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Piezo drop-on-demand inkjet printers are used in an increasing number of applications because of their reliable deposition of droplets onto a substrate. Droplets of a few picoliters are ejected from an inkjet nozzle at frequencies of up to 100 kHz. However, the entrapment of an air microbubble in the ink channel can severely impede the productivity and reliability of the printing system. The air bubble disturbs the channel acoustics, resulting in disrupted drop formation or failure of the jetting process. Here we study a micro-electro-mechanical systems-based printhead. By using the actuating piezo transducer in receive mode, the acoustical field inside the channel was monitored, clearly identifying the presence of an air microbubble inside the channel during failure of the jetting process. The infrared visualization technique allowed for the accurate sizing of the bubble, including its dynamics, inside the intact printhead. A model was developed to calculate the mutual interaction between the channel acoustics and the bubble dynamics. The model was validated by simultaneous acoustical and infrared detection of the bubble. The model can predict the presence and size of entrapped air bubbles inside an operating ink channel purely from the acoustic response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Desktop‐grade fused deposition modeling (FDM) printers are popular because of compact sizes and affordable prices. If we are moving toward a future where desktop FDM printers are in every school and office, like conventional printers, then these machines will consume a large amount of energy and material. However, it is very difficult to evaluate the environmental impacts of FDM printers since there are so many different brands and types of printers using different raw materials under different scenarios. This study uses data from two different printing sites to evaluate the scenario and parameter uncertainty and variability in energy and material balances for FDM printers. Data from the two makerspaces provide insight into the material and energy consumption data using polylactic acid and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) with four types of printers. The use of actual performance data allowed for the additional study of scrap ratio. Regressions provide insight into predictive factors for energy and material consumption. Monte Carlo simulations show the range of energy life cycle inventory values for the desktop‐grade FDM printers. From the regressions, Type A Pro was the most energy‐intensive machine. For material waste, an open‐access makerspace using ABS was associated with higher scrap ratio. Regression analysis indicates that the rate of material usage is not a strong predictor of waste rates. The amount of waste generated across both sites indicates that more ubiquitous access to FDM printing may create a significant addition to the waste stream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The aim of this work is to propose a mathematical formula describing the temperature distribution in the inking unit of the offset printing machine caused by the phenomenon of friction between the cylinders that remain in contact, namely between pairs of inking rollers. Those rollers are made of different materials, one is made of steel and the other is covered with rubber. Moreover, beside the circular motion, the steel roller moves in a reciprocating way along the cylinder pivot. This paper describes a model of cooling of a thermostatted roller in the offset printing machine. The described analytical solution of thermal conduction for a two-layer cylinder has been achieved with the Laplace transform. Additionally, the paper contains an analysis of heat partition coefficient for the cylindrical layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Press figures are at present believed to have originated in the King's Printing House in 1629, but a few examples are also found in 1628. More than seventy years earlier, however, in 1557 the printer Thomas Marshe used the initial of his surname to identify the sheets he contributed to a missal otherwise printed by John Kingston. Two years later he similarly marked (although less consistently) most of the sheets he printed as part of a far more complex collaboration, namely one of the 1559 editions of the Elizabethan Book of Common Prayer. While he is not known to have done likewise in any later book, and was never imitated by his contemporaries or successors, he should nevertheless be recognized as the first known user of press figures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of structural periodicity in the antifriction composite parts based on copper alloyed with Ni, Mo, and W with solid lubricant CaF 2 have been presented in paper. The periodicity of structure was studied using Fourier analysis. Analysis of the structural status complexity and friction surface's characteristics were executed by two-dimensional diffraction spectrum. Fourier analysis method was used to check, prove and confirm the correctness of new composite antifriction parts' manufacturing technology. This method has shown the homogeneity of the composite material as a whole that proves the efficiency of the developed manufacturing technology. The developed technology provides the minimum friction coefficient and wear rate of the new antifriction composite parts for printing machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a physics-based finite element simulation of self folding of a hydrogel bilayer with programmed holes. Introducing holes in a bilayer modifies the topology and boundary of the bilayer. Early state swelling of a hydrogel bilayer forms rolled tubes along the periphery of the bilayer and adds the local rigidity along the boundary. Our numerical simulation shows that formation of rolled edges switches the deformation mode of hydrogel bilayer from slow and gradual bending to fast and sudden buckling or folding. On demand folding is thus possible by tuning the location, size and shape of holes. The uncovered folding mechanism is leveraged to design a number of soft self-folding machines. The results throw light on design and simulation of soft self-folding machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the series of three electronic drawing machines Desmond Paul Henry constructed during the 1960s from World War II analogue bombsight computers and which, by virtue of their inspiration, idiosyncratic modus operandi and analogue-derived effects, earn Henry a place as a British computer art pioneer. The abstract graphic results of these now-defunct drawing machines are presented as precursors to digital images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article informs that the Jericho Press is a private press established and operated by J. F. "Chip" Coakley and takes its name from that part of Oxford, England, that was home to the printer and his family in the early 1990s. When the Coakley family moved to the United States in 1993, the printing press and cases of type remained behind. Summer, however, draws the family back to Oxford where a new, hand-printed, limited edition is created. A distinguishing characteristic of the Jericho Press is its use of exotic types. A scholar of biblical languages, the printer was aesthetically drawn to the types of these languages during his early years of graduate study at the University of Cambridge. By 1974, he had completed a course in bibliography with Philip Gaskell that centered around a press set up at the University Library. That same year, he succeeded in acquiring, from Oxford University Press, a large Syriac type that had long been out of productive use. So were laid the foundations of the Jericho Press. "Apprentice" years began with a small treadle platen press that was kept in Coakley's teaching office at the University of Lancaster.

