Systems for supplying heated air to printed ink

System for supplying ink printed on a print medium comprises a heater to heat air, an impingement plate with a plurality of holes, and a blower for blowing heated air through the holes of the impingement plate onto the print medium. The impingement flux length in the system which may be defined as the length of the impingement plate through which heated air is blown, is adjustable.

PRINT HEAD SERVICING UNITS AND METHODS

A print head servicing unit comprises a cassette which is removably insertable in a hard copy apparatus and comprises some or all of a moveable web of absorbent colour material for receiving waste ink from the print head; a storage compartment for accommodating received waste ink; a cap for the print head; and a filter for filtering air-borne particles in the region of the print head. The path of the web through the cassette is such that a region thereof for receiving spat ink from the print head is arranged downstream of a region thereof for wiping ink from the print head. 1. A print head servicing unit which is capable of being attached to and detached from a hard copy apparatus with at least one print head , the unit comprising:(i) a movable web member of absorbent material for receiving waste ink from the print head from each of a wiping operation, a priming operation and a spitting operation;(ii) a storage compartment for accommodating received waste ink;(iii) an array of caps for the print head; and(iv) a filter for filtering air-borne particles in the region of the print head.2. (canceled)3. A unit according to claim 1 , wherein the web member is arranged to receive spat ink at a region thereof which is downstream of a region thereof which is used to wipe ink from the print head.4. A unit according to claim 1 , wherein the movable web member extends from a feed device claim 1 , through at least one part of the unit where it is accessible from the exterior of the unit claim 1 , to a take-up device.5. A unit according to claim 4 , wherein the take-up device is located in said storage compartment.6. A print head servicing unit which is capable of being attached to and detached from a hard copy apparatus with at least one print head claim 4 , the unit accommodating:a movable web of absorbent material which extends from a web feed device past an operating location to a web take-up device, the arrangement being such that, when the unit is attached to a hard copy ...

DETERMINING A COLOR OF A COLOR PATCH

A measured distance is received from a distance sensor, where the measured distance is indicative of a distance between a color sensor and a substrate. Using the measured distance, a location of a given projection of projections of a substrate support is determined. A color of a color patch on the substrate at the determined location of the given projection is determined. 1. A system comprising:a color sensor to determine color of color patches printed on a substrate; projections extending from a base of the substrate support and arranged to support the substrate, and', 'openings to allow deformation of the substrate towards the base;, 'a substrate support for supporting the substrate during operation of the color sensor, the substrate support includinga distance sensor to measure a distance indicative of a distance between the color sensor and the substrate; and determine, using the distance measured by the distance sensor, a location of a given projection of the projections, and', 'determine a color of a color patch on the substrate at the determined location of the given projection., 'a controller to2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the distance measured by the distance sensor is one of an absolute value of the distance between the color sensor and the substrate or a value from which the distance between the color sensor and the substrate is inferred.3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is to cause printing of color patches on the substrate at selected locations based on measurements of distances by the distance sensor.4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is to adjust a color measurement of the color of the color patch at the determined location claim 1 , the adjusting based on the distance measured by the distance measure.5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the projections are part of ribs extending from the base claim 1 , and the openings correspond to spacings provided between adjacent ribs.6. The system of claim 1 , further ...

