Abstract: A printing system comprises a media transport device which holds print media, such as paper, against a movable support surface, such as a belt, by vacuum suction through holes in a vacuum platen and transports the print media though a deposition region of one or more printheads, which deposit a print fluid, such as ink, on the print media. The printing system comprises an airflow control device comprising dampers that are moveable along a direction perpendicular to the vacuum platen between an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration, each damper blocking at least one row of the holes in the deployed configuration. The airflow control device also comprises actuators to move the damper(s). The actuator(s) are controlled to selectively move the damper(s) between the undeployed and deployed configuration based on a position of an inter-media zone between adjacent print media held against the movable support surface.

Abstract: A printing system comprises a print fluid deposition assembly, a media transport device, and an air flow control system. The print fluid deposition assembly comprises a printhead module comprising a plurality of printheads to eject a print fluid to a deposition region. The media transport device holds a print medium against a movable support surface by vacuum suction and transports the print medium through the deposition region. The air flow control system is arranged to flow air toward the movable support surface at locations upstream and downstream of the printhead module, based on a location of a print medium relative to the printhead module.

Abstract: A printing system comprises an ink deposition assembly, a media transport device, and an airflow control system. The ink deposition assembly comprises printheads to deposit a print fluid, such as ink, on print media, such as paper, transported through a deposition region. The media transport device holds the print media against a moving support surface, such as a belt, by vacuum suction through holes in the media transport device and transports the print media though the deposition region. The airflow control system comprises a damper and an actuator configured to move the damper along a cross-process direction. The damper blocks airflow through a subset of the holes along a side of the media transport device, the subset varying based on a position of the damper. The damper is moved to change the subset of the holes blocked by the damper based on a size of the print medium.

Abstract: A printing system comprises an ink deposition assembly, a media transport device, and an airflow control system. The ink deposition assembly comprises printheads to deposit a print fluid, such as ink, on print media, such as paper, transported through a deposition region. The media transport device holds the print media against a moving support surface, such as a belt, by vacuum suction through holes in the media transport device and transports the print media though the deposition region. The airflow control system comprises a damper and an actuator configured to move the damper along a cross-process direction. The damper blocks airflow through a subset of the holes along a side of the media transport device, the subset varying based on a position of the damper. The damper is moved to change the subset of the holes blocked by the damper based on a size of the print medium.

Abstract: A printing system comprises a media transport device which holds print media, such as paper, against a movable support surface, such as a belt, by vacuum suction through holes in a vacuum platen and transports the print media though a deposition region of one or more printheads, which deposit a print fluid, such as ink, on the print media. The printing system comprises an airflow control device comprising dampers that are moveable along a direction perpendicular to the vacuum platen between an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration, each damper blocking at least one row of the holes in the deployed configuration. The airflow control device also comprises actuators to move the damper(s). The actuator(s) are controlled to selectively move the damper(s) between the undeployed and deployed configuration based on a position of an inter-media zone between adjacent print media held against the movable support surface.

Abstract: A printing system comprises a print fluid deposition assembly, a media transport device, and an air flow control system. The print fluid deposition assembly comprises a printhead module comprising a plurality of printheads to eject a print fluid to a deposition region. The media transport device holds a print medium against a movable support surface by vacuum suction and transports the print medium through the deposition region. The air flow control system is arranged to flow air toward the movable support surface at locations upstream and downstream of the printhead module, based on a location of a print medium relative to the printhead module.

Abstract: A system includes a processor that executes computer executable components stored in a memory. The system includes a first component to receive data generated by at least one sensor. The system further includes a second component to generate an array that determines between activating one of a purge routine and a diagnostic routine on a printhead based on the array. The array is a function of the data. The system further includes a control component operable to selectively activate the purge routine on the printhead based on the determination.

Abstract: A capping station is configured for storing a printhead during printer inactivity to preserve the operational status of the nozzles in the printhead. Each capping station has a housing having at least one wall and a floor configured to enclose a volume partially, and a plate having a textured surface that is positioned at a predetermined distance from a top surface of the at least one wall of the housing. The textured surface is made of a resilient material that has cells that contain flushing fluid. A printhead is pushed within the volume of the housing to engage the textured surface of the plate to press the flushing fluid into the faceplate of the printhead. The flushing fluid and the proximity of the textured surface keep ink on the faceplate and within the nozzles of the faceplate from drying.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printing system improves the leveling of an object during object printing and removal of waste material during leveling. The printing system includes a material applicator configured to expel material, a member configured to move in a process direction to a position opposite the material applicator to enable the material applicator to expel material onto the member, and a belt assembly. The belt assembly includes a first roller, a second roller, and a continuous belt entrained about the first roller and the second roller. The belt assembly is configured to remove a portion of the material ejected onto the member. The belt assembly is further configured to move the removed portion of the material away from the member.

