Abstract: An imaging device includes a substantially continuous web of media, and a web transport system configured to transport the continuous web along a web path. A print station is positioned along the web path and is configured to apply ink to the continuous web. A temperature leveling ink spreader is disposed along the web path downstream from the print station. The temperature leveling ink spreader includes a leveler roller including a heater configured to generate thermal energy to heat the leveler roller to a spreading temperature. The leveler roller is positioned to be partially wrapped by the continuous web to generate a predetermined dwell time between the continuous web and the leveler roller as the continuous web is being transported to equalize the temperatures of the web and ink on the web to within a predetermined range about the spreading temperature.

Abstract: A radiant heating unit is selectively operated to move radiant heating panels to regulate heating of a continuous web of media as the web moves along a media pathway in an imaging device. The radiant heating panels in a radiant heating unit may be moved to any one of a plurality of positions between and including a fully open position and a retracted position in the housing. A panel driver is operated to move the radiant heating panels to one of the positions in the plurality of positions in response to a variable view factor signal.

Abstract: A printing machine for transferring a phase change ink onto a print medium includes a component for applying a phase change ink in an image, an imaging member for accepting the image and transferring the image from the imaging member to the print medium and a pressure member positioned in association with the imaging member to form a nip through which the print medium passes. The pressure member includes an outer layer with a tailored electrical conductivity to eliminate ghosting in duplex printing modes. The outer layer comprises a composite of a polymer and carbon nanotubes and/or graphenes. A similar outer layer may be implemented on a pressure roller in a direct-to-paper printing machine.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a media transport system configured to transport print media along a media path. A first print station is positioned along the media path that is configured to apply ink to a first side of the media. A first fixing assembly is positioned along the media path downstream from the first print station. A second print station is positioned along the media path downstream from the first fixing assembly that is configured to apply ink to a second side of the media. A second fixing assembly is positioned along the media path downstream from the second print station. A heater is positioned along the media path downstream from the second fixing assembly that is configured to heat the media to a gloss reducing temperature.

Abstract: A drum maintenance system for use in an imaging device includes a reservoir having a supply of release agent. An applicator is configured to receive release agent from the reservoir and to apply the release agent to an imaging surface of an imaging device. A metering blade is positioned to meter the release agent on the imaging surface applied by the applicator. The metering blade is arranged in doctor mode with respect to the imaging surface and includes a tip positioned adjacent the imaging surface. The tip has a square portion positioned proximate the imaging surface and a beveled portion opposite the imaging surface.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a substantially continuous web of media, and a web transport system configured to transport the continuous web along a web path. A print station is positioned along the web path and is configured to apply ink to the continuous web. A temperature leveling ink spreader is disposed along the web path downstream from the print station. The temperature leveling ink spreader includes a leveler roller including a heater configured to generate thermal energy to heat the leveler roller to a spreading temperature. The leveler roller is positioned to be partially wrapped by the continuous web to generate a predetermined dwell time between the continuous web and the leveler roller as the continuous web is being transported to equalize the temperatures of the web and ink on the web to within a predetermined range about the spreading temperature.

Abstract: A temperature leveling system for thermally conditioning ink deposited onto a print media includes a non-contact cooling device for reducing temperatures of ink deposited onto a print media to a first average temperature. A leveler includes a thermal control for maintaining the leveler at a second temperature that is different than the first average temperature. The leveler is configured to bring the temperatures of the ink to within a predetermined range about the second temperature after the reduction in temperature at the non-contact cooling device. A heater is positioned to heat the ink and media to a third temperature after the leveler, the third temperature being greater than the second temperature.

Abstract: A spreader module for use in an imaging device includes a housing configured for insertion and removal from a docking position of an imaging device frame, a spreader drum operably supported by the housing, and a pressure roller operably supported by the housing adjacent the spreader drum to define a spreading nip through which a web of media is fed. The spreader module includes a release agent application system supported by the housing for applying a first release agent to the spreader drum. A docking slot is positioned adjacent the pressure roll that is configured to releasably secure a release agent sub-module to the housing, the release agent sub-module for applying a second release agent to the surface of the pressure roller.

Abstract: A printing machine for transferring a phase change ink onto a print medium includes a component for applying a phase change ink in an image, an imaging member for accepting the image and transferring the image from the imaging member to the print medium and a pressure member positioned in association with the imaging member to form a nip through which the print medium passes. The pressure member includes an outer layer with a tailored electrical conductivity to eliminate ghosting in duplex printing modes. The outer layer comprises a composite of a polymer and carbon nanotubes and/or graphenes. A similar outer layer may be implemented on a pressure roller in a direct-to-paper printing machine.

Abstract: A printer for transferring a phase-change ink onto a substrate includes components for conveying the substrate along a path through the printing machine, a printing station including a plurality of printheads disposed along the path and configured to transfer the phase-change solid ink onto the substrate as it is conveyed along the path, a plurality of metal backing rollers facing the plurality of printheads and arranged to support to the substrate passing between the backing rollers and the printheads, and a spreader station receiving the substrate from the printing station and configured to spread the phase-change solid ink on the substrate, the spreader station including a spreader roller and a metal pressure roller opposing the spreader roller. Each of the non-oiled metal rollers includes a coating that is oleophobic that has low adhesion toward the solid ink image but sufficient lateral friction as to not slide against the ink or paper web.

