Abstract: A method is provided that includes acquiring positional information regarding a pallet being translated on a conveyance system with an encoding sensor disposed proximate to the conveyance system. The method also includes receiving, with at least one processor, the positional information from the encoding sensor. Further, the method includes determining timing information using the positional information. The timing information corresponds to when a substrate disposed on the pallet will be in a print zone of a print head. The method further includes controlling the print head to print on the substrate when the substrate is in the print zone and passing beneath the print head.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes acquiring positional information regarding a pallet being translated on a conveyance system with an encoding sensor disposed proximate to the conveyance system. The method also includes receiving, with at least one processor, the positional information from the encoding sensor. Further, the method includes determining timing information using the positional information. The timing information corresponds to when a substrate disposed on the pallet will be in a print zone of a print head. The method further includes controlling the print head to print on the substrate when the substrate is in the print zone and passing beneath the print head.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a print head, a conveyance system, an encoding sensor, and at least one processor. The print head defines a print zone, and is configured to print on objects within the print zone. The conveyance system passes through the print zone, and is configured to translate a pallet through the print zone. The encoding sensor is disposed proximate to the conveyance system, and is configured to be oriented toward the pallet and to acquire positional information regarding the pallet. The at least one processor is operably coupled to the print head and the encoding sensor, and is configured to: receive the positional information from the encoding sensor; determine timing information corresponding to when a substrate disposed on the pallet will be in the print zone; and control the print head to print on the substrate when the substrate is in the print zone.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a print head, a conveyance system, an encoding sensor, and at least one processor. The print head defines a print zone, and is configured to print on objects within the print zone. The conveyance system passes through the print zone, and is configured to translate a pallet through the print zone. The encoding sensor is disposed proximate to the conveyance system, and is configured to be oriented toward the pallet and to acquire positional information regarding the pallet. The at least one processor is operably coupled to the print head and the encoding sensor, and is configured to: receive the positional information from the encoding sensor; determine timing information corresponding to when a substrate disposed on the pallet will be in the print zone; and control the print head to print on the substrate when the substrate is in the print zone.

Abstract: A liquid supply assembly for use with a printing system of a type in which a liquid is deposited from the liquid supply assembly in a receiving region on a plate and any excess of the liquid in the receiving region is scraped from the plate by the liquid supply assembly. To this end, the liquid supply assembly employs a reusable cup, a disposable cup insert and a scraping element. As assembled, the reusable cup includes a reusable liquid reservoir, the disposable cup insert includes a temporary liquid reservoir holding the liquid within the reusable liquid reservoir, and the scraping element includes a conduit facilitating a flow of the liquid held by the temporary liquid reservoir through the conduit to the plate.

Abstract: A liquid supply assembly for use with a printing system of a type in which a liquid is deposited from the liquid supply assembly in a receiving region on a plate and any excess of the liquid in the receiving region is scraped from the plate by the liquid supply assembly. To this end, the liquid supply assembly employs a reusable cup, a disposable cup insert and a scraping element. As assembled, the reusable cup includes a reusable liquid reservoir, the disposable cup insert includes a temporary liquid reservoir holding the liquid within the reusable liquid reservoir, and the scraping element includes a conduit facilitating a flow of the liquid held by the temporary liquid reservoir through the conduit to the plate.

Abstract: A liquid supply assembly for use with a printing system of a type in which a liquid is deposited from the liquid supply assembly in a receiving region on a plate and any excess of the liquid in the receiving region is scraped from the plate by the liquid supply assembly. To this end, the liquid supply assembly employs a reusable cup, a disposable cup insert and a scraping element. As assembled, the reusable cup includes a reusable liquid reservoir, the disposable cup insert includes a temporary liquid reservoir holding the liquid within the reusable liquid reservoir, and the scraping element includes a conduit facilitating a flow of the liquid held by the temporary liquid reservoir through the conduit to the plate.

Abstract: A liquid supply assembly for use with a printing system of a type in which a liquid is deposited from the liquid supply assembly in a receiving region on a plate and any excess of the liquid in the receiving region is scraped from the plate by the liquid supply assembly. To this end, the liquid supply assembly employs a reusable cup, a disposable cup insert and a scraping element. As assembled, the reusable cup includes a reusable liquid reservoir, the disposable cup insert includes a temporary liquid reservoir holding the liquid within the reusable liquid reservoir, and the scraping element includes a conduit facilitating a flow of the liquid held by the temporary liquid reservoir through the conduit to the plate.

Abstract: A liquid supply assembly for use with a printing system of a type in which a liquid is deposited from the liquid supply assembly in a receiving region on a plate and any excess of the liquid in the receiving region is scraped from the plate by the liquid supply assembly. To this end, the liquid supply assembly employs a reusable cup, a disposable cup insert and a scraping element. As assembled, the reusable cup includes a reusable liquid reservoir, the disposable cup insert includes a temporary liquid reservoir holding the liquid within the reusable liquid reservoir, and the scraping element includes a conduit facilitating a flow of the liquid held by the temporary liquid reservoir through the conduit to the plate.

