System and method for analyzing the surface of a three-dimensional object to be printed by a printhead mounted to an articulating arm

    公开(公告)号:US11052687B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-07-06

    申请号:US16452960

    申请日:2019-06-26

    Abstract: An object printer is configured to generate a three-dimensional map of a surface of an object to be printed and determine which areas in the three-dimensional map can be printed by a printhead movable in three-dimensional space. Areas can be printed when the printhead is positioned opposite an area where no inkjet in the printhead is closer than a minimum distance for accurate ink drop placement and all of the features in the area are within a maximum distance for accurate ink drop placement from the printhead. The areas that cannot be printed are deleted from the map and the map is displayed so a user can select where an ink image is to be formed on the object. The printer then operates an articulated arm to move the printhead opposite the surface at positions corresponding the selected area and operates the printhead to form the ink image.

    System and apparatus for evaluating inkjet performance and alignment in a direct-to-object printer

    公开(公告)号:US10155376B1

    公开(公告)日:2018-12-18

    申请号:US15841934

    申请日:2017-12-14

    Abstract: An apparatus enables the effect of distance changes between ejectors in printheads of a printing system and the surface receiving ejected drops to be evaluated. The apparatus includes a housing with a cavity having a sloping floor to which a substrate is mounted to receive drops ejected by printheads in the printing system. The floor of the cavity can slope in either the process or cross-process direction. The substrate can include fiducial marks and target lines to enhance the analysis of the effect of changing distance on the ejected drops.

Patent Agency Ranking