Abstract: Composite fasteners, associated blanks and also methods and apparatus for the installation of such fasteners are disclosed. An exemplary composite rivet (10) disclosed comprises an elongated body including braided reinforcement fibers (14) embedded inside the body and supported in a matrix material (16). Also disclosed are structural assemblies comprising composite fasteners and panels or other parts comprising composite and/or other materials.

Abstract: A welded joint between at least one metal material element and at least one thermoplastic material element is obtained by pressing the elements against each other while applying heat. Contact surfaces of the metal material, which are in contact with the thermoplastic material, are provided with uneven surface portions having a distribution of asperities. With heat applied, the thermoplastic material fills spaces between these asperities and maintains this configuration after subsequent cooling, thereby improving strength of the joint. The uneven surface portions are obtained in a preliminary forming step of the metal material in a press mold, which is configured with a forming surface for generating the uneven surface portions by mechanical deformation and/or with a device for guiding a laser or electron beam. By this technique, hybrid components are obtained made of one or more elements of metal material between which a shaped component of thermoplastic material is interposed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anti-spillage structure arranged on two components which are connected together by vibration friction welding. The two components include a base plate, the anti-spillage structure is provided with a main welding rib and a material-blocking plate, the main welding rib and the material-blocking plate are arranged on the same component or the main welding rib and the material-blocking plate are respectively arranged on the two components. An auxiliary welding rib is arranged at the top end of the material-blocking plate, when the two components are welded to each other, the base plate, the main welding rib, the material-blocking plate and the auxiliary welding rib enclose a spillage cavity, such that the spillage of the main welding rib generated in the welding process is fully accommodated in the spillage cavity.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a thermoplastic resin composition comprising: ?from 10 to 80 weight percent of a partially crystalline polyester component selected from the group consisting of terephthalate-derived polyesters, naphthalate-derived polyesters, succinate-derived polyesters, and furanoate-derived polyesters; or combinations thereof; ?from 1.5 to 40 weight percent of an amorphous high heat copolyester resin component that is produced by polymerizing a monomer mixture comprising a mixture of spiroglycol, ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid and or an ester thereof (SPG PET) and having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 85 to 130° C.; and ?from 0.01 to 5 weight percent of an antioxidant, mold release agent, stabilizer, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An assembling device is disclosed. The assembling device is used to assemble a plastic frame and a back plate together and includes: a pressing mechanism configured to press a region of the plastic frame; and a supporting device. The supporting device includes: a supporting platform configured to support the back plate and the plastic frame; and a supporting frame configured to support the pressing mechanism. The pressing mechanism is configured to contact the plastic frame at least one contact point, and a direction of a resultant force of forces applied at the at least one contact point by the pressing mechanism is at an acute angle with respect to a plane where a top surface of the plastic frame lies.

Abstract: A machine for welding an overlapped region of two adjacent strips of material and a method of using the same. The machine includes a housing with front and rear ends, a wheel train engaged with the housing for moving the housing across the material; a nozzle on the housing having a welding head at a free end; the nozzle being positionable at least partially beneath the housing's bottom wall for welding the overlapped region; front and rear pressure rollers engaged with the housing, where the front roller is positioned forwardly of the welding head and the rear roller is positioned rearwardly of the welding head; wherein the rear pressure roller applies pressure to the overlapped region when the wheel train moves the housing in a forward direction; and the front pressure roller applies pressure to the overlapped region when the wheel train moves the housing in a reverse direction.

Abstract: Variously configured sub-laminate modules are provided, which comprise at least a first ply and a second ply, the first ply comprising fibers extending in a first orientation, the second ply comprising fibers extending in a second orientation. The second orientation is offset relative to the first orientation, which offset defines an acute angle between the two orientations. The acute angle is less than 90 degrees and in at least one embodiment, the acute angle is approximately 25°. In certain embodiments, the acute angle further defines an unbalanced structure of the sub-laminate module. In certain embodiments, the first and second plies may be further secured relative to one another in a non-crimped configuration. Composite laminated structures formed from various embodiments of the sub-laminate modules are also provided, at least some of which may be homogenized. Various methods of manufacturing the sub-laminate modules and the composite laminated structures are also provided.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine composite article having a composite article airfoil extending outwardly to an article root to an article airfoil tip. Within the article airfoil is a core including a core airfoil attached to a core root including a core dovetail. A continuous outer three-dimensional braided layer including braided composite material tows are braided on the core and the braided layer covers the entire core airfoil and the core root. The core may be an inflatable mandrel or a composite core made of a composite material. The core may include stiffeners such as an I beam or hollow rectangular cross-section box beams. A method for making such an article includes braiding a continuous outer three-dimensional braided layer including braided composite material tows on the core including covering the entire core airfoil and the core root with the continuous outer three-dimensional braided layer.

Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensional fiber composite component with fiber bundles which are shaped from a rod- or strand-like initial shape into a predetermined three-dimensional shape of the component by way of a shape defining apparatus. The shape defining apparatus has at least one shaping channel having a first curvature along its longitudinal direction, which is predetermined for the fiber composite component, and forms at least one leading edge. The fiber bundles are pressed against the at least one leading edge of the shaping channel, thereby adopting the predetermined first curvature.

Abstract: Methods of repairing a defect in a polymeric composite structure are provided. The methods include disposing a patch over a defect in a polymeric composite structure; disposing a textured sheet over the polymeric patch, applying pressure to the polymeric patch and the textured sheet; and heating the polymeric patch. The textured sheet has a surface texture that is a negative of a surface texture of the polymeric composite structure.

Abstract: A tire with a built-in puncture sealant comprising a supporting tire carcass comprised of one or more layers of ply, an outer circumferential tread, and a radially inner layer, a pair of beads, sidewalls extending radially inward from the axial outer edges of the tread portion to join the respective beads, a sealant comprising a butyl ionomer containing degradation product, disposed inwardly from said tire carcass inner layer, wherein said sealant provides self-sealing properties to the tire.

Abstract: The invention is generally related to colored contact lenses which comprise a hydrogel lens body having an opaque color image therein and/or thereon and a durable lubricious coating thereon. The coating comprises an anchoring layer of a polyanionic polymer having carboxyl groups and a hydrogel layer which is derived from a hydrophilic polymeric material having azetidinium groups and is covalently attached onto the anchoring layer of the polyanionic polymer through linkages each formed between one carboxyl group and one azetidinium groups. The colored contact lens has a surface lubricity better than the lubricity of the non-silicone hydrogel lens body and a friction rating of about 2 or lower after 7 cycles of manual rubbing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing netted dots on a light guide plate is disclosed, including: engraving, on a surface of a metal plate with a preset roughness, a female mould or a male mould corresponding to a shape of the netted dots on the light guide plate; coating the metal plate onto a surface of a roller; heating the roller so that a temperature of the metal plate rises to a preset temperature; adjusting a distance of a center of the roller in relation to a light guide plate feeding passage so that the metal plate applies a preset pressure onto the light guide plate to be machined; and making the light guide plate to be machined pass through the light guide plate feeding passage, wherein the metal plate transfer-prints a shape of netted dots of the female mould or the male mould onto the light guide plate to be machined at a preset pressure and a preset temperature to form the netted dots on the light guide plate. A device for manufacturing netted dots on a light guide plate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mould element (18) intended to be attached in a mould (10) for vulcanizing tires, the mould element (18) having the form of a skin with a thickness (E) comprised between 0.25 and 6 mm and comprising a bearing surface (20) with, on the opposite side, a moulding surface (22) intended to form all or part of the external surface of the tire. The mould element comprises a pattern (30) comprising a plurality of recessed (19, 21, 112) or protruding (106, 107) elements, formed as integral parts of the mould element (18).

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a lot of tires including: selecting a first operating radial position; setting a positioning device to the first operating radial position; setting a turning up device to the first operating radial position; positioning a first annular anchoring structure on an edge of a first carcass ply; turning up the edge of the first carcass ply around the first annular anchoring structure; pulling down the edge of the first carcass ply toward the longitudinal axis of a first forming support; replacing the first forming support with a second forming support; selecting a second operating radial position; setting the positioning device to the second operating radial position; setting the turning up device to the second operating radial position; positioning a second annular anchoring structure on an edge of the second carcass ply; and turning up the edge of the second carcass ply around the second annular anchoring structure.