SENSOR ASSEMBLIES TO IDENTIFY INK LEVELS

An example in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure includes an ink channel of a printer, coupleable to an ink supply to receive an ink. A sensor assembly is mounted to the ink channel, including a sensor in fluid communication with the ink channel to identify an ink level of the ink supply based on a pressure difference between an air pressure, associated with the sensor assembly, and an ink pressure, associated with the ink channel. 1. A system comprising:an ink channel of a printer, wherein the ink channel is coupleable to an ink supply to receive an ink; anda sensor assembly mounted to the ink channel, including a sensor in fluid communication with the ink channel to identify an ink level of the ink supply based on a pressure difference between an air pressure, associated with the sensor assembly, and an ink pressure, associated with the ink channel.2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor assembly includes a pressure box to establish the air pressure in the pressure box to expose the sensor to the air pressure.3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the pressure box is in fluid communication with the ink channel via a through hole to expose the sensor to the ink pressure.4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the pressure box includes a cover sealed by a first seal between the cover and the pressure box claim 3 , and the pressure box is sealed by a second seal between the pressure box and the ink channel.5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes a diaphragm having an air side exposed to the air pressure and an ink side exposed to the ink pressure.6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an air channel coupleable to the ink supply claim 1 , wherein an ink supply station floater supports the sensor assembly coupled to the ink channel and the air channel.7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the sensor assembly is to identify a broken ink supply based on detecting ink in the air channel.8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the sensor ...

COLOR ANALYSIS

Techniques related to printing are described herein. According to an example, color patches are to be printed on a substrate. The substrate can be positioned on a substrate support for operation of a color sensor in a color measurement zone. Dimension and location in the substrate of the color patches are selected such that, for each color patch, at least a portion of the color patch can be positioned on a support projection in the color measurement zone. In some examples, color analysis techniques are described. 1. A printing system for printing a substrate , the printing system comprising:a color measurement zone into which a color sensor is to determine color of color patches printed on the substrate; i) projections extending from a base of the support and arranged to support the substrate, and', 'ii) openings to allow deformation of the substrate towards the support base; and, 'a substrate support for supporting the substrate at least in the color measurement zone during operation of the color sensor, the substrate support including'}a test print engine to cause printing of the color patches on the substrate, the test print engine selecting dimension and location in the substrate of the color patches such that, for each color patch, at least a portion of the color patch can be positioned on a support projection in the color measurement zone when the substrate is positioned on the substrate support for operation of the color sensor.2. The system of claim 1 , whereinthe projections form part of ribs extending on the support base, andthe openings correspond to spacings provided between adjacent ribs.3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the test print engine is to select color patch location such that a distance between central patch portions of adjacent color patches positioned in the color measurement zone for operation of the color sensor corresponds to a distance between central rib portions of adjacent ribs over which central patch portions are positioned for ...

PRINTER CARRIAGE WITH SENSOR

A printer carriage comprises a sensor to be actuated when an actuation member coupled to the sensor contacts a raised portion in a printing target. A vertical position of the actuation member may be adjusted with respect to the printer carriage. 1. A printer carriage comprising:a sensor; andan actuation member coupled to the sensor; whereinthe actuation member is to actuate the sensor when an end of the actuation member contacts a printing target; anda vertical position of the end of the actuation member is adjustable.2. A printer carriage according to claim 1 , wherein the actuation member is to actuate the sensor when the end of the actuation member is rotated by contact with a printing target.3. A printer carriage according to wherein the actuation member is suspended vertically.4. A printer carriage according to claim 2 , wherein the actuation member is to actuate the sensor when the distal end of the actuation member is rotated by at least 7 degrees.5. A printer carriage according to claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the actuation member comprises a material and a static coefficient of friction between the material and the printing target is at least 0.3.6. A printer carriage according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor and the actuation member are part of an assembly claim 1 , wherein the assembly is detachable from the printing carriage.7. A printer carriage according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a first sensor and the actuation member is a first actuation member claim 1 , the printer carriage further comprising a second actuation member coupled to a second sensor wherein:the first actuation arm is mounted towards an upstream end of the carriage in the printing target direction; andthe second actuation arm is mounted towards a downstream end of the carriage in the printing target direction; andthe second actuation arm is spaced further from the printing carriage in a direction of travel of the printing carriage than the first actuation arm, such that a ...

