Abstract: A substrate support system 10 for a conveyor printer is provided, comprising a support unit 100 comprising a plurality of vacuum apertures 108 arranged for fluidic communication with a source of negative pressure. The support unit 100 also comprises at least one air bearing 114 arranged for fluidic communication with a source of positive pressure. The air bearing 114 comprises porous media 116. The substrate support system 10 also comprises a conveyor belt 150 arranged over the support unit 100 for supporting a substrate 170 to be printed on. The conveyor belt 150 comprises a plurality of belt apertures. The vacuum apertures 108 are arranged to convey a negative pressure through the belt apertures for retaining the substrate 170 on the conveyor belt 150. The at least one air bearing 114 is arranged to convey a positive pressure to support the conveyor belt 150.

Abstract: A sheet 200 for an array of vacuum apertures 152 in a substrate support unit 150 of a printer is provided. The sheet 200 comprises a plurality of valves 202 formed into the sheet 200. The sheet 200 is made from a resilient material. Each valve 202 comprises a valve head 204 for sealing a vacuum aperture 152 in the substrate support unit 150, and a valve lever arm 206 for permitting movement of the valve head 204 towards and away from the vacuum aperture 152 in order to open and close the valve 202.

Abstract: A substrate support system 10 for a conveyor printer is provided, comprising a support unit 100 comprising a plurality of vacuum apertures 108 arranged for fluidic communication with a source of negative pressure. The support unit 100 also comprises at least one air bearing 114 arranged for fluidic communication with a source of positive pressure. The air bearing 114 comprises porous media 116. The substrate support system 10 also comprises a conveyor belt 150 arranged over the support unit 100 for supporting a substrate 170 to be printed on. The conveyor belt 150 comprises a plurality of belt apertures. The vacuum apertures 108 are arranged to convey a negative pressure through the belt apertures for retaining the substrate 170 on the conveyor belt 150. The at least one air bearing 114 is arranged to convey a positive pressure to support the conveyor belt 150.

Abstract: A drive circuit for charging a printhead for ejecting drops of ink is provided, the printhead having a capacitance. The drive circuit comprises a power supply comprising a first connection and a second connection. An inductor is connected to the first connection of the power supply, wherein the inductor is connected to a first drive connection of the printhead to provide a charge path for current to charge the capacitance. The second connection of the power supply is connected to a second drive connection of the printhead. The drive circuit also comprises means for applying a plurality of charging voltage pulses to the inductor to provide a single charge of the capacitance for a single cycle of ink ejection from the printhead. A method of operating the drive circuit is also provided.

Abstract: A printer table for supporting a substrate during a printing operation comprises a substrate support surface comprising a plurality of apertures. The apertures are arranged such that a substrate placed on the printer table covers at least one of the apertures. The printer table comprises a plurality of ball valves arranged in fluidic connection with the apertures, where each of the ball valves has an open configuration and a closed configuration and is biased to the open configuration. The printer table also comprises a negative air pressure source configured to apply a negative air pressure through the plurality of ball valves to the plurality of apertures.

Abstract: A printer table for supporting a substrate during a printing operation comprises a substrate support surface comprising a plurality of apertures. The apertures are arranged such that a substrate placed on the printer table covers at least one of the apertures. The printer table comprises a plurality of ball valves arranged in fluidic connection with the apertures, where each of the ball valves has an open configuration and a closed configuration and is biased to the open configuration. The printer table also comprises a negative air pressure source configured to apply a negative air pressure through the plurality of ball valves to the plurality of apertures.

Abstract: A printhead support structure may have a receiving portion to receive a printhead, first and second portions having an adjustment mechanism therebetween for converting a translational movement of the first portion to a rotational movement of the second portion, and a coupling mechanism coupling the second portion to the receiving portion for adjusting the rotational angle of the printhead. A method for adjusting a position of a printhead coupled to a printhead support may include applying a force to a first portion of the printhead support to effect a translational movement of the first portion, converting the translational movement of the first portion into a rotational movement of a second portion of the printhead support, and applying the rotational movement of the second portion to the printhead.

Abstract: A table for a flatbed printer comprises an upper plate (4) and a lower plate (6) separated by an intermediate layer (8). The intermediate layer is configured to provide a fluid flow path (34) that promotes a flow of fluid alternating between a position adjacent the upper plate and a position adjacent the lower plate, so as to promote heat transfer between the upper plate and the lower plate. The fluid flow path may be formed using a plurality of holes (26) in the intermediate layer. A method of manufacturing the printer table is also described.

Abstract: A printing speed for printing an image using an inkjet printer is determined. Information regarding a measure of the nozzle firing quality of the printer as a function of printing speed and in relation to an image attribute is determined. The image to be printed is analyzed in respect of the image attribute and the information regarding the measure of the nozzle firing quality is used to determine an optimum printing speed for printing the image. Thus a determination may be made as to how fast a particular image may be printed using a particular printer arrangement without unacceptable loss of print quality of the image. Also described is a method of determining printing instructions for printing a plurality of images in which a printing speed for each image is determined, and printing instructions for printing the plurality of images is determined so as to increase the overall efficiency of printing the plurality of images.

Abstract: In an ink jet printer (2), where there is relative movement between a print carriage (4) and a print table (6) to print on to a substrate mounted on the table (6), the gradient of the print table at each position of the print carriage (4) is used to produce a compensated position of the print carriage (4), and printing data is sent to the print head according to the compensated position instead of the actual position. This delays or advances the release of ink, to compensate for the difference in the time taken for the ink to reach a substrate mounted on the print table (6) when the print gap between print heads and print table (6) is not constant.

