Abstract:
Methods and systems of ejecting ink drops from an inkjet printer are disclosed. The methods and systems can include a printhead with one or more stepped nozzles each with an associated entrance diameter and exit diameter. Ink can be received into the printhead and formed into ink drops in the stepped nozzles. The ink drops can each have an associated drop mass and drop speed. The stepped nozzles can be provided such that the exit diameter can independently dictate the drop mass and the entrance diameter can independently dictate the drop speed. As such, the complexity of jet design optimization is reduced.
Abstract:
According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided a method of optimizing an electro-photographic reproduction machine having a fusing subsystem and an air knife. The methods acquire at least one electro-photographic reproduction machine objective and media characteristic; and the acquired objective and characteristic are used to determine values for the pressurized air emitted from the air knife, the position of the air knife, and the rotation of the air knife relative to a fuse roll in the fusing subsystem. The methods further disclose acquiring the leading edge of the media being stripped and then using the beam strength of the media to assist in stripping the body of the sheet. The air knife can be controlled by a controller or a processor based on determined optimization parameter values that relate to objectives and media characteristics.
Abstract:
In a tonerless imaging process, an inked image layer jetted on an image receptor is simultaneously transferred and fused to a recording medium. A radiation-curable material is incorporated in the image layer such that irradiation of the image layer cures the radiation-curable material therein. An ink jet printing apparatus for performing the above process is also disclosed.
Abstract:
An apparatus (100) and method (700) that can control fuser temperature is disclosed. The apparatus can include an image fuser member (110) rotatably supported in the apparatus, where the image fuser member can be configured to fuse an image on media (170). The apparatus can include a heater (120) coupled to the image fuser member, where the heater can be configured to heat the image fuser member. The apparatus can include a pressure assembly (130) rotatably supported in the apparatus and coupled to the image fuser member, where the pressure assembly can be configured to exert pressure against the image fuser member. The apparatus can include a temperature sensor (140) coupled to the pressure assembly, where the temperature sensor can be configured to sense a temperature of the pressure assembly. The apparatus can include a controller (150) coupled to the heater and coupled to the temperature sensor, where the controller can be configured to adjust the temperature set point of the image fuser member based on the sensed temperature of the pressure assembly.
Abstract:
An apparatus in an ink jet printer reduces the risk of clogged nozzles in ink jet printing machines by providing a negative pressure area in the vicinity of a localized high shear stress region that is located about a print head perimeter. The apparatus includes a print head protector substantially surrounds a print head, the protector having a first substantially continuous slot along a portion of a length of the protector that is upstream of the print head and a second substantially continuous slot along a portion of a length of the protector that is upstream of the first substantially continuous slot, an inlet in fluid communication with the first substantially continuous slot, the inlet enables a positive pressure air supply to be coupled to the first substantially continuous slot so air entering the inlet flows through the first slot to displace debris from media approaching the print head, and an outlet in fluid communication with the second substantially continuous slot, the outlet enables a negative pressure source to be coupled to the second substantially continuous slot so displaced debris flows into the second substantially continuous slot and out through the outlet for removal from the ink printing machine in which the print head is located.
Abstract:
A method for reducing gloss variation in prints, in an electrostatic printing system having a fuser for fusing sheets having marking particles thereon, the method including transporting a first sheet to the fuser; transporting a second sheet to the fuser; and abutting a trailing edge of the first sheet to a leading edge of the second sheet prior to the trailing edge of the first sheet entering the fuser.
Abstract:
An apparatus has an electrode plate having an array of electrodes, a flexible membrane separated from the electrode plate by a gap, the membrane having localized regions corresponding to electrodes in the array of electrodes, and each localized region having a stiffener. A print head has an ink reservoir, a nozzle plate to deliver ink from the reservoir to a print substrate, an ink inlet on an opposite side from the print substrate to provide ink from the reservoir to the nozzle plate, and a flexible membrane arranged so as to draw the ink through the ink inlet when actuated and to dispense the ink through the nozzle plate when released, the flexible membrane having a stiffener. A method of manufacturing a membrane device includes providing an electrode plate having an array of electrodes, forming an air gap adjacent the electrode plate, and forming a membrane of conductive material having localized regions with a stiffener, the localized regions corresponding to electrodes in the array.
Abstract:
A dryer assembly for drying a liquid ink image formed on a substrate comprising a housing defining a portion of a sheet moving path; a plenum positioned within the housing, the plenum including air flow and outlet means contiguous to the plenum permitting forced air to exit the plenum, the outlet being in the form of a plurality of moving openings adapted to direct flowing air through the openings to the liquid image, the openings moving relative to the image; and a substrate transport device for moving the substrate carrying the liquid ink image on a front side thereof through the housing and under the plurality of moving openings. The dryer assembly has particular use in an ink jet printing system.
Abstract:
A sensing system for a print development system of a printing system in which a print is developed with developer material and development of the print varies as a function of both a first parameter and a second parameter is provided. The development system includes a capacitance and the sensing system, which measures a first value varying as a function of the first parameter and a second value varying as a function of the second parameter, includes a sensing subsystem for measuring an output by reference to the capacitance; and a signal development subsystem, responsive to the sensing system, for developing, from the output, both a first signal and a second signal with the first signal corresponding to the first value and the second signal corresponding to the second value.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus is disclosed for an improved liquid development system for a high speed reproducing machine having a movable image retention belt. The liquid development system comprising a moving belt applicator mounted on a drive assembly containing at least one drive roll and a low lateral force roll with a position guide. The belt applicator is located in alignment with the image retention belt and spaced therefrom to form a development zone having a uniform gap with an extended length. The applicator drive roll and a low lateral force roll are positoned to transport the belt applicator in the same or opposite direction as the image retention belt, but at a much faster speed to facilitate an evenly distributed flow of liquid developer and to avoid depletion of toner particles from the liquid developer moved through the development zone. An air knife removes excess liquid developer from the developed image on the image retention belt, and a blade cleaner is used to clean the belt applicator after it passes the development zone.