Abstract:
A droplet generator for a continuous stream ink jet printhead includes an elongate cavity for containing ink and nozzle orifices in fluid communication with the cavity for passing the ink from the cavity to form jets. The nozzle orifices extend along a length of the cavity. A mounting plate provides a wall of the cavity opposite the nozzle orifices. A plurality of actuators is disposed in the cavity to vibrate the ink in the cavity such that each jet breaks up into ink droplets at substantially a same predetermined distance from the wall. Each of the plurality of actuators is integrally connected to the mounting plate by a membrane.
Abstract:
A labelling machine comprising a supply spool support (12) adapted to receive a supply spool (28), a takeup spool support (14) adapted to form a takeup spool (32) of web (30) from which at least some labels (74) have been removed, a motor (40) arranged to turn the takeup spool, and a controller to control operation of the motor. A web path (16) is defined between the supply spool and the take-up spool, and the controller is arranged to control the motor to turn the take-up spool so as to cause controlled predetermined linear movement of a web along the web path and onto the take-up spool, furthermore comprising a sensor (50) operable to sense linear displacement of the web and/or displacement of the web in a direction other than the direction of the web, a printer (34) movable between a first position and a second position, and a separator surface (24) comprising a first portion inclined relative to the web path.
Abstract:
An ink supply system for an ink jet printer, particularly a continuous ink jet printer, has a manifold assembly of two parts that are brought together at interfacing surfaces. At least one of the surfaces has a plurality of ink flow channels for conveying ink around an ink circuit between components. The other of the interfacing surfaces is configured to close and seal the channels. A plurality of ports is provided in fluid communication with the channels, the circuit components being connectable to the ports. The manifold assembly provides for a compact and neat arrangement free of many tubes and pipes. The lower number of connections significantly reduces the risk of leakage.
Abstract:
A continuous ink jet print head (10), including: an ink droplet generator (116) configured to emit an ink droplet (158) along an undeflected droplet flight path (30); a charge electrode (118) configured to impart a charge to the ink droplet; deflector plates (120A, 120B) adjacent the undeflected droplet flight path, downstream from the charge electrode, and configured to deflect the ink droplet to a deflected droplet flight path that lies within a range of deflected flight paths bounded by at least deflected droplet flight path and a most deflected droplet flight path; a gutter (122) configured to receive an ink droplet traveling along the undeflected droplet flight path; and an ink buildup sensor (102) configured to detect an accumulation of ink (140) relative to a droplet flight path disposed within the range of deflected flight paths.
Abstract:
A method of printing a security code on an article includes applying droplets of an ink composition with an ink jet printer to a surface of an article to print an encrypted code. The ink composition includes an organic solvent, a binder resin, and a luminescent dye.
Abstract:
An apparatus for determining the resistance of a printing element of a print head, the apparatus comprising: a print head comprising a plurality of individually controllable printing elements connected in parallel, and a capacitor connected in parallel with the printing elements; a test voltage supply arranged to supply a test voltage to the print head; a current monitor arranged to measure the current supplied to one of the printing elements when the said one of the printing elements is connected to the test voltage supply; and a controller arranged to determine the resistance of the said one of the printing elements based upon the measured current.
Abstract:
A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a spool of label carrying web, a take up spool support adapted to take up a portion of web, and a first motive apparatus for transporting web along a web path between the supply spool support to the take up spool support, and a controller. The controller is configured to provide a control signal to the first motive apparatus, wherein the controller is further configured such that the controller provides a control signal to the first motive apparatus to accelerate the first motive apparatus between a first speed and a second speed by providing a control signal to the first motive apparatus to command the first motive apparatus to accelerate to a predetermined first intermediate speed intermediate the first and second speeds, then a control signal to command the first motive apparatus to accelerate to a second predetermined intermediate speed intermediate the first intermediate speed and the second speed, and then a control signal to command the first motive apparatus to accelerate to the second speed.
Abstract:
A method and system for remote servicing of an industrial printer includes obtaining, on a processor, sensor data that indicates values output by a sensors configured to measure physical phenomena related to a plurality of components of the industrial printer. Also obtained, on the processor, is parameter data that indicates values for parameters that indicate user settings for operation of the industrial printer. It is determined, on the processor, a service issue related to the industrial printer based on the sensor data and the parameter data, It is also determined, at least in part on the processor, an action to be performed on the industrial printer in response to the service issue. Furthermore; the action is caused to be initiated. In some embodiments, the action is initiated at one facility different from a facility where the industrial printer is located.
Abstract:
An ink supply system for an ink jet printer, particularly a continuous ink jet printer, has a manifold assembly of two parts that are brought together at interfacing surfaces. At least one of the surfaces has a plurality of ink flow channels for conveying ink around an ink circuit between components. The other of the interfacing surfaces is configured to close and seal the channels. A plurality of ports is provided in fluid communication with the channels, the circuit components being connectable to the ports. The manifold assembly provides for a compact and neat arrangement free of many tubes and pipes. The lower number of connections significantly reduces the risk of leakage.
Abstract:
A spool support, for supporting a windable material, comprises a main body, an actuator and a clamp portion. The actuator is movable relative to the main body between a first position and a second position. The clamp portion is pivotably connected to the main body. The actuator actuates the clamp portion such that the clamp portion pivots relative to the main body between a retracted position when the actuator is in the first position and a deployed position when the actuator is in the second position.