Module for a three-dimensional (3D) object printer to prepare 3D objects for surface printing
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorRichard A. Campbell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A surface treatment module is positioned within a printing system to treat the surface of three-dimensional objects prior to printing of the objects. The surface treatment module includes an actuator operatively connected to an applicator so operation of the actuator presses a portion of a cleaning membrane against the surfaces of the three-dimensional objects to remove material from the object surfaces and retracts the applicator and cleaning membrane from the object surface before the objects pass by an array of printheads in the printing system for printing.
Claims19
A surface treatment module configured to treat a surface of an object held by an object holder prior to the object holder passing a plurality of printheads, the surface treatment module comprising:
- an applicator configured for reciprocating movement;
- an actuator operatively connected to the applicator, the actuator being configured to move the applicator in reciprocating movement toward and away from the object holder;
- a cleaning membrane positioned opposite the applicator;
- and
- a controller operatively connected to the actuator, the controller being configured to operate the actuator to move the applicator toward the surface of the object held by the object holder to press the cleaning member against the surface of the object and to move the applicator away from the object to retract the cleaning member from the surface of the object.
A surface treatment module configured to treat a surface of an object held by an object holder prior to the object holder passing a plurality of printheads, the surface treatment module comprising:
- an applicator configured for reciprocating movement;
- an actuator operatively connected to the applicator, the actuator being configured to move the applicator in reciprocating movement toward and away from the object holder;
- a cleaning membrane positioned opposite the applicator;
- and
- a controller operatively connected to the actuator, the controller being configured to operate the actuator to move the applicator toward the surface of the object held by the object holder to press the cleaning member against the surface of the object and to move the applicator away from the object to retract the cleaning member from the surface of the object and the applicator, the cleaning membrane, the actuator, and the controller are configured to fit within a cabinet in which the plurality of printheads are positioned.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.