Abstract: An indirect printing system is disclosed having an intermediate transfer member (ITM) in the form of an endless belt that circulates during operation to transport ink images from an image forming station. Ink images are deposited on an outer surface of the ITM by one or a plurality of print bars. At an impression station, the ink images are transferred from the outer surface of the ITM onto a printing substrate. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the ITM 20 is maintained within the image forming station at a predetermined distance from the one or each of the print bars 10, 12, 14 and 16 by means of a plurality of support rollers 11, 13, 15, 17 that have a common flat tangential plane and contact the inner surface of the ITM.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to control apparatus and methods of a printing system, for example, comprising an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and to user-related features of a printing system. Some embodiments relate to regulation of a velocity and/or tension and/or length of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to regulation of deposition of ink on the moving ITM. Some embodiments regulate to apparatus configured to alert a user of one or more events related to operation of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to a time-line GUI for visualizing and/or manipulating queued print jobs which may be employed. Some embodiments relate to a reversed augmented reality GUI for visualization and/or control of the printing system. In some embodiments, a display screen is mounted to a printer housing and/or able to control access to moving parts of a printing system.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a digital printing system and method for depositing ink droplets onto a target surface in dependence upon a received electrical printing signal containing data indicating the desired image to be printed while improving the uniformity of intended tone reproduction of the printed image.

Abstract: There is provided an ink-deposition device suitable for depositing ink on a target surface and a printing system comprising the same. In operation in a printing system, the ink-deposition device can convert digital images into ink images on the target surface using pixel-masks and methods as disclosed herein. Advantageously, the ink-deposition device, the printing system comprising it and the methods of using the same can reduce or prevent the occurrence of some undesired ink-formations typically governed by the respective physical and/or chemical properties of the surface and ink being used or mitigate their effect on print quality. Application of the pixel-image mask yields a binary image that exhibits pixel-clusters with stochastically distributed centroids.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to control apparatus and methods of a printing system, for example, comprising an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and to user-related features of a printing system. Some embodiments relate to regulation of a velocity and/or tension and/or length of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to regulation of deposition of ink on the moving ITM. Some embodiments regulate to apparatus configured to alert a user of one or more events related to operation of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to a time-line GUI for visualizing and/or manipulating queued print jobs which may be employed. Some embodiments relate to a reversed augmented reality GUI for visualization and/or control of the printing system. In some embodiments, a display screen is mounted to a printer housing and/or able to control access to moving parts of a printing system.

Abstract: There is provided an ink-deposition device suitable for depositing ink on a target surface and a printing system comprising the same. In operation in a printing system, the ink-deposition device can convert digital images into ink images on the target surface using pixel-masks and methods as disclosed herein. Advantageously, the ink-deposition device, the printing system comprising it and the methods of using the same can reduce or prevent the occurrence of some undesired ink-formations typically governed by the respective physical and/or chemical properties of the surface and ink being used or mitigate their effect on print quality. Application of the pixel-image mask yields a binary image that exhibits pixel-clusters with stochastically distributed centroids.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to control apparatus and methods of a printing system, for example, comprising an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and to user-related features of a printing system. Some embodiments relate to regulation of a velocity and/or tension and/or length of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to regulation of deposition of ink on the moving ITM. Some embodiments regulate to apparatus configured to alert a user of one or more events related to operation of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to a time-line GUI for visualizing and/or manipulating queued print jobs which may be employed. Some embodiments relate to a reversed augmented reality GUI for visualization and/or control of the printing system. In some embodiments, a display screen is mounted to a printer housing and/or able to control access to moving parts of a printing system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to control apparatus and methods of a printing system, for example, comprising an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and to user-related features of a printing system. Some embodiments relate to regulation of a velocity and/or tension and/or length of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to regulation of deposition of ink on the moving ITM. Some embodiments regulate to apparatus configured to alert a user of one or more events related to operation of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to a time-line GUI for visualizing and/or manipulating queued print jobs which may be employed. Some embodiments relate to a reversed augmented reality GUI for visualization and/or control of the printing system. In some embodiments, a display screen is mounted to a printer housing and/or able to control access to moving parts of a printing system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to control apparatus and methods for a printing system, for example, comprising an intermediate transfer member (ITM). Some embodiments relate to regulation of a velocity and/or tension and/or length of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to regulation of deposition of ink on the moving ITM. Some embodiments regulate to apparatus configured to alert a user of one or more events related to operation of the ITM.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to control apparatus and methods for a printing system, for example, comprising an intermediate transfer member (ITM). Some embodiments relate to regulation of a velocity and/or tension and/or length of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to regulation of deposition of ink on the moving ITM. Some embodiments regulate to apparatus configured to alert a user of one or more events related to operation of the ITM.

