Abstract: An object printer is configured to generate a three-dimensional map of a surface of an object to be printed and determine which areas in the three-dimensional map can be printed by a printhead movable in three-dimensional space. Areas can be printed when the printhead is positioned opposite an area where no inkjet in the printhead is closer than a minimum distance for accurate ink drop placement and all of the features in the area are within a maximum distance for accurate ink drop placement from the printhead. The areas that cannot be printed are deleted from the map and the map is displayed so a user can select where an ink image is to be formed on the object. The printer then operates an articulated arm to move the printhead opposite the surface at positions corresponding the selected area and operates the printhead to form the ink image.

Abstract: An object printer is configured to generate a three-dimensional map of a surface of an object to be printed and determine which areas in the three-dimensional map can be printed by a printhead movable in three-dimensional space. Areas can be printed when the printhead is positioned opposite an area where no inkjet in the printhead is closer than a minimum distance for accurate ink drop placement and all of the features in the area are within a maximum distance for accurate ink drop placement from the printhead. The areas that cannot be printed are deleted from the map and the map is displayed so a user can select where an ink image is to be formed on the object. The printer then operates an articulated arm to move the printhead opposite the surface at positions corresponding the selected area and operates the printhead to form the ink image.

Abstract: Printing devices include a media supply storing print media, a luminescent belt positioned adjacent the media supply in a location to move sheets of the print media from the media supply, a print engine positioned adjacent the luminescent belt in a location to receive the sheets from the luminescent belt, an optical sensor positioned adjacent the belt in a location to receive belt-emitted light from the luminescent belt, and a processor electrically connected to the optical sensor. The processor receives the image from the optical sensor and identifies locations of the sheets on the belt based on where the sheets block the belt-emitted light from the luminescent belt.

Abstract: An apparatus enables the effect of distance changes between ejectors in printheads of a printing system and the surface receiving ejected drops to be evaluated. The apparatus includes a housing with a cavity having a sloping floor to which a substrate is mounted to receive drops ejected by printheads in the printing system. The floor of the cavity can slope in either the process or cross-process direction. The substrate can include fiducial marks and target lines to enhance the analysis of the effect of changing distance on the ejected drops.