Abstract: Apparatus and method for using a line laser (LL) to quickly mark a substrate or media by utilizing a laser additive on/within the substrate/media, which greatly reduces the power requirement for marking the substrate/media. The combination of the LL wide swath (>305 mm) and the improved media/surface sensitivity to laser wavelength allows the LL marking system to achieve faster marking than other systems. The LL is mounted over a transport which transports the sensitized substrate/media past the LL for marking. The desired image is projected from the LL line by line in synch with the moving media and once the media passes the beam path of the LL, marking is complete. In this case, the media has been physically-altered via the heat generated by the LL interacting with the photosensitized media and is permanent. A second method would use a photosensitizing agent coated on top of the media to be marked.

Abstract: Nozzles for an additive manufacturing device and methods for improving wettability of the nozzles are disclosed. The method may include subjecting the nozzle to a surface treatment. The surface treatment may include contacting a surface of the nozzle with one or more surface modifying agents. The surface modifying agents may include one or more of an oxidizing agent, an acid, a base, or combinations thereof. The one or more surface modifying agents may increase an oxygen content of the surface of the nozzle. An inner surface of the nozzle may have a water contact angle of greater than 1° and less than about 90°. The inner surface of the nozzle may be free or substantially free of a coating.

Abstract: A material drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer identifies a time lag error corresponding to a time lag in the response of printer components to component commands. The identified time lag error is provided to a slicer program that uses the identified time lag error to compensate for the time lag in the response of the printer components.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printer includes a tool configured to extrude a material onto a surface to produce a 3D object. The 3D printer also includes a first movement device configured to move the tool in a first direction while the material is being extruded. The 3D printer also includes a first sensor configured to measure a first parameter of the first movement device as the first movement device moves the tool in the first direction.

Abstract: A method of operating a printer separates the image content data for a sheet in a print job into multiple color separations and operates a digital air curtain between the printhead modules that print the multiple color separations. Image data of the printed color separations are used to adjust operating parameters for the digital air curtain.

Abstract: A printing system comprises a printhead to eject ink through an opening in a carrier plate to a deposition region. A print medium is held against a movable support surface by vacuum suction communicated through platen holes of a vacuum platen and transported through the deposition region. An airflow control system comprises upstream and downstream valves associated with the printhead, individually addressable channels for the vacuum platen, or both. The upstream and downstream valves are arranged to selectively block and allow airflow through an upstream side or a downstream side, respectively, of the opening in the carrier plate. Actuation of the upstream and downstream valves may be controlled based on a location of the print medium. The channels are arranged to selectively control the supply of vacuum suction to respectively corresponding columns of platen holes. Actuation of the channels may be controlled based on a size of the print medium.

Abstract: A method includes capturing a video of a plurality of drops being jetted through a nozzle of a printer. The method also includes measuring a signal proximate to the nozzle based at least partially upon the video. The method also includes determining one or more metrics that characterize a behavior of the drops based at least partially upon the signal.

Abstract: An analyzing system includes a detection area with a transparent window past which an analyte moves and emits or transmits light. One or more polarizing elements receive and polarize the light into respective two or more different polarization components. One or more optical detectors receive the respective two or more polarization components and generate respective at least two signals in response. A processor is coupled to the optical detectors and configured to determine a polarization status of the light from the analyte based on the at least two signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses methods and systems for identifying blank spaces in a document for embedding an Infrared (IR) mark in the document. The method includes receiving the document for printing from the user. A user interface is provided to the user that allows the user to select a pre-defined option. Upon selection of the pre-defined option, inputs from the user on the IR mark is received. Based on the inputs from the user, a specified portion of the document is extracted for processing. Then, blank spaces are checked in the extracted portion based on a size of the IR mark to be embedded in the document. Based on the check, the IR mark is embedded in the identified blank space. An output document is outputted/printed including the IR mark in the specified portion of the document. The IR mark is embedded such that there is no content loss.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses methods and systems for automatically determining one or more optimal scan settings to manage an output size of a document submitted for scanning at a multi-function device. The method includes receiving the document for scanning from a user, wherein the document includes one or more pages having content. As scanning activity is progressed at the multi-function device, an output file size is displayed to the user via a user interface in real-time. Then, an input from the user is received on the displayed output file size. Based on the input from the user, one or more scan settings are determined to be applied on the already scanned pages and remaining pages of the document to be scanned, to manage the output size of an output scanned file to be generated. Thereafter, the determined one or more scan settings are applied such that the output size of the scanned file is in accordance with the requirement. Finally, the scanned file is output of the required size.

Abstract: Control loop latency can be accounted for in predicting positions of micro-objects being moved by using a hybrid model that includes both at least one physics-based model and machine-learning models. The models are combined using gradient boosting, with a model created during at least one of the stages being fitted based on residuals calculated during a previous stage based on comparison to training data. The loss function for each stage is selected based on the model being created. The hybrid model is evaluated with data extrapolated and interpolated from the training data to prevent overfitting and ensure the hybrid model has sufficient predictive ability. By including both physics-based and machine-learning models, the hybrid model can account for both deterministic and stochastic components involved in the movement of the micro-objects, thus increasing the accuracy and throughput of the micro-assembly.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) object printer operates a radiation source to direct radiation emitted by the radiation source through a porous substrate at a first intensity insufficient to cure a material contained in the porous substrate and at a second intensity sufficient to cure the material after the emitted radiation has passed through the porous substrate. The material is applied to the porous substrate by one or more wipers.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses methods and systems for adding one or more annotations from a printed version of a document to a digital version of the document. The methods and systems include receiving the printed document with one or more annotations, which represent review comments of a reviewer. The printed document including one or more annotations is scanned to obtain a scanned document. Thereafter, the scanned document is compared with the original digital version of the document to identify the one or more annotations. The identified one or more annotations are then extracted and added to the digital version of the document to obtain a new digital version, which can be used for changes by the user or any other user.

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.