System, a vertical axis mechanism and a production method

A vertical axis mechanism (VAM), comprising:

• a coupling mechanism, which is configured to couple between (i) an axis mechanism and (ii) a tray for placing thereon a sample comprising at least a first flowable-matter substrate, along the vertical axis so as to print on the sample an image made from an edible substance, wherein the axis mechanism comprises multiple rear shafts configured to support the coupling mechanism while being moved along the vertical axis, wherein the multiple rear shafts are threaded through bores of the coupling mechanism, so that the coupling mechanism is configured to slide along the multiple rear shafts along the vertical axis, and wherein the sliding of the bores along the multiple rear shafts enables straight movement of the coupling mechanism and the tray along the vertical axis without vibrations that are prone to spill the first flowable-matter substrate or blur the image;
• and
• a cover of the axis mechanism, the cover comprising a front surface that at least partially faces the sample and is configured to block a spillage of the first flowable-matter substrate from wetting the axis mechanism, wherein the cover has one or more additional surfaces, which do not face the sample, wherein at least one of the additional surfaces has a slit that extends along the vertical axis, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a tenon, which is positioned within the slit and is configured to slide along the slit for moving the coupling mechanism along the vertical axis, wherein the tray comprises a top surface for supporting the sample, and wherein the tenon is positioned, along the vertical axis, at a height greater than that of the top surface of the tray, wherein the VAM is configured to be positioned between a printing assembly and a base having a base surface, and wherein in a loading and unloading position of the sample, the top surface of the tray and the base surface are flush with one another to enable the sample to be moved across an XY-plane onto or off the tray without collision.

A production method, comprising:

• receiving a tray for placing thereon a sample comprising a flowable-matter substrate;
• receiving a printing assembly for printing an image, made from an edible substance, on the flowable-matter substrate;
• receiving an axis mechanism for moving the tray with the sample along a vertical axis, and a coupling mechanism for coupling between the axis mechanism and the tray, wherein the axis mechanism comprises multiple rear shafts configured to support the coupling mechanism while being moved along the vertical axis, wherein the multiple rear shafts are threaded through bores of the coupling mechanism, so that the coupling mechanism is configured to slide along the multiple rear shafts along the vertical axis, and wherein the sliding of the bores along the multiple rear shafts enables straight movement of the coupling mechanism and the tray along the vertical axis without vibrations that are prone to spill the flowable-matter substrate or blur the image;
• coupling the coupling mechanism between the axis mechanism and the tray;
• positioning the axis mechanism between the printing assembly and a base having a base surface, wherein the tray comprises a top surface for supporting the sample, and wherein in a loading and unloading position of the sample, the top surface of the tray and the base surface are flush with one another to enable the sample to be moved across an XY-plane onto or off the tray without collision;
• and
• covering the axis mechanism, using a cover having a front surface that at least partially faces the sample for blocking a spillage of the flowable-matter substrate from wetting the axis mechanism, wherein the cover has one or more additional surfaces, which do not face the sample, wherein at least one of the additional surfaces has a slit that extends along the vertical axis, wherein coupling the coupling mechanism comprises coupling a tenon, which is positioned within the slit and is configured to slide along the slit for moving the coupling mechanism along the vertical axis, and positioning the tenon, along the vertical axis, at a height greater than that of the top surface of the tray.