An ultra-high resolution capacitive sensor affixed above an imaging member surface measures the thickness of fountain solution on the imaging member surface in real-time during a printing operation. The sensor is considered ultra-high resolution with a resolution high enough to detect nanometer scale thicknesses. The capacitive sensor would initially be zeroed to the imaging member surface. As fluid is added, the capacitive sensor detects the increase and can measure and communicate with the image forming device to adjust fountain solution flow rate to the imaging member surface and correct for any anomalies in thickness. This fountain solution monitoring system may be fully automated. The capacitive sensor may have a resolution (e.g., as low as about 1 nm resolution) of about 0.001% of the distance/gap that the capacitive sensor is mounted away from the imaging member surface.

An ultra-high resolution capacitive sensor affixed above an imaging member surface measures the thickness of fountain solution on the imaging member surface in real-time during a printing operation. The sensor is considered ultra-high resolution with a resolution high enough to detect nanometer scale thicknesses. The capacitive sensor would initially be zeroed to the imaging member surface. As fluid is added, the capacitive sensor detects the increase and can measure and communicate with the image forming device to adjust fountain solution flow rate to the imaging member surface and correct for any anomalies in thickness. This fountain solution monitoring system may be fully automated. The capacitive sensor may have a resolution (e.g., as low as about 1 nm resolution) of about 0.001% of the distance/gap that the capacitive sensor is mounted away from the imaging member surface.

A coefficient of friction (COF) sensor on a carrier roll surface wetted with fountain solution transferred from an imaging member measures COF of the wetted carrier roll surface in real-time, even between or during printing operations. The transferred fountain solution may be concentrated and/or chilled to solidify before the measurement. The measured COF is used in a feedback loop to actively control the fountain solution layer thickness by adjusting the volumetric feed rate of fountain solution added onto the imaging member surface during an imaging or other printing operation to reach a desired uniform thickness for the printing. This fountain solution monitoring system may be fully automated.

A coefficient of friction (COF) sensor on a carrier roll surface wetted with fountain solution transferred from an imaging member measures COF of the wetted carrier roll surface in real-time, even between or during printing operations. The transferred fountain solution may be concentrated and/or chilled to solidify before the measurement. The measured COF is used in a feedback loop to actively control the fountain solution layer thickness by adjusting the volumetric feed rate of fountain solution added onto the imaging member surface during an imaging or other printing operation to reach a desired uniform thickness for the printing. This fountain solution monitoring system may be fully automated.

A method for direct transfer printing is disclosed. The method for direct transfer printing includes applying a fountain solution to an imaging blanket in a negative imagewise manner using an inkjet printhead, contacting the imaging blanket with a printing substrate, transferring the fountain solution from the imaging blanket to the printing substrate, contacting the printing substrate with an inking station, and depositing an ink film from the inking station to the printing substrate in one or more locations on the printing substrate where there is no fountain solution. A module for a direct transfer marking process and a direct transfer printing system are also disclosed.

A method for direct transfer printing is disclosed. The method for direct transfer printing includes applying a fountain solution to an imaging blanket in a negative imagewise manner using an inkjet printhead, contacting the imaging blanket with a printing substrate, transferring the fountain solution from the imaging blanket to the printing substrate, contacting the printing substrate with an inking station, and depositing an ink film from the inking station to the printing substrate in one or more locations on the printing substrate where there is no fountain solution. A module for a direct transfer marking process and a direct transfer printing system are also disclosed.

A method for direct transfer printing is disclosed. The method for direct transfer printing includes applying a fountain solution to an imaging blanket in a negative imagewise manner using an inkjet printhead, contacting the imaging blanket with a printing substrate, transferring the fountain solution from the imaging blanket to the printing substrate, contacting the printing substrate with an inking station, and depositing an ink film from the inking station to the printing substrate in one or more locations on the printing substrate where there is no fountain solution. A module for a direct transfer marking process and a direct transfer printing system are also disclosed.

A method for direct transfer printing is disclosed. The method for direct transfer printing includes applying a fountain solution to an imaging blanket in a negative imagewise manner using an inkjet printhead, contacting the imaging blanket with a printing substrate, transferring the fountain solution from the imaging blanket to the printing substrate, contacting the printing substrate with an inking station, and depositing an ink film from the inking station to the printing substrate in one or more locations on the printing substrate where there is no fountain solution. A module for a direct transfer marking process and a direct transfer printing system are also disclosed.

A coefficient of friction (COF) sensor on a carrier roll surface wetted with fountain solution transferred from an imaging member measures COF of the wetted carrier roll surface in real-time, even between or during printing operations. The transferred fountain solution may be concentrated and/or chilled to solidify before the measurement. The measured COF is used in a feedback loop to actively control the fountain solution layer thickness by adjusting the volumetric feed rate of fountain solution added onto the imaging member surface during an imaging or other printing operation to reach a desired uniform thickness for the printing. This fountain solution monitoring system may be fully automated.

A coefficient of friction (COF) sensor on a carrier roll surface wetted with fountain solution transferred from an imaging member measures COF of the wetted carrier roll surface in real-time, even between or during printing operations. The transferred fountain solution may be concentrated and/or chilled to solidify before the measurement. The measured COF is used in a feedback loop to actively control the fountain solution layer thickness by adjusting the volumetric feed rate of fountain solution added onto the imaging member surface during an imaging or other printing operation to reach a desired uniform thickness for the printing. This fountain solution monitoring system may be fully automated.