Abstract: A system includes a structure configured to hold items, at least one capacitive touch sensor, and an item scanner configured to move the capacitive touch sensor relative to the structure and to identification elements disposed on the items held by the structure. Each identification element represents a multi-digit code. The capacitive touch sensor is configured to generate a sensor signal comprising sequences of waveforms in response to movement of the capacitive touch sensor relative to the identification elements. Each sequence of waveforms includes the multi-digit code that identifies one of the items.

Abstract: A multi-sheet cooling buffer suitable for use in a printing device and a method of sheet processing with the cooling buffer are described. The cooling buffer includes an inlet and an outlet and a sheet cooling mechanism. An array of cooling stations, intermediate the inlet and the outlet, are each configured to receive print media sheets independently from the inlet and direct cooled sheets towards the outlet. In the cooling buffer, multiple print media sheets are able to be cooled contemporaneously in respective ones of the cooling stations.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing processes featuring consolidation of thermoplastic particulates may form printed objects in a range of shapes. Inorganic nanoparticles disposed upon the outer surface of the thermoplastic particulates may improve flow performance of the thermoplastic particulates during additive manufacturing, but may be undesirable to incorporate in some printed objects. Polymer nanoparticles may be substituted for inorganic nanoparticles in some instances to address this difficulty and provide other advantages. Particulate compositions suitable for additive manufacturing may comprise: a plurality of thermoplastic particulates comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a plurality of polymer nanoparticles disposed upon an outer surface of the thermoplastic particulates, the polymer nanoparticles comprising a crosslinked fluorinated polymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a moveable feeder assembly/unit for multi-function devices and corresponding retrieval and printing methods. Here, a multi-function device is disclosed. The multi-function device includes multiple trays. Each tray is configured to receive or store one or more media sheets, and further is positioned at a respective vertical height. The multi-function device further includes a single moveable feeder unit for all trays at the multi-function device. The single moveable feeder unit is configured to move across a plurality of positions to reposition itself proximate to a target tray of multiple trays, selected for printing operation.

Abstract: Parts made by additive manufacturing are often structural in nature, rather than having functional properties conveyed by a component present therein. Composite filaments suitable for additive manufacturing may comprise a continuous polymer phase of a first thermoplastic polymer and a second thermoplastic polymer that are immiscible with one another, and electrically conductive particles distributed in the continuous polymer phase, such as microparticles, nanoparticles, or any combination thereof. The first thermoplastic polymer is dissolvable or degradable and the second thermoplastic polymer is insoluble or non-degradable under specified conditions. Removal of the first thermoplastic polymer from a printed part may introduce porosity thereto, thereby inducing or enhancing piezoresistivity within the printed part.

Abstract: A device may include a temperature controlled chamber. The temperature controlled chamber may be coupled to a plurality of strengthening coated capillary tubes. The strengthening coated capillary tubes may support the temperature controlled chamber and provide thermal insulation to the temperature controlled chamber.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. For example, the method includes printing an image on a substrate, applying an adhesive on select portions of the image, coupling the image to a wave guide such that the adhesive contacts a surface of the wave guide, and providing a light through the wave guide such that the light is emitted through the wave guide and the adhesive and the light is reflected by the select portions of the image back through the adhesive and the wave guide.

Abstract: Aqueous inkjet ink compositions are provided. In an embodiment, such an aqueous inkjet ink composition comprises a solvent system comprising water, a first organic solvent, and a second organic solvent, wherein the second organic solvent is an alkanediol having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms and the second organic solvent is present at an amount of from greater than 0 weight % to about 8 weight %; a white pigment; and resin particles. Methods of making and using the aqueous inkjet ink compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Based on evaporation of fountain solution from a rotating blanket cylinder to create an image that may be inked and printed, a digitally addressable heater array at or just below the blanket surface evaporates deposited fountain solution and forms a fountain solution latent image on the surface. The heater array has controllable heating elements (e.g., field effect transistors, thin film transistors) that provide a transient heat pattern on the surface to evaporate the fountain solution. Heat is generated by current flow in the heating elements, and power developed by the heating circuit is the product of source-drain voltage and current in the channel. Current may be supplied along data lines by an external voltage controlled by digital electronics to provide the desired heat at heating elements addressed by a specific gate line. The heater array may include a current return line that may be a 2-dimensional mesh.

