Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a first generator, a second generator, and a shaping controller. The first generator generates first shaping data for shaping a first solid object that represents identification information for a shaping unit for shaping a solid object, in the form of a three-dimensionally shaped pattern in which a plurality of layer regions are stacked and at least adjacent ones of the layer regions differ from each other in feature quantities. The second generator generates third shaping data that includes second shaping data for shaping a second solid object serving as a shaping target and also includes the first shaping data, and that is used for shaping a third solid object in which the first solid object is arranged in the second solid object. The shaping controller controls the shaping unit to shape the third solid object using the third shaping data.

Abstract: A 3D printer has a gantry configured to move in a plane substantially parallel to a build plane, and a platen configured to support a part being built. The platen is configured to move in a direction substantially normal to the build plane. A head carriage is carried by the gantry, and a print head is carried by and retained in the head carriage. A material container has a material container body and a material container cover configured to allow loading of a spool containing a supply of a consumable filament for printing with the 3D printer, the spool mounted on an axle containing a spool chip and electrical contacts. The material container body includes a first and second axle channels configured to accept first and second ends of the axle. The first axle channel has a number of electrical contacts and is tapered to orient the axle to align the axle contacts with the first axle channel contacts.

Abstract: A control system for use in an additive manufacturing system. A recoating device is configured to distribute powder for forming a component and a recoating motor is configured to move at least one of the powder bed and the recoating device relative to each other. The control system includes at least one vibration sensor configured to collect vibration data, a torque sensor coupled to the recoating motor and configured to collect the torque output data, and an optical sensor configured to collect reflected light data. The control system includes a controller configured to receive the vibration data, receive the torque output data, and receive the reflected light data, the controller further configured to determine at least one powder bed characteristic based on at least one of the data, and control at least one recoating parameter of the recoating device based on the at least one determined powder bed characteristic.

Abstract: A hydrogel object includes a polymer and water, wherein the rate of mass loss is not greater than 20 percent by mass when the hydrogel object is left undone for one week at 25 degrees C. and relative humidity of 50 percent.

Abstract: Bio-Inks and methods of using compositions comprising the bio-Inks are disclosed. 3-D tissue repair and regeneration through precise and specific formation of biodegradable tissue scaffolds in a tissue site using the bio-inks are also provided. Specific methylacrylated gelatin hydrogels (MAC) and methacrylated chitosan (MACh) preparations formulated with sucrose, a silicate-containing component (such as laponite), and/or a cross-linking agent (such as a photo-initiator or chemical initiator), as well as powdered preparations of these, are also disclosed. Kits containing these preparations are provided for point-of-care tissue repair in vivo. Superior, more complete (up to 99.85% tissue regeneration within 4 weeks applied in situ), and rapid in situ tissue repair and bone formation are also demonstrated.

Abstract: A method is provided for configuring a drying device in a printing machine, in particular in a value document printing machine. The printing machine has at least one printing unit which comprises an imaging cylinder having a plurality of imaging printing elements or groups of imaging printing elements which are arranged in rows and columns on its circumference. A drying device has a dryer, by which print material, passing through the dryer, is subject to radiation. The drying device is configured for ongoing or upcoming production in such a way that the print material passing through the dryer, in order to be dried, is subjected to radiation in a plurality of tracks spaced from each other by non-irradiated tracks according to the same switch-on and switch-off sequence extending over cycle length.

Abstract: Dryers (300) comprising a first surface (102) and a deflector (302). The first surface comprises at least one opening (104) through which air is forced during use to dry a printed media and the deflector comprises (302) a second surface to change the direction of airflow passing through the at least one opening. The deflector guides the direction of the airflow such that it flows substantially in a direction corresponding to the direction of travel (310) of the printed media.

Abstract: A cleaning arrangement for a coater that has a plate cylinder, the cleaning arrangement having a cleaning web, a tangential moving mechanism configured to controllably move the cleaning web in at least one direction in a plane defined by the cleaning web, a radial moving mechanism configured to controllably move the cleaning web in at least one direction out of the plane, and a controller coupled to the tangential and radial moving mechanisms which is configured to control the moving of the cleaning web into and out of contact with the plate cylinder in conformity with input signals received by the controller.