Abstract: A process and a drum for looping annular anchoring structures in a process for building tyres for vehicle wheels includes: depositing a loop on a drum including a radially expandable/contractible intermediate annular portion and, in a position axially adjacent to the opposite axial ends of the intermediate annular portion, a pair of radially expandable/contractible lateral annular portions; associating an annular anchoring structure with a radially outer annular surface portion of the loop defined at the intermediate annular portion; and turning up each of opposite end edges of the loop on the annular anchoring structure through the lateral annular portions as a result of a thrusting stress imparted by a respective lateral annular portion of the pair of lateral annular portions because of a synchronous radial movement and a synchronous axial displacement of a respective plurality of circumferentially adjacent first angular sectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a press drive for a press or a press having a press drive. The invention also relates to a method for controlling the press drive by means of a control unit. The press drive is used for moving a ram of the press in a stroke direction H between an upper return point OT and a lower return point UT. It comprises a knee lever gear having a first lever and a second lever. A connecting rod engages on the knee lever of the two levers and is connected on the other end to an eccentric of an eccentric drive. The control unit can drive the eccentric drive in a first operating mode B1 or a second operating mode B2 or, in particular, also a third operating mode B3. In the first and the second operating modes B1, B2, the eccentric oscillates in a respectively different angle region W1, W2 about a rotation axis D of the eccentric drive, thus resulting in different force and movement states of the ram in both operating modes.

Abstract: Apparatuses for pressing and heating a material and associated methods are disclosed herein. An apparatus of the present technology includes a housing, a pressure component positioned in the housing, a linkage component coupled to the pressure component, a first heating component coupled to the linkage component, and a second heating component positioned adjacent to the first heating component. The linkage component is movable between a first position and a second position. When the linkage component is at the first position, the linkage component is positioned at a first level. When the linkage component is at the second position, the linkage component is positioned at a second level and the linkage component holds the first heating component stationary relative to the second heating component.

Abstract: Device (100) for pressing organic material out of waste, comprising: —a pressing chamber (3) and a first pressing member (4) for compacting introduced waste; —a first feed opening (5) for feeding waste into the pressing chamber (4); —perforations (6) for allowing air, moisture and organic material pressed out of introduced waste to escape from the pressing chamber (3), which perforations (6) are arranged in a wall (9) of the pressing chamber (3) and debouch in a surface (7) bounding the pressing chamber (3); and —a discharge opening (8) for discharging from the pressing chamber (3) compacted waste from which air, moisture and organic material are at least partially removed and whereby the surface lies perpendicularly of the pressing direction of the first pressing member (4). Pressing perpendicularly of the surface (7) results in a more effective and efficient pressing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for cutting, printing or embossing a continuous sheet of material. The apparatus comprises a tool element, at least two anvils, which are co-operable with the tool element, and a phase adjustment device. The tool element is configured to have a constant surface speed during operation of the apparatus. The apparatus is adapted to receive the continuous sheet at a constant speed into the apparatus, and being adapted to output the continuous sheet at a constant speed from the apparatus. The phase adjustment device is operable to adjust a speed of the continuous sheet within the apparatus in order to adjust a phase of alternate parts of the continuous sheet to be cut, printed or embossed by each anvil as it co-operates with the tool element.

Abstract: There is described a foam article comprising: a base foam having a textured surface; a trim cover covering at least a portion of the textured surface, the trim cover comprising: (i) a finished outer layer comprising an occupant-contact outer portion and inner portion; (ii) a compressible buffer layer secured with respect to the inner portion of the finished outer layer; and (iii) a contact layer secured with respect to the compressible layer and configured to be in contact with the textured surface of the base foam, the contact layer having a secant modulus at 5% strain of at least about 7 when measured according to modified ASTM D3574-11, Test E, Tensile Test.

Abstract: The composite material is comprised of a substrate of discrete particles and a network of interconnected mycelia cells bonding the discrete particles together. The composite material is made by inoculating a substrate of discrete particles and a nutrient material with a preselected fungus. The fungus digests the nutrient material over a period of time sufficient to grow hyphae and to allow the hyphae to form a network of interconnected mycelia cells through and around the discrete particles thereby bonding the discrete particles together to form a self-supporting composite material.

Abstract: A laminated polyester film includes a pigment-containing polyester layer A and wax-containing polyester layers B1 and B2 on both sides of the polyester layer A, wherein the film satisfies formulae (I) and (II), and the coefficient of variation of water contact angle for each layer B1 and layer B2 is not less than 0% and not more than 10%, when the contact angle with water is measured 10 times at arbitrary defined positions within the range of 200 mm×200 mm: Wb1>Wa??(I) Wb2>Wa??(II) wherein Wb1 and Wb2 represent the wax content per unit area of the layer B1 and layer B2 respectively, and Wa represents the wax content per unit area of the layer A, and wherein the coefficient of variation represents a value obtained by dividing the standard deviation in values measured 10 times by the average value.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a residential dwelling unit designed for vertical expansion by way of a removable and re-attachable roof system. By removing certain components of the original dwelling unit's roof, that same structure can be converted into the floor of a subsequent vertical addition. Specific components that were removed from the original roof are then re-attached on top of the vertical addition.

