SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MISSING EJECTOR CORRECTION IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT PRINTING BY WAVEFORM ADJUSTMENT

摘要

A method for compensating for inoperative ejectors in a three-dimensional object printer has been developed. A printer detects an inoperative ejector in a printhead. The printer identifies functional ejectors that print at locations adjacent to locations where the inoperative ejector fails to print a drop. The printer modifies firing signals for the functional ejectors so those ejectors print drops having an increased drop volume at the locations adjacent to locations where the inoperative ejector fails to print a drop. The printer prints a first layer of material drops using the modified firing signals. The printer advances the printhead in the cross-process direction between layers so that locations where the inoperative ejector fails do print a drop do not coincide between layers.

主权项

1. A method of controlling a printhead in a three-dimensional object printer comprising:
detecting a malfunctioning ejector in the printhead; identifying at least one functional ejector in the printhead that ejects drops of material adjacent to positions opposite the malfunctioning ejector; modifying firing signals delivered to the at least one identified functional ejector to increase a drop volume of the material drops ejected adjacent to the positions opposite the malfunctioning ejector; and operating the printhead to form a first layer of material drops, the at least one identified functional ejector being operated with the modified firing signals.