Abstract: A scanner calibration system is provided. The scanner calibration system includes memory configured in a format to store therein encoded gain and offset parameters. Such a configuration reduces the amount of required memory for the scanner calibration system without a compromise of performance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for constructing 3-dimensional (3D) parts are disclosed. A printing system may include a deposition system configured to print a plurality of 2-dimensional (2D) layers onto a plurality of carrier sheets. The printing system also includes a transferring system configured to transfer a 2D layer from a carrier sheet of the plurality of carrier sheets, onto the 3D part. The 3D part may be located on a base substrate. The printing system further includes a feed system configured to provide the plurality of carrier sheets from the deposition system to the transfer system in a successive fashion while maintaining the directionality of printing in the deposition and transferring systems.

Abstract: A method comprises printing a conductive ink on a substrate to form one or more electrodes and printing an electrode ink on one or more of the electrodes. The conductive and electrode inks are cured. Next, an enzyme ink layer is printed on at least one electrode, and the enzyme ink layer is cured with ultraviolet light. Each of the printing and curing processes are performed in an in-line process.

Abstract: Alignment apparatuses include a frame and contact elements connected to the frame. The contact elements contact items that are to be transported in a processing direction relative to the frame. The contact elements are in permeant fixed positions relative to the frame, and do not move relative to the frame. Adjustable mounts are connected to the frame and move the frame in the processing direction and in a perpendicular cross-processing direction. A controller is electrically connected to the adjustable mounts, and the controller is adapted to control the adjustable mounts to simultaneously move the frame and all the contact elements in the cross-processing direction and the processing direction while rotating the frame. Methods laterally shift imaging on sheets that have had rotational correction performed by such alignment apparatuses.

Abstract: A build plate for an additive manufacturing device and methods for the same are provided. The build plate may include a base and a sacrificial plate coupled with the base. The etch rate of the sacrificial plate in an etchant may be greater than an etch rate of the base in the etchant. A method for separating a 3D printed article supported on the build plate may include contacting the sacrificial plate with the etchant.

Abstract: A printing system comprises a printhead to eject a print fluid to a deposition region. Print media are held against a movable support surface via vacuum suction, and the movable support surface transports the print media through the deposition region. A vacuum plenum comprises a vacuum platen over which the movable support surface moves. The vacuum platen has platen holes that communicate the vacuum suction from the vacuum plenum to the movable support surface. An airflow restriction mechanism forms a high impedance zone in the vacuum platen, the high impedance zone comprising a subset of the platen holes. The airflow impedance through the high impedance zone is relatively high compared to the airflow impedance through another subset of the platen holes, which are part of a low impedance zone. The high impedance zone may be located near the printhead to reduce airflow through uncovered platen holes near the printhead.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus has a plurality of thermally insulative members that float in a volume of heat transfer lubricating fluid in which a X-Y translation mechanism moves to position a platform opposite an ejector. The apparatus also includes a housing having an internal volume in which the platform and X-Y translation mechanism are located. The heat transfer lubricating fluid can be a molten salt, such as a molten fluoride, chloride, or nitrate molten salt. The thermally insulative members can be spheres made of zirconium oxide or zirconium dioxide. The thermally insulative layer formed by the members floating in the fluid protects the X-Y mechanism while the housing helps keep the surface temperature of the object being formed on the platform in an optimal range for bonding of melted metal drops ejected from the ejector to a surface of a metal object being formed on the platform.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a method of forming an image on a fabric and the resulting fabric is disclosed. The method includes providing a printable media including a carrier layer having a first surface comprising a first area and a second surface opposite the first surface. The method includes providing a fabric layer having a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, the third surface includes a second area. The fabric layer is secured to the carrier layer by the adhesive bonding a first portion of the fourth surface to the first surface. The method includes applying a toner to a first portion of the third surface of the fabric layer. The toner includes antimicrobial nanoparticles on an outer surface of the toner. The method includes fusing the toner to the first portion of the third surface of the fabric layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are implementations of a particles-transferring system, particle transferring unit, and method of transferring particles in a pattern. In one implementation, a particles-transferring system includes a first substrate including a first surface to support particles in a pattern, particle transferring unit including an outer surface to be offset from the first surface by a first gap, and second substrate including a second surface to be offset from the outer surface by a second gap. The particle transferring unit removes the particles from the first surface in response to the particles being within the first gap, secures the particles in the pattern to the outer surface, and transports the particles in the pattern. The second substrate removes the particles in the pattern from the particle transferring unit in response to the particles being within the second gap. The particles are to be secured in the pattern to the second surface.

