Printing systems and associated structures and methods having ink drop deflection compensation

    公开(公告)号:US11752784B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-09-12

    申请号:US17169055

    申请日:2021-02-05

    CPC classification number: B41J11/06 B41J11/007

    Abstract: A printing system having a vacuum transfer belt conveyor includes a fixed or movable perforated platen that supports workpieces, e.g., substrates, boards or other parts, to be printed. The printing system is configured to apply vacuum action through apertures or perforations defined through the perforated platen. In an embodiment, the print system is configured to mitigate deflection of ink drops, through the implementation of both a passive system, which reduces air flow in the region below the a print bar that includes one or more printheads, as well as an active system, which distributes the workpieces, e.g., substrates or boards, with respect to perforations in the transfer belt. In some embodiments, the perforated platen is comprised of a plurality of modular plates.

    UPWARDS JETTING DIGITAL PRINTING PLATFORM
    22.
    发明公开

    公开(公告)号:US20230271418A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-08-31

    申请号:US18311863

    申请日:2023-05-03

    Abstract: A printing platform includes a printing engine with one or more printheads arranged such that the ink drops are jetted vertically upwards against the action of gravity; and a substrate transportation system where the normal to the surface in contact with the substrate is parallel and with opposite direction to the travelling direction of the jetted ink drops. It is necessary to counteract the weight of the substrate during the printing process to avoid it from falling under the action of gravity. This is achieved through any of a mechanical element that interferes with the falling of the substrate and that keeps it in place; or a system that generates adhesion forces between the element that transmits the motion to the substrate, typically a conveyor belt, and the substrate through the action of electrostatic forces, an air pressure differential between both faces of the substrate, or any other suitable mechanism.

    VACUUM CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR INKJET PRINTING WITH ADJUSTMENT TO THE COVERED AREA

    公开(公告)号:US20230145295A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-05-11

    申请号:US17523723

    申请日:2021-11-10

    CPC classification number: B65H5/224 B41J11/0085 B41J11/007 B65H2406/322

    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for a vacuum conveyor for inkjet printing with adjustment to the covered area are disclosed. In some embodiments, a controller of a vacuum conveyor expands first one or more actuators of multiple first actuators of a substrate transportation system to decrease a suction width of an area of suction provided by the vacuum conveyor in accordance with a substrate width of a substrate being inkjet printed using the vacuum conveyor. A second one or more actuators of the multiple first actuators being retracted. The controller retracts multiple second actuators of the vacuum conveyor to increase the suction length of the area of suction while the substrate transportation system moves the substrate along the vacuum conveyor for inkjet printing of the substrate. The controller expands the retracted actuators of the multiple first actuators to increase the suction length as the substrates exit the vacuum conveyor.

    CONTROLLING MULTIPLE EVERSION-BASED ACTUATORS

    公开(公告)号:US20250075713A1

    公开(公告)日:2025-03-06

    申请号:US18947951

    申请日:2024-11-14

    Abstract: Disclosed here is a system and method to control multiple eversion-based actuators using a single motor, or no motor, thereby reducing the size and cost of the multiple eversion-based actuators. An activation mechanism can include a motor rotating in an expansion direction, rotating shaft, clutch, brake, pressure source under high pressure, and/or valve. The activation mechanism can cause the actuators including a wound reel of material to unwind and lengthen. A retraction mechanism can include a motor rotating in a contraction direction opposite the expansion direction, rotating shaft, clutch, pressure source having low pressure, valve associated with the pressure source, and/or the passive retraction system. The retraction mechanism can cause the actuators to rewind and shorten.

    VACUUM CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR INKJET PRINTING WITH ADJUSTMENT TO THE COVERED AREA

    公开(公告)号:US20240351812A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-10-24

    申请号:US18761938

    申请日:2024-07-02

    CPC classification number: B65H5/224 B41J11/007 B41J11/0085 B65H2406/322

    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for a vacuum conveyor for inkjet printing with adjustment to the covered area are disclosed. In some embodiments, a controller of a vacuum conveyor expands first one or more actuators of multiple first actuators of a substrate transportation system to decrease a suction width of an area of suction provided by the vacuum conveyor in accordance with a substrate width of a substrate being inkjet printed using the vacuum conveyor. A second one or more actuators of the multiple first actuators being retracted. The controller retracts multiple second actuators of the vacuum conveyor to increase the suction length of the area of suction while the substrate transportation system moves the substrate along the vacuum conveyor for inkjet printing of the substrate. The controller expands the retracted actuators of the multiple first actuators to increase the suction length as the substrates exit the vacuum conveyor.