Abstract: A drum maintenance system for use in an imaging device includes a reservoir having a supply of release agent, and an applicator configured to receive release agent from the reservoir and to apply the release agent to an intermediate imaging surface of an imaging device. A first metering blade is positioned in wiper mode at a first position adjacent the intermediate imaging surface and configured to meter the release agent on the intermediate imaging surface applied by the applicator. A second metering blade is positioned in wiper mode at a second position adjacent the intermediate imaging surface.

Abstract: A system for use with a phase change ink imaging device comprises a leveler roller disposed along a web path downstream from a printing station. The leveler roller is formed of a thermally conductive material and includes a heater configured to generate thermal energy to heat the leveler roller to a leveling temperature. The leveler roller is positioned to be partially wrapped by the continuous web in order to generate a predetermined dwell time between the continuous web and the leveler roller as the continuous web is being moved. The predetermined dwell time is configured to allow conductive heat transfer to occur between the continuous web and the leveler roller to equalize the continuous web and the melted phase change ink temperatures on the web to within a predetermined range about the leveling temperature. A midheater is disposed along the web path downstream from the leveler roller.

Abstract: A printing machine for transferring a phase change ink onto a print medium includes a component for applying a phase change ink in an image, an imaging member for accepting the image and transferring the image from the imaging member to the print medium and a pressure member positioned in association with the imaging member to form a nip through which the print medium passes. The pressure member includes an outer layer with a tailored electrical conductivity to eliminate ghosting in duplex printing modes. The outer layer comprises a composite of a polymer and carbon nanotubes and/or graphenes. A similar outer layer may be implemented on a pressure roller in a direct-to-paper printing machine.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a substantially continuous web of media, and a web transport system configured to transport the continuous web along a web path. A print station is positioned along the web path and is configured to apply ink to the continuous web. A temperature leveling ink spreader is disposed along the web path downstream from the print station. The temperature leveling ink spreader includes a leveler roller including a heater configured to generate thermal energy to heat the leveler roller to a spreading temperature. The leveler roller is positioned to be partially wrapped by the continuous web to generate a predetermined dwell time between the continuous web and the leveler roller as the continuous web is being transported to equalize the temperatures of the web and ink on the web to within a predetermined range about the spreading temperature.

Abstract: A spreader module for use in an imaging device includes a housing configured for insertion and removal from a docking position of an imaging device frame, a spreader drum operably supported by the housing, and a pressure roller operably supported by the housing adjacent the spreader drum to define a spreading nip through which a web of media is fed. The spreader module includes a release agent application system supported by the housing for applying a first release agent to the spreader drum. A docking slot is positioned adjacent the pressure roll that is configured to releasably secure a release agent sub-module to the housing, the release agent sub-module for applying a second release agent to the surface of the pressure roller.

Abstract: A temperature leveling system for thermally conditioning ink deposited onto a print media includes a non-contact cooling device for reducing temperatures of ink deposited onto a print media to a first average temperature. A leveler includes a thermal control for maintaining the leveler at a second temperature that is different than the first average temperature. The leveler is configured to bring the temperatures of the ink to within a predetermined range about the second temperature after the reduction in temperature at the non-contact cooling device. A heater is positioned to heat the ink and media to a third temperature after the leveler, the third temperature being greater than the second temperature.

Abstract: A method is implemented by a printer to move a transfix roller selectively to clean the transfix roller. The transfix roller is moved from a transfix nip with the print drum to a position where the transfix roller remains in rolling contact with the print drum, but exerts a pressure on the print drum that is less than the transfix pressure. The transfix roller is later moved out of rolling contact with the print drum in response to the transfix roller rotating a predetermined distance.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a substantially continuous web of media, and a web transport system configured to transport the continuous web along a web path. A print station is positioned along the web path and is configured to apply ink to the continuous web. A temperature leveling ink spreader is disposed along the web path downstream from the print station. The temperature leveling ink spreader includes a leveler roller including a heater configured to generate thermal energy to heat the leveler roller to a spreading temperature. The leveler roller is positioned to be partially wrapped by the continuous web to generate a predetermined dwell time between the continuous web and the leveler roller as the continuous web is being transported to equalize the temperatures of the web and ink on the web to within a predetermined range about the spreading temperature.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a media transport system configured to transport print media along a media path. A first print station is positioned along the media path that is configured to apply ink to a first side of the media. A first fixing assembly is positioned along the media path downstream from the first print station. A second print station is positioned along the media path downstream from the first fixing assembly that is configured to apply ink to a second side of the media. A second fixing assembly is positioned along the media path downstream from the second print station. A heater is positioned along the media path downstream from the second fixing assembly that is configured to heat the media to a gloss reducing temperature.

Abstract: A drum maintenance system for use in an imaging device includes a reservoir having a supply of release agent, and an applicator configured to receive release agent from the reservoir and to apply the release agent to an intermediate imaging surface of an imaging device moving in a process direction. A metering blade is positioned to meter the release agent on the intermediate imaging surface applied by the applicator. The metering blade has a longitudinal axis extending in a cross-process direction transverse to the process direction. A driver is operably coupled to the metering blade that is configured to translate the metering blade between a first position and a second position along the longitudinal axis.