This disclosure describes substrate(s) formed with a three-dimensional (3D) feature thereon, and method(s) of printing the same. One method includes identifying a plurality of locations on a substrate surface where the three-dimensional feature will be formed, determining a height value of the three-dimensional feature at each location, assigning a grayscale value to each location based on the height value, and applying ink to the substrate surface at each location according to the assigned grayscale value.

A method is for printing on a narrow face of a workpiece, in which surface information relating to at least some regions of at least one workpiece face adjoining the narrow face to be printed on is optically captured by a sensor device, the captured surface information is transferred to a print controller, and the print controller ascertains print information for controlling a printing unit on the basis of the captured surface information. The print information is used to control a printing process by which a narrow face decoration, which is matched to a decoration flow of the optically captured workpiece face, is printed on the narrow face.

A liquid discharge device includes a head including a discharge port. The head discharges a liquid from the discharge port toward an object. The liquid discharge device further includes a liquid receiving surface to receive the liquid discharged from the discharge port, a liquid collector to collect the liquid received by the liquid receiving surface, and a moving unit to hold the liquid receiving surface and the liquid collector. The moving unit is movable at a facing position where the liquid receiving surface faces the discharge port without changing an inclination of the liquid collector with respect to a horizontal plane.

An automated storage unit publishing system may include a recording device for recording information on a storage unit memory chip; a bin plate with a storage unit bin and a casing bin; an assembling mechanism movably attached to the bin plate, the assembling deck comprising a shuttle for removing a selected sized casing from the casing bin and a recorded flash memory chip from the chip bin and assembling the two into a single unit using pressure; a printing device for printing marks, indications or decoration on the casing, and a gripping device for placing the finished unit in an output mechanism.

A device for providing a marking arranged or arrangeable in a circumferentially closed manner around a prolate object includes: a material interface for receiving a printed product output from a printer; a print signal interface for acquiring a control signal related to the printed product output; at least one sensor for acquiring a control signal related to providing of the marking; and at least one actuator for arranging the marking on the object in a circumferentially closed manner or to provide the marking for circumferentially closed arrangement depending on the control signal related to the printed product output and the control signal related to the providing of the marking using the printed product output by the printer.

An integrated vertical inkjet printer for printing on a vertical substrate, comprising: a controller; a main trolley carrying a main trolley body; and a printing assembly, comprising: a plurality of inkjet printing head assemblies mounted on a platform; a vertical telescopic tandem beam system comprising: a first printing beam, wherein said platform is slidable along said first printing beam; and a second printing beam detachably insertable between said first printing beam and said main trolley body, a first motor configured to drive said platform vertically; and a second motor configured to drive said first printing beam along said second printing beam.

A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for applying a color to an aircraft. The color for an exterior surface of the aircraft is determined by the computer system from a design of the aircraft. A position of the color in three-dimensional space is determined by the computer system. The position is in a color space coordinate system. An inkjet printer in the inkjet printers with a point cloud in the plurality of point clouds having a smallest Euclidean distance to the position of the color is selected by the computer system. The inkjet printer is used to apply the color on the exterior surface of the aircraft.

A detection segment for use in a device for printing on containers includes an image-capturing device that optically detects a container feature and a sensor interface that interfaces with a sensor that uses a code provided on a retaining-and-centering unit that holds a container to determine a rotational position of that container. A computer connects to the image-capturing device and the sensor unit. The computer determines an alignment variable based on the code and the detected container feature and then forwards this alignment variable to a printer segment on a printer module.

A printing system facilitates the printing of articles of manufacture. The system includes an array of printheads, a support member positioned to be parallel to a plane formed by the array of printheads, a member movably mounted to the support member, an actuator operatively connected to the movably mounted member, an object holder configured to mount to the movably mounted member, and a controller operatively connected to the plurality of printheads and the actuator. The controller is configured to operate the actuator to move the object holder past the array of printheads and to operate the plurality of printheads to eject marking material onto objects held by the object holder as the object holder passes the array of printheads. The support member and printhead array are oriented vertically to enable the printing system to be installed in a vertical cabinet that provides a small footprint in a non-production environment.

A measurement system includes a measurement device to detect measurement information relating to a position-modifiable component of a printing station during movement thereof. A calculation unit receives the measurement information from the measurement device. The calculation unit determines actual-position data of the position-modifiable component from the measurement data received and compares it with predetermined reference-position data to determine calibration information based on the actual-position data and the reference-position data. An interface permits then permits transfer of this calibration information.