Abstract: A material drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer identifies a time lag error corresponding to a time lag in the response of printer components to component commands. The identified time lag error is provided to a slicer program that uses the identified time lag error to compensate for the time lag in the response of the printer components.

Abstract: A material drop ejecting three-dimensional (3D) object printer identifies a time lag error corresponding to a time lag in the response of printer components to component commands. The identified time lag error is provided to a slicer program that uses the identified time lag error to compensate for the time lag in the response of the printer components.

Abstract: A method of three-dimensional printing comprises heating a first portion of a build surface on a platform by impinging a laser beam on the build surface so as to provide a preheated drop contact point having a first deposition temperature. A first drop of a liquid print material is ejected from a printhead of a 3D printer so as to deposit the first drop on the preheated drop contact point at the first deposition temperature.

Abstract: A printer that forms three-dimensional objects has two printheads, one of which is positioned to eject material drops in a direction that is parallel to a plane of a planar member on which an object is formed by the two printheads.

Abstract: A printer is configured with positioning members that hold components at predetermined positions to enable a controller operating at least one printhead in a three-dimensional object printer to form structure about the components. The positioning members can then be removed from the printed three-dimensional object to enable continued formation of the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer generates image data of an object being formed in the printer with an optical sensor and identifies the heights of object features above a substrate on which the object is being formed. A controller operates one or more actuators to move the optical sensor at a plurality of distances above the object to generate image data of the object at a plurality of heights above the object. The controller identifies the distances of the features of the object with reference to the image data generated by the optical sensor and the focal length of the optical sensor.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer generates image data of an object being formed in the printer with an optical sensor and identifies the heights of object features above a substrate on which the object is being formed. A controller operates one or more actuators to move the optical sensor at a plurality of distances above the object to generate image data of the object at a plurality of heights above the object. The controller identifies the distances of the features of the object with reference to the image data generated by the optical sensor and the focal length of the optical sensor.

Abstract: A method of spatially and spectrally calibrating a spectrophotometer including: a) emitting a white light illumination output from a full width illumination source; b) illuminating a test patch with the white light illumination output; c) reflecting a portion of the white light illumination output from the test patch to form a white light reflected illumination output; d) receiving the white light reflected illumination output at first, second and third rows of photosensitive elements to form a first calibration data set; e) emitting a cyan light illumination output from the full width illumination source; f) illuminating the test patch with the cyan light illumination output; g) reflecting a portion of the cyan light illumination output from the test patch to form a cyan light reflected illumination output; and, h) receiving the cyan light reflected illumination output at the second and third rows of photosensitive elements to form a second calibration data set.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer generates image data of an object being formed in the printer with an optical sensor and identifies the heights of object features above a substrate on which the object is being formed. A controller operates one or more actuators to move the optical sensor at a plurality of distances above the object to generate image data of the object at a plurality of heights above the object. The controller identifies the distances of the features of the object with reference to the image data generated by the optical sensor and the focal length of the optical sensor.

Abstract: A printer is configured with positioning members that hold components at predetermined positions to enable a controller operating at least one printhead in a three-dimensional object printer to form structure about the components. The positioning members can then be removed from the printed three-dimensional object to enable continued formation of the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A method of spatially and spectrally calibrating a spectrophotometer including: a) emitting a white light illumination output from a full width illumination source; b) illuminating a test patch with the white light illumination output; c) reflecting a portion of the white light illumination output from the test patch to form a white light reflected illumination output; d) receiving the white light reflected illumination output at first, second and third rows of photosensitive elements to form a first calibration data set; e) emitting a cyan light illumination output from the full width illumination source; f) illuminating the test patch with the cyan light illumination output; g) reflecting a portion of the cyan light illumination output from the test patch to form a cyan light reflected illumination output; and, h) receiving the cyan light reflected illumination output at the second and third rows of photosensitive elements to form a second calibration data set.