Abstract: A multipass large format flat bed inkjet printer (1) for printing an image on a substrate is described. In examples described, the printer (1) has a print carriage (8) for supporting an array of printheads (18) adjacent the substrate (6) during printing; a bed (4) for supporting the substrate (6) during printing; and a movement mechanism (5) for providing relative movement of the print carriage (8) and the substrate (6) in a print direction during a print pass. The print carriage (8) is such that the width of the array of printheads (18) transverse to the print direction is at least substantially the full width of the image. in examples described, the printheads (18) provide an array of nozzles (22) which is substantially continuous across the array of printheads (18).

Abstract: A drive circuit for repetitively energising a printhead (10) to eject drops of ink and a method of operating the drive circuit are described. The printhead h multiple nozzle channels each having a respective capacitance. The drive circuit includes a first switching element (S1) connected to couple a drive connection of the printhead to a first connection of a power supply (V1) via a first inductor (L1) to provide a charge path for current to charge the capacitance of at least one nozzle channel to a desired operating voltage. The drive circuit further includes a second switching element (S2) connected to couple a drive connection of the printhead to a second connection of the power supply (V1) via a second inductor (L2) to provide a discharge path for current to discharge the capacitance of said at least one nozzle channel to a desired inter-pulse voltage.

Abstract: A pressure regulation system for a high throughput inkjet printer uses a peristaltic pump to provide a meniscus vacuum to the printheads. A peristaltic pump is a small and inexpensive device which can produce a low flow rate suitable for achieving the relatively small meniscus vacuum required by drop on demand systems. Furthermore the pump can operate in both directions, and seals in the event of power loss.

Abstract: The application describes a method and apparatus for controlling surface finish in the printing of a substrate in a plurality of passes using a curable print material and an ink jet printer having a radiation source. A first set of passes is carried out, including depositing ink on the substrate and emitting radiation from a radiation source toward the deposited ink. The emitted radiation applies a dose of radiation in a first range. A second set of passes is then carried out to deposit ink on the substrate. Further radiation is emitted from a radiation source toward the deposited ink, the emitted radiation applying a dose of radiation in a second range different from the first range.

Abstract: A drive circuit for repetitively energising a printhead (10) to eject drops of ink and a method of operating the drive circuit are described. The printhead h multiple nozzle channels each having a respective capacitance. The drive circuit includes a first switching element (S1) connected to couple a drive connection of the printhead to a first connection of a power supply (V1) via a first inductor (L1) to provide a charge path for current to charge the capacitance of at least one nozzle channel to a desired operating voltage. The drive circuit further includes a second switching element (S2) connected to couple a drive connection of the printhead to a second connection of the power supply (V1) via a second inductor (L2) to provide a discharge path for current to discharge the capacitance of said at least one nozzle channel to a desired inter-pulse voltage.

Abstract: In an ink jet printer (2), where there is relative movement between a print carriage (4) and a print table (6) to print on to a substrate mounted on the table (6), the gradient of the print table at each position of the print carriage (4) is used to produce a compensated position of the print carriage (4), and printing data is sent to the print head according to the compensated position instead of the actual position. This delays or advances the release of ink, to compensate for the difference in the time taken for the ink to reach a substrate mounted on the print table (6) when the print gap between print heads and print table (6) is not constant.

Abstract: A pressure regulation system for a high throughput inkjet printer uses a peristaltic pump to provide a meniscus vacuum to the printheads. A peristaltic pump is a small and inexpensive device which can produce a low flow rate suitable for achieving the relatively small meniscus vacuum required by drop on demand systems. Furthermore the pump can operate in both directions, and seals in the event of power loss.

Abstract: A substrate support apparatus for a printer is described. The apparatus includes a table having a support surface for supporting a substrate during printing, the support surface including a plurality of substrate apertures. A negative pressure can be applied to the substrate apertures to hold the substrate to the table during printing. The apparatus further includes a plurality of mask apertures, and a negative pressure can be applied to the mask apertures to hold a mask to the support surface. By arranging for the pressure to be applied to the substrate apertures and mask apertures independently, the mask can be held to the table during loading and unloading of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods for adjusting the topography of a surface, such as for making a support surface substantially flat, e.g. for mitigating variations in a print gap, are described. The topography of the surface is first measured, and then a shim layer is printed to approximate the topography to a reference topography, the thickness of the layer being calculated using the measurements. For example the print gap comprising the distance between the surface of a printer table and printing means, such as a printhead. The print gap is first measured before at least one layer of ink is printed, using the printing means, at a selected position based on the measured print gap. The thickness of the layer of ink is selected to mitigate the variations in the print gap. In some embodiments, a substrate support surface may then be arranged over the printer table, so that the printed layer is disposed between the printer table and the substrate support surface.

Abstract: A method of curing radiation-curable fluid is described. In one example, the method includes emitting radiation from an array of light-emitting diodes towards ink to be cured. LEDs are cheap, light weight, highly efficient in their conversion of electrical power, and give effectively instant switching to full power. Another advantage is that the emission spectrum of an LED is sharply peaked around the nominal frequency. Thus LEDs give several advantages over conventional radiation sources such as mercury lamps. A low oxygen environment is preferably provided at the radiation source to accelerate the curing reaction. Also described are inks which are specially formulated to respond to the radiation emission spectrum of an LED.