Abstract: An inkjet printer for printing labels includes: a first interface configured to receive, from a host computer, print data for images to be printed on the labels; a second interface configured to receive, from a sequencer, a first signal indicating a timing to execute a printing operation that includes printing the images, and a second signal indicating a timing to execute a predetermined operation that cannot be executed in parallel with printing the images; and a controller configured to: render the print data received via the first interface, and execute the printing operation based on the rendered print data at a timing based on the first signal received via the second interface, and execute the predetermined operation at a timing based on the second signal received via the second interface.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus sequentially performs a discharging operation of discharging pressurized liquid from a nozzle, a discharge stopping operation of stopping the discharging operation, a pressure reducing operation of reducing the pressure in a liquid ejecting unit, and a wiping operation of wiping a nozzle surface.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head may include a driver element that ejects liquid in a pressure chamber from a nozzle, a liquid storage chamber that stores liquid to be supplied to the pressure chamber, and a driver IC that drives the driver element. At least a part of the liquid storage chamber overlaps with both the driver element and the driver IC when viewed in plan.

Abstract: A printing apparatus having a first power state and a second power state, which saves more power than the first power state, includes a detection unit configured to detect a temperature around the printing apparatus, a holding unit configured to hold background temperature data indicating the temperature around the printing apparatus, a control unit configured to, based on the background temperature data held in the holding unit and temperature data detected by the detection unit, shift the printing apparatus from the second power state to the first power state, and an update unit configured to update the background temperature data held in the holding unit.

Abstract: A printing method of printing a background and an image on a medium includes a background printing step of printing a background on the medium by discharging background ink, and an image printing step of being performed in parallel with the background printing step and printing an image on the medium by discharging image ink. A non-printing area, where the background ink and the image ink are not discharged to a boundary between the background and the image, is provided in the background printing step and the image printing step.

Abstract: Control modes for controlling recovery operation and printing operation of an ejection head in relation to each other include first and second control modes that can be selected according to a viscosity of liquid. In such control modes, different recovery operations are set.

Abstract: A print element substrate, comprises: a first generating unit that selects a first sensor, and in a first period and a second period that follows the first period, generates a first temperature signal; a second generating unit that selects a second sensor, and in the second period and a third period that follows the second period, generates a second temperature signal; a processing unit that receives the first and second temperature signals, and based on values of the received signals, outputs a signal indicating a discharge; and a switching unit that outputs to the processing unit the first temperature signal from the start of the second period until a predetermined timing of the second period, and at the predetermined timing, switches a signal outputted from the first temperature signal to the second temperature signal.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a cartridge including a first liquid chamber and a first flow path; a tank including a second liquid chamber and a third flow path, at least one of the first flow path and the third flow path communicating the first and second liquid chambers when the cartridge is installed in an installation case; and a controller configured to: when the cartridge is installed in the installation case, determine a liquid amount Vs based on an outflow amount Qc of liquid flowed out from the cartridge toward the tank and a discharge liquid amount; determine whether elapsed time reaches standby time after determining that the liquid amount Vs reaches a first threshold value; and when the elapsed time reaches the standby time, perform image recording of next unit recording area.

Abstract: There is provided a head module including: a case; and a head provided with nozzles through which a liquid is jetted. The head includes: two first inlets through which the liquid flows into the head; and a first outlet through which the liquid flows out of the head. The case includes: a second inlet through which the liquid supplied from an outside flows into the case; two inflow-connecting ports communicating with the second inlet and connected to the two first inlets; an outflow-connecting port connected to the first outlet; and a second outlet communicating with the outflow-connecting port and through which the liquid flows out to the outside.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device and method of manufacturing the same and an inkjet head are described. In one embodiment, the inkjet print head comprises a plurality of jets, wherein each of the plurality of jets comprises a nozzle, a pressure chamber connected with the nozzle, a piezoelectric body coupled to the pressure chamber, and an electrode coupled to the piezoelectric body to cause displacement of the piezoelectric body to apply pressure to the pressure chamber in response to a voltage applied to the electrode; and wherein electrodes of two or more of the plurality of jets have different sizes to cause their associated piezoelectric bodies to have a uniform displacement amount when the voltage is applied to the electrodes.

