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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 compliant surface is created with micron scale dimples above an electrically biased conductive layer. The dimpled surface is charged to a desired charge density and filled partially with fountain solution in either order. Then the compliant surface is brought adjacent a charge-retentive surface bearing an electrostatic charged pattern. In examples the fountain solution charge is repelled in the downward directed field under discharged (or uncharged) regions of the charge-retentive surface and is attracted to the surface at the electrostatic charged pattern in the regions of charged pixels. Electrostatic forces drag the fountain solution from the dimples to the charged pixel surface and away from the discharged pixel regions. Electrophoretic forces cause the fountain solution within the dimples to flow up to the charge image and wet the surface. A desired volume is controlled by varying parameters such as nip pressure.

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: 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: Provided herein is a topcoat composition comprising at least one fluorosilicone, a hydride-functional crosslinking agent, an infrared-absorbing filler, and at least one dispersant that is non-reactive with the hydride-functional crosslinking agent, by weight based on a total weight of the topcoat composition, wherein the topcoat composition has a degree of crosslinking between about 10 micrograms/hour/milligrams to about 20 micrograms/hour/milligrams. Further provided herein are methods of making the topcoat composition, as well as an imaging blanket and methods of reducing coating defects on a media coated using the imaging member.

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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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 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.