Abstract: A jacket-securing arrangement is disclosed for mounting in a cylinder, which cylinder (220) has an outer surface and at least one recess (320) in the outer surface for receiving an inwardly turned edge of a replaceable jacket (225) overlying at least part of the outer surface of the cylinder. The jacket-securing arrangement is mountable within the recess so as not to project beyond the outer surface of the cylinder when the jacket is secured thereto, and includes a clamping lever pivotable about a shaft located within the recess between a clamping position in which the edge of the replaceable jacket is clamped between the lever and a side wall of the recess and a release position in which the lever is spaced from the side wall of the recess. A magnet is provided to retain the lever in the clamping position. The clamping lever is formed of two or more members assembled around the shaft and defining between them a bearing surface engaging an outer surface of the shaft.

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: There is disclosed a condensation curable coating composition in the form of an oil-in-oil emulsion, the coating composition being able to protect surfaces coated therewith from undesired contamination by materials coming in contact therewith. The surfaces to be so protected by the coating composition, once cured, can, by way of illustration, be of parts of printing systems and the materials coming in contact with such surfaces can be ink images or residues thereof.

Abstract: A method includes, receiving a first digital image (FDI) to-be printed by a digital printing system (DPS) (10). In a in training phase: for first selected regions (111) in the FDI, a first set of synthetic images (SIs) (112A, 112B, 114A, 114B, 116A, 116B) having a defect caused by a defective part (DP) (99) in the first selected regions, is produced; a neural network (NN) (150) is trained to detect the defect using the first set SIs. In a subsequent detection phase: the NN is applied for identifying, in a second digital image (SDI) (136, 146) acquired from an image produced by the DPS, suspected second regions (135, 145); for each of the second regions, a second set (137, 147) of SIs having DPs that form the defects, is produced; and the DP is identified by comparing, in each of the second regions, between the SDI and the second set SIs.

Abstract: An indirect printing system is disclosed having an intermediate transfer member (ITM) in the form of an endless belt that circulates during operation to transport ink images from an image forming station. Ink images are deposited on an outer surface of the ITM by one or a plurality of print bars. At an impression station, the ink images are transferred from the outer surface of the ITM onto a printing substrate. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the ITM 20 is maintained within the image forming station at a predetermined distance from the one or each of the print bars 10, 12, 14 and 16 by means of a plurality of support rollers 11, 13, 15, 17 that have a common flat tangential plane and contact the inner surface of the ITM.

Abstract: Methods for printing using printing systems comprising a flexible intermediate transfer member (ITM) disposed around a plurality of guide rollers at which encoders are installed, and an image-forming station at which ink images are formed by droplet deposition by print bars onto the ITM, can include measuring a local velocity of the ITM under one of the print bars, determining a stretch factor for a portion of the ITM based on a relationship between an estimated stretched length fixed physical distance between print bars, controlling an ink deposition parameter according to the stretch factor so as to compensate for stretching of the reference portion of the ITM.

Abstract: A system includes (a) an image forming station including multiple print bars arranged along an axis and configured to apply to a substrate being moved along the axis, droplets of printing fluids having multiple colors, respectively, and (b) multiple dryers, which are mounted on the image forming station, and are interleaved with the multiple print bars along the axis, the multiple dryers are configured to dry the droplets applied to the substrate for forming an image on the substrate, at least a dryer among the dryers includes: (i) an illumination assembly, which is configured to dry the droplets by directing the optical radiation to impinge on the substrate, and (ii) a temperature control assembly, which is configured to control a temperature of the substrate by directing a gas to the substrate, the illumination assembly and the temperature control assembly are packaged together in a housing.

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: A system and method for performing quality control in a digital printing system (DPS) is provided. The DPS includes an impression station for transferring an ink image from a surface of an intermediate transfer member to a substrate. The impression station includes an impression cylinder housing one or more grippers operable to grasp and hold a leading edge of the substrate as it passes through the DPS, for conveying the substrate along the impression cylinder during the transfer of the ink image. An imaging device is operable, during advancement of the substrate on the impression cylinder, to capture a digital image including a region of interest (ROI) that is associated with at least a portion of the grippers and at least a portion of the substrate. A controller is configured, based on the digital image, to indicate an error in a position of the substrate relative to the grippers.

