Abstract: A process system and method for the making of articles, using an omnidirectional magnetic movement system with a transport surface and fabrication modules having a formation surface that can be transported omnidirectionally over the transport surface under the control of a movement controller. An article forming system provides process unit operations for forming articles onto the formation surface as the fabrication modules are moved asynchronously between a plurality of processing positions on the transport surface, and features a depositing device for placing a construction material onto the formation surface and one or more processing devices to form the construction material into the article.

Abstract: Systems for fabricating a three-dimensional article including a printhead; and a controller configured to operate the printhead using one or more voltage waveforms, wherein: one or more non-ejecting pulses of the one or more voltage waveforms can be different than one or more ejecting pulses of the one or more voltage waveforms. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system for fabricating a three-dimensional article includes a fluid supply with binding agent, a printhead, a powder dispenser, and a controller. The fluid supply is for containing a binding agent. The controller is configured to (a) operate the fluid supply and/or the printhead to elevate a temperature of the binding agent to above 25 degrees Celsius, (b) operate the dispenser to dispose a layer of the powder at a build plane, (c) scan and operate the printhead to selectively jet the binding agent onto the layer of powder to bind a layer of the three-dimensional article, and (d) repeat operating the dispenser and scanning and operating the printhead to complete fabrication of the article. Jetting or not jetting the binding agent includes individually operating drop ejectors of the printhead using a voltage waveform. The waveform can include one or more of a non-ejecting pulse and an ejecting pulse.

Abstract: A system for fabricating a three-dimensional article includes a fluid supply with binding agent, a printhead, a powder dispenser, and a controller. The fluid supply is for containing a binding agent. The controller is configured to (a) operate the fluid supply and/or the printhead to elevate a temperature of the binding agent to above 25 degrees Celsius, (b) operate the dispenser to dispose a layer of the powder at a build plane, (c) scan and operate the printhead to selectively jet the binding agent onto the layer of powder to bind a layer of the three-dimensional article, and (d) repeat operating the dispenser and scanning and operating the printhead to complete fabrication of the article. Jetting or not jetting the binding agent includes individually operating drop ejectors of the printhead using a voltage waveform. The waveform can include one or more of a non-ejecting pulse and an ejecting pulse.

Abstract: A method for recycling ink in an inkjet printer includes combining purged inks having two or more colors with black ink to form a mixed ink. The printer identifies an optical characteristic of the mixed ink and compares it to the optical characteristic for black ink. A controller for the printer adjusts the operation of the printer to form ink images having an optical characteristic that is closer to black ink than ink images formed with the mixed ink alone.

Abstract: A method for recycling ink in an inkjet printer includes combining purged inks having two or more colors with black ink to form a mixed ink. The printer identifies an optical characteristic of the mixed ink and compares it to the optical characteristic for black ink. A controller for the printer adjusts the operation of the printer to form ink images having an optical characteristic that is closer to black ink than ink images formed with the mixed ink alone.

Abstract: In an inkjet printer, an ink reclamation apparatus receives ink emitted from at least one printhead. The ink reclamation apparatus includes an ink receptacle and a liquid path member that extends from the ink receptacle to contact the face of at least one printhead proximate to a plurality of inkjets in the at least one printhead. The liquid path member draws liquid ink from the plurality of inkjets and the liquid ink enters the ink receptacle. The ink reclamation apparatus returns the ink to a reservoir in the printhead and reduces or eliminates wasted ink during operation of the at least one printhead.

Abstract: A method for recirculating ink in an inkjet printer includes applying air pressure to an ink supply to expel liquid ink through a plurality of inkjets in the printhead. An ink receptacle that is positioned at a predetermined distance from the inkjets collects the expelled ink. The ink receptacle moves into fluid communication with an ink supply, and the ink collected in the ink receptacle enters the ink supply.

Abstract: A method for recycling ink in an inkjet printer includes combining purged inks having two or more colors with black ink to form a mixed ink. The printer identifies an optical characteristic of the mixed ink and compares it to the optical characteristic for black ink. A controller for the printer adjusts the operation of the printer to form ink images having an optical characteristic that is closer to black ink than ink images formed with the mixed ink alone.

