Abstract: A printing system comprises printheads to eject ink to a deposition region. Print media are held by vacuum suction against a movable support surface, which moves over a vacuum platen. The vacuum platen comprises platen holes through which the vacuum suction is communicated. An airflow control system comprises airflow zones, each comprising a group of the platen holes, a duct, and a valve, the duct and the valve being arranged to selectively control vacuum suction through the group of the platen holes. For each of the printheads, at least one of the airflow zones is located under the respective printhead. Thus, airflow through platen holes under the printheads can be selectively controlled by selectively controlling the vacuum suction in the airflow zones.

Abstract: A printing system comprises printheads to eject ink to a deposition region. Print media are held by vacuum suction against a movable support surface, which moves over a vacuum platen. The vacuum platen comprises platen holes through which the vacuum suction is communicated. An airflow control system comprises airflow zones, each comprising a group of the platen holes, a duct, and a valve, the duct and the valve being arranged to selectively control vacuum suction through the group of the platen holes. For each of the printheads, at least one of the airflow zones is located under the respective printhead. Thus, airflow through platen holes under the printheads can be selectively controlled by selectively controlling the vacuum suction in the airflow zones.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer generates image data of an object being formed in the printer with an optical sensor and identifies the heights of object features above a substrate on which the object is being formed. A controller operates one or more actuators to move the optical sensor at a plurality of distances above the object to generate image data of the object at a plurality of heights above the object. The controller identifies the distances of the features of the object with reference to the image data generated by the optical sensor and the focal length of the optical sensor.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer generates image data of an object being formed in the printer with an optical sensor and identifies the heights of object features above a substrate on which the object is being formed. A controller operates one or more actuators to move the optical sensor at a plurality of distances above the object to generate image data of the object at a plurality of heights above the object. The controller identifies the distances of the features of the object with reference to the image data generated by the optical sensor and the focal length of the optical sensor.

Abstract: A method of spatially and spectrally calibrating a spectrophotometer including: a) emitting a white light illumination output from a full width illumination source; b) illuminating a test patch with the white light illumination output; c) reflecting a portion of the white light illumination output from the test patch to form a white light reflected illumination output; d) receiving the white light reflected illumination output at first, second and third rows of photosensitive elements to form a first calibration data set; e) emitting a cyan light illumination output from the full width illumination source; f) illuminating the test patch with the cyan light illumination output; g) reflecting a portion of the cyan light illumination output from the test patch to form a cyan light reflected illumination output; and, h) receiving the cyan light reflected illumination output at the second and third rows of photosensitive elements to form a second calibration data set.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer generates image data of an object being formed in the printer with an optical sensor and identifies the heights of object features above a substrate on which the object is being formed. A controller operates one or more actuators to move the optical sensor at a plurality of distances above the object to generate image data of the object at a plurality of heights above the object. The controller identifies the distances of the features of the object with reference to the image data generated by the optical sensor and the focal length of the optical sensor.

Abstract: A method of spatially and spectrally calibrating a spectrophotometer including: a) emitting a white light illumination output from a full width illumination source; b) illuminating a test patch with the white light illumination output; c) reflecting a portion of the white light illumination output from the test patch to form a white light reflected illumination output; d) receiving the white light reflected illumination output at first, second and third rows of photosensitive elements to form a first calibration data set; e) emitting a cyan light illumination output from the full width illumination source; f) illuminating the test patch with the cyan light illumination output; g) reflecting a portion of the cyan light illumination output from the test patch to form a cyan light reflected illumination output; and, h) receiving the cyan light reflected illumination output at the second and third rows of photosensitive elements to form a second calibration data set.

Abstract: An apparatus including a control cylinder rotatably supported for thermal conduction to a sheet. The sheet conveys ink deposited on a first side. The sheet is held against a peripheral arch of the control cylinder as it rotates with the first side of the sheet directly engaging and wrapping around the control cylinder along the peripheral arch. The apparatus also includes a thermal control element for heating and/or cooling the control cylinder. The apparatus also includes a pressure roll for spreading the ink. The pressure roll with the control cylinder forms a spreader nip, which is selectively changeable between a closed and open position. In the closed position the pressure roll is biased toward the control cylinder for applying pressure to the ink on the sheet. The pressure roll is spaced further away from the control cylinder in the open position relative to the closed position.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer generates image data of an object being formed in the printer with an optical sensor and identifies the heights of object features above a substrate on which the object is being formed. A controller operates one or more actuators to move the optical sensor at a plurality of distances above the object to generate image data of the object at a plurality of heights above the object. The controller identifies the distances of the features of the object with reference to the image data generated by the optical sensor and the focal length of the optical sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted for presenting a sheet of media to an image transfer structure. The apparatus includes a registration baffle positioned in an offset relationship relative to the image transfer structure and a pre-transfer baffle assembly including a first baffle oppositely disposed to a second baffle, the pre-transfer assembly generally forms an “S” shape and is adapted for guiding the sheet of media from the registration baffle to the image transfer structure. The pre-transfer baffle assembly is arranged in a first position adapted for guiding the sheet of media toward the image transfer structure at an angle of less than ninety degrees, and the pre-transfer baffle automatically begins rotation to a second position as the sheet of media reaches a pre-determined position within a paper path.