Abstract: A printer protects at least one ejector, which is configured to form an object, from contact with the object. The printer includes the at least one ejector, a member, and a protection device. The protection device includes a shield configured to be moved between a stored position at which the shield is not interposed between the at least one ejector and the object, and a deployed position at which the shield is interposed between the at least one ejector and the object. The shield can be moved from the stored position toward the deployed position in response to contact between a projection of the protection device and the object.

Abstract: An object printing system facilitates the printing of articles of manufacture. The system includes at least one printhead, a transfer device, an ultraviolet (UV) radiator, a pressurized gas source operatively connected to the transfer device, a plurality of actuators, and a controller. The controller is configured to operate the at least one printhead to form an image on a substrate, move the substrate bearing the image past the UV radiator as the controller operates the UV radiator to cure the ejected marking material partially to prevent ink movement, and operates the pressurized gas source to conform the substrate and partially cured ejected material to a shape corresponding to a surface of an object placed on the substrate to transfer the partially cured marking material onto the surface of the object. The transfer device can be an inflatable bladder or a molded vacuum chamber.

Abstract: 3-D printers include a transfuse station having at least one roller on one side of the ITB supporting the ITB, and a transmission device on the same side of the ITB. A platen is included that moves relative to the ITB. The ITB electrostatically transfers a layer made up of the different color build materials and the support material to the platen each time the platen contacts the other side of the ITB at the transfuse station (the side of the ITB opposite the transfuse station roller and transmission device) using vibration and charge devices; and this successively forms multiple layers of the build materials and the support material on the platen.

Abstract: An object printing system facilitates the printing of articles of manufacture. The system includes at least one printhead, a transfer device, an ultraviolet (UV) radiator, a pressurized gas source operatively connected to the transfer device, a plurality of actuators, and a controller. The controller is configured to operate the at least one printhead to form an image on a substrate, move the substrate bearing the image past the UV radiator as the controller operates the UV radiator to cure the ejected marking material partially to prevent ink movement, and operates the pressurized gas source to conform the substrate and partially cured ejected material to a shape corresponding to a surface of an object placed on the substrate to transfer the partially cured marking material onto the surface of the object. The transfer device can be an inflatable bladder or a molded vacuum chamber.

Abstract: 3-D printers include a transfuse station having at least one roller on one side of the ITB supporting the ITB, and a transmission device on the same side of the ITB. A platen is included that moves relative to the ITB. The ITB electrostatically transfers a layer made up of the different color build materials and the support material to the platen each time the platen contacts the other side of the ITB at the transfuse station (the side of the ITB opposite the transfuse station roller and transmission device) using vibration and charge devices; and this successively forms multiple layers of the build materials and the support material on the platen.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printing system improves the leveling of an object during object printing and removal of waste material during leveling. The printing system includes a material applicator configured to expel material, a member configured to move in a process direction to a position opposite the material applicator to enable the material applicator to expel material onto the member, and a belt assembly. The belt assembly includes a first roller, a second roller, and a continuous belt entrained about the first roller and the second roller. The belt assembly is configured to remove a portion of the material ejected onto the member. The belt assembly is further configured to move the removed portion of the material away from the member.

Abstract: A printer protects at least one ejector, which is configured to form an object, from contact with the object. The printer includes the at least one ejector, a member, and a protection device. The protection device includes a shield configured to be moved between a stored position at which the shield is not interposed between the at least one ejector and the object, and a deployed position at which the shield is interposed between the at least one ejector and the object. The shield can be moved from the stored position toward the deployed position in response to contact between a projection of the protection device and the object.

Abstract: A method of printer operation enables visual detection of defective inkjets. The method includes operating inkjets in a predetermined number of printheads that eject a same color of ink to form a test pattern having three portions. One portion is printed by the even-numbered inkjets in each printhead, one portion is printed by the odd-numbered inkjets in each printhead, and a third portion is printed by all of the inkjets in each printhead. The portions are printed immediately adjacent to one another in a process direction with the third portion between the other two portions.

Abstract: A method of printer operation enables visual detection of defective inkjets. The method includes operating inkjets in a predetermined number of printheads that eject a same color of ink to form a test pattern having three portions. One portion is printed by the even-numbered inkjets in each printhead, one portion is printed by the odd-numbered inkjets in each printhead, and a third portion is printed by all of the inkjets in each printhead. The portions are printed immediately adjacent to one another in a process direction with the third portion between the other two portions.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for minimizing ghosting defects and process control instabilities for a printing system are disclosed. According to an exemplary embodiment, a controller retrieves uniformity measurements of an interdocument zone (IDZ) and sheet zone (SZ). In response to the uniformity measurements, a transfer current IDZ level is controlled to minimize differences in subsequent charging, photodischarge and/or development associated with the IDZ and SZ.

Abstract: A printhead cleaning device includes a housing having an opening and an ink receptacle positioned within the opening. A member extends from the ink receptacle and through the opening. The member is configured to contact a faceplate of a printhead to enable liquid ink emitted onto the faceplate to move from across the member into the ink receptacle.