This paper aims at identifying the causes that make the tourists who use renting transport services in Europe, USA and Australia, become unsatisfied with the service. In particular, for Romania, we present an analysis of the questionnaires filled in online by the tourists who rented cars, identifying the complaints in several categories. It is essential for all companies that care about their image to identify the reasons generating complaints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the fourth drupa Global Trends Report published by trade fair organizer Messe Düsseldorf GmbH on March 17, 2017 focusing on the printing equipment and services industry. Key highlights of the report include the decline in prices of printers around the world, capital investment plans of suppliers, and impact of digital media on packaging printers.

The article reports on the drupa 2016 printing trade fair held in Düsseldorf, Germany. Topics include the launch of Glunz & Jensen's FlexLine automated flexo platemaking line, the sale of Hewlett Packard's HP Indigo 8000 Digital Press to companies such as Century Label, Harkwell Labels Ltd., and Industria Grafica Eurostampa S.p.A., and the distribution partnership formed by Lake Image Systems Ltd. and Solex GmbH to distribute the latter's vision inspection products across Austria.

The article discusses the highlights of the drupa 2016 printing trade fair held in Düsseldorf, Germany. Topics include the increase in number of participants posted in 2016 compared to the show's 2012 edition, countries where European visitors came from including Italy and France, and companies that launched their latest products including Adobe Systems with version 4 of Adobe PDF Print Engine and Agfa Graphics which debuted a cloud-based Arkitex Production newspaper pre-press workflow.

