Abstract: A workflow process for packing and unpacking variable sized bundles of printed card signs includes providing identifiable codes that make the card signs highly visible and recognizable. Included on selected card signs is a color coded border with indexing added to each bundle in groupings to help in packing and unpacking the bundles into and from boxes. When the bundles are packed in a box on edge, both the person packing and unpacking the box can easily identify the beginning and end of each bundle and thereby limiting the time required to organize and process the bundles and reduce labor cost and errors.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and apparatus for applying an image shear to correct a digital image-paper registration error are disclosed. For example, the method, performed by a processor of a printing device, includes detecting an amount of skew of a paper traveling through a registration system of a printing device, determining that the amount of skew is greater than a predefined threshold, applying an image shear to a digital image that will be printed on the paper, and controlling a plurality of printheads of the printing device to print the digital image on the paper with the image shear that is applied.

Abstract: A print system and a method for detecting inline failure of a curing light source of a 3D object printer are disclosed. For example, the print system includes a plurality of printheads, a curing light source, an inline failure detection (IFD) system, a movable member to hold an object, a heat resistant member coupled to the movable member that holds a thermal paper for testing operation of the curing light source and a controller to control movement of the movable member to move the object past the array of printheads, to operate the plurality of printheads to eject the marking material onto the object as the object passes the two-dimensional array of printheads, to operate the curing light source to apply energy to the thermal paper and to cure the marking material, and to operate the IFD system to read the thermal paper to detect a failure of the curing light source.

Abstract: Alignment apparatuses include a frame and contact elements connected to the frame. The contact elements contact items that are to be transported in a processing direction relative to the frame. The contact elements are in permeant fixed positions relative to the frame, and do not move relative to the frame. Adjustable mounts are connected to the frame and move the frame in the processing direction and in a perpendicular cross-processing direction. A controller is electrically connected to the adjustable mounts, and the controller is adapted to control the adjustable mounts to simultaneously move the frame and all the contact elements in the cross-processing direction and the processing direction while rotating the frame. Methods laterally shift imaging on sheets that have had rotational correction performed by such alignment apparatuses.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and apparatus for applying an image shear to correct a digital image-paper registration error are disclosed. For example, the method, performed by a processor of a printing device, includes detecting an amount of skew of a paper traveling through a registration system of a printing device, determining that the amount of skew is greater than a predefined threshold, applying an image shear to a digital image that will be printed on the paper, and controlling a plurality of printheads of the printing device to print the digital image on the paper with the image shear that is applied.

Abstract: A tandem system of metering and donor rolls is used to apply two different adhesives to a fully adhesive backed multilayer sheet to produce variably distributed adhesives and properties. Each of the two adhesives is unique and is cured differently to create a layer of adhesive that has differing adhesive properties on the sheet. A clear adhesive is applied to a top portion of cards before they are cut from the sheet and has a higher tackiness than the adhesive applied to the rest of the cards on the sheet in order to reduce glue buildup on blades cutting the cards from the sheet.

Abstract: A method for determining an ultraviolet (UV) cure level of a material is disclosed. For example, the method includes receiving an object with the material that is cured via a UV light source, controlling a heat source to heat the material, measuring a parameter of the material in response to the heat, determining the UV cure level of the material based on the parameter that is measured and a predefined response of the material at a temperature associated with the heat, and generating a signal to display the UV cure level in response to the determining.

Abstract: An aqueous ink printer includes a dryer that enables coated substrates to be printed with aqueous ink images. The dryer is configured to receive substrates from a first substrate transport and to hold a plurality of the substrates for a predetermined period of time to dry the aqueous ink images on the substrates before independently releasing each substrate in the plurality of substrates to a second substrate transport.

Abstract: An aqueous ink printer includes two drying stages that enable coated substrates to be printed with aqueous ink images. The first drying stage dries substrates uniformly in the cross-process direction and the second drying stage dries substrates non-uniformly in the cross-process direction to enable only predetermined portions of the printed substrates to be dried. The predetermined portions of the printed substrates are aligned in a process direction with nip rollers or other printer components that engage the substrates after the substrates exit the second drying stage.

Abstract: An aqueous ink printer includes a dryer that enables coated substrates to be printed with aqueous ink images. The dryer is configured to receive substrates from a first substrate transport and to hold a plurality of the substrates for a predetermined period of time to dry the aqueous ink images on the substrates before independently releasing each substrate in the plurality of substrates to a second substrate transport.

