System And Method For Imaging And Evaluating Coating On An Imaging Surface In An Aqueous Inkjet Printer

摘要

An inkjet printer is configured to apply a coating material to an imaging surface before an ink image is formed on the surface. At least one optical sensor generates image data of the coating on the imaging surface and identifies a thickness of the coating material. Components of the coating material applicator can be adjusted to keep the thickness of the coating material within a predetermined range.

主权项

1. A printer comprising:
at least one printhead configured to eject liquid ink; a rotating member being positioned to rotate in front of the at least one printhead to enable the at least one printhead to eject liquid ink and form an ink image on a surface of the rotating member; a coating applicator positioned with reference to the rotating member to apply a coating material to the surface of the rotating member before the ink image is formed on the surface of the rotating member by the at least one printhead; at least one optical sensor configured to generate image data of the surface of the rotating member; and a controller operatively connected to the at least one optical sensor, the controller being configured to receive from the at least one optical sensor image data of the surface of the rotating member, identify a thickness of the coating on the surface of the rotating member with reference to the optical sensor image data, and adjust operation of the coating applicator in response to the thickness not being within a predetermined range.