Abstract: An apparatus and a method for cooling a digital micromirror device are disclosed. For example, the apparatus includes a digital micromirror device (DMD), a socket coupled to the DMD and a spray cooling block coupled to the socket to form an enclosed volume with a surface of the DMD. The spray cooling block includes a first plurality of openings to spray liquid droplets onto the surface of the DMD and a second plurality of openings to collect effluent into an effluent collection volume.

Abstract: A method for printing a three-dimensional tissue scaffold. An embodiment can include printing a first layer of scaffold fiber with a printer onto a base gel substrate; and disposing a first gel layer over the printed first layer. Another embodiment can include printing a first and second sacrificial fiber with a printer onto a base gel substrate; printing a first scaffold fiber between the first and second sacrificial fiber to form a printed first layer; and disposing a first gel layer over the printed first layer.

Abstract: A method for printing a three-dimensional tissue scaffold. An embodiment can include printing a first layer of scaffold fiber with a printer onto a base gel substrate; and disposing a first gel layer over the printed first layer. Another embodiment can include printing a first and second sacrificial fiber with a printer onto a base gel substrate; printing a first scaffold fiber between the first and second sacrificial fiber to form a printed first layer; and disposing a first gel layer over the printed first layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for supplying solid-ink pellets from a container to an image-forming device. The system includes a delivery tube within the container, with one or more openings to receive solid-ink pellets from the container. An agitating structure coupled to the delivery tube disturbs the solid ink pellets. The movement of the delivery tube moves the agitating structure, resulting in disturbing the solid-ink pellets and maintaining flowability of the pellets to the image-forming device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for supplying solid-ink pellets from a container to an image-forming device. The system includes a delivery tube within the container, with one or more openings to receive solid-ink pellets from the container. An agitating structure coupled to the delivery tube disturbs the solid ink pellets. The movement of the delivery tube moves the agitating structure, resulting in disturbing the solid-ink pellets and maintaining flowability of the pellets to the image-forming device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for supplying solid-ink pellets from a container to an image-forming device. The system includes a delivery tube within the container, with one or more openings to receive solid-ink pellets from the container. An agitating structure coupled to the delivery tube disturbs the solid ink pellets. The movement of the delivery tube moves the agitating structure, resulting in disturbing the solid-ink pellets and maintaining flowability of the pellets to the image-forming device.

Abstract: A solid phase change ink melter assembly in a phase change ink image producing machine includes an array of a plurality of spaced apart fins, the array defining a top face for receiving the solid pieces of phase change ink, a bottom face for discharging melted ink, and opposite melter surfaces for melting the solid pieces in contact therewith. The assembly further including a number of heat transfer devices extending through and in heat transfer contact with the plurality of fins, the heat transfer devices including a heating element for heating the device. The bottom edge of the fins defines a plurality of apexes which serve as drip points for molten phase change ink.

Abstract: A method and apparatus herein supply one or more media characteristics of a continuous media material (such as printing media) being supplied to rollers of an apparatus (such as a printing apparatus). The method and apparatus adjust the position of at least one of the rollers/shafts, relative to other rollers/shafts, based on the media characteristics to cause the media material to exhibit a target resonance frequency when being processed through the rollers. The method and apparatus can also identify excitation frequencies of vibrations produced by the apparatus as the apparatus feeds the continuous media material along the rollers and set the target resonance frequency at a value that is different from the excitation frequencies to prevent the apparatus from exciting the continuous media material at or near a resonant frequency of the processing system transporting the continuous media material.

Abstract: A solid phase change ink melter assembly in a phase change ink image producing machine includes an array of a plurality of spaced apart fins, the array defining a top face for receiving the solid pieces of phase change ink, a bottom face for discharging melted ink, and opposite melter surfaces for melting the solid pieces in contact therewith. The assembly further includes a number of heat transfer devices extending through and in heat transfer contact with the plurality of fins, the heat transfer devices including a heating element for heating the device. The bottom edge of the fins defines a plurality of apexes which serve as drip points for molten phase change ink.

Abstract: A method for delivering molten ink to a printing mechanism alternates between a first and second reservoir receiving molten ink from a receiving ink reservoir while providing ink from the other of the first and second reservoirs to a printing mechanism. The alternation of the two reservoirs is achieved with coordinated operation of two actuators operatively connected to two seal members.