INTERCHANGEABLE PRINTER PLATENS

In one example, a platen system for a printer includes a group of interchangeable platens each configured to support a different type of print substrate in the printer. 1. A platen system for a printer , comprising a group of interchangeable platens each configured to support a different type of print substrate.2. The platen system of claim 1 , further comprising a quick release fastener to fasten each platen in the printer.3. The platen system of claim 1 , wherein the group of interchangeable platens includes a platen configured to support a textile print substrate claim 1 , a platen configured to support a paper print substrate claim 1 , and a platen configured to support a vinyl print substrate.4. The platen system of claim 1 , wherein the group of interchangeable platens includes a platen with an absorbent material and a platen with ridges.5. The platen system of claim 1 , wherein each of the platens in the group includes multiple platen modules to collectively support the print substrate in the printer.6. The platen system of claim 5 , wherein the platen modules for each platen are interchangeable with one another in the printer.7. A platen assembly for a printer claim 5 , comprising:a fixed first platen; anda removable second platen from a group of interchangeable platens each configured to support a different type of print substrate.8. The platen assembly of claim 7 , wherein the second platen is positioned immediately adjacent to the fixed platen.9. The platen assembly of claim 7 , further comprising a base claim 7 , the second platen fastened to the base with a quick release fastener.10. The platen assembly of claim 9 , wherein the base and the second platen include interconnected air passages through which a vacuum may be applied to a print substrate moving past the second platen.11. The platen assembly of claim 6 , wherein the second platen is from a group of interchangeable platens that includes a platen configured to support a textile print substrate ...

Adaptative curing

Adaptative substrate curing by ejecting a curing flow rate to a curing zone by: heating a heating fluid to a curing temperature; causing the heating fluid to flow along a plurality of serially connected chambers separated being each pair of chambers separated by a heating fluid restrictor, actuating on the heating fluid restrictor as to determine a restricted flow rate between adjacent chambers thereby defining a curing flow rate that passes from the chambers towards the curing zone.

PRINTER AND METHOD OF PRINTING

A printer comprises a printing assembly for printing an image on a print media in a print zone; a cutting assembly for cutting the print media along a contour in a cut zone; wherein the print zone and the cut zone are distinct from one another, one of the zones being downstream of the respective other zone in a print media advance direction; a control unit controlling the printhead assembly and the cutting assembly to perform printing and cutting operations during a single print media feed. A method of printing, using said printer, comprises feeding the print media through the cut zone and through the print zone, in any order; and simultaneously printing an image and cutting a contour while the print media is being fed through the cut zone and through the print zone. 1. A printer comprising:a printing assembly for printing an image on a print media in a print zone;a cutting assembly for cutting the print media along a contour in a cut zone;wherein the print zone and the cut zone are distinct from one another, one of the zones being downstream of the respective other zone in a print media advance direction;a control unit controlling the printhead assembly and the cutting assembly to perform printing and cutting operations during a single print media feed.2. The printer of claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the printing and cutting operations as a function of dynamics of at least one of the printing assembly and the cutting assembly and wherein the print zone and the cut zone are arranged in a print media pathway for simultaneously printing a given image and cutting a given contour.3. The printer of claim 1 , wherein the control unit divides a contour to be cut into a number of sections claim 1 , wherein each section has a length claim 1 , in the direction of the print media advance claim 1 , which is smaller than the length of the cut zone.4. The printer of claim 3 , wherein the length of each section is about ½ of the length of the cut zone claim 3 , and ...

Printing fluid circulation

A printing fluid circulation system is described. The system comprises first and second reservoirs, an outlet to supply printing fluid to a fluid inlet of a printhead, an inlet to receive printing fluid from a fluid outlet of the printhead, and a supply system. The supply system is to operate in a first mode to concurrently supply printing fluid from the first reservoir to the outlet and from the inlet to the second reservoir, and in a second mode to concurrently supply printing fluid from the second reservoir to the outlet and from the inlet to the first reservoir.