Abstract: A multilayer interlayer structure having a first and second polyvinyl acetal (poly(vinyl acetal)) layer and a cellulose ester layer having a thickness of at least 10 mils disposed between the first and second poly(vinyl acetal) layers. The cellulose ester layer can have a higher storage modulus and/or higher Tg than at least one of the poly(vinyl acetal) layers. The interlayer structure is useful to make glass panels having high stiffness and which possess good optical clarity for a variety of applications, including outdoor structural applications.

Abstract: A multilayer structure is provided, which includes a layer containing a saponified ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer, and a layer of a thermoplastic resin other than the saponified ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer provided on at least one side of the saponified ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer-containing layer with the intervention of an adhesive resin layer. An interface layer having a thickness (X) of 50 to 400 nm is present in an interface between the saponified ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer-containing layer and the adhesive resin layer. Alternatively, a viscosity increase rate in the interface between the saponified ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer-containing layer and the adhesive resin layer is 0.1% to 8%. Therefore, the multilayer structure has long-run durability, and is less liable to have poor appearance even if being produced by a multilayer coextrusion method.

Abstract: Provided are a far infrared reflective film including a support, and a fibrous silver particles-containing layer provided on the support, in which the fibrous silver particles-containing layer includes fibrous silver particles, and a sol-gel hardened material obtained by hydrolysis and polycondensation of a metal coupling agent including a functional group capable of interacting with the fibrous silver particles, and an alkoxide compound, which has excellent heat insulating properties, film hardness, and surface properties; a dispersion for forming a far infrared reflective film; a manufacturing method of a far infrared reflective film; a far infrared reflective glass; and a window.

Abstract: Polymeric interlayers for use in making multiple layer panels having a unique balance of properties are provided. Single and multiple layer interlayers according to various embodiments of the present invention can be used to form multiple layer panels that exhibit both enhanced rigidity and improved impact resistance, while still retaining desirable optical performance. Interlayers and multiple layer panels of the present invention may be particularly suitable for use in a wide range of applications, including, for example, in many indoor and outdoor architectural and structural applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multilayer film comprising two outer layers; where each outer layer comprises polyethylene; two tie layers; where each tie layer comprises a crystalline block composite; where each tie layer has a first face and a second face that are opposed to each other, and where the first face of each tie layer contacts at least one outer layer; and a core layer; where the core layer comprises a polypropylene; where the second face of each tie layer contacts the core layer. Disclosed herein is a method that includes coextruding the aforementioned multilayered film.

Abstract: A biaxially orientated polyester film has a PL/VL ratio of 0.3 to 1.2, PL and VL representing the average diameter of the convex portions and the average diameter of the concave portions, respectively, that are defined on the basis of a slice level with a height of 0 nm (reference plane) in a roughness curve determined for at least one surface using a three dimensional surface roughness meter, and the convex portions accounting for an area ratio of 30% to 51% of the reference plane. The biaxially oriented polyester film is excellent in travelling property, slitting property, and dimensional stability, and serves, when used for magnetic recording medium production, to provide a high density magnetic recording medium having a smooth magnetic layer, suffering little dimensional change due to variations in environmental parameters such as temperature and humidity or due to storage, and having good electromagnetic conversion characteristics with little dropout.

Abstract: A decorative sheet includes a substrate and a surface protective layer formed on the substrate. A decorative plate is formed by laminating the decorative sheet on a base. The surface protective layer includes a first surface protective layer formed on the substrate and a second surface protective layer formed on part of the first surface protective layer. The first surface protective layer contains a curable resin and has a surface kinetic friction coefficient of 0.11 or more and 0.30 or less. The second surface protective layer contains at least one of resin beads and an inorganic compound filler. The first surface protective layer is glossier than the second surface protective layer.