Abstract: A solid phase change ink melter assembly in a phase change ink image producing machine comprises an array of a plurality of spaced apart fins, the array defining a top face for receiving the solid pieces of phase change ink, a bottom face for discharging melted ink, and opposite melter surfaces for melting the solid pieces in contact therewith. The assembly further comprises a number of heat transfer devices extending through and in heat transfer contact with the plurality of fins, the heat transfer devices including a heating element for heating the device. The bottom edge of the fins defines a plurality of apexes which serve as drip points for molten phase change ink.

Abstract: A solid phase change ink melter assembly in a phase change ink image producing machine comprises an array of a plurality of spaced apart fins, the array defining a top face for receiving the solid pieces of phase change ink, a bottom face for discharging melted ink, and opposite melter surfaces for melting the solid pieces in contact therewith. The assembly further comprises a number of heat transfer devices extending through and in heat transfer contact with the plurality of fins, the heat transfer devices including a heating element for heating the device. The bottom edge of the fins defines a plurality of apexes which serve as drip points for molten phase change ink.

Abstract: A solid phase change ink melter assembly in a phase change ink image producing machine having an array of a plurality of spaced apart fins, the array defining a top face for receiving the solid pieces of phase change ink, a bottom face for discharging melted ink, and opposite melter surfaces for melting the solid pieces in contact therewith. The assembly further includes a number of heat transfer devices extending through and in heat transfer contact with the plurality of fins, the heat transfer devices including a heating element for heating the device. The bottom edge of the fins defines a plurality of apexes which serve as drip points for molten phase change ink.

Abstract: A system for protecting media in an image-forming device. The system includes a heating element for heating the media, and a media path adjacent to the heating element. The media is transported in the image-forming device along the media path. The system also includes a barrier assembly having one or more non-flammable restraint threads and a spring-tensioned positioner. The restraint threads are mounted between the heating element and the media path, and the spring-tensioned positioner assembly maintains the restraint thread in a fixed position.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for supplying solid-ink pellets from a container to an image-forming device. The system includes a delivery tube within the container, with one or more openings to receive solid-ink pellets from the container. An agitating structure coupled to the delivery tube disturbs the solid ink pellets. The movement of the delivery tube moves the agitating structure, resulting in disturbing the solid-ink pellets and maintaining flowability of the pellets to the image-forming device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus herein supply one or more media characteristics of a continuous media material (such as printing media) being supplied to rollers of an apparatus (such as a printing apparatus). The method and apparatus adjust the position of at least one of the rollers/shafts, relative to other rollers/shafts, based on the media characteristics to cause the media material to exhibit a target resonance frequency when being processed through the rollers. The method and apparatus can also identify excitation frequencies of vibrations produced by the apparatus as the apparatus feeds the continuous media material along the rollers and set the target resonance frequency at a value that is different from the excitation frequencies to prevent the apparatus from exciting the continuous media material at or near a resonant frequency of the processing system transporting the continuous media material.

Abstract: A particulate composition of solid phase change ink includes sub-granular size pastilles composed of at least a salt, an ink vehicle compound, a viscosity modifying amide compound and a colorant, and each sub-granular size pastille of the particulate composition is at most the size of very coarse sand, and has a diameter of at most 2 mm on the Wentworth-Udden particle-sizing scale for increasing a melting rate thereof at a melting temperature of the solid phase change ink.

Abstract: This invention provides an ink jet assembly that prevents and controls ink drips from upper print heads from contacting the lower print heads or paper in the system. A heated ink drip bib is provided below the ink jet releasing portion of a print head. This ink drip bib directs falling or dripping ink into a drip tray located below each ink bib during the purge cycle. The ink bibs and the drip trays are co-extensive so that any ink being deflected from the ink bib is caught by the ink tray. In one embodiment, the ink bib is angled away from the printing surface to ensure that any solidified ink is separated from an imaging surface.

Abstract: A system and method is provide for delivering molten ink to a printing mechanism including receiving molten ink in a receiving reservoir, and alternating which of a plurality of reservoirs is opened to the receiving reservoir to receive molten ink while at least one other of the plurality of reservoirs is opened to dispense molten ink to the printing mechanism, in response to the level of ink in a reservoir dispensing molten ink to the printing mechanism.

Abstract: System and method for encapsulating edges of a paper in digital printing systems. A spray applicator can include a set of stationary sprayers with spray nozzles, a set of transfer rollers and an inkjet print head. The stationary sprayers can be positioned at both marginal ends of the paper. The stationary sprayers apply the fluid through the spray nozzles at edges of the moving paper to encapsulate the edges of the paper such that loose paper fibers and debris are bound to the paper. The fluid can be applied when the transfer rollers can pass the moving paper through a printer or printing press. Thus, the system can protect various subsystems of the printer or printing press against contamination due to the loose paper fibers and debris.