Examples Include apparatuses and methods for generating three-dimensional objects. An example apparatus comprises an agent distributor and a wiping element disposed at a service location. The apparatus further comprises at least one airflow component disposed proximate the service location to generate airflow across the wiping element to reduce build material collection on the wiping element.

A state determination apparatus that does not need an increase in number of inputs of a calculation element for duplicated sensors even in a case where a sensor is duplicated, and can detect a malfunction of a plurality of duplicated sensors is provided. The object is resolved by a state determination apparatus including a plurality of sensors that detect a state of the same determination target in a duplicated manner, a selector element that receives an input of the detection signal of each sensor of the plurality of sensors and sequentially outputs the detection signal of one sensor among the detection signals of the sensors in synchronization with a first clock signal having a first frequency, and a storage unit that receives an input of an output signal of the selector element and sequentially stores a logical level of the output signal of the selector element in a bit width greater than or equal to the number of the plurality of sensors in synchronization with a second clock signal having a second frequency higher than or equal to the first frequency.

A wiper for wiping a nozzle surface of a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from the nozzle is provided. The wiper comprises a plurality of layers including at least a first layer, and the first layer has a surface that contacts the nozzle surface. The surface that contacts the nozzle surface has a maximum height of waviness Wz of from 100 to 600 μm.

A maintenance apparatus that prevents a reduction in image quality of an image recorded by a liquid discharge head is provided. A maintenance apparatus includes an application unit configured to come into contact with a discharge surface included in a recording head and apply a cleaning liquid to the discharge surface, wherein discharge ports configured to discharge a liquid are formed on the discharge surface, a suction unit configured to suction the discharge surface, a movement unit configured to move the suction unit relative to the recording head, and a control unit configured to execute a first cleaning mode where, after the application unit applies the cleaning liquid, the suction unit suctions the discharge surface.

A single pass inkjet printer that utilizes a modular printing system with one or more self-contained printing modules, where each printing module is easy to remove and replace from a large printing machine, thus resulting in an overall system that is easy to service and maintain Each module is a self-contained printer including an ink supply, printhead drive electronics, and printhead assembly in order to provide one color or fluid of inkjet printing capability. Each module includes a precise three-point compliant self-aligning mount system to obtain accurate printhead positioning, and a unique integrated printhead tending system that includes a compact movable vacuum knife for cleaning the printheads, and a printhead capping station for sealing and protecting the printheads from the ambient environment when not in use.

A liquid discharging device includes a head, a cap, a first wiper, a discharge channel, and a controller. The head ejects liquid from a nozzle. The cap is configured to abut against a nozzle surface at a covered position and to separate from the nozzle surface in a retracted position. The first wiper wipes the nozzle surface. The discharge channel connects an internal space of the cap to an outside of the cap. The controller executes a first maintenance process and a second maintenance process. In the first maintenance process, a first maintenance liquid contacts the cap in the retracted position and the first wiper. In the second maintenance process, a second maintenance liquid different from the first maintenance liquid is distributed to the internal space of the cap and the discharge channel.

An inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording head, a wiper member, a cleaning liquid supply device, a cleaning liquid flow path, and a controller. The cleaning liquid flow path includes a vertical tubular member connected to the cleaning liquid supply device and extending upward, and a horizontal tubular member connected to an upper end of the vertical tubular member and extending in a horizontal direction. The controller extrudes a cleaning liquid in at least a part of the cleaning liquid flow path from a cleaning liquid supply port before control of a cleaning operation for wiping an ink ejection surface of the recording head, thereby performing control of an air bubble release operation of the cleaning liquid flow path.

Provided are a head maintenance system, a printing system, and a head maintenance method with which preferable washing of a nozzle surface can be realized and a damage to the nozzle surface can be suppressed. The head maintenance system includes: a wiping device (3) including a wiping sheet (10) for wiping a nozzle surface (52) of an ink jet head (50); a relative movement device (2, 3) that relatively moves the ink jet head and the wiping sheet; and a pressing device (18, 56) that presses the wiping sheet against the nozzle surface, in which the wiping device includes the wiping sheet having a value of linearity of compression in a range of 0.3 or more and less than 0.6, the linearity of compression being measured using a compression tester.

A maintenance method for an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording using an ink composition and a treatment liquid containing a coagulant, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus has an ink jet head for ejecting the ink composition, the method includes a wiping step of wiping a nozzle-forming surface of the ink jet head with a maintenance liquid and an absorbent wiping member, and the maintenance liquid contains water that constitutes 80% or more by mass of a total mass of the maintenance liquid.

There is provided a controller for an image recording device. The image recording device includes: a carriage capable of moving in a first direction; a head mounted on the carriage and configured to discharge a liquid from a nozzle; and a wiper capable of being impregnated with a cleaning liquid, a nozzle surface of the head including a first region not having the nozzle and a second region having the nozzle. The controller is configured to execute: a pressing-against processing of abutting the wiper on the first region in a state in which a speed of a relative movement in the first direction between the carriage and the wiper is a first speed; and a moving processing of moving the carriage and the wiper relative to each other in the first direction at a second speed faster than the first speed, while abutting the wiper on the second region.