Provided is a print system including: a moving body supporting a can body and moving; an annular moving route that is an annular-shaped moving route, along which the moving body moves, including at least one of a linear moving route extending from an upper side toward a lower side and is formed linearly, and a linear moving route extending from the lower side toward the upper side and is formed linearly; and an image forming unit performing image formation onto the can body supported by the moving body.

An apparatus and methods of decorating a metallic container are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods used to provide a decoration or indicia on a predetermined portion of an outer surface of a metallic container body. The decorator includes at least one digital print unit, a transfer blanket, and a support element. The digital print unit transfers a decorating material to the transfer blanket to form a decoration on the transfer blanket. The support element then moves a metallic container into contact with the transfer blanket. In this manner, the decorating material is transferred to an exterior surface portion of the metallic container to decorate the metallic container. In one embodiment, the digital print unit is an electrophotographic system which transfers a toner material to the transfer blanket. In another embodiment, the digital print unit includes an inkjet print head which transfers an ink to the transfer blanket. Optionally, the decorator may include two or more support elements.

An apparatus and methods of decorating a metallic container are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods used to provide a decoration or indicia on a predetermined portion of an outer surface of a metallic container body. The decorator includes at least one digital print unit, a transfer blanket, and a support element. The digital print unit transfers a decorating material to the transfer blanket to form a decoration on the transfer blanket. The support element then moves a metallic container into contact with the transfer blanket. In this manner, the decorating material is transferred to an exterior surface portion of the metallic container to decorate the metallic container. In one embodiment, the digital print unit is an electrophotographic system which transfers a toner material to the transfer blanket. In another embodiment, the digital print unit includes an inkjet print head which transfers an ink to the transfer blanket. Optionally, the decorator may include two or more support elements.

Described herein is a printing template for use during an aqueous inkjet printing process in which ink is transferred onto a printable layer. The printing template includes a printable layer having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a shaped perimeter, the first side defining a printable surface. The printing template further includes a carrier layer sized and configured to entirely encompass the shaped perimeter of the printable layer. The carrier layer includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side includes an adhesive coating causing the first side of the carrier layer securely associated with the second side of the printable layer during the printing process, and is thereafter allowing removal of the carrier layer from the printable layer after completion of the printing process. Further, a predefined number of parts in a desired shape are die cut through the printable layer up until the carrier layer.

An object is to reduce deterioration of image quality at a leading edge portion and a trailing edge portion of a high-stiffness print medium. To achieve that, in a case of printing an image onto a leading edge portion of the print medium in its conveyance direction, the image is printed using printing elements included in a region in a printing element region that is close to a first conveyance member on the upstream side. Also, in a case of printing an image onto a trailing edge portion of the print medium in the conveyance direction, the image is printed using printing elements included in a region in the printing element region that is close to a second conveyance member on the downstream side.

An embodiment of a system includes a marking tool configured to apply one or more markers on a first surface of a workpiece for a live welding session. The one or more markers have known geometric properties that may facilitate determination of the first surface and a weld joint. An embodiment of a method includes applying a first set of one or more markers to a first surface of a workpiece, detecting the applied first set of one or more markers with a camera, and determining, via processing circuitry coupled to the camera, at least one of the first surface of the workpiece and a weld joint based at least in part on the detected first set of one or more markers.

An embodiment of a system includes a marking tool configured to apply one or more markers on a first surface of a workpiece for a live welding session. The one or more markers have known geometric properties that may facilitate determination of the first surface and a weld joint. An embodiment of a method includes applying a first set of one or more markers to a first surface of a workpiece, detecting the applied first set of one or more markers with a camera, and determining, via processing circuitry coupled to the camera, at least one of the first surface of the workpiece and a weld joint based at least in part on the detected first set of one or more markers.

This disclosure provides a printing template for use during an aqueous inkjet printing process in which ink is transferred onto a metal panel. The printing template includes a printable film having die cut area inside perimeter edge of its first layer, a generally flat metal panel having the same size as to that of the die cut area in the printable film, and a carrier having a recess which is sized and configured to encompass the shaped perimeter of the metal panel. The metal panel is secure within the die cut area and the recess in such a way that it is sandwiched between the printable film and the carrier during the printing process.

This disclosure provides a solution to the problem of metal printing where the printer leaves an undesired “border” or “margin” around the edge, as the printer sensors detect the edge of the metal plate and stop printing before reaching the edge. The system and method disclosed herein comprises a metal plate removably associated with a carrier, where the carrier is larger than the metal plate such that the metal plate is positioned entirely within the perimeter of the carrier. The metal plate has a special receptive coating that allows ink from an inkjet printer to adhere to the metal plate without running. The carrier has an external coating that mimics the metal plate such that the sensors of the printer do not detect any “edge” of the metal plate and print over, onto the carrier. This creates a borderless final printed picture.

This disclosure provides a solution to the problem of metal printing where the printer leaves an undesired “border” or “margin” around the edge, as the printer sensors detect the edge of the metal plate and stop printing before reaching the edge. The system and method disclosed herein comprises a metal plate removably associated with a carrier, where the carrier is larger than the metal plate such that the metal plate is positioned entirely within the perimeter of the carrier. The metal plate has a special receptive coating that allows ink from an inkjet printer to adhere to the metal plate without running. The carrier has an external coating that mimics the metal plate such that the sensors of the printer do not detect any “edge” of the metal plate and print over, onto the carrier. This creates a borderless final printed picture.