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Adjustable gloss level for compact printhead arrangement

  • US 10,589,506 B2
  • Filed: 10/06/2016
  • Issued: 03/17/2020
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2015
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for printing a printable feature onto a base, the apparatus comprising:

  • a printing surface for receiving the base;

    a printhead assembly comprising a first printhead and a second printhead, wherein the first printhead comprises a first row of print nozzles, wherein the second printhead comprises a second row of print nozzles, wherein the first row of print nozzles is disposed adjacent to and parallel with the second row of print nozzles, and wherein the printhead assembly is movable along a primary axis;

    a curing device assembly comprising a first housing, a first curing device, a second housing, and a second curing device, wherein the first housing and the second housing are disposed on a first side of the printhead assembly, wherein the first curing device is disposed within the first housing, wherein the first housing is independently movable relative to the printhead assembly and the second housing, and wherein the second curing device is disposed within the second housing, wherein the first housing and the first curing device are movable relative to the first printhead, the second printhead, the second housing, and the second curing device along a first axis, wherein the first axis is parallel to the primary axis and the first row of print nozzles, wherein the second housing and the second curing device are movable relative to the first printhead, the first housing, the first curing device, and the second printhead along a second axis, and wherein the second axis is parallel to the primary axis, the first axis, and the second row of print nozzles;

    an actuating system comprising a primary rail, a first rail, a second rail, a primary actuating device, a first actuating device, a second actuating device, and a controller, wherein the printhead assembly is mounted on the primary rail by the primary actuating device, wherein the first housing of the curing device assembly is mounted to the first rail by the first actuating device, wherein the second housing of the curing device assembly is mounted to the second rail by the second actuating device, wherein the controller is configured to independently control the primary actuating device, the first actuating device, and the second actuating device, wherein the primary actuating device is configured to move the printhead assembly along the primary axis and relative to an upper surface of the base, wherein the first actuating device is configured to independently move the first housing and the first curing device relative to the first printhead and the second curing device along the first axis in a range between a first inward spacing and a first outward spacing, and wherein the second actuating device is configured to independently move the second housing and the second curing device relative to the second printhead and the first curing device along the second axis in a range between a second inward spacing and a second outward spacing;

    wherein the first printhead is configured to dispense a first print material in a liquid state while the actuating system moves the printhead assembly and the curing device assembly;

    wherein the controller and the first actuating device are configured to automatically move the first curing device along the first axis to a first separation distance relative to the first printhead;

    wherein the first curing device is configured to cure the first print material while the first curing device is at the first separation distance;

    wherein the second printhead is configured to dispense a second print material while the actuating system moves the printhead assembly and the curing device assembly;

    wherein the controller and the second actuating device are configured to automatically move the second curing device along the second axis to a second separation distance relative to the second printhead, the second separation distance being different than the first separation distance; and

    wherein the second curing device is configured to cure the second print material while the second curing device is at the second separation distance.

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