Abstract: An optical imager system and method of operating the optical imager system, can include one or more imager modules including a laser light source, a collimator, an illumination optical system, a grating light valve, a spatial light modulator and a projection optical system. A group of imager modules can include the one or more imager modules. The group of imager modules is operable in a stacked arrangement to produce an image from in-line stitching of individual images generated by the one or more imager modules. The illumination optical system can homogenize, shape, and direct a beam from the laser light source onto the grating light valve, and homogenization can occur in a cross-process direction.

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: The present disclosure discloses methods and systems for removing dross from a liquid metal chamber, such as would be used in magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) or metal 3D printing. The method and systems comprise inserting a dross removal tool into a liquid metal chamber. A seal is compromised, fluidically connecting an evacuated volume and the liquid metal chamber. Pressure equalizes between the fluidically coupled volumes through an inflow of gas, liquid, and solid components from the liquid metal chamber into the dross removal tool. The dross removal tool is removed from the liquid metal chamber.

Abstract: A method of automatically creating trust communities in a fleet of devices. The method includes finding candidate devices in a fleet of devices via one or more candidate discovery techniques and generating device-related data based on the candidate devices that are found, analyzing the device-related data via an analytics engine and creating one or more fleet orchestrator device lists based on the analysis of the device-related data, and automatically creating one or more new trust communities or suggesting joining one or more previously existing trust communities based at least on the one or more fleet orchestrator device lists for the candidate devices, wherein the one or more new trust communities or previously existing trust communities include at least a sub-set of the devices in the fleet, and wherein at least one of the managed devices in the sub-set of devices is configured as a root device to publish files via a file sharing function.

Abstract: A drag force sensor on a fountain solution carrier roller surface measures drag force of a fountain solution layer on the fountain solution carrier roller surface in real-time during a printing operation. The measured drag force is used in a feedback loop to actively control the fountain solution layer thickness by adjusting the volumetric feed rate of fountain solution added onto the imaging member surface during a printing operation to reach a desired uniform thickness for the printing. This fountain solution monitoring system may be fully automated.

Abstract: A method of operating a printer compares print job parameters for a current print job to be printed by the printer to a database of print job parameters for previously performed print jobs to identify media issues that may be caused by printing the current print job at a nominal printhead/media transport path distance. The gap between the printheads and the media transport is adjusted for identified media issues. Additionally, the method evaluates the image data content of the current print job to identify media issues that may arise from the printing of each sheet in the print job. If media issues are identified from the image data content, then the gap between the printheads and the media transport is further adjusted for sheets corresponding to the identified media issues caused by the image data content. An inkjet printer capable of being operated in this manner is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for assessing polymeric additive content A in a polymeric particle mixture may comprise determining a concentration B of a metal cation in a polymeric particle mixture comprising parent polymeric particles and polymeric additive particles, wherein the metal cation is selected from alkali earth metals and alkali metals, other than sodium (Na), and the metal cation is capable of forming a water-soluble base; determining a concentration C of the metal cation in the parent polymeric particles; determining a concentration D of the metal cation in the polymeric additive particles; and calculating a polymeric additive content A using formula A=(B?C)/D.

Abstract: Compositions include a plurality of polymer particulates comprising a matrix polymer and one or more types of nanoparticles selected from the group consisting of biopolymer nanoparticles, biomineral nanoparticles excluding biomineralized silica alone, and any combination thereof. Illustrative examples of such nanoparticles may include cellulose nanoparticles, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, or any combination thereof associated with the matrix polymer. The polymer particulates may be prepared by melt emulsification. Methods include depositing such polymer particulates in a powder bed; and heating a portion of the powder bed to consolidate a portion of the polymer particulates into a consolidated part having a specified shape. The matrix polymer may be biodegradable and lose at least about 40% mass in six days in a phosphate buffer solution (0.2 M, pH 7.0) containing 0.2 mg/mL of lipase obtained from Pseudomonas cepacia (?30 U/mg) and incubated at 37° C.

Abstract: A method of forming a chemical delivery device with an active chemical includes generating halftoned image data using a stochastic halftone screen and with reference to a concentration parameter for the active chemical. The method also includes ejecting a chemical carrier including the active chemical into a portion of a plurality of cavities formed in the chemical delivery device based on the halftoned image data to produce the chemical delivery device with a concentration of the active chemical corresponding to the concentration parameter.

Abstract: An aqueous ink composition for inkjet printing on non-porous substrates and a method for forming the same are disclosed. For example, the method includes preparing a primary polymer latex with an aromatic functional group, a hydrogen-bonding group, a flexible side-chain, and an ionic functional group and mixing the primary polymer latex with a secondary latex binder and one or more co-solvents.