All-inkjet-printed thin-film transistors (TFTs) have been demonstrated in literature using mainly laboratory inkjet equipment, simple one-channel layout and only a low number of manufactured TFT devices. We report on the development and the up-scaling of the manufacturing of all-inkjet-printed TFT arrays using industrial inkjet equipment. The manufacturing of the TFTs was carried out in ambient condition without the need for cleanroom environments or inert atmospheres and at a maximum temperature of 150 °C enabling the use of flexible polymer films as substrate. Arrays of 924 TFTs were manufactured on an area of about DIN A4 (297 × 420 mm 2 ). This allows the consideration of statistics, e.g. to determine the process yield as a function of device design and layout. We present process yields for all-inkjet-printed TTFs up to 82% demonstrating the potential of the developed all-inkjet-printing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In roll-to-roll printing for the fabrication of flexible printed electronic devices, it is important to minimize the tension variation of the web because the tension variation strongly affects register errors and the quality of the printed devices. Moreover, the high drying temperature required to sinter functional inks causes shrinkage of the plastic web, which yields severe register errors. After the drying process, the web tension should increase, elongating the web, which contracts because of the drying process. Once the shrunken web recovers its original length by elongation, the tension stabilizes at a higher value. This steady-state stabilization of the web tension requires a long time, corresponding to the time constant between two printing units, which could increase the production time. In this study, a faststabilization method for web tension in the drying process is proposed to reduce the time required for the stabilization of the tension. For the fast stabilization, a dancer system is introduced, and the variation in the tension is used as a reference value for the tension stabilization. The proposed method is verified by simulations and experiments using actual roll-to-roll printing equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements of dynamics of rollers and their segments in the direction of transverse axis of rotation of eight cassettes of folding machines were carried out in this work. Measurements were carried out in pre-selected positions of rollers and their segments for two different rotating velocities of the rollers. In the first case the roller was rotated at 9 m/min velocity and in the second - at 90 m/min. It was determined that before renewal some rotating rollers for the investigated velocity of rotation of the roller 90 m/min experienced the displacements up to 80 μm. The displacements (beatings) of the rollers and their segments originating during the process of rotation in the direction of transverse axis of rotation have substantial effect to the quality of folding of printing products. Numerical investigation of the rollers was performed by using the axisymmetric model. Supplementary stiffness from the static loading caused by centrifugal forces is taken into account. The eigenmodes are calculated. The standing waves on the surface of the roller are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the effect of operating parameters of new high-speed nickel-based composite bearing materials alloyed by molybdenum and tungsten and with additions of a solid lubricant, calcium fluoride CaF2, on the formation of dissipative secondary structures (friction films). It is shown that friction parameters substantially influence the nature of secondary structures responsible for antifriction properties. The wear mechanism of the materials is studied in different conditions of friction. Antiscoring films with smoothed microgeometry of contact surfaces are formed at 800-1000 rpm under a load of 6 MPa in air. In these friction conditions, the films ensure high wear resistance of the nickel-based bearing materials for rotary offset printing machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the Xerox Rialto 900 Inkjet Press from Xerox Corp.

The article discusses issues concerning the educational application of three-dimensional (3D) printing in the U.S. Topics covered include the importance of focusing on design skills, the argument that creating external artifacts demonstrates deep learning, tips of the selection of the appropriate printer to use and suggested learning activities for students.

The article offers information on the printing industry event Print 2017 held in Chicago, Illinois on September 10 to 14, 2017. Highlights of the event include the product exhibitions of the latest printing equipment from various exhibitors, educational presentations from industry experts, and the launch of the information service platform from NPES called PrintStats.

The article focuses on the report titled "Worldwide Market for Print 2.0: Global Opportunities in Packaging (2011-2020)," from PRIMIR Market Research which examined the current state and outlook for the global print packaging market. Topics discussed include total value of the print packaging market in 2016, essential recommendations for print packagers, converters, brand owners and manufacturers, and rise in the sheetfed offset presses shipments in 2016.

Thermo-sensitive printers and thermo-sensitive facsimile machines are used extensively throughout China. Document examiners are often requested to confirm the authenticity of thermal paper documents. Identification of the type of thermal paper and estimation of the age of thermal paper documents could be effective methods to aid in confirming the authenticity of documents. In this paper, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry was successfully employed to differentiate between the 30 types of thermal paper. The relative age of the thermal paper documents was estimated by measuring changes in the gray value of printed strokes. The method employed resulted in curves, which indicate the relationship between the gray value of the strokes and the age of the thermal paper documents, and which are applicable for estimating the relative age of thermal paper documents in some cases. It was determined that the brand of thermal paper and thickness of strokes on the paper affected the accuracy of estimating the dates of strokes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about the Labelexpo Europe 2013 trade show held in Brussels, Belgium is presented. The event featured 22 printing equipment vendors and laser-cutter developers which reportedly made attendees reflect on the future of label printing. It provides brief information on several products showcased at the trade show including the L360 Laser Die-Cutter laser-cutter from Cartes SRL, the Heidelberg Linoprint L digital printer from Gallus, and the Durst Tau 330 inkjet label printer from Durst.

