Abstract: The present embodiments relate to a printing apparatus capable of mitigating/preventing instances of turbulent deviation of ink jetted from print heads when printing onto a substrate, a severe form of which looks like woodgrain. The printing apparatus can include a jet plate that has a first width and that is disposed between the substrate and a series of print heads. The jet plate can also include a series of apertures formed in the jet plate that each correspond to one or more of the print heads, as well as a cutout portion at a first end of the jet plate that has a second width less than the first width.

Abstract: A linear rotary encoder includes a pair of rotational surfaces. A contact belt has a first end coupled to a first rotational surface in the pair and a second end coupled to a second rotational surface in the pair. The contact belt is driven to rotate around the pair of rotational surfaces by a driving force applied to media to move the media from the first end toward the second end. An encoding scale is coupled to an inner surface of the contact belt. A reader is positioned to read the encoding scale as the contact belt rotates around the pair of rotational surfaces. The reader generates an output signal indicating a position of the media based on reading of the encoding scale.

Abstract: A linear rotary encoder includes a pair of rotational surfaces. A contact belt has a first end coupled to a first rotational surface in the pair and a second end coupled to a second rotational surface in the pair. The contact belt is driven to rotate around the pair of rotational surfaces by a driving force applied to media to move the media from the first end toward the second end. An encoding scale is coupled to an inner surface of the contact belt. A reader is positioned to read the encoding scale as the contact belt rotates around the pair of rotational surfaces. The reader generates an output signal indicating a position of the media based on reading of the encoding scale.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to a printing apparatus capable of mitigating/preventing instances of turbulent deviation of ink jetted from print heads when printing onto a substrate, a severe form of which looks like woodgrain. The printing apparatus can include a jet plate that has a first width and that is disposed between the substrate and a series of print heads. The jet plate can also include a series of apertures formed in the jet plate that each correspond to one or more of the print heads, as well as a cutout portion at a first end of the jet plate that has a second width less than the first width.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to a printing apparatus capable of mitigating/preventing instances of turbulent deviation of ink jetted from print heads when printing onto a substrate, a severe form of which looks like woodgrain. The printing apparatus can include a jet plate disposed on a subjacent surface of the printing apparatus that can include a series of apertures formed in the jet plate that are configured to receive corresponding print heads of the printing apparatus. The jet plate can also include a set of wings extending from a first end of a central portion of the jet plate. The set of wings can form a cutout portion of the jet plate that can modify a direction and/or velocity of a flow of air from the cutout portion along the printing area to mitigate/prevent a woodgrain defect occurring when distributing a material onto the substrate.

Abstract: A linear rotary encoder includes a pair of rotational surfaces. A contact belt has a first end coupled to a first rotational surface in the pair and a second end coupled to a second rotational surface in the pair. The contact belt is driven to rotate around the pair of rotational surfaces by a driving force applied to media to move the media from the first end toward the second end. An encoding scale is coupled to an inner surface of the contact belt. A reader is positioned to read the encoding scale as the contact belt rotates around the pair of rotational surfaces. The reader generates an output signal indicating a position of the media based on reading of the encoding scale.

Abstract: A guide device for assisting the application of a liquid from a dispenser to the eye of a subject has a mount to hold the liquid dispenser in the guide device, a rest to align the guide device with the subject head, and an indicator, selectively visible to indicate when the guide device is tilted at or beyond a minimum guide angle. Preferably, the indicator is selectively visible to indicate when the guide device is tilted at, or between, the minimum guide angle and a maximum guide angle. Said minimum guide angle corresponds with a minimum predetermined tilt of the subject head suitable for delivery of the liquid from the dispenser. The maximum guide angle corresponds with a maximum predetermined tilt of the subject head suitable for delivery of the liquid.

Abstract: Enhanced printing systems, structures, and processes provide enhanced pinning of light sensitive inks before curing, such as to avoid artifacts, e.g. between colors, and/or between regions of different color densities. One or more pinning lamps are controlled or otherwise configured to deliver pinning energy over an interval, e.g. over a period of time or over a percentage of completion, to a pinning threshold level, which may be stored and/or determined. In some exemplary embodiments, the pinning energy is increased linearly over an interval. Other exemplary embodiments provide a stepped or staggered increase in applied pinning energy. An additional level of pinning may preferably be provided after pinning and before curing, at an energy level over the first pinning threshold, and below the curing threshold. The enhanced printing systems, structures, and processes reduce and/or eliminate moderate or large transitions of UV light energy, which may otherwise cause image artifacts.

Abstract: Enhanced printing systems, structures, and processes provide enhanced pinning of light sensitive inks before curing, such as to avoid artifacts, e.g. between colors, and/or between regions of different color densities. One or more pinning lamps are controlled or otherwise configured to deliver pinning energy over an interval, e.g. over a period of time or over a percentage of completion, to a pinning threshold level, which may be stored and/or determined. In some exemplary embodiments, the pinning energy is increased linearly over an interval. Other exemplary embodiments provide a stepped or staggered increase in applied pinning energy. An additional level of pinning may preferably be provided after pinning and before curing, at an energy level over the first pinning threshold, and below the curing threshold. The enhanced printing systems, structures, and processes reduce and/or eliminate moderate or large transitions of UV light energy, which may otherwise cause image artifacts.

Abstract: There is provided a method for metering a quantity of a particulate material onto the surface of a porous retainer comprising the steps of: exposing a first surface of a porous retainer to a pool of particulate material; applying a vacuum to a second surface of the porous retainer to meter material on the first surface; and adjusting the level of the vacuum to regulate the quantity of material metered on the retainer.

Abstract: A digital projection display system includes one or more digital projection displays. Each digital projection display has an external light source producing as an output a light beam, an internal optics system, and a housing in which the internal optics system is received, but wherein the external light source is located external to the housing. A display screen forms one face of the housing. Preferably, an optical fiber extends from the output of the external light source to an input of the internal optics system. Multiple digital projection displays may be illuminated by a single external light source using multiple optical fibers.

Abstract: There is provided a method of transferring a defined quantity of powder comprising compacting a target area of powder; dipping a tube into the compacted target area of powder to fill the tube with a defined volume of powder; and transferring the defined volume of powder from the tube.

Abstract: There is provided a method for metering a quantity of a particulate material onto the surface of a porous retainer comprising the steps of: exposing a first surface of a porous retainer to a pool of particulate material; applying a vacuum to a second surface of the porous retainer to meter material on the first surface; and adjusting the level of the vacuum to regulate the quantity of material metered on the retainer.

Abstract: There is provided a method of transferring a defined quantity of powder comprising compacting a target area of powder; dipping a tube into the compacted target area of powder to fill the tube with a defined volume of powder; and transferring the defined volume of powder from the tube.

Abstract: The method of making a print head of the type that includes a piezoelectric transducer positioned within a metal housing having an annular channel in its inner surface that is sealed by a thin metal diaphragm to form an annular ink chamber. The transducer is in mechanical engagement with the inner surface of the diaphragm. The sudden removal of a voltage applied to the transducer expands the disk to reduce the volume of the ink chamber, rupture the meniscus, and force a droplet of ink from the printing orifice.The housing is formed with an internal taper which permits a groove to be cut readily either by a casting or by a tool entering from the larger end of the central opening in the housing. An aluminum mandrel is tapered to match the taper on the inner surface of the housing and provided with an annular groove that corresponds to the groove in the housing. The mandrel is plated with nickel that will later form the diaphragm. The housing and mandrel are then plated with indium.