Abstract: A system for engraving flexographic printing plates, is presented. A flexographic plate (104) is mounted on an imaging drum 404. Printable areas (204, 304) on the flexographic plate are engraved by an imaging source (408) configured to engrave fine detail information. Non-printable areas (208) are engraved on the flexographic plate by a second imaging source (412, coarse imaging source) capable to engrave substantially deeper (208, 520) than the depth of engraving used for the printable areas. Synchronizing (424) between the fine imaging source and the coarse imaging source, by directing the fine and coarse sources operate simultaneously, whereby the fine source images on the printable areas and the coarse source images the non-printable areas. In addition the fine source engraves the printable data areas (704) and non-printable support areas (708) underneath the printable areas. The non-printable support areas are engraved to be substantially wider than the printable data areas.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for straightening a surface of a flexible media (108) mounted on an imaging drum (104) of an imaging device (100), is presented. A flexible media is mounted on an imaging drum. The flexible media is scanned by an optical displacement sensor (ODS-124) and is provided to a microprocessor (412) component which is part of the system controller (128). The microprocessor combines the data received from the ODS (404) with the data of the image to be imaged on the imaging device. The combined data is sent to the imaging head (120). The imaging head images the data on the flexible media.

Abstract: A system for engraving flexographic printing plates, is presented. A flexographic plate (104) is mounted on an imaging drum 404. Printable areas (204, 304) on the flexographic plate are engraved by an imaging source (408) configured to engrave fine detail information. Non-printable areas (208) are engraved on the flexographic plate by a second imaging source (412, coarse imaging source) capable to engrave substantially deeper (208, 520) than the depth of engraving used for the printable areas. Synchronizing (424) between the fine imaging source and the coarse imaging source, by directing the fine and coarse sources operate simultaneously, whereby the fine source images on the printable areas and the coarse source images the non-printable areas. In addition the fine source engraves the printable data areas (704) and non-printable support areas (708) underneath the printable areas. The non-printable support areas are engraved to be substantially wider than the printable data areas.

Abstract: A method for engraving flexographic printing plates (104) includes providing a flexographic plate. Printable areas (204) on the flexographic plate are engraved with a first imaging source. Non-printable areas (208) on the flexographic plate are engraved with a second imaging source wherein a depth of engraving of the non-printable areas is substantially deeper than the depth of engraving of the printable areas. The first imaging source and second imaging source are synchronized. The first imaging source (408) and second imaging source (412) are operated simultaneously. The first imaging source engraves the printable data areas and engraves non-printable support areas adjacent the printable areas.

Abstract: A method writing an image to a surface of a flexible media mounted on a imaging drum includes mounting a flexible media on the imaging drum; scanning the surface of the flexible media with an optical displacement sensor (ODS); providing the scanned data to a microprocessor; providing imaging data to said microprocessor; combining the scanned data and the imaging data; sending the combined data to an imaging head; and imaging said combined data on the flexible media.

Abstract: An optical imaging head for direct engraving of flexographic printing plates, comprising: at least two groups of radiation sources, each group comprising at least one radiation source, wherein the radiation sources within each group emit radiation having the same intensity and spot size, different from the intensity and spot size of radiation sources in the other groups, said groups of radiation sources operating simultaneously.

Abstract: An electronic current control circuit is provided. This electronic circuit comprises a power-supply, an H-Bridge module connected to a load, and a current sensor connected between the H-Bridge module and the power-supply and adapted to sense load current characteristics. A computerized controller is connected to the current sensor and the H-Bridge module, includes at least a module for operating load current analysis algorithm for analyzing the load current characteristics to determine current control parameters that provide over-current protection and load current control. A load current control module controls the H-Bridge module based upon the current control parameters.

Abstract: An optical imaging head for direct engraving of flexographic printing plates, comprising: at least two groups of radiation sources, each group comprising at least one radiation source, wherein the radiation sources within each group emit radiation having the same intensity and spot size, different from the intensity and spot size of radiation sources in the other groups, said groups of radiation sources operating simultaneously.

Abstract: An electronic current control circuit is provided. This electronic circuit comprises a power-supply, an H-Bridge module connected to a load, and a current sensor connected between the H-Bridge module and the power-supply and adapted to sense load current characteristics. A computerized controller is connected to the current sensor and the H-Bridge module, includes at least a module for operating load current analysis algorithm for analyzing the load current characteristics to determine current control parameters that provide over-current protection and load current control. A load current control module controls the H-Bridge module based upon the current control parameters.