Abstract: A nonlimiting example method for synthesizing a pigment-pendent polyamide (PP-polyamide) may comprise: functionalizing metal oxide particles bound to a pigment particle with a compound having an epoxy to produce a surface treated pigment having a pendent epoxy; and reacting the pendent epoxy with a polyamide to yield the PP-polyamide. Another nonlimiting example method for synthesizing a PP-polyamide may comprise: functionalizing metal oxide particles bound to a pigment particle with a silica particle having a carboxylic acid surface treatment to produce a surface treated pigment having a pendent carboxylic acid; converting the pendent carboxylic acid to a pendent acid chloride; and reacting the pendent acid chloride with a polyamide to yield the PP-polyamide.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses methods and systems for detecting an IR security mark in a document based on known color information and halftone frequency information. The method includes receiving a document from a user, including an IR security mark. Then, location information, color information and halftone frequency information are received from the user. The document is scanned. Based on the color information and the location information, the IR security mark is extracted from the scanned document. After this, halftone frequency information of the extracted IR security mark is verified. Based on the verification, text in the extracted IR security mark is identified and is then compared with one or more pre-stored IR security marks to ascertain whether the IR security mark in the document is an authentic security mark.

Abstract: A method for marking a printed object is disclosed. For example, the method includes printing a three-dimensional (3D) object via a fused filament fabrication (FFF) printer, receiving a desired color marking to be marked on a surface of the 3D object, and controlling a point energy source to emit energy on a thermal treatment layer of the 3D object in accordance with the desired color marking.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided an apparatus and method for driving a laser imaging module (LIM) that includes an adjustment current to have all laser diodes emitting the same amount of output so that the diodes can be connected in series on a single high current power source. Fine tuning can be done by a dedicated low current controllable power source connected directly to each laser diode. A series connected LIM uses only two heavy gauge wires so total power loss and heat stress on the LIM and module drawer connectors will be significantly reduced. Additional fine tuning can include an electronic gate so that individual diodes could be quickly turned off independently from each other.

Abstract: A method operates a three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing system to compensate for errors that occur during object formation. In the method, thermal image data and dimensional image data of a metal object being formed by the 3D metal object manufacturing system is generated prior to completion of the metal object. Thermal conditions are identified from these data and compared to predetermined ranges corresponding to the identified thermal conditions to identify one or more errors. For identified errors outside a corresponding predetermined difference range, the method performs an error compensation technique. The error compensation includes modification of a surface data model, modification of machine-ready instructions, or operation of a subtractive device.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided a method of measuring the amount of fountain solution employed in a digital offset lithography printing system. Fountain solution thickness is measured by using phase shifted monochromic light to produce optical path differences through the fountain solution film. The intensity of the reflected light through the fountain solution film is very sensitive due to the phase shifted light so interference fringes are easier to delineate and fountain solution thickness measurement more reliable.

Abstract: A dross extraction system for a printer is disclosed, which includes an ejector defining an inner cavity associated therewith, the inner cavity retaining a liquid printing material. The dross extraction system also includes a first inlet coupled to the inner cavity of the ejector, a probe external to the ejector, which is selectably positionable to contact the liquid printing material to attract dross thereto, thereby extracting dross from the liquid printing material when the probe is withdrawn from the liquid printing material. A method of extracting dross from a metal jetting printer is also disclosed, which includes pausing an operation of the metal jetting printer, advancing a probe into a melt pool within a nozzle pump reservoir in the metal jetting printer, extracting dross from the metal printing material and onto the probe, retracting the probe from the nozzle pump reservoir, and resuming the operation of the metal jetting printer.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing processes, such as fused filament fabrication, may be employed to form printed objects in a range of shapes. It is sometimes desirable to form conductive traces upon the surface of a printed object. Conductive traces and similar features may be introduced in conjunction with fused filament fabrication processes by incorporating a metal precursor in a polymer filament having a filament body comprising a thermoplastic polymer, and forming a printed object from the polymer filament through layer-by-layer deposition, in which the metal precursor remains substantially unconverted to metal while forming the printed object. Suitable polymer filaments compatible with fused filament fabrication may comprise a thermoplastic polymer defining a filament body, and a metal precursor contacting the filament body, in which the metal precursor is activatable to form metal islands upon laser irradiation.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses methods and systems for automatically generating multiple scanned files when scanning a document at a multi-function device. The method includes receiving a multi-page document for scanning from a user. A user interface is provided to the user to input one or more keywords and one or more desired resolution values, where the input resolution values are different from a default resolution value set at the multi-function device. A page of the document is scanned to generate a scanned page of a default resolution value. The scanned page is checked if including the one or more input keywords. Accordingly, the default resolution value of the page is converted to the user desired resolution value. The scanning, checking, and converting are repeated till all the pages of the document are scanned. Multiple scanned files of different resolution values are automatically generated from single scan activity.

Abstract: A printer includes a heat control device configured to cause a temperature of a part that is printed by the printer to remain within a predetermined range as a height of the part increases from about 0 mm to about 30 mm. The predetermined range is from about 545° C. to about 600° C. The heat control device includes a heat plate that is configured to generate heat in a downward direction toward the part.