Abstract: A method operates a three-dimensional object printer for production of cylindrical-shaped objects. The method uses a controller to operate an actuator operatively connected to a cylindrical member to rotate the cylindrical member within at least two supports, operate a plurality of ejectors in each of at least two printheads supplied with different materials to form portions of layers on the rotating cylindrical member with the different materials supplied to the at least two printheads, operate a linear actuator operatively connected to the cylindrical member to translate the cylindrical member bidirectionally in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rotating cylindrical member between the two supports, and operate a curing device to modify the layers formed on the rotating cylindrical member while the cylindrical member is rotating within the at least two supports and translated in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rotating cylindrical member.

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, omni wheels, a motor coupled to each omni wheel, a translating carriage, and a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor, the motors, and the translating carriage, wherein the processor calculates a desired movement to move the omni wheels and the translating carriage based on the position of the print media.

Abstract: A method operates a three-dimensional object printer for production of cylindrical-shaped objects. The method uses with a controller to operate an actuator operatively connected to a cylindrical member to rotate the cylindrical member within at least two supports, operate a plurality of ejectors in each of at least two printheads supplied with different materials to form portions of layers on the rotating cylindrical member with the different materials supplied to the at least two printheads, operate a linear actuator operatively connected to the cylindrical member to translate the cylindrical member bidirectionally in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rotating cylindrical member between the two supports, and operate a curing device to modify the layers formed on the rotating cylindrical member while the cylindrical member is rotating within the at least two supports and translated in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rotating cylindrical member.

Abstract: A method operates a three-dimensional object printer for production of cylindrical-shaped objects. The method uses a controller to operate an actuator operatively connected to a cylindrical member to rotate the cylindrical member within at least two supports, operate at least two printheads supplied with different materials to form portions of layers on the rotating cylindrical member with the different materials supplied to the at least two printheads, and operate at least one other actuator operatively connected to the at least two printheads and a curing device to move each of the printheads and the curing device independently of one another in a bidirectional radial direction with reference to a center of the rotating cylindrical member. This operation enables the curing device to be positioned to modify the layers formed on the rotating cylindrical member while the cylindrical member is rotating within the at least two supports.

Abstract: A gravity-assisted registration system suited to use in a printing device includes a transport member with a surface on which an associated sheet is translated in a process direction. The surface defines an angle with respect to horizontal in a cross-process direction. A registration wall, adjacent a lower end of the surface, defines a registration edge for registering the sheet. A drive mechanism drives at least one rotation mechanism, for translating sheet in the process direction, each rotation mechanism including at least one drive member with an axis of rotation parallel to the surface in the cross-process direction, Each drive member includes a sliding mechanism, at a periphery of the drive member, enabling the sheet to slide, under gravity, on the surface, toward the registration wall into an alignment position, in contact with the registration wall.

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, omni wheels, a motor coupled to each omni wheel, and a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor, and the motors, wherein the processor calculates a desired movement to move the omni wheels based on the position of the print media.

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, omni wheels, a motor coupled to each omni wheel, a translating carriage, and a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor, the motors, and the translating carriage, wherein the processor calculates a desired movement to move the omni wheels and the translating carriage based on the position of the print media.

Abstract: A gravity-assisted registration system suited to use in a printing device includes a transport member with a surface on which an associated sheet is translated in a process direction. The surface defines an angle with respect to horizontal in a cross-process direction. A registration wall, adjacent a lower end of the surface, defines a registration edge for registering the sheet. A drive mechanism drives at least one rotation mechanism, for translating sheet in the process direction, each rotation mechanism including at least one drive member with an axis of rotation parallel to the surface in the cross-process direction, Each drive member includes a sliding mechanism, at a periphery of the drive member, enabling the sheet to slide, under gravity, on the surface, toward the registration wall into an alignment position, in contact with the registration wall.