Abstract: A channel member includes an integrating channel, a plurality of common channels, a plurality of individual channels, and a plurality of ejection ports. The integrating channel extends in a first direction. The plurality of common channels extends in a second direction, is spaced apart from each other in the first direction, and is individually connected to the integrating channel. The plurality of individual channels is connected to the respective plurality of common channels. Each of the plurality of ejection ports is linked with at least one corresponding individual channel. Each of the plurality of common channels includes a first connection region connected to the plurality of individual channels, and a second connection region connected to the integrating channel. Each of the plurality of common channels includes an opening in the second connection region linked with the integrating channel, and a damper in a portion facing the opening.

Abstract: A nozzle plate includes a base having a through-hole to be a nozzle, and a metal film covering at least an inner wall of the through-hole of the base. The base contains nickel as a main component. The metal film contains nickel and palladium as main components. In a cross section including the base and the metal film, the metal film has a palladium content variation smaller than or equal to 4 at % on an imaginary line (A) along an interface between the base and the metal film.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes an individual flow passage member; and a common flow passage member joined to the individual flow passage member in a first direction. The individual flow passage member has nozzle groups formed on a surface on a side opposite to the common flow passage member and connecting hole groups formed on a surface on a side of the common flow passage member; and the common flow passage member has manifold flow passages corresponding to the connecting hole groups respectively. Each of the nozzle groups includes nozzles aligned in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and each of the connecting hole groups includes connecting holes aligned in the second direction and connected to the nozzles respectively. Each of the manifold flow passages extends in the second direction and is connected to the nozzles via the connecting holes.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes: a rigid elongate manifold having ink supply channels extending along its length and a plurality of ink outlets defined therein; a shim attached to the manifold, the shim having a plurality of shim apertures for receiving ink from the ink outlets; and a plurality of printhead chips adhesively bonded directly to the shim, each printhead chip receiving ink from one or more of the ink outlets. The the shim is formed of a metal alloy having a CTE of 5 ppm/° C. or less.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a liquid ejection head includes: a step of preparing a substrate having a first surface on which energy generation elements and a first layer are provided; and a step of forming a supply port by etching the substrate with an etching liquid or an etching gas from a second surface which is a surface opposite to the first surface so as to enable the etching liquid or the etching gas to reach the first layer, and the first layer is divided by a region which is located between a portion of the first layer covering the energy generation elements and a portion of the first layer to which the etching liquid or the etching gas is reached.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a bonded-substrate article includes a first bonding where a first bonding region of a first substrate and a third bonding region of a second substrate are bonded at a first temperature, and a second bonding, following the first bonding, where a second bonding region of the first substrate and a fourth bonding region of the second substrate are bonded at a second temperature. The first temperature is lower than the second temperature.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head and a liquid ejection apparatus capable of maintaining high reliability include a first cover member including an aperture and covering a surface of a flow path member facing a print medium of the liquid ejection head, a second cover member covering a side surface of the liquid ejection head, and a displacement absorption part that absorbs the displacement between the first cover member and the second cover member. Furthermore, the space between the aperture and the flow path member is sealed with a sealing material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit (100) for recovery of vaporized solvent in a cavity (5) in a print head of an inkjet printer, comprising: a double flow heat exchanger (30) comprising a first circuit between a first inlet (35) and a first outlet (36), for a gas flow from said cavity, this exchanger comprising a second circuit thermally coupled to the first circuit and located between a second inlet (37) and a second outlet (39), a condenser (8) with an inlet (35) with fluid coupling to the first outlet (36) from the exchanger, along the direction of circulation of the gas flow, and an outlet (86), with fluid coupling to the second inlet (37) of the double flow exchanger (30).

Abstract: A printing fluid cartridge (104) for a pumped printing fluid system containing a pump (110) is described, the printing fluid cartridge (104) comprising a housing (120) defining an interior chamber (122); a collapsible bag (124) within the chamber for holding a supply of printing fluid (126); and a fluid connection member (106) for forming a fluid connection between the collapsible bag (124) and an upstream side of the pump (110). The housing (120) includes a structure allowing the application of manual pressure to the collapsible bag (124) to urge printing fluid out of the collapsible bag through the fluid connection member (106) to the upstream side of the pump (110) to displace air (130) in the fluid connection member (106) and the pump (110).