Abstract: Methods for producing highly spherical particles that comprise: mixing a mixture comprising: (a) nanoclay-filled-polymer composite comprising a nanoclay dispersed in a thermoplastic polymer, (b) a carrier fluid that is immiscible with the thermoplastic polymer of the nanoclay-filled-polymer composite, optionally (c) a thermoplastic polymer not filled with a nanoclay, and optionally (d) an emulsion stabilizer at a temperature at or greater than a melting point or softening temperature of the thermoplastic polymer of the nanoclay-filled-polymer and the thermoplastic polymer, when included, to disperse the nanoclay-filled-polymer composite in the carrier fluid; cooling the mixture to below the melting point or softening temperature to form nanoclay-filled-polymer particles; and separating the nanoclay-filled-polymer particles from the carrier fluid.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus selects operational parameters for operation of the printer to form vias in substrates. The apparatus identifies the bulk metal being melted for ejection and uses this identification data to select the operational parameters. The apparatus identifies the via holes in the substrate and positions an ejector opposite the via holes to eject drops of melted bulk metal toward the via holes to fill the via holes.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing (AM) system manufactures composite structures having different materials in an integrated manner during a single processing process. For example, a first composite image is created on a substrate and then that image is stabilized by heat, pressure of chemical fusion not to the point of complete solid formation but enough to give the first composite image enough stability so that it is not disturbed by subsequent processing. A second image is then created on parts of the substrate not covered by the first composite image, a second powder is applied, and excess second powder that is not part of the second image is removed. The substrate may be cut into sheets that are stacked in register for consolidation and subsequent matrix removal resulting in a multi-polymer 3D object.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses methods and systems for managing multiple scan requests received at a multi-function device. The method includes receiving a scan request from a remote computing device of a remote user. Before executing the scan request, two conditions are checked. It is checked if document is present on a scanning platform of the multi-function device and further it is checked if one or more activities on a user interface of the multi-function device, are being performed. Based on the presence of the document on the scanning platform and the one or more activities on the user interface, the scan request received from the remote user is disallowed. This way, multiple scanned requests are managed at the multi-function device.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus selects operational parameters for operation of the printer to form conductive metal traces on substrates with dimensions within appropriate tolerances and with sufficient conductive material to carry electrical currents without burning up or becoming too hot. The apparatus identifies the material of the substrate and the bulk metal being melted for ejection and uses this identification data to select the operational parameters. Thus, the apparatus can form conductive traces and circuits on a wide range of substrate materials including polymeric substrates, semiconductor materials, oxide layers on semiconductor materials, glass, and other crystalline materials.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing processes featuring consolidation of thermoplastic particulates may form printed objects in a range of shapes. Nanoparticles disposed upon the outer surface of the thermoplastic particulates may improve flow performance of the thermoplastic particulates during additive manufacturing, but may lead to excessive porosity following consolidation. Excessive porosity may be detrimental for performance applications requiring high mechanical strength. A carboxylic acid-based sintering aid, particularly a metal carboxylate, may decrease porosity of consolidated parts following sintering without substantially increasing blocking in a powder bed. Particulate compositions suitable for additive manufacturing may comprise: a plurality of thermoplastic particulates comprising a carboxylic acid-based sintering aid admixed with a thermoplastic polymer, and a plurality of nanoparticles disposed upon an outer surface of the thermoplastic particulates.

Abstract: A computer server receives office equipment rules of an organization. The office equipment rules include office equipment configuration settings. The computer server configures at least one office equipment application that satisfies the office equipment rules. The computer server supplies the office equipment application to at least one computerized device of at least one user associated with the organization. In return, the computer server receives an equipment/supplies order from the office equipment application. In response, the computer server generates order instructions. The order instructions include a list of equipment/supplies and the office equipment configuration settings for components on the list of equipment/supplies. The order instructions are generated to comply with the office equipment rules. Then, the computer server transmits the order instructions to a delivery and setup agent who delivers, configures, and sets up the equipment/supplies according to the order instructions.

Abstract: A dross extraction system for a printer is disclosed. The dross extraction system includes an ejector defining an inner cavity associated therewith, the inner cavity retaining a liquid printing material. The dross extraction system also includes an inlet coupled to the inner cavity and a conduit external to the ejector having a distal opening, positionable to contact the liquid printing material to attract dross therein, thereby extracting dross from the liquid printing material when a negative pressure is introduced between an internal volume of the conduit and the dross.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method and a system for securing a user interface (UI) panel of a multi-function device. The method includes activating a retraction assembly, based on one or more retraction triggering conditions. Once the retraction assembly is activated, multiple components of the retraction assembly start functioning. At first, the UI panel is moved to a first position. Next, the UI panel is moved from the first position to a second position. Then, the UI panel in the second position is retracted into the multi-function device to secure the UI panel inside the multi-function device. This way, the UI panel is secured inside the multi-function device. Later, the retracted UI panel may be moved out of the multi-function device. To move the UI panel outside the multi-function device, the retraction assembly is activated again based on the one or more protraction triggering conditions.