System and method for analyzing the surface of a three-dimensional object to be printed by a printhead mounted to an articulating arm

摘要

An object printer is configured to generate a three-dimensional map of a surface of an object to be printed and determine which areas in the three-dimensional map can be printed by a printhead movable in three-dimensional space. Areas can be printed when the printhead is positioned opposite an area where no inkjet in the printhead is closer than a minimum distance for accurate ink drop placement and all of the features in the area are within a maximum distance for accurate ink drop placement from the printhead. The areas that cannot be printed are deleted from the map and the map is displayed so a user can select where an ink image is to be formed on the object. The printer then operates an articulated arm to move the printhead opposite the surface at positions corresponding the selected area and operates the printhead to form the ink image.