is modified to minimize the width of the test line.

Abstract: A method for detecting an operating state of an ejection unit during the printing of an object of a print job the method comprising determining whether the ejection unit is in an operative state or in a malfunctioning state by analyzing a residual pressure wave generated in the liquid in a duct of the ejection unit by an actuation pulse. Further, the method comprises scanning the location of a recording medium onto which liquid has been ejected in order to perform an additional determination of whether the ejection unit is in an operative state or in a malfunctioning state. The method uses both determinations to build feedback information in the form of labeled data that is used in subsequent executions to improve the result of the determinations performed by analyzing a residual pressure wave generated in the liquid.

Abstract: A test image having a plurality of line rows is printed. The individual lines of the line rows are printed by different nozzles of a print head. The lines are thereby associated with the different line rows such that the lines of two directly adjacent line rows are not printed by all respective nozzles from two nozzle rows of the print head that are connected with one another via a common ink supply channel. Crosstalk between the nozzle rows, and print image artifacts of the test image that are linked therewith, may thus be advantageously avoided.

Abstract: In preparation for the stop of a printer, a forward and backward movement of the recording medium in the form of a web is implemented so that the segment of the recording medium that is in contact with a roller of the printer given a stop of the printer is moved at least partially before or after the roller. In preparation for the stop, climatic properties of the recording medium may thus be adapted to the climatic properties of the local environment of the roller, where deformations of the recording medium may be advantageously reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A closed supply container that is filled with air and ink is associated with a print head in a one-to-one association. During a printing process, ink is drawn from the supply container into the print head via a connecting line, such that a negative pressure in the supply container is increased. A sensor in the supply container measures the negative pressure and transmits a measurement value to a controller that switches a valve associated with the supply container so that ink is conveyed from an ink storage container into the supply container of the measurement value falls below a predetermined first lower limit value of the pressure such that the fluid pressure in the supply container increases.

Abstract: In a method for preventing or reducing air vortex formation between a print plate and a recording medium upon printing to the recording medium with a coating substance (e.g. primer), the recording medium is provided at a feed velocity of at least 20 meters per minute, and a plurality of print nozzles of a print head are alternately activated to print the coating substance on recording medium to cover a surface of the recording medium with the coating substance. The activation can include only activating a portion of the plurality of print nozzles simultaneously. Further, a predetermined applied quantity of the coating substance per area is constantly printed onto the recording medium.

Abstract: A device for supplying a print bar (10) with ink has a distributor tank (16) that is connected with all print heads (12). Degassed and tempered ink is supplied to the distributor tank (16). In the distributor tank (16), a ring line (36) extends through which flows ink at the nominal temperature, and the ink (19) in the distributor tank (16) is thereby tempered. In addition to this, the distributor tank (16) has a supply line (38) via which fresh ink may be fed into the distributor tank (16). A changeover switch (42) switches between the two lines depending on the negative pressure in the distributor tank (16).

Abstract: A printing system having: a print head arranged with a predetermined nip for printing to a recording medium; a sensor positioned upstream of the print head, and configured to detect possible joints of the recording medium; a spacer arranged in a region of the print head, the spacer being configured to be displaceable to deflect the recording medium and increasing a distance between the print head and recording medium; an actuator to displace the spacer element; and a controller configured to activate the actuator to displace the spacer upon detection of a joint by the sensor.

Abstract: Method for holding substrates on a flatbed printing system. After positioning the substrates on the substrate support surface, a leak air area not covered by the substrates is covered by positioning a flexible cover device at least over the leak air area, and preferably over the substrates as well. Thereby, air flow through the through-holes is prevented. An under-pressure is then applied to the through-holes, sucking the substrates against the substrate support surface. The flexible cover device is then withdrawn to expose the substrate for printing while the under-pressure is maintained. It was found that despite the additional amount of air passing through the through-holes uncovered by the withdrawal of the flexible cover device, the under-pressure surprisingly remained sufficient to properly hold the substrates for printing. An additional advantage is that the cover device may be applied easily and rapidly over the leak air area and substrates at once.

Abstract: A printing system for printing to a recording medium can include a guide, a printer, and a cleaner. The guide can guide the recording medium and be arranged in a first vertically traveling region. The printer having a print bar with a print head can print to the recording medium. The printer can be arranged in a printing position located in the first vertically traveling region, and be displaced, to facilitate the cleaning of the print head, into a service position located in a second vertically traveling region. The cleaner can be adapted to clean the print head. The cleaner can be arranged in a printing position located in the first vertically traveling region, and be displaced into the service position located in the second vertically traveling region to clean the print head. The cleaning can be automatically or manually performed.

Abstract: A device for automatic adjustment of print heads in a printing machine is presented. The device can include at least one motor and a controller. The motor can drive at least one drive element for at least one retaining element, and drive at least one drive element for at least one adjustment element. The controller can control the at least one motor to: drive the at least one drive element to loosen the at least one retaining element, drive the at least one drive element to position the at least one adjustment element at a predetermined nominal value to position the adjustment element, and drive the at least one drive element to tighten the at least retaining element.