A valve assembly for controlling airflow along sheet edges on a vacuum transport assembly, the valve assembly including a flexible plate, including a first end, a second end, a first top surface, and a first bottom surface, and a first actuator connected to the second end and operatively arranged to displace the flexible plate. Added is at least one magnet member designed to assist in controlling the valve assembly.

A garment feeder for feeding a garment for printing, comprises a loading position for a pallet and robotic grippers movable across the loading position to grip a garment from a first side of the loading position and pull the garment in a garment pull direction to a second side of the loading position to load the garment onto the pallet in the loading position. The garment being loaded slips across the loading position on the first side of the pallet perpendicular to the garment pull direction, and one or more sensors detect widthwise edges of the garment, now being pulled onto the pallet by the grippers. The positions of the edges can be used to determine if the garment is being pulled symmetrically onto the pallet. If not then the garment is adjusted to achieve correct positioning for printing.

The techniques described herein relate generally to reconfigurable support pads for fabric image transfers. Specifically, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, reconfigurable support pads are provided for fabric image transfers (e.g., silk screening, heat transfer, direct-to-garment printing, etc.). In particular, the techniques herein provide for various adjustable configurations of portions of the fabric substrate support, which may be changed for different thicknesses of garments, and more particularly, that allow for varied thicknesses found on the same garment. For example, by configuring the support in a first “flat” configuration, a plain tee shirt may lay flat, and then configuring the support in a second “two-tiered” configuration, with one portion lower (or higher) than the other, allows for a hoodie with a thicker pocket portion at the “belly” of the garment to also lay flat. Other configurations are also available, whether manually adjusted or else dynamically controlled (e.g., using actuators) based on the type of garment selected on an associated control system.

A sensor support, as well as a platen and printer for use with the sensor support. The sensor support comprising a first section and a second section. The first section is capable of receiving a sensor. The first section and the second section are associated together such that there is at least a degree of freedom of movement of the first section relative to the second section. The sensor support further comprises biasing means to urge the first section away from the second section.

A sensor support, as well as a platen and printer for use with the sensor support. The sensor support comprising a first section and a second section. The first section is capable of receiving a sensor. The first section and the second section are associated together such that there is at least a degree of freedom of movement of the first section relative to the second section. The sensor support further comprises biasing means to urge the first section away from the second section.

A printing apparatus includes: a printing head configured to discharge ink onto a recording medium to form an image; a platen including a support surface that supports the recording medium; and a recording medium holding portion being configured to hold a plurality of star wheels configured to hold the recording medium toward the support surface in a direction perpendicular to the support surface. In a case in which a maximum value of a height of the recording medium from the support surface in the direction perpendicular to the support surface is less than 2.2 mm when the recording medium passes between the support surface and the recording medium holding portion, a load of one of the star wheels for holding the recording medium with presence of the recording medium holding portion is equal to or less than 4.5 gf.

A printing system having a vacuum transfer belt conveyor includes a fixed or movable perforated platen that supports workpieces, e.g., substrates, boards or other parts, to be printed. The printing system is configured to apply vacuum action through apertures or perforations defined through the perforated platen. In an embodiment, the print system is configured to mitigate deflection of ink drops, through the implementation of both a passive system, which reduces air flow in the region below the a print bar that includes one or more printheads, as well as an active system, which distributes the workpieces, e.g., substrates or boards, with respect to perforations in the transfer belt. In some embodiments, the perforated platen is comprised of a plurality of modular plates.

A printing system having a vacuum transfer belt conveyor includes a fixed or movable perforated platen that supports workpieces, e.g., substrates, boards or other parts, to be printed. The printing system is configured to apply vacuum action through apertures or perforations defined through the perforated platen. In an embodiment, the print system is configured to mitigate deflection of ink drops, through the implementation of both a passive system, which reduces air flow in the region below the a print bar that includes one or more printheads, as well as an active system, which distributes the workpieces, e.g., substrates or boards, with respect to perforations in the transfer belt. In some embodiments, the perforated platen is comprised of a plurality of modular plates.

A printer is provided with a platen support member, a platen, and a positioning portion. The platen support member supports the platen. The platen includes a rear engaging portion. The positioning portion includes a rear roller. The rear roller is provided at the platen support member, and can move in the front-rear direction with respect to the platen support member. The rear roller engages with the rear engaging portion in a state in which the platen is supported by the platen support member. The positioning portion positions the platen at a prescribed printing position in the front-rear direction, by the rear roller moving forward in a state in which the rear engaging portion is engaged with the rear roller.

A printer is provided with a platen support member, a platen, and a positioning portion. The platen support member supports the platen. The platen includes a rear engaging portion. The positioning portion includes a rear roller. The rear roller is provided at the platen support member, and can move in the front-rear direction with respect to the platen support member. The rear roller engages with the rear engaging portion in a state in which the platen is supported by the platen support member. The positioning portion positions the platen at a prescribed printing position in the front-rear direction, by the rear roller moving forward in a state in which the rear engaging portion is engaged with the rear roller.