Abstract: Methods and devices print markings on an item in a first printing pass, using intended locations for the markings, to produce initial printed marks. Such methods and devices further scan the item after the first printing pass to detect actual printed locations of the initial printed marks. These methods and devices also compare the actual printed locations to the intended locations to identify the printing registration variation. Thus, such methods and devices change the intended locations for the markings based on the printing registration variation to generate corrected locations for the markings; and then reprint the markings directly on the initial printed marks a second time on the item in a second printing pass using the corrected locations for the markings, using the marking device.

Abstract: An apparatus including a control cylinder rotatably supported for thermal conduction to a sheet. The sheet conveys ink deposited on a first side. The sheet is held against a peripheral arch of the control cylinder as it rotates with the first side of the sheet directly engaging and wrapping around the control cylinder along the peripheral arch. The apparatus also includes a thermal control element for heating and/or cooling the control cylinder. The apparatus also includes a pressure roll for spreading the ink. The pressure roll with the control cylinder forms a spreader nip, which is selectively changeable between a closed and open position. In the closed position the pressure roll is biased toward the control cylinder for applying pressure to the ink on the sheet. The pressure roll is spaced further away from the control cylinder in the open position relative to the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus including a control cylinder rotatably supported for thermal conduction to a sheet. The sheet conveys ink deposited on a first side. The sheet is held against a peripheral arch of the control cylinder as it rotates with the first side of the sheet directly engaging and wrapping around the control cylinder along the peripheral arch. The apparatus also includes a thermal control element for heating and/or cooling the control cylinder. The apparatus also includes a pressure roll for spreading the ink. The pressure roll with the control cylinder forms a spreader nip, which is selectively changeable between a closed and open position. In the closed position the pressure roll is biased toward the control cylinder for applying pressure to the ink on the sheet. The pressure roll is spaced further away from the control cylinder in the open position relative to the closed position.

Abstract: A method including: displacing a plurality of sheets through a defined portion of a process path; generating, using an encoder, a first number of encoder pulses associated with displacing a first sheet from the plurality of sheets along the defined portion; applying first indicia to a first side of the first sheet; displacing the first sheet through the defined portion; generating, using the encoder, a second number of encoder pulses associated with displacing the first sheet along the defined portion; calculating, using a processor, a ratio including the first and second numbers; applying second indicia to the respective second side of the first sheet or third indicia to the respective first side of a second sheet from the plurality of sheets, or fourth indicia to the respective second side of the second sheet; and adjusting, using the processor, application of the second, third, or fourth indicia according to the ratio.

Abstract: An image registration system which helps to accurately produce an image onto an oversized media substrate in a large scale printer. The image registration system includes a rail support track, a printing zone, and a platen cart moveable along the rail support track through said printing zone. The image registration system also includes an image capturing apparatus for capturing a position of the media substrate in relation to the platen cart in order to ensure accurate image on media substrate reproduction.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted for presenting a sheet of media to an image transfer structure. The apparatus includes a registration baffle positioned in an offset relationship relative to the image transfer structure and a pre-transfer baffle assembly including a first baffle oppositely disposed to a second baffle, the pre-transfer assembly generally forms an “S” shape and is adapted for guiding the sheet of media from the registration baffle to the image transfer structure. The pre-transfer baffle assembly is arranged in a first position adapted for guiding the sheet of media toward the image transfer structure at an angle of less than ninety degrees, and the pre-transfer baffle automatically begins rotation to a second position as the sheet of media reaches a pre-determined position within a paper path.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that employ an ink jet process to dispose a non-aqueous solid ink product on a flexible clear film layer as an image receiving substrate to create multi-layer tamper-evident closures including tape, wrapping, labeling, marking or sealing products, in which visual information is embedded. These processes provide manufacturers of the multi-layer tamper-evident closures ability to present variable image content in ways that would be difficult to counterfeit. The solid ink product undergoes easily observable image changes when it is twisted in a manner that creates a shear force between the layers.

Abstract: A method including: displacing a plurality of sheets through a defined portion of a process path; generating, using an encoder, a first number of encoder pulses associated with displacing a first sheet from the plurality of sheets along the defined portion; applying first indicia to a first side of the first sheet; displacing the first sheet through the defined portion; generating, using the encoder, a second number of encoder pulses associated with displacing the first sheet along the defined portion; calculating, using a processor, a ratio including the first and second numbers; applying second indicia to the respective second side of the first sheet or third indicia to the respective first side of a second sheet from the plurality of sheets, or fourth indicia to the respective second side of the second sheet; and adjusting, using the processor, application of the second, third, or fourth indicia according to the ratio.

Abstract: An image registration system which helps to accurately produce an image onto an oversized media substrate in a large scale printer. The image registration system includes a rail support track, a printing zone, and a platen cart moveable along the rail support track through said printing zone. The image registration system also includes an image capturing apparatus for capturing a position of the media substrate in relation to the platen cart in order to ensure accurate image on media substrate reproduction.

Abstract: A process where substrates, such as documents like smooth coated papers, are exposed to a weak acid, a weak acid solution, or mixtures thereof for the purpose of increasing the surface roughness of the substrate.