Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing an image with uniform screened and/or solid colors on a non-cylindrical circularly symmetrical surface of an object by depositing print dots using a digital inkjet printhead, wherein the printhead is moved while maintaining a uniform print gap between nozzle tips of the inkjet nozzles of the printhead and the surface of the object and the inkjet nozzles are fired to apply the image to the surface of the object by adjusting line screen and/or sizes of the print dots at different circumferences of the surface of the object based on the cross-section diameter of the object at each circumference.

Abstract: A apparatus and method for printing an image on a non-cylindrical circularly symmetrical surface of an object using a printhead with inkjet nozzles with tips in a nozzle plane by rotating the object about the longitudinal axis of the surface while a print engine controller drives the printhead in space and controls the operation of the nozzle tips within a predetermined print gap along the surface to print the image.

Abstract: An ink supply system for ink jet printers includes a recirculation tank coupled to a recirculation pump configured to provide a substantially pulseless flow of ink. A heating assembly having an ink conduit formed into a spiral in thermal contact with at least one heating element receives ink from the pump and outlets to a sensor assembly with temperature and pressure sensors that measure ink parameters both as the ink enters a printhead and is returned from the printhead. The returned ink is then ported to a recirculation tank from which the pump draws the recirculating ink. An air pump is coupled to the recirculation tank in order to maintain a substantial vacuum within the tank.

Abstract: An ink supply system for ink jet printers includes a recirculation tank coupled to a recirculation pump configured to provide a substantially pulseless flow of ink. A heating assembly having an ink conduit formed into a spiral in thermal contact with at least one heating element receives ink from the pump and outlets to a sensor assembly with temperature and pressure sensors that measure ink parameters both as the ink enters a printhead and is returned from the printhead. The returned ink is then ported to a recirculation tank from which the pump draws the recirculating ink. An air pump is coupled to the recirculation tank in order to maintain a substantial vacuum within the tank.