Abstract: A method of production analytics of a printing architecture that includes one or more printing devices is provided. The method includes an operator management device retrieving printing device output data, supplies data, HSM output data, and printer functionality component data. Also, the method includes the operator management device storing the printing device output data, the supplies data, the HSM output data and the printer functionality component data. The method also includes the operator management device combining the printing device output data, the supplies data, the HSM output data and the printer functionality component data to generate one or more graphs and models regarding an overall health of the printing architecture. The method further includes a fleet management GUI displaying the one or more graphs and models on a display.

Abstract: A plastic card personalization system with a drop-on-demand plastic card print station that prints radiation curable material, a plasma treatment station, and a radiation curing station. By using a combination of controlling plasma treatment conditions on the surface of the plastic card prior to DOD printing together with controlling the dwell time of the printed material applied to the plastic card prior to full curing of the printed material, a surprising and unexpected improvement of the adhesion of the printed material to the plastic card is achieved.

Abstract: A DOD print station has at least one DOD print head that applies radiation curable material, to a surface of an identification document. A curing station is adjacent to the DOD print station. The curing station includes at least one radiation emitting device, for example a UV light emitting device, that cures the radiation curable material applied to the surface. The curing station is configured to prevent stray radiation emitted from the radiation emitting device from impinging on the DOD print head(s) and prevent exposure to the operator of the DOD print station.

Abstract: A DOD print station has at least one DOD print head that applies radiation curable material, to a surface of an identification document. A curing station is adjacent to the DOD print station. The curing station includes at least one radiation emitting device, for example a UV light emitting device, that cures the radiation curable material applied to the surface. The curing station is configured to prevent stray radiation emitted from the radiation emitting device from impinging on the DOD print head(s) and prevent exposure to the operator of the DOD print station.

Abstract: A plastic card personalization system with a drop-on-demand plastic card print station that prints radiation curable material, a plasma treatment station, and a radiation curing station. By using a combination of controlling plasma treatment conditions on the surface of the plastic card prior to DOD printing together with controlling the dwell time of the printed material applied to the plastic card prior to full curing of the printed material, a surprising and unexpected improvement of the adhesion of the printed material to the plastic card is achieved.

Abstract: Inkjet printing on a plastic card using a radiation curable ink is described herein. After the ink is applied to the card surface (i.e. the printed surface), radiation, such as UV radiation, is directed onto a non-printed surface of the card (for example, a perimeter side edge surface and/or a surface of the plastic card opposite the printed surface the radiation curable ink is applied to) in order to at least partially cure any of the applied ink that may have flowed onto or that may otherwise be disposed on the non-printed surface. This prevents contamination of a drive mechanism used to transport the plastic card via the perimeter side edge surfaces or via the opposite surface prior to full curing of the ink applied to the printed surface.

Abstract: A multi-pass drop-on-demand (DOD) card printing mechanism that performs multi-pass DOD printing on a surface of a plastic card whereby the plastic card is transported past one or more DOD print heads multiple times for DOD printing on the card surface with each pass past the DOD print head(s). In a first printing pass, at least one material is applied to a surface of the plastic card using at least one DOD print head. In a second printing pass that occurs after the first printing pass, at least one additional material is applied to the surface of the plastic card in the card processing system using at least one DOD print head.

Abstract: Maintenance routines that can be used to maintain the operability of one or more DOD print heads in a card processing system. The maintenance routines can include, but are not limited to: a cover routine where a cover or cap is selectively and automatically located over the print head(s) to protect the print head(s); a shake pulse routine that energizes the nozzles of the print head(s) without causing an ejection of ink; a spit routine where the nozzles of the print head(s) are energized to eject one or more drops of ink; and a purge routine where the nozzles are not electrically energized but the pressure holding the ink in the nozzles of the print head(s) is reversed to push ink out of the nozzles.

Abstract: Inkjet printing on a plastic card using a radiation curable ink is described herein. After the ink is applied to the card surface (i.e. the printed surface), radiation, such as UV radiation, is directed onto a non-printed surface of the card (for example, a perimeter side edge surface and/or a surface of the plastic card opposite the printed surface the radiation curable ink is applied to) in order to at least partially cure any of the applied ink that may have flowed onto or that may otherwise be disposed on the non-printed surface. This prevents contamination of a drive mechanism used to transport the plastic card via the perimeter side edge surfaces or via the opposite surface prior to full curing of the ink applied to the printed surface.

Abstract: A single plasma nozzle of a plasma treatment station is used to treat the card surface prior to performing drop-on-demand printing on the card surface. The single plasma nozzle has a plasma discharge width that is less than the width of the card. The card and the plasma nozzle are moved relative to one another using a two direction control scheme during plasma treatment in order to be able to plasma treat a desired area of the card surface. The card and the plasma nozzle may also be moveable toward or away from one another to change the distance therebetween.

Abstract: A single plasma nozzle of a plasma treatment station is used to treat the card surface prior to performing drop-on-demand printing on the card surface. The single plasma nozzle has a plasma discharge width that is less than the width of the card. The card and the plasma nozzle are moved relative to one another using a two direction control scheme during plasma treatment in order to be able to plasma treat a desired area of the card surface. The card and the plasma nozzle may also be moveable toward or away from one another to change the distance therebetween.

Abstract: A single plasma nozzle of a plasma treatment station is used to treat the card surface prior to performing drop-on-demand printing on the card surface. The single plasma nozzle has a plasma discharge width that is less than the width of the card. The card and the plasma nozzle are moved relative to one another using a two direction control scheme during plasma treatment in order to be able to plasma treat a desired area of the card surface. The card and the plasma nozzle may also be moveable toward or away from one another to change the distance therebetween.

Abstract: Maintenance routines that can be used to maintain the operability of one or more DOD print heads in a card processing system. The maintenance routines can include, but are not limited to: a cover routine where a cover or cap is selectively and automatically located over the print head(s) to protect the print head(s); a shake pulse routine that energizes the nozzles of the print head(s) without causing an ejection of ink; a spit routine where the nozzles of the print head(s) are energized to eject one or more drops of ink; and a purge routine where the nozzles are not electrically energized but the pressure holding the ink in the nozzles of the print head(s) is reversed to push ink out of the nozzles.

Abstract: A single plasma nozzle of a plasma treatment station is used to treat the card surface prior to performing drop-on-demand printing on the card surface. The single plasma nozzle has a plasma discharge width that is less than the width of the card. The card and the plasma nozzle are moved relative to one another using a two direction control scheme during plasma treatment in order to be able to plasma treat a desired area of the card surface. The card and the plasma nozzle may also be moveable toward or away from one another to change the distance therebetween.