ENCAPSULANTS TO RETAIN WIRES AT BOND PADS

An example device in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure includes a sensor die having a sensitive region and a bond pad. A bond is formed between a wire and the bond pad of the sensor die. An encapsulant is to retain the wire at the bond pad and mechanically support the wire and the bond, based on covering the bond and wire according to an encapsulant height, extending from the bond pad, greater than a bond height. The encapsulant is localized at the bond pad of the sensor die to enable the sensitive region to remain uncovered by the encapsulant. 1. A device comprising:a sensor die, including a sensitive region and a bond pad, wherein the sensitive region is coupleable to an ink channel of a printer and associated with determining an ink level of an ink supply coupleable to the ink channel;a wire to electrically couple the sensor die to the printer;a bond formed between the wire and the bond pad of the sensor die; andan encapsulant to retain the wire at the bond pad and mechanically support the wire and the bond, based on covering the bond and wire according to an encapsulant height, extending from the bond pad, greater than a bond height, wherein the encapsulant is localized at the bond pad of the sensor die to enable the sensitive region to remain uncovered by the encapsulant.2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the bond includes a bond ball claim 1 , wherein the encapsulant is to structurally maintain continuity of the bond in the presence of degradation of the bond ball.3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the bond ball includes phase change degradation based on formation of an intermetallic compound (IMC) from a reaction between dissimilar materials of the wire and bond pad.4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the wire is a first conductive material and the bond pad is a second conductive material different than the first conductive material.5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the encapsulant is an epoxy having a viscosity and surface tension to ...

INKJET PRINTER WITH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY INK TANKS

The present disclosure relates to an inkjet printer comprising a carriage unit to which a printhead (PT) is coupled, a primary ink tank (T) and a secondary ink tank (T) to store ink, and a controller (CT) to control a pump (PM) so as to cause the secondary ink tank (T) to supply the primary ink tank (T) with ink.

Interchangeable printer platens

In one example, a platen system for a printer includes a group of interchangeable platens each configured to support a different type of print substrate in the printer.

Vapor control heating in a printer

In one example, a vapor control heater for a printer includes a housing, a heating element at least partially enclosed by the housing, and a fan to move air over the heating element and into a flow of air from the printer dryer.

Print zone heating

In one example, a print zone heater includes a structure defining a plenum, a heating element, a fan to move air over the heating element into the plenum, and a conduit from the plenum to carry heated air into the print zone.

PRINTING ON RIGID AND FLEXIBLE PRINT MEDIA

A printing device is described. The printing device comprises a fluid flow generator to cause a heating fluid to flow towards a curing zone that is downstream of a print zone in terms of an advance direction of the print medium. The printing device comprises an impingement device arranged upstream of the curing zone in terms of the heating fluid flow. The impingement device is to modify a flow rate of the heating fluid towards the curing zone along the advance direction. 1. A printing device , comprising:a fluid flow generator to cause a heating fluid to flow towards a curing zone that is downstream of a print zone in terms of an advance direction of the print medium; andan impingement device arranged upstream of the curing zone in terms of the heating fluid flow,wherein the impingement device is to modify a flow rate of the heating fluid towards the curing zone along the advance direction.2. The printing device of claim 1 ,wherein the impingement device comprises a plurality of nozzles, each nozzle to focus the flow of the heating fluid towards the curing zone,wherein at least one of the following varies within the curing zone along the advance direction:a distribution of the plurality of nozzles;a size of the plurality of nozzles; anda number of the plurality of nozzles per unit area.3. The printing device of claim 1 ,wherein the impingement device comprises a perforated plate having a first group of openings and a second group of openings,wherein the heating fluid is to flow through each opening of the first and second groups of openings towards the curing zone,wherein the openings of the first group of openings are uniformly distributed in a first portion of the perforated plate,wherein the openings of the second group of openings are uniformly distributed in a second portion of the perforated plate that is located downstream of the first portion in terms of the advance direction,wherein an areal density of the openings in the first portion is higher than an ...

Inkjet printer with primary and secondary ink tanks

The present disclosure relates to an inkjet printer 30 including a carriage unit to which a printhead (PT) is coupled, a primary ink tank (T 1 ) and a secondary ink tank (T 2 ) to store ink, and a controller (CT 2 ) to control a pump (PM) so as to cause the secondary ink tank (T 2 ) to supply the primary ink tank (T 1 ) with ink.