The abstract should summarize the context, content and conclusions of the paper in less than 200 words. It should not contain any references or displayed equations. Typeset the abstract in 8 pt Times Roman with baselineskip of 10 pt, making an indentation of 1.5 pica on the left and right margins. Typeset similarly for keywords below. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper measurement of stresses in vibrating elements of the printing device using photo-elastic techniques is investigated. Numerical procedure is applied to obtain data which is needed for the interpretation of experimental results of time averaged photoelasticity when sinusoidal vibrations according to the eigenmode of the structure in the problem of plane stress take place. The results obtained from this numerical procedure correspond with the results obtained analytically earlier. The numerical procedure is also applied to obtain data which is needed for interpretation of experimental results when the structure is slowly loaded from the status of equilibrium by linearly increasing the load till its final value. Experimental measurements of stresses in polymeric films have been performed. Qualitative investigations of stresses of samples of LDPE films were performed by taking into account the level of stresses in unloaded samples as well as in samples experiencing tensile loading. Samples of LDPE films having various characteristics were analyzed. In order to obtain photoelastic images representing stress distributions in the investigated polymeric films the experimental setup was developed. In the loaded samples of the investigated films of LDPE type higher order photoelastic fringes are observed. They enable to interpret stress distributions in the films. This is especially important in the process of operation of the printing device. The obtained results are used in the process of measurements of stresses in the elements of a printing device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – As a result of the increased number of applications for additive manufacturing technologies and in addition to the demand for parts produced with high accuracy and better quality, the need for the improvement of positioning and precision equipment in manufacturing has become evident. To address this needed improvement, the main goal of this work is to provide a systematic approach for designing additive manufacturing machines, allowing the identification of the relationship between estimated errors and the cost of equipment. In the same way, this study also intends to indicate a suitable configuration of a machine as a function of final accuracy and total equipment cost. Design/methodology/approach – To identify the suitable elements of the machine, a numerical model that estimates the final error and relative cost of equipment as a function of cost and tolerance of the machine elements was constructed and evaluated. After evaluating this model by comparing it with first-generation fused deposition modelling (FDM) machines, an optimisation study was performed that focused on the minimisation of both the total cost and final equipment error. The optimisation problem was defined in accordance with the goal attainment method, which allowed identification of the Pareto optimum of the study. The optimisation results were then compared with current equipment concepts, and possible improvements and restrictions of the optimised concept were described. Findings – With regard to the evaluation of the numerical model of final error, the general error in the x- and y-direction was observed to have a deviation of 2 μm, while the numerical error in the z-direction was found to be inferior to that of currently used equipment. The optimisation study also allowed the identification of the machine elements that provide the minimal error and cost for the equipment, identifying an optimal Pareto of the system. In such an optimal case, the average of the final errors for the balanced solution (in which the objective functions have equal importance) was found to be 141 μm. In addition, the cost of this solution was 1.57 times higher than the cheapest solution found. Finally, a comparison between the configuration of commercial FDM machines and the optimum values was found, highlighting the main points that would possibly provide an improvement to the current concepts and an increase in equipment profitability. Originality/value – Despite the growth of additive manufacturing development, there are still several challenges to overcome to increase the accuracy of the final parts, such as the reduction of mechanical errors. However, in addition to the complexity of this subject, the cost of equipment restricts the development of new solutions. As a result, a systematic approach to identify a suitable configuration of each machine in accordance with the optimal accuracy and cost of equipment is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaluation of printing machines poses the problem of how distortions like streaks caused by the machine can be detected and assessed automatically. Although luminance variations in prints can be measured quite precisely, the measured functions bear little relevance for the lightness of streaks and other distortions of prints as perceived by human observers. First, the measurements sometimes indicate changes of luminance in regions which are perceived as homogeneous by humans. Second, the measured strength of a distortion correlates often weakly with its perceived strength, which is influenced by a variety of factors, like the shape of a streak’s luminance profile and the distribution of luminance variations in its spatial surround. We have used a model of human perception, based on fundamental neurophysiological and psychophysical properties of the visual system, in order to predict the perceptual strength of streaks (i.e. the distortion as perceived by a human observer) from the measured physical luminance signal. For the evaluation of the model, tests with naive and expert observers have been conducted. The results show that the model yields a good correlation () to the assessments of human observers and is thus well suited for use in an automatic evaluation system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aerosol jet printing is a rather new technology for the deposition of thick film structures offering high line and space resolution. This method offers high potential for miniaturization for thick film structures. The advantages of this technology could be shown with inks carrying a single solid powder (e.g., silver, platinum, ceramic, or glass powder). One of the challenges in printing solid powder mixtures is the differences in the aerodynamic properties of different powders. Those differences result in changes of the mixing ratio within the aerosol jet and therefore poor reproducibility in the finished film. In this work, thick film resistors consisting of RuO2 with particle size <1 µm as the conducting phase and different glass powders with particle size around 1 µm as the isolating phase were investigated. One glass had a density rather close to RuO2, the other glass significantly lower. Inks were made from RuO2/glass powder mixtures, a solvent, and organic additives. After manufacturing, the inks are printed on LTCC and the microstructures of the dried and the fired films were visualized by FIB preparation and SEM. The resistances as well as the temperature coefficients of the resistors were measured and compared with resistor films with an identical solid composition manufactured by conventional screen printing. The results of the obtained resistors are presented and discussed in terms of powder properties, ink dispersion, and printing parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work, we present a novel fire-through contact (FTC) approach for the formation of local rear contacts for rear surface passivated silicon solar cells. The FTC approach aims at an easy integration of rear surface passivation into typical production lines. Besides rear surface passivation, no new technology is required as FTC only relies on common printing equipment. In this work, different FTC contact geometries and printing approaches are investigated using lifetime and resistance measurements. A PC1D model is implemented to allow for a comparison of different FTC configurations on cell level. Finally, the integration of the FTC approach into metal wrap through solar cells is presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Digital printing machines with ink jet technology allow printing on wood substrate and varnish can be used as final process in wood finishing. Although varnish is protecting printed ink and increasing mechanical properties of wood surface it is also changing hue and saturation of printed color. The aim of this study is to quantify that difference in color value printed on a wood substrate with and without varnish layer. For that purpose, standardized colorimetric methods were taken based on CIE L*a*b* values using the equation for color differences CIEDE2000. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper investigates the reproduction accuracy of Ricoh Aficio colour 3006 printer. The study has been conducted analyzing four-color (CMYK) gradation curves -- the compliance of zonal absorbance with standard references and printing stability of gradation scales. The obtained colours have been measured spectrophotometrically determining the coordinates of colours CIE L*a*b* and differences in colours AE. Eight printing regimes and their settings have been examined. It has been found that the printer Ricoh has inaccurately colour grading. However, the quality of colour reproduction is sufficient for printing data not requiring high accuracy of colour reproduction. Colour grading significantly differs from the theoretical approaches, though some regimes (Gamma, Brightness, CMYK simulation) allows achieving theoretical values. Despite the high inaccuracy of gradation, differences in colour are not high enough due to corrections made by software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about several topics discussed at the Graph Expo 2012 held in the U.S. is presented. Trends in the print industry are outlined. Several products exhibited at the event are highlighted including the 75DI Press from Presstek Inc., the ColorStream 3000 Series printers from Océ NV and the Nuvera printers from Xerox Corp.

