Abstract: Printing system and method for reducing the visibility of gloss differentials having at least one computer-supported inline imaging unit assembly designed to measure specular light reflecting gloss differentials of printed ink. At least one smoothing roller assembly is operationally connected to at least one sheet transport assembly or a smoothing transport subassembly of the sheet transport assembly of the printing system. A smoothing roller assembly is designed to roll at least partly the length and width of at least one printed side of at least one printed sheet disposed along the transport subassembly, pressure generated by the smoothing roller assembly configured to reduce detected gloss differentials from printed ink. At least the outer surface of the at least one smoothing roller assembly is substantially at least one or more of metal and polyurethane.

Abstract: Techniques for operating a digital printer that includes a media transport and an electronic imager disposed in a path of the media transport are presented. The techniques include: receiving an electronic image of a media sheet obtained by the electronic imager; identifying, from the electronic image of the media sheet, a print-prohibited region of the media sheet; generating a mask representing the print-prohibited region of the media sheet; and electronically storing in electronic persistent memory, in association with an identification of a type of the media sheet, a template comprising information regarding the media sheet type, where the template includes an identification of the print-prohibited region represented by the mask.

Abstract: An image processing system and method provide for receiving a digital document page to be printed. The page includes a background region for which no color is specified. A user is presented with an option to select a print medium from a set of print media of different colors and to select an option for a color of the selected print medium be used as a color of a background layer of the digital document page. When the option is selected, a background layer is inserted into the page. A print job incorporating the processed digital document page is output to an associated printer that is configured to convert the color of the background layer to colorant values that use the print media as a colorant for rendering at least a part of the background region.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing a comparatively higher speed process for surface curing of finished three-dimensional (3D) printed parts, objects and/or components, formed and/or otherwise manufactured in 3D printing systems and/or in additive material manufacturing processes. A vacuum finish curing chamber is provided within, or associated with one or more 3D printers to provide a locally-generated substantially oxygen depleted curing environment to support effective and efficient surface curing of one or more formed 3D printed parts. The vacuum finish curing system includes at least one device for emitting curing radiation and at least one object transport system for transporting formed 3D objects to the vacuum finish curing chamber without requiring user handling that would be hazardous to handling individuals.

Abstract: A process for thermoforming a circuit onto a three-dimensional part comprises applying electrically conductive lines on a substrate to form a flexible circuit. The flexible circuit is heated to a temperature sufficient to thermoform the substrate into a shape that conforms to said three-dimensional part and attached to the three-dimensional part.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing a comparatively higher speed process for surface curing of finished three-dimensional (3D) printed parts, objects and/or components, formed and/or otherwise manufactured in 3D printing systems and/or in additive material manufacturing processes. A vacuum finish curing chamber is provided within, or associated with one or more 3D printers to provide a locally-generated substantially oxygen depleted curing environment to support effective and efficient surface curing of one or more formed 3D printed parts. The vacuum finish curing system includes at least one device for emitting curing radiation and at least one object transport system for transporting formed 3D objects to the vacuum finish curing chamber without requiring user handling that would be hazardous to handling individuals.