Abstract: An image-recording apparatus includes: a first tank defining a first storage chamber; a second tank defining a second storage chamber; a conveying mechanism for conveying sheets along a conveying path extending in a depthwise direction and a widthwise direction perpendicular to a vertical direction and the depthwise direction; and a recording head including a nozzle. Liquid in the first storage chamber is supplied through a communication port to the second storage chamber and then to the recording head through a liquid outlet port. The second storage chamber is positioned further in a first depthwise direction relative to the nozzle and further in a first widthwise direction relative to the conveying path. A volume of a prescribed space above a liquid level equal to a height of the communication port in the second storage chamber is greater than that of a liquid channel between the liquid outlet port and the nozzle.

Abstract: A liquid surface detector includes a tube through which a liquid passes; an electrode pin disposed on an inner wall of the tube; and a ground pin disposed on the inner wall of the tube. In the liquid surface detector, the electrode pin and the ground pin are disposed in different directions as viewed from an axial direction of the tube.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing consumption of a plurality of toners in a printing device by implementing an automated toner Throughput rate reduction is disclosed, comprising steps of detecting levels of the plurality of toners; identifying, based on a given criteria and detected levels, at least one toner out of the plurality of toners that is running low; calculating a Throughput Rate Reduction (TRR) for each of the identified toners; and reducing Toner Throughput Rate (TTR) at the current printing mode for the identified toner by TRR thereby conserving the identified at least one toner. The toners are identified for reduced throughput based on a dynamic threshold that is equal to difference in its level as compared to toner having highest level. Dynamic thresholds for toners is determined either dynamically at beginning of each print job, or periodically at set intervals, or in combination of two.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharging apparatus including a liquid discharge head, a tank, and a controller configured to perform: estimating an amount of liquid remained in the tank; estimating a viscosity of the remained liquid; estimating an amount of the refilled liquid; estimating a viscosity of the refilled liquid; and estimating a viscosity of a mixed liquid of the remained liquid and the refilled liquid at a point of time of finishing a refill of the tank with the liquid, based on the estimated amount of the remained liquid, the estimated viscosity of the remained liquid, the estimated amount of the refilled liquid, and the estimated viscosity of the refilled liquid.

Abstract: An inkjet printer forms ink dots of a first ink and ink dots of a second ink on a recording medium. The inkjet printer performs first screen processing on image data of the second ink to generate a first dot group including the ink dots of the second ink, and performs second screen processing on image data of the second ink to generate a second dot group including the ink dots of the second ink. The inkjet printer forms a first printing layer, on the recording medium, of the ink dots of the first ink and the ink dots of the first dot group, and forms a second printing layer of the ink dots of the second ink, above or below the first printing layer.

Abstract: A printing system is disclosed. The printing system includes a printer to print image data to a medium. The printer includes a first pass channel including a first set of pel forming elements to print a first component of the image data and a second pass channel including a second set of pel forming elements to print a second component of the image data, wherein the first component of the image data and the second component of the image data occupy a same region on the print medium. The printing system also includes a print controller to perform uniformity compensation based on a combined compensation of the first pass channel and the second pass channel.

Abstract: A rotary digital printing system is disclosed, which includes: a print zone, including several independent print stations, each station including a respective print head, curing system, and read head; a number of fixtures, each fixture being configured to support an item that is to receive printed information, and including an encoder ring that can be read by a given print station's read head to determine a circumferential position and rotational speed of the fixture in question; a rotational drive for rotating each fixture positioned in a print station such that the surface of the item support member and an item disposed thereon is rotated past the print head and curing system for printing and curing; a conveyance module for transporting the fixtures to said print stations. The system is configured so as to convey, using the conveyance module, the plurality of fixtures through the print zone, stopping at one or more of the print stations.

