VACUUM CYLINDER WITH RECESSED PORTIONS FOR HOLDING ARTICLES FOR PRINTING

摘要

A customization system for an article of equipment (830, 832) includes a printing system for printing a graphic onto the article (830, 832). The customization system also includes a cylinder (800) for holding the article (830, 832) for printing a graphic upon the article (830, 832). The cylinder (800) can include one or more recesses (810, 820) in the outer surface of the cylinder (800) to accommodate the article (830, 832). A partial vacuum applied to the article (830, 832) when disposed within the recess (810, 820) through ports (816, 826) in the bottom surface of the recess (810, 820) holds the article (830, 832) in place within the recess (810, 820) while the cylinder (800) rotates during printing. A gasket (822) can be included between the recess in the cylinder (800) and the article (830, 832) to provide an airtight seal to hold the article (830, 832) in place.