Abstract: Systems and techniques for preserving and improving ink jet nozzle health and printing reliability are disclosed herein. The method may include monitoring whether a triggering event has occurred. In response to detecting the triggering event has occurred, pumping at least a portion of ink contained in a header tank in a direction toward an ink cartridge through a tube connecting the header tank to the ink cartridge. The header tank connected to a print head included as a part of a scan head. The method may further include circulating the ink through the tube back into the header tank, and agitating the scan head by moving the scan head along an x-y gantry. Additional methods may include reverse purging, ejecting a portion of ink through nozzles on the print head while simultaneously wiping a nozzle plate included on the print head, and randomizing print head location when printing.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for improving ink jet ink durability and adhesion to a substrate. The techniques may include applying a varnish to the surface of the substrate, curing, in an initial curing step, the varnish with an ultraviolet (UV) lamp, and applying a pigmented ink to at least a portion of the substrate. The initial curing step may comprise pinning the varnish with the UV lamp in a low-power state. The techniques may additionally or alternatively include applying a layer of pigmented ink and varnish at substantially the same time, allowing the pigmented ink and varnish to at least partially mix, then pinning or curing the ink/varnish combination.

Abstract: Techniques for operating a printer are provided. In an example, the printer can include a print head a cure light and a controller. The controller can be configured to move the print head relative to a print media to print a given image, to move the cure light relative to the print media at a cure speed in response to the cure light passing over a printed portion of the given image to cure the ink of the given image, and to move the cure light at an index speed in response to the cure light passing over a non-printed portion of the given image, wherein the index speed is greater than the cure speed.

Abstract: Techniques for operating a printer are provided. In an example, the printer can include a print head a cure light and a controller. The controller can be configured to move the print head relative to a print media to print a given image, to move the cure light relative to the print media at a cure speed in response to the cure light passing over a printed portion of the given image to cure the ink of the given image, and to move the cure light at an index speed in response to the cure light passing over a non-printed portion of the given image, wherein the index speed is greater than the cure speed.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for improving ink jet ink durability and adhesion to a substrate. The techniques may include applying a varnish to the surface of the substrate, curing, in an initial curing step, the varnish with an ultraviolet (UV) lamp, and applying a pigmented ink to at least a portion of the substrate. The initial curing step may comprise pinning the varnish with the UV lamp in a low-power state. The techniques may additionally or alternatively include applying a layer of pigmented ink and varnish at substantially the same time, allowing the pigmented ink and varnish to at least partially mix, then pinning or curing the ink/varnish combination.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for improving ink jet ink durability and adhesion to a substrate. The techniques may include applying a varnish to the surface of the substrate, curing, in an initial curing step, the varnish with an ultraviolet (UV) lamp, and applying a pigmented ink to at least a portion of the substrate. The initial curing step may comprise pinning the varnish with the UV lamp in a low-power state. The techniques may additionally or alternatively include applying a layer of pigmented ink and varnish at substantially the same time, allowing the pigmented ink and varnish to at least partially mix, then pinning or curing the ink/varnish combination.

Abstract: Techniques for operating a printer are provided. In an example, the printer can include a print head a cure light and a controller. The controller can be configured to move the print head relative to a print media to print a given image, to move the cure light relative to the print media at a cure speed in response to the cure light passing over a printed portion of the given image to cure the ink of the given image, and to move the cure light at an index speed in response to the cure light passing over a non-printed portion of the given image, wherein the index speed is greater than the cure speed.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for improving ink jet ink durability and adhesion to a substrate. The techniques may include applying a varnish to the surface of the substrate, curing, in an initial curing step, the varnish with an ultraviolet (UV) lamp, and applying a pigmented ink to at least a portion of the substrate. The initial curing step may comprise pinning the varnish with the UV lamp in a low-power state. The techniques may additionally or alternatively include applying a layer of pigmented ink and varnish at substantially the same time, allowing the pigmented ink and varnish to at least partially mix, then pinning or curing the ink/varnish combination.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for preserving and improving ink jet nozzle health and printing reliability are disclosed herein. The method may include monitoring whether a triggering event has occurred. In response to detecting the triggering event has occurred, pumping at least a portion of ink contained in a header tank in a direction toward an ink cartridge through a tube connecting the header tank to the ink cartridge. The header tank connected to a print head included as a part of a scan head. The method may further include circulating the ink through the tube back into the header tank, and agitating the scan head by moving the scan head along an x-y gantry. Additional methods may include reverse purging, ejecting a portion of ink through nozzles on the print head while simultaneously wiping a nozzle plate included on the print head, and randomizing print head location when printing.

Abstract: Techniques for operating a printer are provided. In an example, the printer can include a print head a cure light and a controller. The controller can be configured to move the print head relative to a print media to print a given image, to move the cure light relative to the print media at a cure speed in response to the cure light passing over a printed portion of the given image to cure the ink of the given image, and to move the cure light at an index speed in response to the cure light passing over a non-printed portion of the given image, wherein the index speed is greater than the cure speed.

Abstract: Techniques for operating a printer are provided. In an example, the printer can include a print head a cure light and a controller. The controller can be configured to move the print head relative to a print media to print a given image, to move the cure light relative to the print media at a cure speed in response to the cure light passing over a printed portion of the given image to cure the ink of the given image, and to move the cure light at an index speed in response to the cure light passing over a non-printed portion of the given image, wherein the index speed is greater than the cure speed.

Abstract: A card flipper includes a frame, a receptacle, and a motor. The receptacle is supported by the frame for a rotation about a flipping axis. The receptacle is configured to support a card in a support plane and receive and discharge cards along a card feed axis. The motor is configured to drive rotation of the receptacle, the support plane and the card feed axis about the flipping axis. The flipping axis is oblique to the card feed axis and is displaced from the support plane.

Abstract: A card flipper includes a frame, a receptacle, and a motor. The receptacle is supported by the frame for a rotation about a flipping axis. The receptacle is configured to support a card in a support plane and receive and discharge cards along a card feed axis. The motor is configured to drive rotation of the receptacle, the support plane and the card feed axis about the flipping axis. The flipping axis is oblique to the card feed axis and is displaced from the support plane.