Abstract: A refurbishment kit for a multi-material membrane for a three-dimensional printing system includes a supply of coating material and an applicator for applying the coating material to a layer of silicone rubber of the multi-material membrane. The coating material is configured to reduce the surface energy of the layer of silicone rubber.

Abstract: Multi-material membranes for use in vat polymerization printers. The membranes include a fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) or polyolefin polymer film bonded to a layer of silicone rubber. The layer of silicone rubber is coated to reduce its surface energy. Coatings such as a silicone elastomer or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-based material may be used. The coatings are preferably sprayed on and allowed to cure or dry after the FEP or other film has been bonded to the layer of silicone rubber.

Abstract: A vat polymerization printer may comprise a tank assembly for containing a photo-curing liquid resin. The tank assembly may include a tank sidewall and a tank bottom formed by a membrane assembly. The membrane assembly may comprise a radiation-transparent flexible membrane and a frame affixed to a perimeter of the radiation-transparent flexible membrane. In one embodiment, the radiation-transparent flexible membrane may include a radiation-transparent flexible substrate sandwiched between two fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) films or two polyolefin polymer films. In another embodiment, the radiation-transparent flexible membrane may include an FEP or polyolefin polymer film bonded to a layer of silicone rubber at a first side of the layer of silicone rubber, the layer of silicone rubber having a coating on a second side thereof. The vat polymerization printer may also comprise an OLED light source.

Abstract: A vat polymerization printer may comprise a tank assembly for containing a photo-curing liquid resin. The tank assembly may include a tank sidewall and a tank bottom formed by a membrane assembly. The membrane assembly may comprise a radiation-transparent flexible membrane and a frame affixed to a perimeter of the radiation-transparent flexible membrane. The radiation-transparent flexible membrane may include a radiation-transparent flexible substrate sandwiched between two fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) films or two polyolefin polymer films. More specifically, a first side of the radiation-transparent flexible substrate may be bonded to a first FEP or polyolefin polymer film, and a second side of the radiation-transparent flexible substrate may be bonded to a second FEP or polyolefin polymer film. In one embodiment, the radiation-transparent flexible substrate may be a layer of silicone rubber.

Abstract: Multi-material membranes for use in vat polymerization printers. The membranes include a fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) or polyolefin polymer film bonded to a layer of silicone rubber. The layer of silicone rubber is coated to reduce its surface energy. Coatings such as a silicone elastomer or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-based material may be used. The coatings are preferably sprayed on and allowed to cure or dry after the FEP or other film has been bonded to the layer of silicone rubber.

Abstract: A printing ink for use within multiple ambient temperatures which comprises a mixture of two or more inks having different viscosities at a given temperature. Thus, one or more lower viscosity inks having, for example, a viscosity in the range of about 300 cps to about 900 cps is mixed with one or more higher viscosity inks having, for example, a viscosity range of about 1100 cps to about 1800 cps to provide a multi-viscosity ink mixture useful over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: A print ribbon for an impact printer uses a heavy-duty 70/70 denier fabric having approximately 230 threads per square inch. The fabric can be textured. The print ribbon uses an ink having a viscosity of approximately 2000 cps to 3400 cps, a liquid pigment, and a color strength of approximately 1.5 to 2.0, with the pigment content being 15% or less (e.g., 2.5%) and the ribbon having an ink concentration of approximately 19%.

Abstract: A printing ink for use within multiple ambient temperatures which comprises a mixture of two or more inks having different viscosities at a given temperature. Thus, one or more lower viscosity inks having, for example, a viscosity in the range of about 300 cps to about 900 cps is mixed with one or more higher viscosity inks having, for example, a viscosity range of about 1100 cps to about 1800 cps to provide a multi-viscosity ink mixture useful over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: An ink density closed loop control system for an ink ribbon of an impact printer having a reservoir roller formed of an ink absorbent material with at least one or more channels within the reservoir roller fluidly connected to a pump and ink supply. A transfer roller can contact the reservoir roller for imparting ink to the ink ribbon. A sensor senses the relative amount of ink on the print ribbon and an electrical drive responsive to the sensor drives the pump for a flow of ink to the one or more channels. The sensor can sense ink on different segments of the ribbon and, with two or more channels in the reservoir roller can distribute ink to two or more segments of the reservoir roller depending upon the ink sensed at a particular segment of the ribbon. A further enhancement of this invention provides a multi-viscosity ink to compensate for changes in ambient temperature conditions.

Abstract: An ink density closed loop control system for an ink ribbon of an impact printer having a reservoir roller formed of an ink absorbent material with at least one or more channels within the reservoir roller fluidly connected to a pump and ink supply. A transfer roller can contact the reservoir roller for imparting ink to the ink ribbon. A sensor senses the relative amount of ink on the print ribbon and an electrical drive responsive to the sensor drives the pump for a flow of ink to the one or more channels. The sensor can sense ink on different segments of the ribbon and, with two or more channels in the reservoir roller can distribute ink to two or more segments of the reservoir roller depending upon the ink sensed at a particular segment of the ribbon. A further enhancement of this invention provides a multi-viscosity ink to compensate for changes in ambient temperature conditions.

Abstract: A printing ink for use within multiple ambient temperatures which comprises a mixture of two or more inks having different viscosities at a given temperature. Thus, one or more lower viscosity inks having, for example, a viscosity in the range of about 300 cps to about 900 cps is mixed with one or more higher viscosity inks having, for example, a viscosity range of about 1100 cps to about 1800 cps to provide a multi-viscosity ink mixture useful over a wide temperature range. A print ribbon which carries the multi-viscosity ink mixture and, the combination of an impact printer incorporating said print ribbon are provided. A method for printing with an ink mixture to compensate for varying ambient temperatures includes the steps of mixing together two or more inks each having a different viscosity at the same given temperature to form an ink mixture; and, printing with said ink mixture on a medium to be printed upon.

Abstract: An ink density closed loop control system for an ink ribbon of an impact printer having a reservoir roller formed of an ink absorbent material with at least one or more channels within the reservoir roller fluidly connected to a pump and ink supply. A transfer roller can contact the reservoir roller for imparting ink to the ink ribbon. A sensor senses the relative amount of ink on the print ribbon and an electrical drive responsive to the sensor drives the pump for a flow of ink to the one or more channels. The sensor can sense ink on different segments of the ribbon and, with two or more channels in the reservoir roller can distribute ink to two or more segments of the reservoir roller depending upon the ink sensed at a particular segment of the ribbon. A further enhancement of this invention provides a multi-viscosity ink to compensate for changes in ambient temperature conditions.

Abstract: An impact printer such as a line printer having a base with a hammerbank mounted on the base driven for reciprocal movement. The hammerbank has a plurality of hammers with printing tips formed on frets in two longitudinally oriented rows defining an upper row and a lower row. A permanent magnet with pole pieces retains the hammers until a coil overcomes the magnetic retention. A print ribbon is impacted by the printing tips of the impact printer such as a line printer against a print media. The print ribbon has a first longitudinal high strike zone of ink of greater print yield with a low strike zone of lesser print yield on either side of the first zone. The print yield can be a factor of ink viscosity, pigment content, fabric content, fabric composition, or dye features.