Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for adaptive printhead cleaning. One embodiment is a printer maintenance system that includes memory to store defect information of a group of nozzles of a printer, and a processor to determine whether the group of nozzles have a number of nozzle defects that exceeds a threshold based on the defect information. In response to a determination that the threshold is exceeded, the processor determines a type of cleaning operation, a cleaning duration, and a cleaning intensity to perform for the group of nozzles based on the defect information. The processor then initiates a cleaning operation for the group of nozzles according to the type of cleaning operation, the cleaning duration, and the cleaning intensity determined for the group of nozzles.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for adaptive printhead cleaning. One embodiment is a printer maintenance system that includes memory to store defect information of a group of nozzles of a printer, and a processor to determine whether the group of nozzles have a number of nozzle defects that exceeds a threshold based on the defect information. In response to a determination that the threshold is exceeded, the processor determines a type of cleaning operation, a cleaning duration, and a cleaning intensity to perform for the group of nozzles based on the defect information. The processor then initiates a cleaning operation for the group of nozzles according to the type of cleaning operation, the cleaning duration, and the cleaning intensity determined for the group of nozzles.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for test patterns that detect misalignment. One embodiment is a printer that includes a marking engine having rows of nozzles. The rows are separated along a Y direction, and each row of nozzles extends in an X direction. The printer also includes a controller that directs the marking engine to print multiple bands of a test pattern. Each band is printed by selecting nozzles in a first row, selecting nozzles in a second row that occupy adjacent X positions to the selected nozzles of the first row, and forming a band having multiple marks. Each mark includes a continuous line from a nozzle in the first row and a continuous line from a nozzle in the second row. Each band of the test pattern is printed by ejecting ink from nozzles in a different combination of nozzles.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide enhanced radiant drying capabilities for a printing system utilizing temperature control of a thermally conductive drum. One embodiment comprises a radiant dryer and a control system. The radiant dryer includes a thermally conductive drum and a plurality of radiant energy sources disposed along an outside surface of the drum. The energy sources dry a colorant applied to a print medium in contact with the drum. The radiant dryer further includes a cooling system that applies a coolant to the drum to remove heat from the drum. The control system measures the temperature of the drum, determines a difference between the temperature of the drum and a target temperature, and directs the cooling system to vary an application of the coolant to the drum based on the difference to maintain the drum at the target temperature.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide targeted cooling for portions of print media during a radiant drying process. One embodiment comprises a radiant dryer and a control system. The radiant dryer includes a radiant energy source within an interior of the radiant dryer that dries a colorant onto a continuous-form medium. The radiant dryer further includes a plurality of independently actuated cooling jets within the interior that apply a cooling gas to the medium. The control system determines regions on the medium where the colorant is at risk of overheating, and directs the cooling jets to apply the cooling gas to the regions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining an operational range of colorant densities and heating powers that result in successful drying for a print media that is based on a drying quality of test images printed by a printing system. One embodiment comprises a printing system that applies colorant onto a continuous-form medium and applies heat to the medium based on a heating power. The printing system prints a plurality of test images onto the medium, where one or more of a colorant density and a heating power vary for each of the printed test images. The printing system determines a drying quality for the printed test images, and calculates an operational range of colorant densities and heating powers for the medium based on the drying quality of the printed test images.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for balancing air flow in dryers of printing systems. The dryer includes a heating element, top flow generator, and bottom flow generator. The heating element is within the dryer, and heats a web of printed media. The top flow generator directly projects a first jet of gas onto a top side of the web. The first jet of gas deflects air proximate to the web. The bottom flow generator directly projects a second jet of gas onto an opposing side of the web. The second jet strikes the web at substantially the same location as the first jet, and compensates orthogonal force applied to the web by the first jet. Furthermore, the top and bottom flow generators are both oriented to project the jets partially in the direction of travel of the web.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining an operational range of colorant densities and heating powers that result in successful drying for a print media that is based on a drying quality of test images printed by a printing system. One embodiment comprises a printing system that applies colorant onto a continuous-form medium and applies heat to the medium based on a heating power. The printing system prints a plurality of test images onto the medium, where one or more of a colorant density and a heating power vary for each of the printed test images. The printing system determines a drying quality for the printed test images, and calculates an operational range of colorant densities and heating powers for the medium based on the drying quality of the printed test images.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining an operational range of colorant densities and heating powers that result in successful drying for a print media that is based on a drying quality of test images printed by a printing system. One embodiment comprises a printing system that applies colorant onto a continuous-form medium and applies heat to the medium based on a heating power. The printing system prints a plurality of test images onto the medium, where one or more of a colorant density and a heating power vary for each of the printed test images. The printing system determines a drying quality for the printed test images, and calculates an operational range of colorant densities and heating powers for the medium based on the drying quality of the printed test images.