An ink jet card printer includes an ink jet print head, a gantry, and a card feeder. The ink jet print head is configured to perform a print operation on a card supported in a print position along a processing axis. The gantry is configured to move the print head through a print zone. The card feeder includes a feeder frame, a first pinch roller pair, and a lift mechanism. The first pinch roller pair is supported by the feeder frame and is configured to feed individual cards along a card feed axis. The lift mechanism is configured to move the feeder frame and the first pinch roller pair between a lowered position, in which the card feeder is displaced from the print zone, and a raised position, in which at least a portion of the card feeder extends into the print zone.

In a method of operating an ink jet card printer, which includes a transport belt, a print unit including an ink jet print head, a sensor and a gantry, a card is loaded onto the transport belt along a processing axis using an exposed surface of the transport belt. The sensor and the ink jet print head are moved relative to the card using the gantry. A current position of the card is detected using the sensor. An image is printed to the card using the ink jet print head when the detected current position of the card indicates that the card is supported on the transport belt in a print position. Printing is interrupted when the detected current position of the card indicates that the card is not in the print position.

An ink jet card printer includes an ink jet print head, a gantry, and a card feeder. The ink jet print head is configured to perform a print operation on a card supported in a print position along a processing axis. The gantry is configured to move the print head through a print zone. The card feeder includes a feeder frame, a first pinch roller pair, and a lift mechanism. The first pinch roller pair is supported by the feeder frame and is configured to feed individual cards along a card feed axis. The lift mechanism is configured to move the feeder frame and the first pinch roller pair between a lowered position, in which the card feeder is displaced from the print zone, and a raised position, in which at least a portion of the card feeder extends into the print zone.

According to one embodiment, a tablet printing apparatus includes: a conveyer configured to convey a tablet along a line; an applicator head including a plurality of nozzles arranged in a direction crossing the conveyance direction of the tablet conveyed by the conveyer, configured to perform printing on the tablet by ejecting a liquid from the nozzles; and a controller configured to control the ejection of the liquid from the nozzles of the applicator head. The length of an array of the nozzles in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction is equal to or longer than the length of the tablet in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. The controller is further configured to control switching of a nozzle used for printing on the tablet among the nozzles by a plurality of sections determined in advance.

In an example, an apparatus is described that includes a vision system and an image correction module. The vision system captures an image of a multi-lane print output. The image correction module receives the image of the multi-lane print output from the vision system and calculates a calibration to image data from which the multi-lane output is printed. The calibration minimizes visual variations between the multi-lane print output and a reference image.

In an example, an apparatus is described that includes a vision system and an image correction module. The vision system captures an image of a multi-lane print output. The image correction module receives the image of the multi-lane print output from the vision system and calculates a calibration to image data from which the multi-lane output is printed. The calibration minimizes visual variations between the multi-lane print output and a reference image.

One embodiment provides a device comprising at least one movable unit, at least one sensor, a printer, at least one processor, and a non-transitory processor-readable memory device storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor causes the at least one processor to perform operations. The operations include receiving layout and design information, receiving, from the at least one sensor, contextual information indicative that the at least one movable unit is in direct contact with a surface, and triggering the printer to print one or more markings on the surface as the at least one movable unit moves along the surface based on the layout and design information.

One embodiment provides a device comprising at least one movable unit, at least one sensor, a printer, at least one processor, and a non-transitory processor-readable memory device storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor causes the at least one processor to perform operations. The operations include receiving layout and design information, receiving, from the at least one sensor, contextual information indicative that the at least one movable unit is in direct contact with a surface, and triggering the printer to print one or more markings on the surface as the at least one movable unit moves along the surface based on the layout and design information.

A production installation (21) produces book blocks (22) in parallel from digital prints on basic sheets (24). Each book block has n book sheets aligned through rows (46) and columns (44) and each basic sheet has m book sheets (43) equal to the number m of book blocks to be produced. Under the control of an electronic unit (56), a point bonding group (51) dispenses adhesive strokes (61) on the basic sheets across the rows and/or the columns, a stacking group (52) stacks the basic sheets and forms a basic block (62) stabilized by the point bonds, while a separation group (53) cuts and separates the book blocks from the basic block along the rows and the columns for following treatments. The basic sheets have machine-readable basic codes (68) and the electronic control unit actuates the point bonding group, the stacking group and the separation group on the basis of information derived from the basic codes.

A production installation (21) produces book blocks (22) in parallel from digital prints on basic sheets (24). Each book block has n book sheets aligned through rows (46) and columns (44) and each basic sheet has m book sheets (43) equal to the number m of book blocks to be produced. Under the control of an electronic unit (56), a point bonding group (51) dispenses adhesive strokes (61) on the basic sheets across the rows and/or the columns, a stacking group (52) stacks the basic sheets and forms a basic block (62) stabilized by the point bonds, while a separation group (53) cuts and separates the book blocks from the basic block along the rows and the columns for following treatments. The basic sheets have machine-readable basic codes (68) and the electronic control unit actuates the point bonding group, the stacking group and the separation group on the basis of information derived from the basic codes.