Thermoformed customized object holder for direct to object printers

A system for printing on a multi-dimensional object, the system comprising:

• a plurality of print heads;
• a moving sled configured to receive a customized object holder;
• an actuator configured to move the moving sled relative to the plurality of print heads;
• a processing device;
• and
• a non-transitory, computer-readable memory containing programming instructions that are configured to cause the processing device to:
• create the customized object holder, wherein:
• the customized object holder comprises a holding portion molded on a thermoforming sheet and configured to hold a multi-dimensional object, and
• creating the customized object holder comprises causing a processing device of a thermoforming system to:
• heat the thermoforming sheet to a thermoforming temperature,
• mold the heated thermoforming sheet around at least a portion of the multi-dimensional object to form the holding portion for the multi-dimensional object,
• create the one or more printable areas on the molded thermoforming sheet by removing a part of the thermoforming sheet that forms the holding portion, and
• apply at least one datum point on the molded thermoformed sheet,
• control a movement of the moving sled relative to the plurality of print heads, via the actuator, and
• operate the plurality of print heads to eject marking material onto a multidimensional object mounted on the moving sled.

A method for printing on a multi-dimensional object, the method comprising:

• creating, via thermoforming, a customized object holder for a multi-dimensional object, wherein:
• the customized object holder comprises at least one datum point for providing registration information corresponding to one or more printable areas of the multi-dimensional object, and
• creating, via thermoforming, the customized object holder comprises:
• heating a thermoforming sheet to a thermoforming temperature,
• molding the heated thermoforming sheet around at least a portion of the multi-dimensional object to form a holding portion for the multi-dimensional object,
• creating the one or more printable areas on the molded thermoforming sheet by removing a part of the thermoforming sheet that forms the holding portion, and
• applying the at least one datum point on the molded thermoformed sheet;
• mounting the multi-dimensional object on the customized object holder;
• attaching, via a mounting structure, the customized object holder to a moving sled of a print system;
• by a processor, controlling a movement of the moving sled relative to a plurality of print heads by:
• determining a position of at least one printable area on the multi-dimensional object with respect to the plurality of print heads, and
• using the determined position to control the movement of the moving sled relative to the plurality of print heads;
• and
• by the processor, operating the plurality of print heads to eject marking material onto the multi-dimensional object.

A system for printing on a multi-dimensional object, the system comprising:

• a plurality of print heads;
• a moving sled configured to receive a customized object holder;
• an actuator configured to move the moving sled relative to the plurality of print heads;
• a processing device;
• and
• a non-transitory, computer-readable memory containing programming instructions that are configured to cause the processing device to:
• create the customized object holder, wherein the customized object holder comprises a holding portion molded on a thermoforming sheet and configured to hold a multi-dimensional object;
• determine a position of at least one printable area on a multi-dimensional object mounted on the moving sled with respect to the plurality of print heads, by:
• receiving information relating to the customized object holder from an identification tag included in the customized object holder;
• and
• determining, using the identifying information, the position of the at least one printable area on the multi-dimensional object
• control a movement of the moving sled relative to the plurality of print heads based on the determined position, via the actuator, and
• operate the plurality of print heads to eject marking material onto the multi-dimensional object mounted on the moving sled,
• wherein the instructions to create the customized object holder further comprise instructions that are configured to cause a processing device of a thermoforming system to:
• heat the thermoforming sheet to a thermoforming temperature,
• mold the heated thermoforming sheet around at least a portion of the multi-dimensional object to form the holding portion for the multi-dimensional object,
• create the one or more printable areas on the molded thermoforming sheet by removing a part of the thermoforming sheet that forms the holding portion, and
• apply at least one datum point on the molded thermoformed sheet.