Abstract: A color changing expiration indicator includes a reactive layer and a first barrier layer that covers at least a portion of the reactive layer. The color changing expiration indicator also includes a transmission layer that covers at least a portion of the first barrier layer, and a second barrier layer that covers at least a portion of the transmission layer. The color changing expiration indicator further includes a reactant layer that covers at least a portion of the second barrier layer. The reactant layer changes color responsive to a reaction that occurs between the reactant layer and the reactive layer.

Abstract: An MFD is disclosed. For example, the MFD includes a color printhead to dispense color printing fluid, an enhancement printhead to dispense a three-dimensional (3D) print material, a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions. The instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform operations that include printing a two-dimensional (2D) image on a substrate and printing a 3D object on the 2D image printed on the substrate such that colors of the 2D image provide a desired color for a desired portion of the 3D object.

Abstract: A method includes printing, by one or more printer heads of the printing system, a reactive layer onto print media. The method also includes printing, by the one or more printer heads, a determined number of transmission layers and a determined number of barrier layers in alternation with one another. At least a portion of the reactive layer is configured to migrate through the transmission layers. The method further includes printing, by the one or more printer heads, a reactant layer that is configured to change color responsive to a reaction that occurs between the reactant layer and the reactive layer upon migration of the reactive layer through the determined number of transmission layers. The reaction is configured to occur on a received expiration date.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that automatically generates a set of recommended printer settings 300 for a print job 100 submitted to a printer 10.

Abstract: A marker transport system and a method of operating the marker transport system. A group of print bars is located with respect to a marker transport platen and a marker transport belt. A vacuum source and a pneumatic solenoid block are associated with the marker transport platen. The marker transport platen includes airflow sections divided into process-direction slots and cross-section direction slots. The cross-section direction slots are located beneath the print bars and are connected to the vacuum source via the pneumatic solenoid block, which facilitates an individual control of each of the cross-process direction slots. Pneumatic valves are associated with the pneumatic solenoid block, which supplies a flow of vacuum to the cross-process direction vacuum slots. The pneumatic vales can be timed to allow the vacuum to be present when a sheet is present over a corresponding vacuum slot among the process-direction slots and the cross-section direction slots.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that automatically generates a set of recommended printer settings 300 for a print job 100 submitted to a printer 10.

Abstract: An MFD is disclosed. For example, the MFD includes a color printhead to dispense color printing fluid, an enhancement printhead to dispense a three-dimensional (3D) print material, a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions. The instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform operations that include printing a two-dimensional (2D) image on a substrate and printing a 3D object on the 2D image printed on the substrate such that colors of the 2D image provide a desired color for a desired portion of the 3D object.

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 three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus is equipped with a vessel having a receptacle that holds melted metal. The vessel has a divider that prevents metal dross formed at a solid metal inlet of the receptacle to migrate to a portion of the receptacle where a melted metal level sensor directs light.

Abstract: An apparatus includes, among other components, a frame adapted to be connected to the exterior surface of a device that has a touchscreen. A retractable cover is operatively connected to the frame. The size of the retractable cover is equal to at least the size of the touchscreen, and the retractable cover is positioned to extend so as to cover the touchscreen. At least one ultraviolet light is also operatively connected to the frame. The ultraviolet light is positioned to direct ultraviolet lighting toward the touchscreen when the retractable cover extends to cover the touchscreen.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. For example, the method executed by a processor of a multi-function device (MFD) includes tracking a machine state of the MFD, predicting a potential defect based on a determination that the machine state is associated with a defect class of a plurality of different defect classes, determining a maintenance routine associated with the defect class, and executing the maintenance routine to prevent the potential defect.