Sensor assemblies and method to identify ink levels

Capping stations with positioning mechanisms

Examples relate to capping stations having caps with positioning mechanism. The capping station for a printing system may comprise a cap to seal a printhead and a positioning mechanism to move the cap between a first cap position and a second cap position.

Inkjet printer with primary and secondary ink tanks

The present disclosure relates to an inkjet printer 30 comprising a carriage unit to which a printhead (PT) is coupled, a primary ink tank (T1) and a secondary ink tank (T2) to store ink, and a controller (CT2) to control a pump (PM) so as to cause the secondary ink tank (T2) to supply the primary ink tank (T1) with ink.

Methods and apparatus for ink drying

Ink drying methods and apparatus are disclosed. One example ink drying apparatus includes a resistive heating element having a first power dissipation density adjacent to a center region of a print media travel path and a second power dissipation density adjacent to an edge region of the print media travel path, wherein the first and second power densities are not equal.

Printing fluid circulation

A printing fluid circulation system is described. The system comprises first and second reservoirs, an outlet to supply printing fluid to a fluid inlet of a printhead, an inlet to receive printing fluid from a fluid outlet of the printhead, and a supply system. The supply system is to operate in a first mode to concurrently supply printing fluid from the first reservoir to the outlet and from the inlet to the second reservoir, and in a second mode to concurrently supply printing fluid from the second reservoir to the outlet and from the inlet to the first reservoir.

Adaptative curing

Adaptative substrate curing by ejecting a curing flow rate to a curing zone by: heating a heating fluid to a curing temperature; causing the heating fluid to flow along a plurality of serially connected chambers separated being each pair of chambers separated by a heating fluid restrictor, actuating on the heating fluid restrictor as to determine a restricted flow rate between adjacent chambers thereby defining a curing flow rate that passes from the chambers towards the curing zone.

Capping stations with positioning mechanisms

Printer carriage with sensor

Modifying color planes

In examples, a method includes receiving print image data representing an image to be printed and selectively modifying at least one of an initial background print agent color plane and an initial image print agent color plane to determine a modified color plane.

Printhead positions

In one example a method comprises causing, by a processor, a nozzle of a printhead to discharge a printing fluid droplet toward a drop detector and receiving, from the drop detector, by a processor, a signal indicative of the location of the discharged printing fluid droplet. The example method comprises determining, by a processor, whether the location of the discharged droplet matches a stored location of the nozzle corresponding to a print mode. The example method comprises issuing, by a processor, a signal based on the determination.

Printing fluid circulation

A printing fluid circulation system is described. The system comprises first and second reservoirs, an outlet to supply printing fluid to a fluid inlet of a printhead, an inlet to receive printing fluid from a fluid outlet of the printhead, and a supply system. The supply system is to operate in a first mode to concurrently supply printing fluid from the first reservoir to the outlet and from the inlet to the second reservoir, and in a second mode to concurrently supply printing fluid from the second reservoir to the outlet and from the inlet to the first reservoir.

Printer carriage with sensor

A printer carriage comprises a sensor to be actuated when an actuation member coupled to the sensor contacts a raised portion in a printing target. A vertical position of the actuation member may be adjusted with respect to the printer carriage.

Printer carriage with sensor

Sensor assemblies to identify ink levels

An example in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure includes an ink channel of a printer, coupleable to an ink supply to receive an ink. A sensor assembly is mounted to the ink channel, including a sensor in fluid communication with the ink channel to identify an ink level of the ink supply based on a pressure difference between an air pressure, associated with the sensor assembly, and an ink pressure, associated with the ink channel.

Print zone heating

In one example, a print zone heater includes a structure defining a plenum, a heating element, a fan to move air over the heating element into the plenum, and a conduit from the plenum to carry heated air into the print zone.

Interchangeable printer platens

In one example, a platen system for a printer includes a group of interchangeable platens each configured to support a different type of print substrate in the printer.