System for printing images on a surface and method thereof

A system for printing an image on a surface, comprising:

• a robot having at least one arm;
• a high-bandwidth actuator coupled to an end of the arm;
• an inkjet printhead coupled to the high-bandwidth actuator and being movable by the arm over a surface along a rastering path while printing a new image slice over the surface;
• a laser device included with the printhead and configured to etch, during printing of the new image slice, a reference line into either the new image slice or into a basecoat at a location adjacent to the new image slice;
• and
• a camera configured to sense the reference line of an existing image slice and transmit a signal to the robot causing the high-bandwidth actuator to adjust the printhead in a manner such that a side edge of the new image slice is maintained in alignment with the side edge of the existing image slice.

A method for printing an image on a surface, comprising:

• printing, using a printhead mounted to an arm of a robot, a new image slice on the surface while moving the printhead over the surface along a rastering path;
• etching, using a laser device, a reference line into either the new image slice or into a basecoat while printing the new image slice;
• sensing, using a reference line sensor, the reference line of an existing image slice while printing the new image slice;
• and
• adjusting, using a controller, the printhead based on a sensed position of the reference line in a manner maintaining alignment of a side edge of the new image slice with the side edge of the existing image slice.