Abstract: Devices include first and second frame elements having mounting points connectable to opposite ends (e.g., first end, second end) of the touchscreen. First and second rollers are connected, respectively, to the first and second frame elements. A web of transparent material is supported by and between the first and second rollers. Further, an ultraviolet light device is connected to the second frame element and is positioned to expose the web of transparent material to ultraviolet radiation to disinfect the transparent material between users.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly includes a controller operatively connected to an actuator so the controller can operate the actuator to tilt a carrier plate in which a plurality of printheads are mounted after a purge of the printheads has been performed. The tilt assists gravity in directing the purged ink to a wiper that is moved by another actuator operated by the controller to wipe the faceplates of one or more printhead faceplates in the carrier plate. After the wiper is returned to its home position, the carrier plate is returned to its level position and the printhead assembly is returned to its operational position for printing.

Abstract: An apparatus includes, among other components, a frame adapted to be connected to the exterior surface of a device that has a touchscreen. A retractable cover is operatively connected to the frame. The size of the retractable cover is equal to at least the size of the touchscreen, and the retractable cover is positioned to extend so as to cover the touchscreen. At least one ultraviolet light is also operatively connected to the frame. The ultraviolet light is positioned to direct ultraviolet lighting toward the touchscreen when the retractable cover extends to cover the touchscreen.

Abstract: A system and method enable determining a total colorant limit for printing images. The system includes memory which stores instructions for: determining a grain value for each of a set of printed patches printed on a first print media, the grain value being based upon a visual contrast sensitivity function computed for the respective patch, the set of printed patches including patches printed on the print media at different total colorant values; determining a total colorant limit for the first print media, as a function of the total colorant values and corresponding grain values for the printed patches in the set, wherein the total colorant limit is a total colorant value which corresponds to a grain value which does not exceed a threshold grain value for the first print media. A processor executes the instructions.

Abstract: Examples of the preferred embodiments use an ink quantity metric (e.g., lightness L*, darkness, image density, line width) of printed content to determine thickness of fountain solution applied by a fountain solution applicator on an imaging member surface and/or determine image forming device real-time image forming modifications for subsequent printings. For example, in real-time during the printing of a print job, a sensor (e.g., spectrometer) may measure the ink quantity metric of the current printing on print substrate. Based on this measurement of printed content output from the image forming device, the image forming device may adjust image forming (e.g., fountain solution deposition flow rate) to reach or maintain a preferred fountain solution thickness on the imaging member surface for subsequent (e.g., next) printings of the print job.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. For example, the method executed by a processor of a multi-function device (MFD) includes tracking a machine state of the MFD, predicting a potential defect based on a determination that the machine state is associated with a defect class of a plurality of different defect classes, determining a maintenance routine associated with the defect class, and executing the maintenance routine to prevent the potential defect.

Abstract: A vacuum roller system and a method of operation the vacuum roller system can include an assembly of interdigitated rollers, and a vacuum system, wherein the assembly of interdigitated rollers is operably connected to the vacuum system to move sheets of media through a downstream dryer in a printer, wherein a vacuum is drawn between individual rollers among the assembly of interdigitated rollers so that the vacuum is distributed across a sheet of media and is split around the individual rollers. The spacing between the individual rollers among the assembly of interdigitated rollers is variable to vary the vacuum.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided a method of measuring the amount of fountain solution using a hot wire anemometer. Fountain solution thickness is measured using the flow rate of vaporized fountain solution and comparing to baseline air only flow rate. The vaporized measurement is correlated with the baseline utilizing specific heat, density and enthalpy values and keeping velocity of fluid constant. Changes in the measurement will then be related to the specific heat, density and enthalpy. Density can be back calculated to yield volume and knowing the area of the image being printed give a real time thickness value.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a dryer configured to attenuate the effects of temperature differentials arising in substrates that are caused by holes in a media transport belt and a platen covering a vacuum plenum. The dryer includes a heater, a media transport belt cooler, and a media transport belt. The media transport belt is configured to move substrates past the heater after ink images have been formed on the substrates and the media transport belt cooler is positioned to remove heat energy from the media transport belt after the media transport belt has passed the heater and the substrates have separated from the media transport belt. The substrate cooler is configured to reduce a temperature of the media transport belt to a temperature that attenuates image defects arising from temperature differentials in the media transport belt when the media transport belt is opposite the heater.