Abstract: In an inkjet printer, an ink reclamation apparatus receives ink emitted from at least one printhead. The ink reclamation apparatus includes an ink receptacle and a liquid path member that extends from the ink receptacle to contact the face of at least one printhead proximate to a plurality of inkjets in the at least one printhead. The liquid path member draws liquid ink from the plurality of inkjets and the liquid ink enters the ink receptacle. The ink reclamation apparatus returns the ink to a reservoir in the printhead and reduces or eliminates wasted ink during operation of the at least one printhead.

Abstract: A method for recirculating ink in an inkjet printer includes applying air pressure to an ink supply to expel liquid ink through a plurality of inkjets in the printhead. An ink receptacle that is positioned at a predetermined distance from the inkjets collects the expelled ink. The ink receptacle moves into fluid communication with an ink supply, and the ink collected in the ink receptacle enters the ink supply.

Abstract: A method for recycling ink in an inkjet printer includes combining purged inks having two or more colors with black ink to form a mixed ink. The printer identifies an optical characteristic of the mixed ink and compares it to the optical characteristic for black ink. A controller for the printer adjusts the operation of the printer to form ink images having an optical characteristic that is closer to black ink than ink images formed with the mixed ink alone.

Abstract: A method of detecting print head roll begins with the formation of a test pattern on an image receiving surface. The test pattern includes a plurality of marks arrayed across the image receiving surface in a cross-process direction with each mark in the plurality being formed by a different nozzle of a print head. The cross-process direction positions of each mark in the plurality of marks are then detected; and the detected cross-process direction positions are correlated to a print head roll value for the print head.

Abstract: A system for recycling waste phase change ink in a phase change ink imaging device includes a printhead having an on-board phase change ink reservoir and a waste ink collector for receiving ink from an ejecting face of the printhead. The printhead is supplied ink from a remote ink reservoir, which is also fluidly connected to the waste ink collector by a waste phase change ink conveyor, which is configured to convey melted waste phase change ink from the waste ink collector to the remote ink reservoir.

Abstract: A method evaluates image quality in an ink printing system and generates data values for altering the operation of the ink printing system. The method includes generating an ink image on an ink image receiving member that corresponds to a digital image stored in the ink printing system, generating a scanned image signal corresponding to the ink image, generating firing signal waveform adjustments and image data adjustments with reference to the scanned image signal corresponding to the ink image, and operating a printhead in an ink imaging system with reference to the firing signal waveform adjustments and the image data adjustments.

Abstract: A system for recycling waste phase change ink in a phase change ink imaging device includes a printhead having an on-board phase change ink reservoir and a waste ink collector for receiving ink from an ejecting face of the printhead. The printhead is supplied ink from a remote ink reservoir, which is also fluidly connected to the waste ink collector by a waste phase change ink conveyor, which is configured to convey melted waste phase change ink from the waste ink collector to the remote ink reservoir.

Abstract: A method of detecting print head roll begins with the formation of a test pattern on an image receiving surface. The test pattern includes a plurality of marks arrayed across the image receiving surface in a cross-process direction with each mark in the plurality being formed by a different nozzle of a print head. The cross-process direction positions of each mark in the plurality of marks are then detected; and the detected cross-process direction positions are correlated to a print head roll value for the print head.

Abstract: A system for recycling waste phase change ink in a phase change ink imaging device includes a waste ink collector positioned within a phase change ink imaging device to collect waste phase change ink produced by a printhead in the phase change ink imaging device. The waste ink collector includes a heater for heating the waste phase change ink in the collector to at least a phase change ink melting temperature. A waste phase change ink conveyor is configured to convey melted waste phase change ink from the waste ink collector to an ink reservoir for the printhead.

Abstract: A method of recycling waste phase change ink includes collecting waste phase change ink in a container in a phase change ink imaging device. The waste phase change ink comprises melted phase change ink emitted by at least one print head in the phase change ink imaging device. The collected waste phase change ink is removed from the phase change ink imaging device, and at least a portion of the collected waste phase change ink removed from the imaging device is added to a quantity of melted phase change ink.

Abstract: A method of detecting print head roll begins with the formation of a test pattern on an image receiving surface. The test pattern includes a plurality of marks arrayed across the image receiving surface in a cross-process direction with each mark in the plurality being formed by a different nozzle of a print head. The cross-process direction positions of each mark in the plurality of marks are then detected; and the detected cross-process direction positions are correlated to a print head roll value for the print head.