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 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, a platform comprising at least one multi-rotational wheel, and a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and the at least one multi-rotational wheel, wherein the processor calculates a desired movement of the at least one multi-rotational wheel based on the position of the print media.

Abstract: Layers of build and support material on an intermediate transfer surface are exposed to a solvent using a solvent application station to make the build material tacky, without affecting the support material. Then, the intermediate transfer surface moves past a transfuse station (the transfuse station is positioned to receive the layers after exposure to the solvent) and a platen moves relative to the intermediate transfer surface to contact the platen to one of the layers on the intermediate transfer surface. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the build material and the support material to the platen each time the platen contacts the layers on the intermediate transfer surface at the transfuse station to successively form a freestanding stack of the layers of build and support material on the platen.

Abstract: A printer system includes a memory, a processor, and one or more printer heads. The processor determines a number of transmission layers and a number of barrier layers to use in a color changing expiration indicator based at least in part on a time period between a print date of the indicator and a received expiration date. The printer heads print a reactive layer onto print media, where at least a portion of the reactive layer is configured to migrate through the transmission layers. The printer heads also print the determined number of transmission layers and the determined number of barrier layers in alternation. The printer heads print a reactant layer that is configured to change color responsive to a reaction between the reactant layer and the reactive layer upon migration of the reactive layer through the transmission layers. The reaction is configured to occur on the received expiration date.

Abstract: A method of operating a cleaning system removes support material from parts made by a three-dimensional printer. The method operates the cleaning system to correlate data for features on a part located within a receptacle with structural data in a file used by the three-dimensional printer to fabricate the part. The method then operates one or more actuators to locate a fluid directing nozzle pneumatically connected to a pressurized fluid source opposite areas containing support material and operates the pressurized fluid source to enable pressurized fluid to be directed by the fluid directing nozzle at the support material. The method includes generating image data of the cleaned areas with an image sensor so the removal of the support material can be confirmed, and if an area is not sufficiently cleaned, the cleaning operation can be repeated.

Abstract: Layers of build and support material on an intermediate transfer surface are exposed to a solvent using a solvent application station to make the build material tacky, without affecting the support material. Then, the intermediate transfer surface moves past a transfuse station (the transfuse station is positioned to receive the layers after exposure to the solvent) and a platen moves relative to the intermediate transfer surface to contact the platen to one of the layers on the intermediate transfer surface. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the build material and the support material to the platen each time the platen contacts the layers on the intermediate transfer surface at the transfuse station to successively form a freestanding stack of the layers of build and support material on the platen.

Abstract: A universal object holder device for securing 3-D objects for printing on the objects includes one or more ball shaped conformable grippers filled with irregular-shaped granular material with the one or more ball shaped conformable grippers each possessing an integrated vacuum gripper extending through an outer surface thereof. The combination of ball and vacuum gripper enables the universal object holder device to pick up a wider range of objects including those whose diameter is larger than the diameter of each gripper ball.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object facilitates the removal of support material from the object. The method includes forming at least a portion of a support for the object with support material containing nanoparticles of a material that readily converts microwave energy into heat. The object and support are moved to a position opposite a microwave radiator and the microwave radiator is operated to begin a change of the phase of the portion of the support material containing the nanoparticles before beginning a change of the phase of a portion of the support made from the support material alone. A controller either monitors the expiration of a predetermined time period or a temperature of the object to determine when the microwave radiator operation is terminated.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance module is configured as a replaceable unit. The module includes a frame, at least two rollers detachably mounted within the frame, at least two electric motors, a platen, an optical sensor, and a controller. Each electric motor is operatively connected to one of the rollers in a one-to-one correspondence. The controller is configured to operate one of the electric motors to rotate one of the rollers to move media from a position opposite a printhead where a test pattern is printed on the media to a position opposite the optical sensor, receive image data of the printed test pattern generated by the optical sensor, and identify inoperative ejectors with reference to the image data of the test pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding three-dimensional parts for printing includes a frame with sides and a solid bottom and a part gripping membrane mounted across the face of the frame. A biasing membrane is mounted at the midpoint of the frame height to form an air chamber between the frame bottom and the biasing membrane and a vacuum chamber between the biasing membrane and the part gripping membrane positioned on the face of the frame. To grip a part, the gripping membrane is stretched over the part, positive pressure is applied to the air chamber to compress the granular material within the air chamber and further stretch the gripping membrane over the part, and then vacuum is applied to the vacuum chamber between the two membranes to maintain the granular material compression and grip on the part when air pressure is relieved from the air chamber.

Abstract: A universal object holding mechanism for holding three-dimensional objects for printing thereon uses an array of suction cups reciprocally connected to a vacuum box to acquire objects from a staging platen while in a horizontal position and then pivot into a vertical position for movement of the objects past print heads. A plenum connected to the vacuum box is valve controlled to allow a low flow rate to the vacuum box to acquire objects and then a high flow rate pulse to close off all un-sealed suction cups with ball valves.