Abstract: One or more spacers for installing an optical cable are disposed in a trench that extends along an axis. The optical cable includes one or more optical sensors. Each spacer includes a base configured to rest in a bottom of the trench. A first arm extends from the base. The first arm is adjacent to a first wall of the trench. An opposing second arm extends from the base. The second arm is adjacent to an opposing second wall of the trench. The optical cable is configured to extend along the axis.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprises at least 10 wt % epoxy functionalized two-dimensional shaped particles, carbon nanotubes in the range of 0.1 to 5 wt %, epoxy resin and a curing agent. A method of manufacturing a composition of matter includes mixing epoxy resin, carbon nanotubes and a solvent to produce a material, drying the material, and mixing the material with a curing agent to product the composition of matter. A method of printing a composition of matter includes producing the composition of matter by combining epoxy functionalized graphene, carbon nanotubes, epoxy base resin, and a curing agent, extrusion printing the composition of matter into a desired pattern, and curing the pattern.

Abstract: Systems and methods for printing a plurality of images on a substrate include, for each of the plurality of images: determining whether that image is a removable image or a permanent image, identifying, based on the determination, at least one layer to be used for printing that image in addition to a marking material layer that forms the image. The at least one layer may be a pre-coat layer applied under the marking material layer and/or a post-coat layer applied over the marking material layer. The marking material layer and the at least one layer are then printed on the object.

Abstract: A method of classifying design criteria includes receiving design criteria for a product part. The criteria comprise one or both of performance and manufacturing criteria. The design criteria are sorted into different classes of one or both of one or more objective functions and one or more constraints based on when they can be satisfied or optimized. Constraint violations are determined. A design workflow is produced to generate one or more designs of a part to comply with one or more of satisfying constraints and optimizing objective functions.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses methods and systems for allowing a user to reserve a tray for special media printing while submitting a document for printing, the method is implemented at a print driver application running on a computing device. The method includes receiving a print request for the document through the print driver application. A user interface is provided to the user including one or more print attributes, wherein at least one print attribute includes special media option. Upon selection of the special media option, a list of one or more trays available at at least one multi-function device for special media printing is displayed. Thereafter, the user is allowed to select a tray from the displayed tray list for reservation for special media printing at the at least one multi-function device.

Abstract: A print feedstock has a base material and a marker material, the base material and the marker material having different physical properties. A system to validate objects includes at least one printer to print feedstock onto an object, the feedstock comprising a base material and a marker material, the base material and a marker material having different properties, a device to create a unique identifier for the object based upon a pattern of the feedstock, and a store in which the unique identifier can be stored.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems of controlling the placement of micro-objects on the surface of a micro-assembler. Control patterns may be used to cause electrodes of the micro-assembler to generate dielectrophoretic (DEP) and electrophoretic (EP) forces which may be used to manipulate, move, position, or orient one or more micro-objects on the surface of the micro-assembler. The control patterns may be part of a library of control patterns.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a portable case, and a slide-out printer is connected to the portable case. The slide-out printer is connected so as to slide in and out of the portable case. The slide-out printer includes a scanner, and the scanner includes a platen. The apparatus also includes a slide-out shredder connected to the portable case. The slide-out shredder is similarly connected to slide in and out of the portable case.

Abstract: A structure can be provided for collimating light from a light source (e.g., vertical cavity surface emitting diodes). The structure can include at least one light source, a pit formed at an output of the at least one light source and a microbead formed in the pit. Microbeads can function as a lens to collimate light emitting from the at least one light source. The structure can provide by forming an array of VCSELs on a substrate, forming a pit in front of each VCSEL of the array of VCSELs, and assembling a microbead in each pit formed in front of each VCSEL. The microbeads can thereby function as lenses to collimate light emitted from the VCSELs.

Abstract: A printing system comprises a media transport device which holds print media, such as paper, against a movable support surface, such as a belt, by vacuum suction through holes in the media transport device and transports the print media though a deposition region of one or more printheads, which deposit a print fluid, such as ink, on the print media. The printing system comprises an airflow control device comprising one or more dampers that are moveable in a cross-process direction between an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration, each damper blocking at least one row of the holes in the deployed configuration. The airflow control device also comprises one or more actuators to move the damper(s). The actuator(s) are controlled to selectively move the damper(s) between the undeployed and deployed configuration based on a position of an inter-media zone between adjacent print media held against the movable support surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods described receive a request for a transportation plan for a user, wherein the request comprises a starting point and an ending point for a route. Systems and methods then generate a set of potential transportation plans for the route, determine an impact of a subset of plans in the set of potential transportation plans and estimate a likelihood of acceptance of the subset of plans in the set of potential transportation plans based on a personal preference model for the user. Systems and methods also select an influence strategy of the user based on a user model and generate a message recommending a selected plan from the subset of plans for the user, wherein the message is generated based on the selected influence strategy.