Abstract: A print system and a method for curing marking material on an object using an active transparent display in a three dimensional (3D) object printer are disclosed. For example, the print system includes a plurality of printheads, a curing light source, a movable member to hold an object, an active transparent display and a controller to control movement of the movable member to move the object past the array of printheads, to operate the plurality of printheads to eject the marking material onto the object as the object passes the two-dimensional array of printheads, to control movement of the movable member, to control the active transparent display and to operate the curing light source to apply energy to cure the marking material, wherein the amount of energy that is applied to the object is controlled by a mask that is displayed on the active transparent display.

Abstract: A print system and a method for detecting inline failure of a curing light source of a 3D object printer are disclosed. For example, the print system includes a plurality of printheads, a curing light source, an inline failure detection (IFD) system, a movable member to hold an object, a heat resistant member coupled to the movable member that holds a thermal paper for testing operation of the curing light source and a controller to control movement of the movable member to move the object past the array of printheads, to operate the plurality of printheads to eject the marking material onto the object as the object passes the two-dimensional array of printheads, to operate the curing light source to apply energy to the thermal paper and to cure the marking material, and to operate the IFD system to read the thermal paper to detect a failure of the curing light source.

Abstract: A method for determining an ultraviolet (UV) cure level of a material is disclosed. For example, the method includes receiving an object with the material that is cured via a UV light source, controlling a heat source to heat the material, measuring a parameter of the material in response to the heat, determining the UV cure level of the material based on the parameter that is measured and a predefined response of the material at a temperature associated with the heat, and generating a signal to display the UV cure level in response to the determining.

Abstract: A system for printing on a multi-dimensional object includes a plurality of print heads, a mounting structure configured to receive an integrated object packaging and holder for an object and to movably mount on a support member, an actuator configured to move the mounting structure along the support member, and a processing device. The system also includes a non-transitory, computer-readable memory containing programming instructions that are configured to cause the processing device to control a movement of the mounting structure relative to the plurality of print heads, and operate the plurality of print heads to eject marking material onto an object mounted on the mounting structure.

Abstract: A method for determining an ultraviolet (UV) cure level of a material is disclosed. For example, the method includes receiving an object with the material that is cured via a UV light source, controlling a heat source to heat the material, measuring a parameter of the material in response to the heat, determining the UV cure level of the material based on the parameter that is measured and a predefined response of the material at a temperature associated with the heat, and generating a signal to display the UV cure level in response to the determining.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an object holder for securely retaining an object while it is being printed in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to use various embodiments of the object holder of the present invention. In one embodiment, the object holder comprises a back support configured to slideably traverse a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by at least one printhead configured to eject marking material on to a surface of an object A top and bottom arm are attached to the back support. At least two support braces are attached to the top and bottom arms. At least one restraining bar is slideably attached to the support braces such that the bar can be raised or lowered on to the object seated between the top and bottom arms. The bar physically retains the object while the object is being printed.

Abstract: A method for curing a three dimensional (3D) printed part is disclosed. For example, the method includes adding a layer of a build material, curing the layer of the build material using a first light source having a first wavelength, repeating the adding and the curing using the light source having the first wavelength for a predefined number of layers, adding a final top layer of the build material to form the 3D printed part and curing the final top layer of the build material using a second light source having a second wavelength that is different than the first wavelength.

Abstract: A system for printing on a multi-dimensional object includes a plurality of print heads, a mounting structure configured to receive an integrated object packaging and holder for an object and to movably mount on a support member, an actuator configured to move the mounting structure along the support member, and a processing device. The system also includes a a non-transitory, computer-readable memory containing programming instructions that are configured to cause the processing device to control a movement of the mounting structure relative to the plurality of print heads, and operate the plurality of print heads to eject marking material onto an object mounted on the mounting structure.

Abstract: A print system and a method for curing marking material on an object using an active LED array in a three dimensional (3D) object printer are disclosed. For example, the print system includes a plurality of printheads, a curing light source comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) that are independently addressable, a movable member to hold an object, and a controller to control movement of the movable member to move the object past the array of printheads, to operate the plurality of printheads to eject the marking material onto the object as the object passes the two-dimensional array of printheads, to control movement of the movable member and to operate each one of the plurality of LEDs of the curing light source to apply energy in accordance with a shape of the object to cure the marking material.