Abstract: Printing devices include a media supply storing print media, a luminescent belt positioned adjacent the media supply in a location to move sheets of the print media from the media supply, a print engine positioned adjacent the luminescent belt in a location to receive the sheets from the luminescent belt, an optical sensor positioned adjacent the belt in a location to receive belt-emitted light from the luminescent belt, and a processor electrically connected to the optical sensor. The processor receives the image from the optical sensor and identifies locations of the sheets on the belt based on where the sheets block the belt-emitted light from the luminescent belt.

Abstract: A system for producing three-dimensional objects forms fluid paths within the support structure to facilitate the removal of the support structure following manufacture of the object. The system includes a first ejector configured to eject a first material towards a platen to form an object, a second ejector configured to eject a second material towards the platen to form support for portions of the object, at least one portion of the support having a body with at least one fluid path that connects at least one opening in the body to at least one other opening in the body, and a fluid source that connects to the at least one fluid path of the support to enable fluid to flow through the at least one fluid path to remove at least an inner portion of the support from the object.

Abstract: A universal object holder device for securing 3-D objects for printing on the objects includes one or more ball shaped conformable grippers filled with irregular-shaped granular material with the one or more ball shaped conformable grippers each possessing an integrated vacuum gripper extending through an outer surface thereof. The combination of ball and vacuum gripper enables the universal object holder device to pick up a wider range of objects including those whose diameter is larger than the diameter of each gripper ball.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding three-dimensional parts for printing includes a frame with sides and a solid bottom and a part gripping membrane mounted across the face of the frame. A biasing membrane is mounted at the midpoint of the frame height to form an air chamber between the frame bottom and the biasing membrane and a vacuum chamber between the biasing membrane and the part gripping membrane positioned on the face of the frame. To grip a part, the gripping membrane is stretched over the part, positive pressure is applied to the air chamber to compress the granular material within the air chamber and further stretch the gripping membrane over the part, and then vacuum is applied to the vacuum chamber between the two membranes to maintain the granular material compression and grip on the part when air pressure is relieved from the air chamber.

Abstract: A 3-D printer includes a development station positioned to electrostatically transfer layers of material to an intermediate transfer surface, and a transfer station adjacent the intermediate transfer surface. The transfer station is positioned to receive the layers as the intermediate transfer surface moves past the transfer station. Also, a platen is included that moves relative to the intermediate transfer surface. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the material to the platen each time the platen contacts one of the layers on the intermediate transfer surface at the transfer station to successively form a freestanding stack of the layers on the platen. A fusing station is positioned to apply light to each layer, after each layer is transferred from the transfer station to the platen. The fusing station selectively applies the light to sinter a portion of the material within the layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object is disclosed. The method includes operating a first ejector of a three-dimensional object printer to eject a first material towards a platen to form an object. The method further includes operating a second ejector of the three-dimensional object printer to eject a second material towards the platen to form support for portions of the object, the support being configured to provide support for portions of the object during the operation of the first ejector to form the object, at least one portion of the support having a body with at least one fluid path that connects at least one opening in the body to at least one other opening in the body. The method further includes connecting a fluid source to the at least one fluid path of the support to enable fluid to flow through the at least one fluid path to remove at least an inner portion the support from the object.

Abstract: A system uses microwave energy to remove support material from a three-dimensional printed object with reduced risk of damage to the object. The system includes a microwave source, a three port device, a susceptor, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The controller operates the microwave source to direct microwave energy into a first port of the three port device, which emits the microwave at a second port of the three port device to irradiate the three-dimensional object and melt the support material. Reflected microwave increases as the amount of support material contacting the object is reduced and enters the second port of the three port device, which directs the reflected energy to the susceptor coupled to a third port of the three port device. The controller monitors the signal generated by the temperature sensor and deactivates the microwave source in response to a predetermined condition being reached.

Abstract: An object surface treatment system facilitates the treatment of articles of manufacture before they are printed. The system includes a chamber having walls and a lid configured to close the chamber, a flexible member mounted to the lid of the chamber, a vacuum source operatively connected to an interior volume of the chamber, and a plurality of actuators. A controller is configured to operate the actuators and vacuum source to move the applicator to apply a chemical to the flexible member, move the lid to close the chamber, produce a vacuum within the chamber and move a portion of the surface of the flexible member into engagement with a surface of an object within the chamber, cease operation of the vacuum source to enable the flexible member to return to a position adjacent the lid, and remove the lid from the chamber for removal of the object from the chamber.

Abstract: A holder plate containing sliding spring-loaded shutter plates with conformable elastic tubes filled with granular material attached to each shutter plate. A part is placed between the shutter plates that close and compress the tubes against the part. The tubes conform to the part surface. Vacuum is applied to each tube. Atmospheric air pressure compresses the elastic tubes and compacts the material inside the by forming a rigid gripper on each side of the part.