Abstract: A drying device includes a plurality of blowers to blow air onto an object to be dried, the plurality of blowers being disposed along a direction of conveyance of the object to be dried, and a plurality of heaters to heat air inside the plurality of blowers. Each of the plurality of blowers includes an elongated nozzle arranged along a nozzle direction perpendicular to the direction of conveyance of the object to be dried, and an airflow generator to generate airflow to be blown from the elongated nozzle. The plurality of blowers includes a first blower including the airflow generator at a first end of the first blower in the nozzle direction and a second blower including the airflow generator at a second end of the second blower opposite the first end in the nozzle direction.

Abstract: A solid blanket receives a flood layer of very thin (e.g., about 10 ?m or less) image receiving UV curable coating, which may be a clear, substantially clear, or tinted UV ink. A lower viscosity digital ink image may then be printed on top of the flood layer, for example by jetting UV ink on top of the flood layer. The lower viscosity UV digital ink sits on top of the thicker UV curable coating and maintains its location by surface tension interaction with the coating. The combination of ink and coating is then partially cured to a tacky state at which point it is transferred to print media via a conformable pressure nip. Since the lower viscosity jetted inks are not responsible for directly wetting the media, media latitude widens greatly. Further, no dampening fluid or fountain solution is needed to aid the transfer or the imaging.

Abstract: Technology enabling correctly detecting that paper has been delivered from a paper roll to the trailing end A printer has an inkjet head; a roll paper support; a delivery motor configured to rotate the roll paper supported by the roll paper support; a guide member configured to guide roll paper conveyed from the paper roll; and a detection switch disposed to a position where it detects the conveyed roll paper when the delivery point on the circumference of the paper roll moves to the part of the circumference of the roll on the same side of an imaginary line as the guide member; the delivery point being from which the conveyed roil paper separates from the roil when the paper roll turns; and the imaginary line being tangent to the guide member and passing through the center of the roll.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a transporting section that transports a work, a printing mechanism section that has a nozzle plate that performs printing by discharging ink on the work, and a moving section that reciprocally and relatively moves the printing mechanism section in a direction intersecting the transporting direction of the work. In the printing apparatus, when the printing mechanism section moves reciprocally, printing in a forward path includes a first printing area, a second printing areas, and printing in a backward path includes a first printing area, and second printing areas. In addition, the transportation amount of the work is adjusted based on the second printing areas.

Abstract: A receipt printer according to an embodiment includes a sheet roller that transports a sheet from a sheet roll to a receipt issuing port. A printing device prints receipt data on the sheet. A cutter configured performs full cutting so that the sheet is separated from the sheet roll and partial cutting so that the sheet remains partially connected to the sheet roll. A processor controls the cutter to perform the partial cutting after the printing device prints the receipt data on the sheet, and also controls the cutter to perform the full cutting when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the partial cutting is performed.

Abstract: A printer provided with a paper cutter apparatus having improved durability and preventing an increase in size of the whole printer is provided. The printer is provided with the paper cutter apparatus having a fixed blade and a drivable movable blade. The printer comprises a body and a swing door openably attached to the body. The fixed blade is provided in the body and the movable blade is provided in the swing door. A driving link is provided in the swing door and coupled to the movable blade. A driving motor as a driving source is provided in the body. A slider is provided in the body. Driving force of the driving motor is conveyed to the driving link via the slider and the movable blade is moved toward the fixed blade by the driving link.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for mitigating print head dry out. In an example embodiment, a system can be implemented, which includes an arrangement of cross rollers and a registration transport for transporting one or more sheets for printing, and a steering mechanism that drives the sheet(s) into the opposing registration print edges of print heads on the registration transportation, wherein the cross rollers only engage when the sheet is being registered to the appropriate edge of the print heads, thereby allowing the print heads to be exercised prior to drying out. When one or more of the sheets are out of the nip, the nip disengages, thereby allowing the next sheet to be stirred on the opposing edge of the registration print heads. The opposing registration print heads comprise an inboard registration edge and an outboard registration edge.