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the quality analysis of printheads that apply transparent or hard-to-detect fluids to a media. The system includes a printhead operable to apply a clear fluid to a print media. The system also includes a controller operable to enter a diagnostic mode for quality analysis of the printhead. The controller initiates a supply of diagnostic fluid to the printhead that includes a colorant. The controller then directs the printhead to apply the diagnostic fluid to the print media. Because the diagnostic fluid includes a colorant, the output of the printhead will be more visible on the media.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for dispersing a liquid coolant in a radiant dryer. The system comprises a dryer of a printing system. The dryer includes a heating element within an interior of the dryer that is able to heat a web of printed media as the web travels through the interior. The dryer also includes a liquid dispersal unit within the interior that is able to project liquid droplets of coolant onto the web as the web travels through the interior, in order to control the temperature of the web.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for cleaning wipers for printheads of a printing system. The system includes a cleaning mechanism for a wiper of a printing system. The cleaning mechanism includes a scraper able to scrape ink off of the wiper, and a suction device that is proximate to the scraper and is able to remove the ink from the scraper.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for cleaning wipers for printheads of a printing system. The system includes a cleaning mechanism for a wiper of a printing system. The cleaning mechanism includes a scraper able to scrape ink off of the wiper, and a suction device that is proximate to the scraper and is able to remove the ink from the scraper.

Abstract: Systems and methods control the rate of cooling of a print media downstream of a drying process. One embodiment comprises a printing system. The printing system includes a print engine that applies colorant onto a continuous-form media. The printing system further includes a radiant dryer downstream of the print engine along a media path, and includes a drum downstream of the radiant dryer along the media path. The drum includes a heat source. The printing system estimates a temperature of the media, estimates a temperature of the drum, and adjusts heat applied to the drum utilizing the heat source to maintain the temperature of the drum below the temperature of the media within a threshold amount.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining an operational range of colorant densities and heating powers that result in successful drying for a print media that is based on a drying quality of test images printed by a printing system. One embodiment comprises a printing system that applies colorant onto a continuous-form medium and applies heat to the medium based on a heating power. The printing system prints a plurality of test images onto the medium, where one or more of a colorant density and a heating power vary for each of the printed test images. The printing system determines a drying quality for the printed test images, and calculates an operational range of colorant densities and heating powers for the medium based on the drying quality of the printed test images.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a dryer of a printing system. The system comprises a controller and a sensor. The controller is operable to determine a speed of a web of print media traveling through a dryer, and to apply power to a heating element of the dryer based on a power profile that models a non-linear relationship between power applied to the heating element and speed of the web. The controller is further able to determine a type of media for the web, and to select the power profile based on the type of media.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating flush lines that do not interfere with control marks for post-processing equipment. The system includes a print controller able to receive a print job and to insert printable control marks into the print job to direct the actions of post-processing equipment. The system also includes an ink flushing controller that can detect horizontal locations of the control marks along the width of the print job. Responsive to detecting the locations of the control marks, the ink flushing controller can generate flush lines for the print job that have altered optical densities at the horizontal locations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for filtering wavelengths of energy in a dryer of a printing system. The system comprises a dryer of a printing system that includes a heating element and an optical filter. The heating element is within an interior of the dryer and is able to radiate broad spectrum energy onto a web of printed media as the web travels through the interior. The optical filter is located within the interior between the heating element and the web, and the optical filter is able to prevent specific wavelengths of the energy from reaching the web while allowing other wavelengths of the energy to pass through.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining an operational range of colorant densities and heating powers that result in successful drying for a print media that is based on a drying quality of test images printed by a printing system. One embodiment comprises a printing system that applies colorant onto a continuous-form medium and applies heat to the medium based on a heating power. The printing system prints a plurality of test images onto the medium, where one or more of a colorant density and a heating power vary for each of the printed test images. The printing system determines a drying quality for the printed test images, and calculates an operational range of colorant densities and heating powers for the medium based on the drying quality of the printed test images.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for dispersing a liquid coolant in a radiant dryer. The system comprises a dryer of a printing system. The dryer includes a heating element within an interior of the dryer that is able to heat a web of printed media as the web travels through the interior. The dryer also includes a liquid dispersal unit within the interior that is able to project liquid droplets of coolant onto the web as the web travels through the interior, in order to control the temperature of the web.