Abstract: A registration system for a printing device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. For example, the registration system includes at least one sensor to detect a position of a print media, at least one laterally adjustable nip, wherein the laterally adjustable nip moves along an inboard direction and an outboard direction, a motor coupled to the at least one laterally adjustable nip to move the at least one laterally adjustable nip a desired amount of movement based on the position of the print media and a width of the print media, and a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and the motor to calculate a desired amount of movement based on the position of the print media and control the motor to move the at least one laterally adjustable nip by the desired amount of movement.

Abstract: A process for cutting column and row gutters on multilayer signage media into individualized signage cards includes placing pre-die-cut slits at predetermined locations within the column gutters to assist a cutter in cutting completely through the multilayer signage media.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an object holder for retaining an object in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to use various embodiments of the object holder of the present invention. In one embodiment, the object holder comprises a shuttle mount configured to slideably traverse a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by the printhead. At least one collapsible membrane is attached to the shuttle mount. The membrane forms an airtight sack filled with granules. The membrane collapses at least partially around an object when a volume of air is withdrawn from the membrane by a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump withdrawing a volume of air from the membrane causes the membrane to collapse and tightly pack the granules inside the membrane. The vacuum-packed granules cause the membrane to conform to the shape of the object thereby securing the object to the shuttle mount.

Abstract: A stretchable multi-layer assembly for transfer-printing of an associated curved object includes a stretchable carrier which defines a first outer surface of the assembly. A stretchable image is supported on the carrier. The multi-layer assembly includes an adhesive second outer surface defined by at least one of the stretchable image and an adhesive layer which is in contact with the image layer. The carrier and the stretchable image are penetrable to radiation of a wavelength which is able to cure the adhesive second outer surface for securing the assembly to the associated object.

Abstract: A printer uses a mechanical device to correct skew in substrates and uses an electronic lateral registration system to shift ink images to be placed on the de-skewed substrates to remove the need for mechanical components that laterally register de-skewed substrates. The removal of the mechanical lateral registration components enable the substrates to be printed more quickly than printers that use mechanical devices to both de-skew substrates and laterally register de-skewed substrates in a print zone.

Abstract: An electronic device and a method for predicting water ingress employ a water damage indicator including a water-dispersible coating layer which includes a water-dispersible, radiation-cured polymer. Electronic components of the device, which may be susceptible to water damage, are disposed within a casing. The water damage indicator may contact the casing of the electronic device and/or the electronic components. When water enters the casing, the water dispersible coating layer is at least partially removed, revealing the surface beneath, thereby providing an indication of potential water damage to the electronic components. The water damage indicator is not readily replaceable after manufacture, making it more difficult for a customer to disguise potential water damage to the device.

Abstract: A vacuum belt has perforations between belt edges. Some perforations in the vacuum belt are arranged in a pattern. The vacuum belt is positioned adjacent the media supply in a location to move sheets of the print media from the media supply. A light sensor is positioned in a location to detect light passing through the vacuum belt. The light sensor detects a portion of the vacuum belt as limited by an aperture area of the vacuum belt, and the pattern of perforations, and the size and location of the aperture area of the vacuum belt causes the signal output by the light sensor to be constant when the sheets are outside the aperture area of the vacuum belt.

Abstract: An adhesive sign suited to use in retail applications includes a substrate layer. An adhesive layer is disposed on the substrate layer. The adhesive layer defines an exposed region for attachment to an associated structure. The adhesive layer is derived from a photo-curable inkjet composition. An ink layer is disposed on the substrate layer. The ink layer includes an image. The ink layer is derived from a photo-curable inkjet composition. The adhesive layer and ink layer can be formed in the same inkjet printing process and cured in a common photo-curing station. A stack of the adhesive signs can be assembled without interleaving a release liner between each pair of signs.

Abstract: An aqueous ink printer includes a dryer that enables coated substrates printed with aqueous ink images to be adequately dried before discharge of the substrates. The dryer is configured to hang the substrates vertically without the substrates touching one another as heat is applied to the substrates within the dryer to reduce the footprint of the dryer and increase the exposure time of the substrates to heat produced by the dryer.

Abstract: A job includes pages that have multiple items positioned according to coordinates. A sheet coordinate location identifier for each of the items (that corresponds to the coordinates for the items) is added to the job. The job is printed to produce printed sheets of items (printed items) printed according to the coordinates. A cutting device cuts the printed sheets, according to the coordinates, into individually cut items. Each of the cut items includes the sheet coordinate location identifier printed thereon, and this identifies the pre-cutting locations of the cut items within the uncut sheets of print media. The cut items are inspected for cutting defects to identify defective items. Pre-cutting locations of the defective items are identified using only the sheet coordinate location identifier printed on the defective items. A repair recommendation for the cutting device is based on the most common pre-cutting location of the defective items.