Abstract: A rotating cliché pad printer includes a frame, a flat cliché operably mounted to the frame, an ink cup configured to reside on the cliché and a pad applicator. The cliché includes at least one etched region and is adapted to receive ink thereon in the etched region. The ink cup is configured to reside on the cliché and to deposit ink into the at least one etched region. The cliché and ink cup are rotatably movable relative to one another. The pad applicator includes at least one pad adapted to move into and out of contact with the at least one etched region to receive ink from the etched region. The pad is further configured to contact an associated object to transfer the received ink to the associated object.

Abstract: A liquid supply assembly for use with a printing system of a type in which a liquid is deposited from the liquid supply assembly in a receiving region on a plate and any excess of the liquid in the receiving region is scraped from the plate by the liquid supply assembly. To this end, the liquid supply assembly employs a reusable cup, a disposable cup insert and a scraping element. As assembled, the reusable cup includes a reusable liquid reservoir, the disposable cup insert includes a temporary liquid reservoir holding the liquid within the reusable liquid reservoir, and the scraping element includes a conduit facilitating a flow of the liquid held by the temporary liquid reservoir through the conduit to the plate.

Abstract: A liquid supply assembly for use with a printing system of a type in which a liquid is deposited from the liquid supply assembly in a receiving region on a plate and any excess of the liquid in the receiving region is scraped from the plate by the liquid supply assembly. To this end, the liquid supply assembly employs a reusable cup, a disposable cup insert and a scraping element. As assembled, the reusable cup includes a reusable liquid reservoir, the disposable cup insert includes a temporary liquid reservoir holding the liquid within the reusable liquid reservoir, and the scraping element includes a conduit facilitating a flow of the liquid held by the temporary liquid reservoir through the conduit to the plate.

Abstract: A rotating cliché pad printer includes a frame, a flat cliché operably mounted to the frame, an ink cup configured to reside on the cliché and a pad applicator. The cliché includes at least one etched region and is adapted to receive ink thereon in the etched region. The ink cup is configured to reside on the cliché and to deposit ink into the at least one etched region. The cliché and ink cup are rotatably movable relative to one another. The pad applicator includes at least one pad adapted to move into and out of contact with the at least one etched region to receive ink from the etched region. The pad is further configured to contact an associated object to transfer the received ink to the associated object.

Abstract: A pad printing system includes a doctor assembly comprising a cliché, an ink cup, and a variable hold down force system configured to apply a variable force to the ink cup and doctor assembly responsive to a direction of travel.

Abstract: A pad printing system for applying an image to a print object includes a cliché device capable of presenting a raised ink image and a conveyer belt. A plurality of pads attached to the conveyer belt. The conveyer belt is operable to move the pads into contact with the cliché device to pick up the raised ink image, and then to move the pads into contact with the print object to transfer the image to the print object.

Abstract: A liquid supply assembly for use with a printing system of a type in which a liquid is deposited from the liquid supply assembly in a receiving region on a plate and any excess of the liquid in the receiving region is scraped from the plate by the liquid supply assembly. To this end, the liquid supply assembly employs a reusable cup, a disposable cup insert and a scraping element. As assembled, the reusable cup includes a reusable liquid reservoir, the disposable cup insert includes a temporary liquid reservoir holding the liquid within the reusable liquid reservoir, and the scraping element includes a conduit facilitating a flow of the liquid held by the temporary liquid reservoir through the conduit to the plate.

Abstract: An imaging system employing a printing plate and a mounting plate. The printing plate includes a printable plate body, and a mounting channel extending through the printable plate body. The mounting plate is used to mount the printing plate thereon during an execution of an imaging method (e.g., an indicia formation process and/or a pad printing process). The mounting plate includes a mountable plate body, a magnetic coupling channel extending into the mountable plate body and a magnetic coupler. The magnetic coupler includes a base magnetic member (e.g., a magnet) embedded in the mountable plate body, and an insertable magnetic member (e.g., a magnetic shaft) that can be magnetically coupled to the base magnetic member in response to the insertable magnetic member being concurrently inserted through the mounting channel of the printing plate and into the magnetic coupling channel.

Abstract: Pad mounting for a pad printer including a pad printer having a frame; a pad coupler attached to the frame; a printing pad; and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism removably secures the printing pad to the pad coupler.

Abstract: An ink supply system is used with a printer of the type in which ink is deposited in an engraved receiving region on a cliche plate and is scraped from the plate leaving ink in the receiving region. The ink supply system includes an ink cup having a hollow interior defining an ink reservoir and defining an outer edge. The outer edge has a doctor blade formed thereon for engaging and scraping the plate. The ink cup has an inlet and an outlet. A pump has a suction side and a discharge side with the suction side in flow communication with the cup outlet for drawing ink from the cup. A viscosity controller is in flow communication with the pump discharge and receives ink from the pump. A flow conduit extends between the viscosity controller and the ink cup for providing a flow of ink from the viscosity controller to the ink cup.