Abstract: A printing system comprises an intermediate transfer member (ITM), an image forming station, a conveyer for driving rotation of the ITM, and a treatment station disposed downstream of the impression station and upstream of the image forming station configured for coating the ITM surface with a layer of a liquid treatment formulation, the treatment station comprising an applicator for applying the liquid treatment formulation to the ITM, a coating thickness-regulation assembly comprising a plurality of blades, a blade-replacement mechanism, and a blade-replacement controller for controlling the blade-replacement mechanism.

Abstract: A digital printing system (10) includes a flexible substrate (44), an optical assembly (200, 301) and a processor (20). The flexible substrate (44) has a periodic pattern, and is configured to be moved and to receive ink droplets in a printing process that forms an image thereon. The optical assembly (200, 301) is configured to illuminate the flexible substrate (44) with light (215, 315), to detect the light (215, 315) from the flexible substrate (44), and to derive from the detected light (215, 315) a signal indicative of the periodic pattern. The processor (20) is configured to receive the signal and to monitor or control the digital printing system (10) based on the periodic pattern as indicated by the signal.

Abstract: A digital printing system (10) includes a flexible intermediate transfer member (ITM) (44) and a dancer assembly (100). The ITM (44) is configured to receive ink droplets from an ink supply system to form an image thereon, and to transfer the image to a target substrate (50). The dancer assembly (100) includes a fluid chamber (103) and a rotatable element (111) fitted in the fluid chamber (103), the fluid chamber (103) includes an inlet (107) configured to receive pressurized fluid (130) into the fluid chamber (103), and the pressurized fluid (130) causes the rotatable element (111) to move relative to the fluid chamber (103) and to apply tension to the ITM (44) while being rotated by the ITM (44).

Abstract: An intermediate transfer member (ITM) for use with a printing system, the ITM having (a) a support layer; and (b) a release layer having an ink reception surface and a second surface opposing the ink reception surface, the second surface attached to the support layer, the release layer formed of an addition-cured, hydrophobic silicone material, wherein the release surface of the release layer has relatively hydrophilic properties with respect to the addition-cured, hydrophobic silicone material.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer member (ITM) for use in a printing system to transport an ink image from an image forming station to an impression station for transfer of the ink image from the ITM onto a printing substrate, wherein the ITM is an endless flexible belt of substantially uniform width which, during use, passes over drive and guide rollers and is guided through at least the image forming station by means of guide channels that receive formations provided on both lateral edges of the belt, wherein the formations on a first edge differ from the formations on the second edge by being configured for providing the elasticity desired to maintain the belt taut when the belt is guided through their respective lateral channels.

Abstract: A friction reduction system for reducing friction of an intermediate transfer member (ITM) of a printing system, while the ITM is guided along the printing system by a guiding arrangement. The friction reduction system includes a fluid reservoir mounted within the printing system, a fluid depositing arrangement disposed along the ITM, and a control mechanism, adapted to control depositing of fluid, from the fluid depositing arrangement onto the guiding arrangement or onto at least a portion of the ITM. Depositing of the fluid reduces friction between the ITM and the guiding arrangement.

Abstract: A system includes: (a) a flexible intermediate transfer member (ITM) including multiple layers and markers including: (i) a structure engraved, in at least one of the layers, at respective marking locations along the ITM, and (ii) at least part of the structure is filled with a filling material that changes one or both of optical and magnetic properties of the ITM, the ITM includes an outer layer for receiving ink droplets, and transferring the ink image to a target substrate, (b) sensing assemblies disposed at respective predefined locations relative to the ITM, and configured to produce signals indicative of respective positions of the markers, and (c) a processor, which is configured to receive the signals, and based on the signals, to control a deposition of the ink droplets on the ITM, and the processor is configured to detect a deformation of the ITM based on the first and second signals.

Abstract: Printing apparatus (20) includes a continuous blanket (24) and a set of motorized rollers (31), which advance the blanket at constant speed through an image area. Print bars (38) eject droplets of ink at respective locations onto the blanket in the image area. Monitoring rollers (42), in proximity to the locations of the print bars, contact the blanket to be rotated by blanket advancement. Each monitoring roller includes an encoder (44), which outputs a signal indicative of a rotation angle of the monitoring roller. A control unit (40) collects, during a calibration phase, the signal from the encoders over multiple rotations of the monitoring rollers, detects a deviation of the signal from the encoder relative to a clock signal having a predefined frequency, and computes runout correction factors. During an operational phase, the control unit applies the runout correction factors to synchronize the droplets ejection from the print bars.

Abstract: A system (10, 110) includes: (i) a flexible intermediate transfer member (ITM) (44, 500, 600), including: a stack of: In (a) a first layer (602), located at an outer surface of the ITM (44, 500, 600), configured to receive ink droplets to form an ink image thereon, and to transfer the ink image to a target substrate (50, 51), and (b) a second layer (603) including a matrix holding particles (622), configured to receive optical radiation (99) passing through the first layer (602), and to heat the ITM (44, 500, 600) by absorbing the optical radiation (99); (ii) an illumination assembly (113), configured to dry the ink droplets by directing the optical radiation (99) to impinge on the particles (622); and (iii) a temperature control assembly (121), configured to control a temperature of the ITM (44, 500, 600) by directing a gas (101) to the ITM (44, 500, 600).

