Abstract:
A printer includes: a stationary inkjet printhead having an associated print zone; and a feed mechanism for feeding print media past the printhead in a media feed direction. The print media are guided through the print zone such that the print media converge towards the printhead in the media feed direction.
Abstract:
An inkjet nozzle device is configured for constrained symmetric bubble expansion. The inkjet nozzle device includes a firing chamber having a nozzle aperture and a heater element. The heater element extends between an end wall of the firing chamber and a baffle plate facing the end wall. The baffle plate is wider than the heater element and a centroid of the heater element coincides with a midpoint between the baffle plate and the end wall.
Abstract:
A print module configured for interconnection between a positive ink line and a negative ink line via respective inlet and outlet lines. The print module includes: an inlet port; an outlet port; a printhead interconnected between the inlet port and the outlet port; a control valve positioned at the inlet port for controlling an ink pressure in the printhead; an ink pressure sensor for sensing an ink pressure in the print module; and a controller for receiving feedback from the pressure sensor and controlling the control valve. During printing, the ink pressure sensor, the controller and the control valve cooperate to control a backpressure in the printhead within a predetermined backpressure range.
Abstract:
An inkjet printhead includes: an elongate fluid manifold having a base which includes a truss structure, the truss structure having webs extending between opposite chords, wherein a plurality of openings between the webs and the chords define fluid outlets; a plurality of bracing ribs extending across an upper surface of the truss structure, each bracing rib being aligned with one of the webs; and printhead chips attached to a lower surface of the truss structure, each printhead chip receiving printing fluid from a plurality of the fluid outlets.
Abstract:
An inkjet printer includes: an inkjet printhead; an ink line connected to the printhead; and a compliance fluidically communicating with the ink line. The compliance includes sealed flexible bellows configured for dampening ink pressure fluctuations in the ink line.
Abstract:
A printer includes: a media support defining a media feed path; and a pagewide printing unit for printing onto media fed along the media feed path. The printing unit includes: a maintenance chassis fixedly positioned over the media feed path, the maintenance chassis having a maintenance module fixedly mounted thereto; a print bar chassis movably mounted on the maintenance chassis, the print bar chassis including a print module having a printhead; and a lift mechanism for raising and lowering the print bar chassis relative to the maintenance chassis between a maintenance position a printing position. The printhead extends and retracts through a space defined by the maintenance module in the printing and maintenance positions, respectively.
Abstract:
A printer including: a print module having a printhead for printing onto media fed along a media feed path and a maintenance module for maintaining the printhead. The maintenance module includes an L-shaped frame having a longer arm extending parallel with a longitudinal axis of the printhead and a shorter arm. The longer arm includes a capper for capping the printhead and the shorter arm includes a wiper for longitudinally wiping the printhead.
Abstract:
A method of generating print data for an inkjet printhead having a plurality of ink planes. The method includes the steps of: receiving image data for a print job in a printer controller; retrieving keep-wet pattern data for each ink plane of the printhead, the retrieved keep-wet pattern data being determined using one or more input parameters; generating first print data for each ink plane in the printer controller based on the received image data; merging the first print data with the keep-wet pattern data to provide second print data for each ink plane; and sending the second print data from the printer controller to the printhead, thereby causing the printhead to print an image together with a keep-wet pattern. The keep-wet pattern is defined by a plurality of dots printed at a frequency sufficient to maintain hydration of each nozzle in the printhead.
Abstract:
An inkjet nozzle device includes a MEMS structure in contact with ink, wherein a tantalum oxide layer is deposited on at least part of the MEMS structure for inhibiting corrosion by the ink.
Abstract:
A printer includes a modular vacuum belt assembly for moving print media in a media feed direction along a media path. The modular vacuum belt assembly includes a plurality of moving belt modules interconnected along a width of the media path. Neighboring moving belt modules are interconnected via a connecting fixed vacuum plenum.