Abstract: A processing machine includes: (A) a lamination module including: (A1) a supply roller on which a band carrying a protective film or a layer of varnish to be deposited is wound, (A2) a recovery roller on which the band is wound after the protective film or layer of varnish has been applied to a plastic card, (A3) a heating roller disposed between the supply roller and the recovery roller, (A4) a backing roller disposed against the heating roller, and (A5) a constraining roller; (B) an insertion system defining, with the heating roller, an upstream transfer path along which the plastic card moves as far as the heating roller; (C) a discharge system defining, with the backing roller, a downstream transfer path along which the plastic card moves from the backing roller. The constraining roller is disposed across the downstream transfer path.

Abstract: Methods and systems of customized and selective decoration of internal tube-like surfaces using pre-printed films with splinter resistant property are described. The method of adhering a film to an internal surface of a tube-like structure. The structure may have a hollow interior defined by the internal surface. The method may be carried out by providing a pre-printed film comprising first and second sides and an adhesive layer adhered to at least a portion of the first side. The pre-printed film may be positioned at least partially within the hollow interior with the adhesive layer positioned adjacent to the internal surface of the tube-like structure. The adhesive layer may be adhered to the internal surface of the tube-like structure.

Abstract: A three-dimensional modeling apparatus includes an ejection portion capable of ejecting a fluid material, which is a material of an object, and a control portion that forms a laminated body in which one layer or more of cross-section bodies are laminated by executing one or more repetitions of a cross-section body formation process, which forms a cross-section body equivalent to one layer of the object by controlling the ejection portion and ejecting the fluid material. The control portion executes a correction process that ejects the fluid material onto a target correction location, which is at least a portion of an outline section of an upper surface of the laminated body.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide an anisotropic conductive film that excels in dispersing conductive particles and trapping the particles, and maintains conduction reliability even between narrow-pitched terminals. By a method for manufacturing an anisotropic conductive film containing conductive particles, the conductive particles are buried in grooves in a sheet having the grooves regularly formed in the same direction, the conductive particles are arranged, a first resin film having a thermo-setting resin layer formed on a stretchable base film is laminated on the surface of the sheet on the side of the grooves to transfer and attach the conductive particles to the first resin film, the first resin film is uniaxially stretched in a direction other than the direction perpendicular to the array direction of the conductive particles, and a second resin film is laminated.

Abstract: A method of making the asphalt shingles includes applying a substrate to a layer of shingle-forming material, the substrate having indicators at predetermined spaced-apart distances, with the indicators being sensed as the shingle-forming layer is moved along a predetermined path, with adhesive zones being applied to the shingle such that the application of the adhesive zones is synchronized in response to sensing the locations of the indicators, and with the shingle-forming layer then being cut into individual shingles.

Abstract: A lamination manufacturing method for large-sized metal components with complicated structures is provided, relating to a part manufacturing method to solve the problem that traditional machining, entire plastic forming and the existing additive manufacturing method are difficult to manufacture large-sized metal components with complicated special-shape structure and high-performance requirement. The manufacturing method includes the steps: step 1. obtaining a three-dimensional digital model of a large-sized metal component with complicated structure, and dividing the model into a plurality of slice layers; step 2. selecting the actually available metal sheet corresponding to the thickness of each slice layer divided in step 1, and machining each metal sheet to obtain a shaped sheet consistent with the model of each slice layer in step 1; step 3. stacking the shaped sheets obtained through machining of step 2 according to the order of the corresponding slice layers in step 1; and step 4.

Abstract: Methods for reworking structures and reworked cellular core panels, reworked structures comprising the reworked cellular core panels, and guides and cutting apparatuses for reworking cellular acoustic panels and reworking cellular non-acoustic panels are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing 2D layers and 3D structures is disclosed. The method includes dispensing a print material from a printhead assembly onto a base and curing the print material with a curing device assembly. The spacing between the printhead assembly and the curing device assembly can be adjusted to vary gloss levels in a printed feature. The printhead assembly can include at least one row of nozzles with colored inks and at least one row of nozzles with a clear structural print material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a three-dimensional object from a solidifiable material using a linear solidification device is shown and described. Either a build platform or a solidification substrate has a curved surface, and each point on the curved surface traverses a trochoidal path during an object solidification operation. The curved surface allows the separation forces between the solidification substrate and the most recently solidified layer of material to be concentrated along a line instead of along a planar section which reduces the overall separation force and the likelihood of damaging a part.

Abstract: A method of forming a build in a powder bed includes emitting a plurality of laser beams from selected vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) of at least one VCSEL array onto the powder bed, the selected VCSELs of the at least one VCSEL array corresponding to a pattern of a layer of the build; and simultaneously melting powder in the powder bed corresponding to the pattern of the layer of the build.