Abstract: Embossing methods and systems include a substrate (e.g., a sheet of paper or other material) delivered through a rendering device (e.g., a printer). An array of time-delayed pins can be driven into the substrate as the substrate travels through an in-line path provided by the rendering device to produce a latent embossed image composed of a combination of shapes depressed in the substrate. An ATA (Acoustic Transfer Assist) system can transfer an image to the substrate. The substrate with the latent embossed image is then transferred to the ATA system and the substrate is rendered with an embossed image based on the latent embossed image.

Abstract: A printer that forms three-dimensional objects has two printheads, one of which is positioned to eject material drops in a direction that is parallel to a plane of a planar member on which an object is formed by the two printheads.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer generates image data of an object being formed in the printer with an optical sensor and identifies the heights of object features above a substrate on which the object is being formed. A controller operates one or more actuators to move the optical sensor at a plurality of distances above the object to generate image data of the object at a plurality of heights above the object. The controller identifies the distances of the features of the object with reference to the image data generated by the optical sensor and the focal length of the optical sensor.

Abstract: A method for determining a flatness characteristic for a facet of a polygon assembly includes a) rotating a polygon assembly with facets at a desired speed, b) directing a light beam from a light source toward the polygon assembly so light is reflected by consecutive facets during revolutions of the polygon assembly, reflected light passing through a focusing lens that directs a spot light toward a target with spaced-apart bars arranged in a grating pattern that block a portion of the reflected light and allows another portion to pass through another focusing lens that directs another spot light toward a light sensor, the light sensor detecting intensity of the spot light, and c) measuring the intensity over time during revolutions of the polygon assembly to obtain measurements for each facet. An associated test setup includes a fixture, motor controller, light source, light sensor, two focusing lens, target, and system controller.

Abstract: A method for determining a flatness characteristic for a facet of a polygon assembly includes a) rotating a polygon assembly with facets at a desired speed, b) directing a light beam from a light source toward the polygon assembly so light is reflected by consecutive facets during revolutions of the polygon assembly, reflected light passing through a focusing lens that directs a spot light toward a target with spaced-apart bars arranged in a grating pattern that block a portion of the reflected light and allows another portion to pass through another focusing lens that directs another spot light toward a light sensor, the light sensor detecting intensity of the spot light, and c) measuring the intensity over time during revolutions of the polygon assembly to obtain measurements for each facet. An associated test setup includes a fixture, motor controller, light source, light sensor, two focusing lens, target, and system controller.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus includes an illuminator for illuminating a portion of a document to be scanned. The illuminator includes an array of discrete light sources and an optical element. The optical element includes a light-transmissive material and defines a focusing portion and an angular modification portion. The angular modification portion tends to reduce specular flare by modifying the angular distribution of light from the light sources which are within the acceptance angle of a lens arrangement which focuses light from the document onto a sensor.

Abstract: A document illuminator includes a light-transmissive element having an embedded source of illumination fitted in a cavity formed therein. The light-transmissive element preferably has one or more optical notches and preferably is encased in an opaque surround to promote total internal reflection of the light rays emanating from the LED. The one or more optical notches may include a dual-V notch or an elliptical notch. The reflected light rays are collected at an aperture which in turn transmit light at high power and highly uniform illumination profile to illuminate a document.

Abstract: A document illuminator comprising a light-transmissive element having an embedded side emitting LED fitted in a cavity formed therein. The light-transmissive element is formed with one or more optical notches and is totally encased in a white surround to yield total internal reflection of the light rays emanating from the LED. The reflected light rays are collected at an aperture which in turn transmits high power and highly uniform illumination profile to illuminate a document.

Abstract: A light-transmissive constant velocity transport platen. A light source is an integral part of the light-transmissive platen forming a light guide illuminator. The constant velocity transport integrated illuminator uses total internal reflection within the light-transmissive platen as well as frustrated total internal reflection at extraction surfaces to direct light out from an aperture to a document translated by a constant velocity transport system. For point light source, the system uses a deflector to avoid hot spots in the illumination profile. The deflector is no longer needed when line source is used in the constant velocity transport integrated illuminator.