Abstract: Systems, mechanisms, and methods are described that relate to the production of a custom printed insert(s) that can be custom printed prior to insertion of the custom printed insert(s) into an envelope along with a personalized card/carrier combination for mailing to the intended holder of the personalized card. The inserts are custom printed using an insert printer that is located in the inserter mechanism that is used to insert the insert(s) and the card/carrier combination into an envelope for mailing to an end user of the card. The inserter mechanism can have an “off-line” configuration, i.e. configured as a stand-alone mechanism, or configured for “in-line” use, i.e. used together with other mechanisms.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a medium conveying apparatus in which the time for unjamming can be shortened. The medium conveying apparatus includes rollers configured to convey a card Ca, a rotary unit F provided in a medium conveyance path and configured to hold and rotate the card Ca, a sensor SN26 arranged downstream the rotary unit F on the medium conveyance path and, and a control section. The control section controls a first card-conveyance motor for driving the rollers to convey the card Ca into the rotary unit F, and determines whether the sensor SN26 detects the card Ca. The sensor SN26 is arranged at the same distance as a sensor SN3 or a shorter distance than the sensor SN3, from the rotary unit F.

Abstract: A printer includes a thermal head, a connecting part capable of being connected to and disconnected from the thermal head, and a moving mechanism joined with the connecting part, the moving mechanism moving the connecting part to connect and disconnect the thermal head and the connecting part.

Abstract: There is provided a printing apparatus including: a frame; a casing; a thermal head; a platen; a moving mechanism supported by the frame; a motor; a transmitting mechanism; a sensor detecting a position of the moving mechanism; a communication interface; and a controller. The controller is configured to: perform determination as to whether the moving mechanism is located at a reference position; perform determination as to whether a print signal is received from the external apparatus; and selectively execute one of first processing and second processing in accordance with results of these two determinations. The controller selectively executes the first processing when the moving mechanism is not located at the reference position and the print signal is received; and the controller selectively executes the second processing when the moving mechanism is located at the reference position and the print signal is received.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a printer, a baseplate, a jacket, and a container. The printer is configured to perform printing on a recording sheet. The baseplate holds the printer. The jacket is attached to a first surface of the baseplate, and is configured to hold an information terminal. The container is attached to a second surface of the baseplate facing away from the first surface, and is configured to store the recording sheet.

Abstract: A device (2) includes a media roll (4) to output a print medium (M) in a forward direction (26) and a wiper roll (6) to contact the surface of the print medium (M) at a rotation speed to cause friction on the print medium (M). The device (2) may determine a radius (r2) of the media roll (4) outputting the print medium (M) and, based on this radius (r2), adapt parameters such as the rotation speed of the wiper roll and a back tension (T2) exerted by the media roll (4) on the print medium (M) so as to control the friction caused by the wiper roll (6) on the print medium (M).

Abstract: The present teachings relate to various embodiments of an hermetically-sealed gas enclosure assembly and system that can be readily transportable and assemblable and provide for maintaining a minimum inert gas volume and maximal access to various devices and apparatuses enclosed therein. Various embodiments of an hermetically-sealed gas enclosure assembly and system of the present teachings can have a gas enclosure assembly constructed in a fashion that minimizes the internal volume of a gas enclosure assembly, and at the same time optimizes the working space to accommodate a variety of footprints of various OLED printing systems. Various embodiments of a gas enclosure assembly so constructed additionally provide ready access to the interior of a gas enclosure assembly from the exterior during processing and readily access to the interior for maintenance, while minimizing downtime.

Abstract: Examples of stalling of operation of imaging devices are described herein. In an example, the imaging device includes an input roller assembly to transport a medium in the imaging device and a line feed roller assembly disengagably coupled to the input roller assembly to selectively drive the input roller assembly. To stall the operation of the imaging device, a line feed shaft of the line feed roller assembly can be automatically disengaged from the input roller assembly to discontinue advance of the medium along a print path.

Abstract: A printer that incorporates a spectrometry device includes a spectroscope, a distance measurer, and a spectrometry unit. The spectroscope includes a wavelength-selective interference filter on which light from a position of measurement in a medium is incident. The distance measurer measures the distance between the position of measurement and the spectroscope, and the spectrometry unit performs spectrometry at the position of measurement by using the spectroscope and correct a measured value obtained by the spectrometry based on the measured distance.