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: A system includes an image forming station, which is configured to apply droplets of one or more printing fluids to a target substrate, so as to form an image thereon, and a substrate conveyor, which includes one or more perforated plates having multiple openings, and is configured to grip and move the target substrate to and from the image forming station for forming the image, the substrate conveyor includes one or more rotatable elements, which are fitted in the respective openings, and are configured to provide mechanical support to the target substrate, and when the target substrate moves over the one or more rotatable elements, at least one of the rotatable elements is configured to rotate in response to a physical contact with the target substrate.

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: 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: Ink formulations suitable for deposition upon the intermediate transfer member of an indirect printing system and for transfer therefrom to a substrate. The inks are aqueous inkjet inks comprising an organic polymeric resin and a colorant. Ink film constructions including a plurality of continuous ink films fixedly adhered to the printing substrate that can be obtained with these inks are also disclosed. The inks and the printed constructions are such that the ink films and the dried inks composing them have a first dynamic viscosity within a range of 106 cP to 5·107 cP at at least a first temperature within a first range of 60° C. to 87.5° C., and a second dynamic viscosity of at least 6·107 cP, for at least a second temperature within a second range of 50° C. to 55° C.

Abstract: A digital printing system includes an intermediate transfer member (ITM), to receive a printing fluid to form an image, a continuous target substrate having opposing first surface and second surface, a light source to illuminate the first surface, and an image sensor to image at least a portion of the light transmitted through the target substrate to the second surface, and a processor. The target substrate configured to engage with the ITM at an engagement point for receiving the image from the ITM, and at the engagement point, the ITM is configured to move at a first velocity and the target substrate is configured to move at a second velocity. The processor is configured to produce a digital image based on the electrical signals, and to estimate, based on the digital image, at least a distortion in the image.

Abstract: A flexible belt is disclosed for use in a printing system. The belt comprises an endless strip which, in use, travels along a continuous path. Formations are provided along the sides of the strip which are capable of engaging with lateral tracks to place the belt under lateral tension, the lateral tracks further serving to constrain the belt to follow the continuous path.

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 printing system for printing on a substrate, comprises a movable intermediate transfer member in the form of a flexible, substantially inextensible, belt guided to follow a closed path, an image forming station for depositing droplets of a liquid ink onto an outer surface of the belt to form an ink image, a drying station for drying the ink image on the belt to leave an ink residue film on the outer surface of the belt, first and second impression stations spaced from one another in the direction of movement of the belt, each impression station comprising an impression cylinder for supporting and transporting the substrate and a pressure cylinder carrying a compressible blanket for urging the belt against the substrate supported on the impression cylinder, and a transport system for transporting the substrate from the first impression station to the second impression station.

Abstract: A method of printing includes, applying to an intermediate transfer member (ITM) (44), one or more fluids that include at least a printing fluid for forming an image on the ITM (44). At least part of the image is transferred from the ITM (44) to a target substrate (50). Residues of the one or more fluids that were not transferred to the target substrate (50) and remained on the ITM (44), are transferred from the ITM (44) to one or more rotatable elements (112), and the residues are removed from the one or more rotatable elements (112).

Abstract: A method for correcting distortion in image printing, the method includes receiving a digital image (200, 306, 376, 500, 600, 700, 810) acquired from a printed image. Based on the digital image (200, 306, 376, 500, 600, 700, 810), a geometric distortion in the printed image is estimated. One or more pixel locations (228, 504, 506, 514, 610, 620, 630, 640, 712, 716, 722, 724) are calculated, such that, when one or more dummy pixels (232, 234) are implanted therein, compensate for the estimated geometric distortion. The geometric distortion is corrected in a subsequent digital image to be printed, by implanting the one or more dummy pixels (232, 234) at the one or more calculated pixel locations (228, 504, 506, 514, 610, 620, 630, 640, 712, 716, 722, 724) in the subsequent digital image. The subsequent digital image having the corrected geometric distortion is printed.