MULTI-PRINTHEAD END EFFECTOR AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEM AND METHOD

• Main Authors: ZABALLOS, WENDY, LARSON-SMITH, KJERSTA, CASTLEBERRY, JESSE, BAKER, ANTHONY, INGRAM, LUKE, DORRIS, STEVEN, KING, TRAVIS, SCHWEDHELM, JONATHAN, MILLER, JOHN E, ARTHUR, SHANE E, SIOK, RYAN, CHRISTNER, MATT, PETZ, RYAN, BRUBAKER, JOSIAH, MELLIN, MATTHEW, BUNKER, MARK
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 26.06.2024
• Subjects: CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS; i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; LINING MACHINES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PRINTING; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS; STAMPS; TRANSPORTING; TYPEWRITERS

An end effector (100) for printing ink on a surface (302) is disclosed. The end effector comprises a primary block (102) comprises a primary-block body (114). A plurality of primary-printing modules (116) are coupled to the primary-block body and translationally moveable, via a corresponding first actuator (160). Each one of the primary-printing modules includes at least one printhead (118) which is adjustable, relative to the primary-block body. The printhead may be adjusted by at least one of a second actuator (172), configured to rotate the printhead about a first axis, or a third actuator (174), configured to rotate the printhead about a second axis. In some examples, a fourth actuator (176) is configured to rotate at least one printhead, relative to at least one other printhead, about a third axis. Additionally, at least one trailing block (104) can be coupled to the primary block so that the at least one trailing block is movable relative to the primary block.