Surface treatment of a tubular surface defining an axis extending from a first surface end to a second surface end includes partially surrounding the tubular surface, at a first position, with a first set of treating units, with the treating units arranged in a first arcuate array. Furthermore, each treating unit is configured to include a plurality of first applicator heads. In some examples, a position of each of the plurality of first applicator heads is determined relative to the tubular surface. The first set of treating units is moved from the first position towards a second position. In one non-limiting example, each of the plurality of first applicator heads is independently controlled to selectively apply a first treatment as the first set of treating units moves from the first position towards the second position.

A method and apparatus for thermal transfer printing onto selected regions of a substrate are disclosed. The method comprises: a) providing a transfer member having an imaging surface; b) coating the imaging surface with particles formed of, or coated with, a thermoplastic polymer; c) removing substantially all particles that are not in direct contact with the imaging surface to leave a uniform monolayer particle coating on the imaging surface; d) applying energy to selected regions of the imaging surface to heat and render tacky particles of corresponding regions of the monolayer coating; and e) pressing at least portions of the imaging surface and the substrate surface against one another, either during and/or after application of energy, to cause transfer to the surface of the substrate of the particles of the corresponding regions that have been rendered tacky. The monolayer coating can be replenished with new particles and the cycle repeated.

Transfer rings for use in coating substrates and methods of utilizing same are disclosed. The transfer rings disclosed herein are useful in efficiently moving a plurality of substrates between different process chambers. For instance, the transfer rings are designed to collectively move a plurality of stents between coating and sintering chambers.

An adhesive application apparatus is provided. The apparatus uses a rolled on adhesive applied to a substrate. After roll application, an adhesive activator is sprayed onto the substrate. By spraying an activator onto the substrate after the adhesive is applied, the adhesive may be made tacky for adhesion, but the adhesive used for rolling may be highly stable and slow to dry/cure without said activator, which enhances rolled application effectiveness.

There is disclosed a layered article that can be used in indirect printing, in analog or digital processes. The layered article, when configured as a transfer member, may serve to receive an ink in any form, allow the ink to be treated so as to form an ink image, and permit the application of the ink image on a substrate. The transfer member comprises a support layer and an imaging layer, which may be formed of a silicon matrix including dispersed carbon black particles. Methods for preparing the same are also disclosed.

A printing system is disclosed for thermal transfer printing onto a surface of a substrate. The system comprises a transfer member having opposite front and rear sides with an imaging surface on the front side, a coating station at which a monolayer of particles made of, or coated with, a thermoplastic polymer is applied to the imaging surface, an imaging station at which energy is applied by a thermal print head via the rear side of the transfer member to selected regions of the imaging surface to render particles coating the selected regions tacky, and a transfer station at which the imaging surface of the transfer member and the substrate surface are pressed against each other to cause transfer to the surface of the substrate of the particles that have been rendered tacky.

There is disclosed a layered article that can be used in indirect printing, in analog or digital processes. The layered article, when configured as a transfer member, may serve to receive an ink in any form, allow the ink to be treated so as to form an ink image, and permit the application of the ink image on a substrate. The transfer member comprises a support layer and an imaging layer, which may be formed of a silicon matrix including dispersed carbon black particles. Methods for preparing the same are also disclosed.

An apparatus for applying an ultraviolet coating includes: a substantially vertically oriented frame; a first roll rotatably attached to the first side of the frame; a second roll rotatably attached to its second side; multiple nozzles disposed on the first side, above the first roll; a motor coupled to the second roll; an ultraviolet coating fluid reservoir disposed above, and coupled to, the nozzles, thereby providing the nozzles with the ultraviolet coating fluid; and an air compressor coupled to the nozzles, thereby providing the nozzles with compressed air. The ultraviolet coating fluid is provided to the nozzles solely via a gravity feed from the reservoir. In use, the motor causes sheet material, initially wound around the first roll, to advance up and over the frame and then wind onto the second roll, as the ultraviolet coating fluid is sprayed onto the sheet material by the nozzles.

An adhesive application apparatus is provided. The apparatus uses a rolled on adhesive applied to a substrate. After roll application, an adhesive activator is sprayed onto the substrate. By spraying an activator onto the substrate after the adhesive is applied, the adhesive may be made tacky for adhesion, but the adhesive used for rolling may be highly stable and slow to dry/cure without said activator, which enhances rolled application effectiveness.

A mechanism for applying a predetermined pattern of material onto an elongate tubular substrate includes a first motor, an engagement member rotatable by the first motor and configured to reversibly grasp an elongate member, such that rotation of the first motor rotates the elongate member around its longitudinal axis, a fluid dispenser configured to dispense a fluid having a first, flowable state, the fluid dispenser including an elongate dispensing conduit having a distal end having an orifice, the orifice configured to be placed adjacent a surface of the elongate member, a second motor configured to move at least one of the elongate member or the elongate dispensing conduit such that the orifice changes its relative orientation along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member, and wherein the distal end of the elongate dispensing conduit is configured to apply a bias on the surface of the elongate member.