The main goals of this research are investigation and determination of color balance failure (color inconstancy) of offset printed images expressed by color difference depending on the material used and different standard illuminant conditions. For the experiment, we chose three of the most commonly used in practice illuminants -- CIE D50 natural horizon daylight with color temperature 5003 K; CIE F2 cool white fluorescent, 4230 K; CIE A typical Tungsten-filament lighting, 2856 K. A special test form that has been used contains different control strips and measurement components include test chart TC6.02 with about 1000 color patches with different percent combinations of cyan, magenta, yellow and black. The paper, printing inks and printing presses employed in the experiment are some of most commonly used in practice for producing high quality color reproductions. A series of colorimetric and densitometric measurements were performed for different combinations of C, M, Y, K in single, double, triple and quadruple overprint for high tones, middle tones and dark tones. For estimating color balance failure for all the above mentioned measurements there have been calculated the color difference ΔEab* and CMCCON02 depending on standard illuminants CIE D50, F2 and A. For the first time via experimental research in real production conditions (for offset printing method), 3D and 2D presentations and comparison of color gamuts and color gamut volumes for different illuminants were made. According to the results, CIE A has the biggest color gamut volume and CIE F2 -- the smallest one. The results obtained are important from scientific and practical points of view. For the first time a methodology is suggested and implemented for examination and estimation of color shifts by studying a big number of color changes in various ink combinations for different illuminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the drupa 2012 event. It is highlighted that drupa provides insight into the present and future of print as well as a small sampling of multimedia opportunity and electronic competition. Details on the products of drupa along with key information on the exhibitors are also highlighted.