Abstract: A system (10) includes an intermediate transfer member (ITM) (44) and a substrate conveyor (80). The ITM (44) is configured to receive droplets of one or more printing fluids so as to form an image thereon, and to transfer the image to a target substrate (50). The substrate conveyor (80) is configured to grip and move the target substrate (50) to and from the ITM (44) for transferal of the image, the substrate conveyor (80) includes one or more rotatable elements (110, 200), which are configured to provide mechanical support to the target substrate (50), such that, when the target substrate (50) moves over the one or more rotatable elements (110, 200), at least one of the rotatable elements (110, 200) is configured to rotate in response to a physical contact with the target substrate (50).

Abstract: Disclosed are curable polymer compositions, elastomers thereof and release layers useful in the art of printing made of the disclosed elastomers. Disclosed are also intermediate transfer members having a release layer useful in the art of printing. Disclosed are anisotropic intermediate transfer members. Disclosed are curable adhesive compositions, that in some embodiments are useful in preparing intermediate transfer members useful in printing. Also disclosed are intermediate transfer members useful in the art of printing having a release layer with an image transfer surface having protonatable functional groups apparent thereupon. Also disclosed are methods of making such intermediate transfer members.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to printing system is described that has an intermediate transfer member (ITM) in the form of a seamed endless belt for transporting an ink image from an image forming station, at which an ink image is deposited on ITM, to an impression station, where the ink image is transferred onto a printing substrate. Two drive members are provided for movement in synchronism with one another. Rotation of the drive members during installation of a new ITM serves to thread the strip through the printing system by pulling the strip from its leading end. Alternatively or additionally, indirect printing system comprising the ITM and an image forming station at which droplets of ink are applied to the ITM to form ink images thereon is disclosed. One or more blowing mechanisms (e.g. associated with the image forming station) are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A digital printing system (10) includes an intermediate transfer member (ITM) (44) which is configured to receive a printing fluid so as to form an image, a continuous target substrate (50), and a processor (20). The continuous target substrate (50) is configured to engage with the ITM (44) at an engagement point (150) for receiving the image from the ITM (44), at the engagement point (150), the ITM (44) is configured to move at a first velocity and the continuous target substrate (50) is configured to move at a second velocity. The processor (20) is configured to match the first velocity and the second velocity at the engagement point (150).

Abstract: A printing system comprises an intermediate transfer member, an image-forming station comprising a print bar disposed over a surface of the ITM, a conveyer for driving rotation of the ITM, a detection system configured to detect foreign matter transported at a detection location upstream of the image-forming station, and a response system operatively coupled to the detection system to respond to the detection of foreign matter by performing at least one collision-prevention action to prevent a potential collision between foreign matter and the print bar.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method of indirect printing with an aqueous ink. In some embodiments, an intermediate transfer member (ITM) comprising a silicone-based release layer surface is employed. For example, the release layer surface satisfies at least one of the following properties: (i) a receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the silicone-based release layer surface is at most 60°; and (ii) a 10-second dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a drop of distilled water deposited on the silicone-based release layer surface is at most 108°. Related apparatus, systems and treatment formulations are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to control apparatus and methods of a printing system, for example, comprising an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and to user-related features of a printing system. Some embodiments relate to regulation of a velocity and/or tension and/or length of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to regulation of deposition of ink on the moving ITM. Some embodiments regulate to apparatus configured to alert a user of one or more events related to operation of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to a time-line GUI for visualizing and/or manipulating queued print jobs which may be employed. Some embodiments relate to a reversed augmented reality GUI for visualization and/or control of the printing system. In some embodiments, a display screen is mounted to a printer housing and/or able to control access to moving parts of a printing system.

Abstract: An ink film construction consisting: (a) a printing substrate; and (b) at least one ink film, fixedly adhered to a top surface of the printing substrate, the ink film having an upper film surface distal to the top surface of the substrate, wherein a surface concentration of nitrogen at the upper film surface exceeds a bulk concentration of nitrogen within the film, the bulk concentration measured at a depth of at least 30 nanometers below the upper film surface, and wherein a ratio of the surface concentration to the bulk concentration is at least 1.1 to 1.

Abstract: A method of indirect digital printing is disclosed herein. The method employs (i) first (e.g. transparent) and second aqueous ink components (comprising colorant particles) and (ii) a target surface (e.g. hydrophobic) of an intermediate transfer member (ITM). A quantity of first ink component is deposited (e.g. by ink-jetting) onto the target surface and partially dried to produce a partially-dried layer thereon. Droplets of the second ink component are deposited onto the partially-dried layer of first ink component to form a wet, colored ink-image. Upon deposition of the droplets of the second ink component, the colorant particles from the second component penetrate into the partially-dried layer of the first ink component. The wet, colored image is dried into a tacky ink-image-bearing residue film which is transferred to the substrate. Physical and/or chemical properties of the first and second ink components as provided by various embodiments are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method of indirect printing with an aqueous ink. Related apparatus, systems and treatment formulations are disclosed herein. Some embodiments relate to an aqueous treatment formulation for use with an intermediate transfer member of a printing system. In some embodiments, the system comprises a treatment station disposed downstream of the impression station and upstream of the image forming station for forming a uniform thin layer of a liquid treatment formulation onto a surface of an intermediate transfer member (ITM) at a lower run thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method of indirect printing with an aqueous ink formulation applied to the surface of the intermediate transfer member. Related apparatus, systems and treatment formulations are disclosed herein.