Abstract: A print system and a method for detecting inline failure of a curing light source of a 3D object printer are disclosed. For example, the print system includes a plurality of printheads, a curing light source, an inline failure detection (IFD) system, a movable member to hold an object, a heat resistant member coupled to the movable member that holds a thermal paper for testing operation of the curing light source and a controller to control movement of the movable member to move the object past the array of printheads, to operate the plurality of printheads to eject the marking material onto the object as the object passes the two-dimensional array of printheads, to operate the curing light source to apply energy to the thermal paper and to cure the marking material, and to operate the IFD system to read the thermal paper to detect a failure of the curing light source.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system for registering an object in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to operatively use various embodiments of the registration system of the present invention. In one embodiment, the marking system comprises a registration panel with a plurality of registration markings. A camera captures an image of the object in the object holder and the registration panel. A processor receives the image and analyzes the image to determine a position of the object relative to the markings on the registration panel. The processor determines whether the object is registered. If the object is registered, a controller causes the object holder to move the object past the printhead. Otherwise, if the object is not properly registered then the processor prevents the object from being printed and communicates a notification to a user that the object in the object holder is not registered.

Abstract: A print system and a method for curing marking material on an object using an active transparent display in a three dimensional (3D) object printer are disclosed. For example, the print system includes a plurality of printheads, a curing light source, a movable member to hold an object, an active transparent display and a controller to control movement of the movable member to move the object past the array of printheads, to operate the plurality of printheads to eject the marking material onto the object as the object passes the two-dimensional array of printheads, to control movement of the movable member, to control the active transparent display and to operate the curing light source to apply energy to cure the marking material, wherein the amount of energy that is applied to the object is controlled by a mask that is displayed on the active transparent display.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an object holder for securely retaining an object while it is being printed in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to use various embodiments of the object holder of the present invention. In one embodiment, the object holder comprises a back support configured to slideably traverse a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by at least one printhead configured to eject marking material on to a surface of an object A top and bottom arm are attached to the back support. At least two support braces are attached to the top and bottom arms. At least one restraining bar is slideably attached to the support braces such that the bar can be raised or lowered on to the object seated between the top and bottom arms. The bar physically retains the object while the object is being printed.

Abstract: A print system and a method for detecting and correcting underperforming LEDs in-line of a 3D object printer are disclosed. For example, the print system includes a plurality of printheads arranged in a two-dimensional array, a curing light source, an inline detection and correction (IDC) system, a movable member to hold an object and a test plate and a controller to control movement of the movable member to move the object and the test plate past the array of printheads, to operate the plurality of printheads to eject a marking material onto the object as the object passes the two-dimensional array of printheads, to operate the curing light source apply energy to the test plate and to cure the marking material, and to operate the IDC system to read the test plate to confirm that the curing light source is operating correctly based on a reading of the test plate.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system for registering an object in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to operatively use various embodiments of the registration system of the present invention. In one embodiment, the marking system comprises a registration panel with a plurality of registration markings. A camera captures an image of the object in the object holder and the registration panel. A processor receives the image and analyzes the image to determine a position of the object relative to the markings on the registration panel. The processor determines whether the object is registered. If the object is registered, a controller causes the object holder to move the object past the printhead. Otherwise, if the object is not properly registered then the processor prevents the object from being printed and communicates a notification to a user that the object in the object holder is not registered.

Abstract: A system for printing on a multi-dimensional object includes a plurality of print heads, a mounting structure configured to receive an integrated object packaging and holder for an object and to movably mount on a support member, an actuator configured to move the mounting structure along the support member, and a processing device. The system also includes a a non-transitory, computer-readable memory containing programming instructions that are configured to cause the processing device to control a movement of the mounting structure relative to the plurality of print heads, and operate the plurality of print heads to eject marking material onto an object mounted on the mounting structure.

Abstract: A print system and a method for curing marking material on an object using a mask screen are disclosed. For example, the print system includes a plurality of printheads, a curing light source, a movable member to hold an object, a mask screen and a controller to control movement of the movable member to move the object past the array of printheads, to operate the plurality of printheads to eject the marking material onto the object as the object passes the two-dimensional array of printheads, to control movement of the movable member to catch the mask screen and to operate the curing light source to cure the marking material, wherein the amount of energy that is applied to the object is controlled by the mask screen.

Abstract: A process and device for removing a solid ink mask printed onto a substrate is disclosed. The substrate is bent around a bar set perpendicular to the substrate, causing the mask to flake off the substrate. The process permits fast removal of solid ink masks.

Abstract: A process and device for removing a solid ink mask printed onto a substrate is disclosed. The substrate is bent around a bar set perpendicular to the substrate, causing the mask to flake off the substrate. The process permits fast removal of solid ink masks.

Abstract: An approach is provided for applying a release agent to a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The approach involves determining a presence of at least one ink image applied to at least one portion of one of the first surface and the second surface of the substrate by way of one or more steps of a printing process. The approach also involves determining the substrate is to be made ready for printing one or more other images on the other of the first surface and the second surface by one or more steps of another printing process. The approach further comprising causing, at least in part, the release agent to be applied to the substrate so as to cover the at least one portion of the first surface and the second surface of the substrate upon which the at least one ink image is applied at a time before the substrate is subjected to the one or more steps of the another printing process.