The article evaluates the Apogee StoreFront cloud-based web-to-print solution by Agfa Corp.

The article offers information on the Nanographic Printing Process from Landa Corp.

The article offers brief information on various printing equipment including the Prosper 6000XL press from Eastman Kodak Co., the ColorStream 3700 digital inkjet printer from Océ NV and the CiPress 500 Inkjet printer from Xerox Corp.

This article compares life cycle assessment studies performed on imaging equipment for the consumer market in order to identify common practices, limitations, areas for improvement, and opportunities for standardization. The analysis suggests that comparisons across studies are significantly hampered by variability in scope, transparency, data sources, and assumptions; it identifies sources of discrepancy and variability. Of particular concern to printing devices was the definition of a functional unit, which can vary significantly depending on the capabilities and use patterns of a printer. Standardization of the functional unit and related assumptions has a high potential to increase quantitative comparability across studies. At the same time, standardizing the functional unit by paper usage excludes the possibility of comparison to alternative communication media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve the problem that the network thumb printer system based on covert time channel is instability and inefficient, a novel network thumb printer module based on network timing channel was proposed. In the module, physical information of the host worked as the thumb printer information and was sent to the server. The server picked up thumb printer to authenticate the host. For efficiency promoting, geometry code was introduced into this module. Moreover, the coding way of several network packet intervals and redundancy made the network thumb printer system stable, secure and robust. The simulation system was constructed according to the network thumb printer module. Simulation results show that a discern rate about 99% is obtained even when the system is attacked by network spoofs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Publishing and librarianship professions have been mentioned together in the course of time. Problems met in publishing, also met in librarianship in different points. Developments in publishing also influences the development of librarianship. Every sort of information and registered documents produced by publishers are presented to the service of users by libraries. Publishing and librarianship alteration was discussed by this research, examining the past of publication life in context of social, political, cultural, economic and technological developments beginning from impart of the printing press in Turkey -symbol of art of printing- to internet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a research of the most important influences in wide format printing. The most important influences are substrate, printing machine and ink. In the experiment we used two basic substrates (backlite and frontilte). The test chart was printed with three different printing machines on the backlite (substrates used for outdoor large-format billboard with back lighted display) and the frontlite (substrates used for outdoor large-format billboard with front lighted display) substrate. The printing machines we based on Digital Ink Jet printing technique. The main goal of investigation was getting parameters that indicate the influence of substrates and printing machines on color range. The color range for different substrates and different printing machines were determined by spectrophotometric measurements. Model CIEDE 2000 was used for determining the color differences between different proofs. Reference points were the fields of 100 % cyan, magenta, yellow and black coverage. The analysis confirmed theoretical assumptions that the most important factors were substrate, printing machine and ink. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]