System and method for attenuating oxygen inhibition of ultraviolet ink curing on an image on a three-dimensional (3D) object during printing of the object

摘要

A direct-to-object printer includes a vaporizer to attenuate the effect of oxygen inhibition on the curing of non-aqueous ultraviolet (UV) marking material ejected onto the surface of an object printed by the printer. The vaporizer includes a heating element to form a vapor from a solution of solvent and particulate and a pressurized air source to direct the vapor toward the object to enable a portion of the vapor to condense on the object. The condensed vapor forms a barrier that attenuates the effect of oxygen inhibition on the curing of non-aqueous UV marking material.