Abstract: A printing system includes a conveyor, at least one ink jet head, and an actuator operable to move the at least one ink jet head relative to the conveyor. A first sensor and a second sensor are adapted to sense a particular dimension and an entire area of a surface of a package, respectively. A control system is responsive to the first sensor and the second sensor and is operable to position the at least one ink jet head for printing. A method of printing is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for printing in which a plurality of blocks of print commands and an identifier encoded in indicia on an object are received. A block of print commands is selected from a plurality of blocks of print commands in accordance with the identifier. A first image is generated in accordance with the selected block of print commands. A template is selected from a plurality of templates in accordance with a template identifier in the selected block and a second image is generated in accordance with the selected template. A portion of the second image comprises the first image.

Abstract: A dryer management system includes a global dryer control system and a closed loop dynamic dryer control system to manage drying of a material deposited on web. The global dryer control system analyzes information regarding a production run to determine a web conveyance speed and a maximum web temperature. The closed loop dynamic dryer control system monitors an indication of a temperature of the web to maintain the indication of the temperature below the maximum web temperature. The closed loop dynamic dryer control system also analyzes images of the web to determine if the material is being insufficiently dried.

Abstract: A drying system and method of operating the drying system to dry a printed shrinkable web are disclosed. A web transport is adapted to convey the printed web between a heating apparatus and a cooling apparatus. The heating apparatus directs heat toward the web and the cooling apparatus concurrently chills the web. A temperature sensing device is adapted to develop an indication of a temperature of the web and the controller is adapted to adjust a temperature of at least one of the heating apparatus and the cooling apparatus in accordance with such indication.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a web handling system comprises a plurality of cross-grooved idler rollers, an imaging drum, a nip roller adjacent the imaging drum and forming a nip therewith, and a spreader roller disposed between the plurality of idler rollers and the nip roller. Each idler roller is disposed no more than a first distance from an adjacent idler roller, spreader roller, and nip roller and the spreader roller is disposed no more than a second distance from the nip. The first distance is in a range of 38 to 28 inches, 36 to 30 inches, or 35 to 33 inches and the second distance is in a range of 6 to 11 inches, 6.5 to 9 inches, or 7.0 to 8.5 inches.

Abstract: A drying system and method of operating the drying system to dry a printed shrinkable web are disclosed. A web transport is adapted to convey the printed web between a heating apparatus and a cooling apparatus. The heating apparatus directs heat toward the web and the cooling apparatus concurrently chills the web. A temperature sensing device is adapted to develop an indication of a temperature of the web and the controller is adapted to adjust a temperature of at least one of the heating apparatus and the cooling apparatus in accordance with such indication.

Abstract: A printing system comprises a transport apparatus adapted to transport a flexible web (24) along a process direction and first and second individually controllable inkjet imager units (44, 60, 70, 82) offset from one another along the process direction. Each of the first imager unit and the second imager unit includes a first portion (226) operable to print on a first portion of the web and a second portion (228) operable to print on the second portion of the web wherein each of the first portion and second portion of the first and second imager units is stationary along the process direction and the lateral direction.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a web handling system comprises a plurality of cross-grooved idler rollers, an imaging drum, a nip roller adjacent the imaging drum and forming a nip therewith, and a spreader roller disposed between the plurality of idler rollers and the nip roller. Each idler roller is disposed no more than a first distance from an adjacent idler roller, spreader roller, and nip roller and the spreader roller is disposed no more than a second distance from the nip. The first distance is in a range of 38 to 28 inches, 36 to 30 inches, or 35 to 33 inches and the second distance is in a range of 6 to 11 inches, 6.5 to 9 inches, or 7.0 to 8.5 inches.

Abstract: A dryer management system includes a global dryer control system and a closed loop dynamic dryer control system to manage drying of a material deposited on web. The global dryer control system analyzes information regarding a production run to determine a web conveyance speed and a maximum web temperature. The closed loop dynamic dryer control system monitors an indication of a temperature of the web to maintain the indication of the temperature below the maximum web temperature. The closed loop dynamic dryer control system also analyzes images of the web to determine if the material is being insufficiently dried.