    CONTROLLING MULTIPLE EVERSION-BASED ACTUATORS

    公开(公告)号:US20240247665A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-07-25

    申请号:US18158055

    申请日:2023-01-23

    CPC classification number: F15B15/20 F15B19/00

    Abstract: Disclosed here is a system and method to control multiple eversion-based actuators using a single motor, or no motor, thereby reducing the size and cost of the multiple eversion-based actuators. An activation mechanism can include a motor rotating in an expansion direction, rotating shaft, clutch, brake, pressure source under high pressure, and/or valve. The activation mechanism can cause the actuators including a wound reel of material to unwind and lengthen. A retraction mechanism can include a motor rotating in a contraction direction opposite the expansion direction, rotating shaft, clutch, pressure source having low pressure, valve associated with the pressure source, and/or the passive retraction system. The retraction mechanism can cause the actuators to rewind and shorten.

    HIGH STABILITY INK DELIVERY SYSTEMS, AND ASSOCIATED PRINT SYSTEMS AND METHODS

    公开(公告)号:US20240173989A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-05-30

    申请号:US18434067

    申请日:2024-02-06

    CPC classification number: B41J2/17566

    Abstract: Disclosed are high stability ink delivery system systems and methods for their use, in which a secondary reservoir is placed upstream of a printhead. The secondary reservoir can be opened to the atmosphere through a valve, such as based on the reading of a pressure sensor placed at a point before the printhead. The purpose of this valve is to open the secondary reservoir to the atmosphere when the pressure sensor indicates that the secondary reservoir can be open while avoiding air aspiration, and closing it when this condition is not satisfied.

    Controlling multiple eversion-based actuators

    公开(公告)号:US11939995B1

    公开(公告)日:2024-03-26

    申请号:US18158071

    申请日:2023-01-23

    CPC classification number: F15B15/103 F15B2215/30

    Abstract: Disclosed here is a system and method to control multiple eversion-based actuators using a single motor, or no motor, thereby reducing the size and cost of the multiple eversion-based actuators. An activation mechanism can include a motor rotating in an expansion direction, rotating shaft, clutch, brake, pressure source under high pressure, and/or valve. The activation mechanism can cause the actuators including a wound reel of material to unwind and lengthen. A retraction mechanism can include a motor rotating in a contraction direction opposite the expansion direction, rotating shaft, clutch, pressure source having low pressure, valve associated with the pressure source, and/or the passive retraction system. The retraction mechanism can cause the actuators to rewind and shorten.

    UPWARDS JETTING DIGITAL PRINTING PLATFORM

    公开(公告)号:US20230008164A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-01-12

    申请号:US17373622

    申请日:2021-07-12

    Abstract: A printing platform includes a printing engine with one or more printheads arranged such that the ink drops are jetted vertically upwards against the action of gravity; and a substrate transportation system where the normal to the surface in contact with the substrate is parallel and with opposite direction to the travelling direction of the jetted ink drops. It is necessary to counteract the weight of the substrate during the printing process to avoid it from falling under the action of gravity. This is achieved through any of a mechanical element that interferes with the falling of the substrate and that keeps it in place; or a system that generates adhesion forces between the element that transmits the motion to the substrate, typically a conveyor belt, and the substrate through the action of electrostatic forces, an air pressure differential between both faces of the substrate, or any other suitable mechanism.

    PRINTER VACUUM CONVEYOR WITH ADJUSTABLE ACTIVE AREA

    公开(公告)号:US20210213759A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-07-15

    申请号:US16738789

    申请日:2020-01-09

    Abstract: A printing system includes a driving belt configured to drive media through the printing system relative to one or more print heads and a vacuum conveyor system. The vacuum conveyor system includes a vacuum chamber cover having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, as well as a plurality of openings through the cover from the first surface to the second surface. A number of seals are disposed to match the location of openings. Each seal extends along the length of the vacuum chamber cover and is drivable to open or close a region with openings. A vacuum chamber below the second surface of the vacuum chamber cover is configured to apply a vacuum to the media through one or more of the openings that are open. The applied vacuum constrains the media on the driving belt by flattening it against the driving belt.

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