A method of creating a vascular network for printing a fluid onto a substrate is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: determining a deposit objective; selecting a fluid having at least one fluid property; designing a vascular network to achieve the deposit objective; selecting a fluid delivery system, and depositing the fluid in liquid form that solidifies into the vascular network according to the deposit objective.

A method of creating a vascular network for printing a fluid onto a substrate is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: determining a deposit objective; selecting a fluid having at least one fluid property; designing a vascular network to achieve the deposit objective; selecting a fluid delivery system, and depositing the fluid in liquid form that solidifies into the vascular network according to the deposit objective.

A system for depositing a fluid on a substrate is disclosed. The system can include a sleeve having a sleeve exit and an inner region and a rotating roll disposed within the inner region. A vascular network can be disposed within the rotating roll, the vascular network being configured for transporting the fluid in predetermined paths from the interior region to the exterior surface through a substantially radial path, the substantially radial path ending at an exit point of a fluid exit, wherein the exit point is associated with a sleeve exit.

A system for depositing a fluid on a substrate is disclosed. The system can include a sleeve having a sleeve exit and an inner region and a rotating roll disposed within the inner region. A vascular network can be disposed within the rotating roll, the vascular network being configured for transporting the fluid in predetermined paths from the interior region to the exterior surface through a substantially radial path, the substantially radial path ending at an exit point of a fluid exit, wherein the exit point is associated with a sleeve exit.

A system for depositing a fluid on a substrate is disclosed. The system can include a sleeve having a sleeve exit and an inner region and a rotating roll disposed within the inner region. A vascular network can be disposed within the rotating roll, the vascular network being configured for transporting the fluid in predetermined paths from the interior region to the exterior surface through a substantially radial path, the substantially radial path ending at an exit point of a fluid exit, wherein the exit point is associated with a sleeve exit.

A method of depositing a fluid onto a substrate. The method can include the steps of: providing a substrate; providing a fluid; providing a rotating roll comprising an exterior surface wherein the rotating roll rotates about the central longitudinal axis and an exterior surface defines an interior region; providing a vascular network to supply the fluid from the interior region to the exterior surface of the rotating roll in a predetermined path; transporting the fluid to the vascular network; controlling the flow of the fluid to move the fluid at a predetermined flow rate to at least one of the at least two fluid exits; and contacting the substrate with the fluid.

A method of depositing a fluid onto a substrate. The method can include the steps of: providing a substrate; providing a fluid; providing a rotating roll comprising an exterior surface wherein the rotating roll rotates about the central longitudinal axis and an exterior surface defines an interior region; providing a vascular network to supply the fluid from the interior region to the exterior surface of the rotating roll in a predetermined path; transporting the fluid to the vascular network; controlling the flow of the fluid to move the fluid at a predetermined flow rate to at least one of the at least two fluid exits; and contacting the substrate with the fluid.

A rotating roll for depositing a fluid on a substrate is disclosed. The rotating roll can have a central longitudinal axis, wherein the rotating roll rotates about the central longitudinal axis. The rotating roll can have an exterior surface defining an interior region and a vascular network configured for transporting the fluid in predetermined paths from an interior region to the exterior surface of the rotating roll. The vascular network can have a main artery, a first capillary and a plurality of fluid exits on the exterior surface. The main artery can have an inlet and is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the rotating roll. Fluid enters the vascular network at the inlet and exits through substantially radial fluid paths to form a first tree.

A rotating roll for depositing a fluid on a substrate is disclosed. The rotating roll can have a central longitudinal axis, wherein the rotating roll rotates about the central longitudinal axis. The rotating roll can have an exterior surface defining an interior region and a vascular network configured for transporting the fluid in predetermined paths from an interior region to the exterior surface of the rotating roll. The vascular network can have a main artery, a first capillary and a plurality of fluid exits on the exterior surface. The main artery can have an inlet and is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the rotating roll. Fluid enters the vascular network at the inlet and exits through substantially radial fluid paths to form a first tree.

An ink supply unit is a unitized member having a casing accommodating components therein. A plurality of plate cylinders are arranged in a circumferential direction at predetermined intervals. The ink supply unit corresponding to the plate cylinder is disposed on a radially outer side of the plate cylinder. The ink supply unit can move between an operation position in which ink can be supplied to the plate cylinder and a standby position located further to a radially outer side than the operation position.