Abstract: Automated print head alignment uses thermal expansion. By leveraging thermal expansion to position print heads within the carriage, the tedious manual adjustment process is eliminated. The need for costly precision references within the printer and on the print head is also reduced.

Abstract: Improved output quality of a printer used in UV curable ink jet printing is achieved by minimizing or eliminating a print artifact referred to as gloss banding or tire tracking. A same or a similar number of nozzles as used in conventional printers is used to achieve a desired throughput, but the nozzles are arranged so that any given square inch of substrate to which ink is being applied receives a lower amount of ink. A longer effective print head is provided by arranging the print heads into a longer array, where the print heads are butted substantially end-to-end. As a result, the net throughput of the printer is the same as that of a conventional printer because the printer uses the same number of print heads, but the amount of ink that is applied to any given square inch is less on a pass.

Abstract: Image processing of printed patterns of arrays of dots generated by an array of inkjet heads uses a vision system, including an HD color camera that can be a fixed focus or include autofocus and zoom capabilities. Pattern recognition techniques are used to analyze as many patterns as necessary to perform multiple alignment functions, such as dot size, shape, and integrity; unidirectional, bidirectional, and step alignments; physical position and straightness of jet packs; flatness of platen or media belt; mapping imperfections in rods and rails of guiding systems; and checking jet alignments from a reference jet to all other jet packs. From such image analysis, correction values are generated that are used to effect manual or automatic adjustment of the inkjet heads physical position, voltage, temperature, and firing pulse timing and/or duration; and to position the printed dots fired from the nozzles in the inkjet heads in the appropriate position.

Abstract: Automated print head alignment uses thermal expansion. By leveraging thermal expansion to position print heads within the carriage, the tedious manual adjustment process is eliminated. The need for costly precision references within the printer and on the print head is also reduced.

Abstract: Improved output quality of a printer used in UV curable ink jet printing is achieved by minimizing or eliminating a print artifact referred to as gloss banding or tire tracking. A same or a similar number of nozzles as used in conventional printers is used to achieve a desired throughput, but the nozzles are arranged so that any given square inch of substrate to which ink is being applied receives a lower amount of ink. A longer effective print head is provided by arranging the print heads into a longer array, where the print heads are butted substantially end-to-end. As a result, the net throughput of the printer is the same as that of a conventional printer because the printer uses the same number of print heads, but the amount of ink that is applied to any given square inch is less on a pass.

Abstract: Gloss is controlled in UV ink jet printing within a printing system. Controlled pinning energy is used to adjust the amount of ink interaction between drops, substrate, and ink layers, resulting in virtual elimination of gloss banding and control of the finished gloss level from a gloss level of approximately 85 to a gloss level of approximately 5.

Abstract: Image processing of printed patterns of arrays of dots generated by an array of inkjet heads uses a vision system, including an HD color camera that can be a fixed focus or include autofocus and zoom capabilities. Pattern recognition techniques are used to analyze as many patterns as necessary to perform multiple alignment functions, such as dot size, shape, and integrity; unidirectional, bidirectional, and step alignments; physical position and straightness of jet packs; flatness of platen or media belt; mapping imperfections in rods and rails of guiding systems; and checking jet alignments from a reference jet to all other jet packs. From such image analysis, correction values are generated that are used to effect manual or automatic adjustment of the inkjet heads physical position, voltage, temperature, and firing pulse timing and/or duration; and to position the printed dots fired from the nozzles in the inkjet heads in the appropriate position.

Abstract: Image processing of printed patterns of arrays of dots generated by an array of inkjet heads uses a vision system, including an HD color camera that can be a fixed focus or include autofocus and zoom capabilities. Pattern recognition techniques are used to analyze as many patterns as necessary to perform multiple alignment functions, such as dot size, shape, and integrity; unidirectional, bidirectional, and step alignments; physical position and straightness of jet packs; flatness of platen or media belt; mapping imperfections in rods and rails of guiding systems; and checking jet alignments from a reference jet to all other jet packs. From such image analysis, correction values are generated that are used to effect manual or automatic adjustment of the inkjet heads physical position, voltage, temperature, and firing pulse timing and/or duration; and to position the printed dots fired from the nozzles in the inkjet heads in the appropriate position.

Abstract: A method of estimating and extrapolating the position of an article is provided. The article's position is detected by relatively infrequent ultrasonic ranging, and provides more frequent reports from internal accelerometers, gyroscopes and optional magnetometers. In a first instance, the method includes calculating new position, velocity and orientation vectors by linearly interpolating between the readings of the sensors at two times. In a second instance, the method includes estimating the orientation of the article by calculating the duration of a timeslice, making a rotational increment matrix and taking the product of the initial orientation and the increment matrix for the appropriate number of timeslices. In a third instance, the method includes calculating the acceleration of an article between three ultrasonically determined locations and recalibrating the accelerometers to align the measured acceleration with the calculated acceleration.

Abstract: Individually controllable ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are used to cure ink and generate different effects. The UV LEDs only expose specified areas to generate the different effect and can create multiple effects on the same substrate by exposing different areas to varying amounts of time or by performing a curing stage and post-dosage curing stages. The different effects include generating a glossy surface, a matte surface, and sharper images.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing images on a substrate. The printing apparatus is provided with a first print head connected to a selector valve which in turn is connected to a pair of reservoirs. The first reservoir holds one type of ink while the other reservoir holds a different type of ink. The selector valve has two selectable states. The first state facilitates transmitting ink from one of the reservoirs to the print head, and the second state facilitates transmitting ink from the other reservoir to the print head. The selector valve can be coupled to a controller which is computer operated. Alternatively, the controller can be manually operated.

Abstract: A stack of interfolded sheets is formed from a plurality of groups of interfolded sheets. Adjacent groups are secured or bonded together so that the bottom sheet of each group pulls the top sheet of the next group. In one embodiment of the invention, the strength of the bond is such that when the bottom sheet of a group is withdrawn through an opening in a package for the stack, the bond releases the top sheet of the next group after the top sheet is partially withdrawn through the opening. In another embodiment of the invention, the strength of the bond is such that the top sheet remains secured to the bottom sheet and is completely withdrawn through the opening. The sheets can be secured by an adhesive bond or by a non-adhesive bond.

Abstract: A stack of folded sheets includes right and left W folded sheets and right and left Z folded sheets which are arranged and interfolded so that the stack is balanced and has uniform bulk across its width. Withdrawal of the top sheet of the stack lifts the next sheet into position for withdrawal. The W and Z folded sheets advantageously have a maximum width of 120 mm, an overlap of about 40 mm, and a sheet width of up to 340 mm. Narrower stacks of W and Z folded sheets have folded widths of 100 mm or 75 mm and sheet widths of 292 mm or 215 mm.