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: A method operates a three-dimensional object printer for production of cylindrical-shaped objects. The method uses with a controller to operate an actuator operatively connected to a cylindrical member to rotate the cylindrical member within at least two supports, operate at least two printheads supplied with different materials to form portions of layers on the rotating cylindrical member with the different materials supplied to the at least two printheads, and operate at least one other actuator operatively connected to the at least two printheads and a curing device to move each of the printheads and the curing device independently of one another in a bidirectional radial direction with reference to a center of the rotating cylindrical member. This operation enables the curing device to be positioned to modify the layers formed on the rotating cylindrical member while the cylindrical member is rotating within the at least two supports.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer enables forming portions of an object with a material having a higher melting temperature and a lower coefficient of friction. The printer includes a member, a printhead, and an applicator. A controller operates the printhead to eject a first material having a first coefficient of friction toward the member and operates the applicator to eject a second material having a second coefficient of friction toward the member. The second material has a higher melting temperature and a lower coefficient of friction than the first material. The printer further includes a curing device. The controller operates the curing device to direct radiation toward the member to cure the first material. The second material is cured into the first material.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer enables production of cylindrically shaped objects. The printer includes a controller operatively connected to at least two printheads, at least one object treating device, and actuator that is operatively connected to a cylindrical member being supported by at least two supports. The controller is configured to operate the actuator to rotate the cylindrical member within the at least two supports, to operate the plurality of ejectors in each of the at least two printheads to form portions of layers on the rotating cylindrical member with the different materials supplied to the at least two printheads, and to operate the at least one object treating device to modify the layers formed on the rotating cylindrical member while the cylindrical member is rotating within the at least two supports.

Abstract: A three dimensional printer is configured to move at least one printhead from an area where the printhead is forming an object to a position opposite a shaft. The at least one printhead is operated to eject material onto the shaft and the shaft is rotated to enable a light sensor to generate signals indicative of a height of material at a plurality of positions on the shaft. The signals are compared to an expected height of material at each position to identify inoperative inkjets in the at least one printhead.

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: A three-dimensional object printer enables production of cylindrically shaped objects. The printer includes a controller operatively connected to at least two printheads, at least one object treating device, and actuator that is operatively connected to a cylindrical member being supported by at least two supports. The controller is configured to operate the actuator to rotate the cylindrical member within the at least two supports, to operate the plurality of ejectors in each of the at least two printheads to form portions of layers on the rotating cylindrical member with the different materials supplied to the at least two printheads, and to operate the at least one object treating device to modify the layers formed on the rotating cylindrical member while the cylindrical member is rotating within the at least two supports.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer enables forming portions of an object with a material having a higher melting temperature and a lower coefficient of friction. The printer includes a member, a printhead, and an applicator. A controller operates the printhead to eject a first material having a first coefficient of friction toward the member and operates the applicator to eject a second material having a second coefficient of friction toward the member. The second material has a higher melting temperature and a lower coefficient of friction than the first material. The printer further includes a curing device. The controller operates the curing device to direct radiation toward the member to cure the first material. The second material is cured into the first material.

Abstract: A three dimensional printer is configured to move at least one printhead from an area where the printhead is forming an object to a position opposite a shaft. The at least one printhead is operated to eject material onto the shaft and the shaft is rotated to enable a light sensor to generate signals indicative of a height of material at a plurality of positions on the shaft. The signals are compared to an expected height of material at each position to identify inoperative inkjets in the at least one printhead.

Abstract: An apparatus detects inoperative inkjets during printing of three-dimensional objects. The apparatus includes a supply of substrate that is pulled to a position opposite a printhead to enable a test pattern of material to be formed on a portion of the substrate. That portion is then pulled past a laser sensor, which generates measurement data of the material on the portion of the substrate bearing the test pattern. These measurement data are analyzed to detect inoperative inkjets.

Abstract: An apparatus detects inoperative inkjets during printing of three-dimensional objects. The apparatus includes a supply of substrate that is pulled to a position opposite a printhead to enable a test pattern of material to be formed on a portion of the substrate. That portion is then pulled past a laser sensor, which generates measurement data of the material on the portion of the substrate bearing the test pattern. These measurement data are analyzed to detect inoperative inkjets.

Abstract: Devices and methods to collect and align print media sheets. According to a device herein, a tray has a base and receives print media sheets. Registration guides are connected to the tray. The registration guides define a corner in the tray. A tamper mechanism comprises a rotating helical brush extending perpendicularly from the base adjacent to a side of the tray opposite the corner. The tamper mechanism is positioned to tamp the print media sheets against the registration guides causing a stack of the print media sheets to be squared against the corner.