Abstract: A three dimensional printer includes a printhead, a movement mechanism coupled to the printhead, a maintenance module, and a controller. The printhead includes an ejection face with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting droplets of printing fluid. The maintenance module includes a maintenance tray and an effluent tray. The maintenance tray has a lateral periphery and an upper side including a storage cap, a wiper, and a spittoon. The effluent tray has a lateral periphery, underlies the maintenance tray, and receives accumulated fluid from the maintenance tray. The periphery of the maintenance tray and the periphery of the effluent tray interengage when the maintenance tray is removably mounted over the effluent tray. The controller is configured to operate the printhead, the maintenance module, and the movement mechanism to provide printing and printhead maintenance.

Abstract: A three dimensional printer includes a printhead, a movement mechanism coupled to the printhead, a maintenance module, and a controller. The printhead includes an ejection face with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting droplets of printing fluid. The maintenance module includes a maintenance tray and an effluent tray. The maintenance tray has a lateral periphery and an upper side including a storage cap, a wiper, and a spittoon. The effluent tray has a lateral periphery, underlies the maintenance tray, and receives accumulated fluid from the maintenance tray. The periphery of the maintenance tray and the periphery of the effluent tray interengage when the maintenance tray is removably mounted over the effluent tray. The controller is configured to operate the printhead, the maintenance module, and the movement mechanism to provide printing and printhead maintenance.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system includes a printhead having an ejection face with nozzles for ejecting different printing fluids, a movement mechanism coupled to the printhead, a fluid supply coupled to the printhead, a maintenance module, and a controller. The maintenance module includes a purge platform, a wiper, and a spittoon. The controller is configured to: (a) receive a new print job; (b) activate the movement mechanism to position the ejection face over the purge platform; (c) activate the fluid supply to at least partially fill a space between the ejection face and the purge platform with fluid; (d) activate the movement mechanism to translate the ejection face over the wiper to remove excess fluid; (e) activate the movement mechanism to position the ejection face over the spittoon; (f) activate the plurality of nozzles to eject drops into the spittoon until the received mixture is expelled from the nozzles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing images deposited on an image receiving member of a printer, and more particularly analyzing images deposited on a surface of an imaging drum in an inkjet printer. A photoelectric sensor supported by a sled in contact with the surface of the imaging drum can be used to detect missing jets in the printhead, to align the printhead, to reduce the amount of purged ink, and to determine run out of the imaging drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing images deposited on an image receiving member of a printer, and more particularly analyzing images deposited on a surface of an imaging drum in an inkjet printer. A photoelectric sensor supported by a sled in contact with the surface of the imaging drum can be used to detect missing jets in the printhead, to align the printhead, to reduce the amount of purged ink, and to determine run out of the imaging drum.

Abstract: A system evaluates image quality in an image generating system. The system includes a test pattern generator configured to generate an image with an image generating system, an image capture device configured to generate a digital signal corresponding to the generated test pattern, an image evaluator configured to process the digital signal to detect and correct anomalies detected in the generated test pattern, a plurality of calibration tools, each calibration tool being comprised of at least one test pattern, at least one set of detection criteria, and at least one set of anomaly correction parameters, and a controller configured to select the calibration tools for operation of the test pattern generator and the image evaluator in accordance with a predetermined sequence that attenuates changes arising from application of correction parameters of one calibration tool upon a later selected calibration tool.

Abstract: A method evaluates image quality in an ink printing system and generates data values for altering the operation of the ink printing system. The method includes generating an ink image on an ink image receiving member that corresponds to a digital image stored in the ink printing system, generating a scanned image signal corresponding to the ink image, generating firing signal waveform adjustments and image data adjustments with reference to the scanned image signal corresponding to the ink image, and operating a printhead in an ink imaging system with reference to the firing signal waveform adjustments and the image data adjustments.

Abstract: A system evaluates image quality in an image generating system. The system includes a test pattern generator configured to generate an image with an image generating system, an image capture device configured to generate a digital signal corresponding to the generated test pattern, an image evaluator configured to process the digital signal to detect and correct anomalies detected in the generated test pattern, a plurality of calibration tools, each calibration tool being comprised of at least one test pattern, at least one set of detection criteria, and at least one set of anomaly correction parameters, and a controller configured to select the calibration tools for operation of the test pattern generator and the image evaluator in accordance with a predetermined sequence that attenuates changes arising from application of correction parameters of one calibration tool upon a later selected calibration tool.

Abstract: A system evaluates image quality in an image generating system in a manner that accounts for the interaction of the calibration tools used to evaluate and correct image quality in the image generating system.

Abstract: A method of operating a printhead of an imaging device includes actuating a plurality of ink jets of the printhead to emit drops of ink onto an image receiving surface in accordance with a test pattern. The test pattern includes full pixel density areas and half pixel density areas that alternate in a process direction. Distances in a process direction between drops of the full pixel density areas and drops of the half pixel density areas in transition regions of the test pattern are then measured. The measured process direction distances are then correlated to a graininess level for the printhead.

Abstract: A method facilitates insertion of a segmented ink stick into an ink feed system of a phase change ink jet printer. The method includes bending of a flexible strand between ink stick segments during insertion of the ink stick segments and then straightening the flexible strand to orient the ink stick segments in the ink feed system.