Abstract: Systems and methods for industrial printing, e.g., using drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet print heads, include, in at least one aspect, a printing device including: a print head including a print engine, including multiple nozzles, and circuitry to selectively eject ink through the multiple nozzles to form an image on a moving substrate, and to purge the ink through the multiple nozzles; and a printhead enclosure having an opening in front of the multiple nozzles to allow the selectively ejected ink to pass through the opening when the selectively ejected ink is ejected toward the moving substrate; wherein the printhead enclosure includes a hole placed away from the multiple nozzles; and wherein the printhead enclosure is configured to direct the ink that is purged through the multiple nozzles along an inside surface of the printhead enclosure to the hole through which the ink flows and exits the printhead enclosure.

Abstract: Industrial printing systems, including systems and techniques relating to drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet printing systems include an apparatus including: a receptacle defining a hold chamber to receive ink, the receptacle including a first portion configured to hold a first quantity of ink, and a second portion that is smaller than the first portion and configured to hold a second quantity of ink, the second portion including a first heat conducting surface, and a second heat conducting surface offset from the first heat conducting surface by a distance determined in accordance with a melting point of the ink, the second heat conducting surface defining a barrier between the first portion and the second portion and including at least one opening configured to allow flow of the ink from the first portion to the second portion; and at least one heating element configured to heat the receptacle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for industrial printing, e.g., using drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet print heads, include, in at least one aspect, a printing device including: a print head configured to selectively eject liquid through nozzles to form an image on a moving substrate; and a printhead enclosure configured to contain a pressurized airspace at least in front of the nozzles; wherein the printhead enclosure includes a slot that aligns with the nozzles to allow the selectively ejected liquid to pass through the slot when the selectively ejected liquid is ejected toward the moving substrate; and wherein the printhead enclosure is configured to contain the pressurized airspace and cause airflow through the slot at a flow rate that prevents dust and debris from entering the slot while the selectively ejected liquid passes through the slot and the airflow without a direction of the selectively ejected liquid being impeded by the airflow.

Abstract: A method for enabling marking of a pattern on a substrate with an industrial printer includes executing a genetic algorithm based on the pattern to be marked on the substrate. A result of the genetic algorithm indicates a resulting path which the industrial printer should follow when marking the pattern on the substrate. It is determined if the resulting path fulfills at least one criterion of: the resulting path matches an optimal path for marking the pattern, the resulting path substantially matches the optimal path, or a time spent for executing the genetic algorithm has reached or exceeded a threshold.

Abstract: A method for enabling marking of a pattern on a substrate with an industrial printer includes executing a genetic algorithm based on the pattern to be marked on the substrate. A result of the genetic algorithm indicates a resulting path which the industrial printer should follow when marking the pattern on the substrate. It is determined if the resulting path fulfills at least one criterion of: the resulting path matches an optimal path for marking the pattern, the resulting path substantially matches the optimal path, or a time spent for executing the genetic algorithm has reached or exceeded a threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods for laser printing product codes on products include, in at least one aspect, a system including: a laser marking device that directs a laser beam to dwell at different locations to form marks on the products; and a controller that obtains a code to be printed, groups discrete symbols in the code with each other into separate symbol groups based on locations of the discrete symbols in the code, organizes symbol(s) in each respective symbol group into one or more stripes in a direction perpendicular to a direction of motion of the products, adds extra distance or time delay between stripes in at least one of the separate symbol groups to prevent clipping of a symbol by the laser marking device by the laser marking device's print aperture, and causes the laser marking device to direct the laser beam in accordance with the separate symbol groups.

Abstract: Solvent-based inkjet ink formulations including an organic solvent, a resin, a surfactant, and a colorant are provided. The inks have many desirable attributes such as extended decap time.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compounds of formula (I), as well as related ink compositions and printing methods: In formula (I), L, X, R1, and R2 are defined in the specification.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an ink composition (e.g., a hot melt ink composition or a radiation curable ink composition) that has a relatively low conductivity. This disclosure also relates to a continuous printing process using such a composition and a product containing such a composition.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an ink composition (e.g., a hot melt ink composition or a radiation curable ink composition) that has a relatively low conductivity. This disclosure also relates to a continuous printing process using such a composition and a product containing such a composition.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for thermal transfer printing include, in at least one aspect, a printing apparatus includes: a band capable of holding hot melt ink thereon; rollers configured and arranged to hold and transport the band with respect to a substrate; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer a portion of the ink from the band to the substrate to print on the substrate; and a heating device configured and arranged to heat the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print.

Abstract: A system directs a laser beam to mark a material with an alphanumeric code. Character and quality information corresponding to a mark to apply to the material with the laser beam can be received, a font definition that specifies character segments can be obtained, a set of multiple spaced locations can be generated from the character segments in accordance with the character and quality information, and the material can be marked with the laser beam by directing the laser beam to dwell at the locations and move between the locations without deactivating the laser beam.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a hot melt ink composition that includes at least one wax having a freezing point of from about 20° C. to about 45° C. and a melting point of at least about 35° C., and at least one colorant. The composition includes at least about 50 wt % of the at least one wax. This disclosure also relates to a printing process using such a composition and a product containing such a composition.

Abstract: This specification describes connectors for tubes, pipes and poles, such as can be used in laser marking systems. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a body having a hole formed to receive a tube to connect an interior of the tube with an interior of the body, the tube having a circular groove formed in an exterior surface of the tube; and a clamp including a tab sized to fit within the circular groove of the tube; wherein the clamp is configured and arranged to attach to the body in a first state and in a second state, the first state being where the tube is held to the body axially by the tab and is freely rotatable, and the second state being where the tube is held in a fixed position relative to the body.

Abstract: A system directs a laser beam to mark a material with an alphanumeric code. Character and quality information corresponding to a mark to apply to the material with the laser beam can be received, a font definition that specifies character segments can be obtained, a set of multiple spaced locations can be generated from the character segments in accordance with the character and quality information, and the material can be marked with the laser beam by directing the laser beam to dwell at the locations and move between the locations without deactivating the laser beam.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for thermal transfer printing include, in at least one aspect, a printing apparatus includes: a band capable of holding hot melt ink thereon; rollers configured and arranged to hold and transport the band with respect to a substrate; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer a portion of the ink from the band to the substrate to print on the substrate; and a heating device configured and arranged to heat the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print.

Abstract: Solvent-based inkjet ink formulations including a solvent, a surfactant, and a colorant are provided. The inks have many desirable attributes such as extended decap time.

Abstract: Solvent-based inkjet ink formulations including an organic solvent, a resin, a surfactant, and a colorant are provided. The inks have many desirable attributes such as extended decap time.

Abstract: This specification describes connectors for tubes, pipes and poles, such as can be used in laser marking systems. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a body having a hole formed to receive a tube to connect an interior of the tube with an interior of the body, the tube having a circular groove formed in an exterior surface of the tube; and a clamp including a tab sized to fit within the circular groove of the tube; wherein the clamp is configured and arranged to attach to the body in a first state and in a second state, the first state being where the tube is held to the body axially by the tab and is freely rotatable, and the second state being where the tube is held in a fixed position relative to the body.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for thermal transfer printing include, in at least one aspect, a printing apparatus includes: a band capable of holding hot melt ink thereon; rollers configured and arranged to hold and transport the band with respect to a substrate; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer a portion of the ink from the band to the substrate to print on the substrate; and a heating device configured and arranged to heat the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print.