Abstract: In an example, a method includes receiving, at a processor, data representing a three dimensional object. Using the processor, a modified data representation of the three dimensional object may be determined wherein, in the modified data representation, the three dimensional object is represented in terms of homogenous sub-volumes. Each homogenous sub-volume is homogenous with respect to a predetermined attribute and contains locations which are within a common object boundary distance band of plurality of object boundary distance bands, wherein at least two object boundary distance bands partially overlap.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) printing apparatus and a three dimensional printing method are provided. The three dimensional printing method includes following steps. A closed printing path of a closed-contour structure is obtained, wherein the closed printing path includes a printing start point and a printing end point. A printing head is controlled to move from the printing start point and along a front segment of the closed printing path according to a first moving speed, and the printing head is controlled to simultaneously extrude a building material. After the printing head moves along the front segment of the closed printing path, the printing head is controlled to move to the printing end point along a rear segment of the closed printing path according to a second moving speed, and the printing head is controlled to simultaneously extrude the building material. The second moving speed is less than the first moving speed.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating three-dimensional objects by 3D-inkjet printing technology are provided. The methods utilize curable materials that polymerize via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) for fabricating the object. Systems suitable for performing these methods and kits containing modeling material formulations usable in the methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects from polymerizable liquids are described. The methods and apparatus are implemented in the form of a bottom up additive manufacturing apparatus, and in preferred embodiments are implemented in the form of Continuous Liquid Interface Production (or “CLIP”) methods and apparatus. Rotation of at least one of the carrier and the build plate is preferably included, for example to facilitate the filling of the build region with the polymerizable liquid.

Abstract: A three dimensional printing system includes a support plate, a resin vessel, and one or more mechanical features. The support plate includes a ridge surrounding a first central opening. The resin vessel includes a vessel body defining an inner edge surrounding a second central opening and a transparent sheet that closes the central opening to define a lower bound for a body of resin to be contained within the resin vessel. The one or more mechanical features are configured to align and secure the resin vessel relative to the support plate whereby the ridge engages a lower surface of the transparent sheet to tension the transparent sheet and the ridge is laterally recessed inwardly relative to the inner edge of the vessel body.

Abstract: A printing device including a conveyance rod which discharges and introduces a screen mask and a board support member; and a control section. The control section performs a mask exchange process including a mask discharge process of discharging the screen mask to be discharged and a mask introduction process of introducing the screen mask to be introduced by controlling a conveyance rod. In addition, the control section performs a support member exchange process including a support member discharge process of discharging the board support member to be discharged and a support member introduction process of introducing the support member to be introduced by controlling the conveyance rod.

Abstract: A variable lithographic cleaning apparatus, system and method works on the principle that dust and ink residue may be transferred from a lower surface energy reimageable conformable blanket surface to a higher surface energy surface low durometer cleaning member, such as the tacky roller, and then to an even higher surface energy cleaning member, such as the hard roller, which is hard and robust to scratching. The hard roller can then been scrubbed clean by an ink flushing device having a third cleaning member, such as a melamine sponge, wetted with a cleaning solution with the hard roller dried upon each rotation.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a transfer body, an application unit configured to apply, onto the transfer body, an ink containing a color material, and a transparent transferability improving liquid for improving transferability of the ink onto a recording medium, a transfer unit configured to transfer an ink image formed on the transfer body onto the recording medium by bringing the transfer body into contact with the recording medium, a detection unit configured to detect a region in which the ink remains on the transfer body after the transfer unit transfers the ink image, and a determination unit configured to determine, based on a detection result of the detection unit, an amount of the transferability improving liquid to be applied to the transfer body by the application unit.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a solution to the problem of metal printing where the printer leaves an undesired “border” or “margin” around the edge, as the printer sensors detect the edge of the metal plate and stop printing before reaching the edge. The system and method disclosed herein comprises a metal plate removably associated with a carrier, where the carrier is larger than the metal plate such that the metal plate is positioned entirely within the perimeter of the carrier. The metal plate has a special receptive coating that allows ink from an inkjet printer to adhere to the metal plate without running. The carrier has an external coating that mimics the metal plate such that the sensors of the printer do not detect any “edge” of the metal plate and print over, onto the carrier. This creates a borderless final printed picture.