Abstract: An aperture plate is manufactured by plating metal around a mask of resist columns having a desired size, pitch, and profile, which yields a wafer about 60 ?m thickness. This is approximately the full desired target aperture plate thickness. The plating is continued so that the metal overlies the top surfaces of the columns until the desired apertures are achieved. This needs only one masking/plating cycle to achieve the desired plate thickness. Also, the plate has passageways formed beneath the apertures, formed as an integral part of the method, by mask material removal. These are suitable for entrainment of aerosolized droplets exiting the apertures.

Abstract: Providing a power-supplying member capable of desirably performing plating for a long period of time. A second power-supplying member is brought into contact with an article to be plated to apply negative voltage to the article. The article is disposed in a state such that a space in which a plating solution flows is defined between an anode and the article. The second power-supplying member includes a center member made from copper and a covering member made from titanium and covering at least a part of a periphery of the center member. The part is wetted with the plating solution.

Abstract: When cleaning is performed to remove kogation, which is deposited on a heat acting portion, by causing an electrochemical reaction through application of a voltage between an upper electrode and an opposing electrode, a wiring located at a periphery of the opposing electrode occludes hydrogen generated during the cleaning, thereby causing hydrogen embrittlement. A unit configured to heat the wiring connected to the opposing electrode is provided, and is driven during the cleaning or after the cleaning, to thereby force hydrogen out of the wiring. Thus, the hydrogen embrittlement of the wiring is suppressed.

Abstract: A reproduction method of a liquid ejecting head including: a process of filling the flow path with an electrolyte solution containing metal, and filling a space between an electrode capable of applying a voltage to between itself and the upper protective film and the upper protective film with the electrolyte solution; and a process of applying a voltage to between the upper protective film and the electrode to make the metal contained in the electrolyte solution deposit on the surface of the upper protective film.

Abstract: The lithographic printing plate support includes an aluminum plate and an anodized film formed on the aluminum plate and micropores extend in the anodized film in a depth direction from its surface opposite from the aluminum plate. Each of the micropores includes a large-diameter portion having a predetermined shape and a small-diameter portion having a predetermined shape. The lithographic printing plate support has excellent scratch resistance and is capable of obtaining a presensitized plate which exhibits excellent on-press developability and enables a lithographic printing plate formed therefrom to have a long press life, and excellent deinking ability in continued printing and after suspended printing.

Abstract: The liquid ejecting head includes a printing element board having a plurality of printing elements for producing energy used to eject liquid, a contact board having a contact terminal for electrically connecting to a liquid ejection printing apparatus, and a functional element, a plurality of lands which are provided on the face of the contact board where the functional element is mounted, and to which terminals of the functional element are connected, a wiring member that connects the printing element board to the contact board, a first terminal and a second terminal disposed on one edge of the contact board, a first wiring connecting the contact terminal to the first terminal, a second wiring connecting at least one of the plurality of lands to the second terminal, and insulating resin that covers the edge face of the second terminal positioned on the one edge of the contact board.

Abstract: A method includes providing a voltage switchable dielectric material having a characteristic voltage, exposing the voltage switchable dielectric material to a source of ions associated with an electrically conductive material, and creating a voltage difference between the source and the voltage switchable dielectric material that is greater than the characteristic voltage. Electrical current is allowed to flow from the voltage switchable dielectric material, and the electrically conductive material is deposited on the voltage switchable dielectric material. A body comprises a voltage switchable dielectric material and a conductive material deposited on the voltage switchable dielectric material using an electrochemical process. In some cases, the conductive material is deposited using electroplating.

Abstract: A process for fabricating oleophobic surface coatings to be deposited on a metal surface, such as the front-face or aperture plate of piezoelectric print heads and transfix rolls. The surface coatings are applied to the surface by electrochemical polymerization.

Abstract: The invention relates to a forming method for imprinting roller. A photoresist layer is coated on an aluminum roller with cylindrical surface. After a pattern is transferred on the photoresist layer, the photoresist layer with the pattern is formed on the aluminum roller. Then the anodic oxidization treatment conducted for the photoresist layer with the pattern on the aluminum roller. Repeat the above-mentioned steps to obtain the roller with nanopore structure. When the roll-to-roll process is applied, the motherboard of roller with arbitrary size can be formed to facilitate the transfer printing of large area.

Abstract: A nozzle plate for use with a spray apparatus and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The nozzle plate has a plurality of orifices each including an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end and the outlet end have a geometrical structure with mirror symmetry and a centroid with positional deviation from a pattern center. The pattern center is the center of an imaginary circle circumscribed about the geometrical structure. The geometrical structure controls the propagation direction of liquid spray, expands the nebulizing range per unit density of orifices, enables product miniaturization, and saves energy.

Abstract: An ink-jet head and a method for manufacturing the ink-jet head are disclosed. The ink-jet head can include: a chamber, which may house a type of ink; a membrane, which may be formed on one side of the chamber, and in a surface of which a holding cavity may be formed; a lower electrode, formed on an inner surface of the holding cavity; and a piezoelectric component, held in the holding cavity. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the ink-jet head can be formed with thin-film type actuators, and the electrical properties of the ink-jet head can be improved.

Abstract: A mixed fluid obtained by mixing and stirring a high pressure fluid and a plating solution containing fine particles is contacted with a body to be plated to form a composite plating film. When an inkjet recording head is manufactured, a protective film 14 for plating is formed on a surface on a side opposite to an ink jet side of a nozzle plate 11 and, preferably, a mixed fluid obtained by mixing and stirring supercritical carbon dioxide, and a plating solution containing liquid repellent fine particles and a surfactant is contacted with a nozzle plate to form a composite plating film 16 on a surface on an ink jet side. After plating, the protective film for plating is removed from the nozzle plate.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for forming vertical conductive structures by electroplating. Specifically, a template structure is first formed, which includes a substrate, a discrete metal contact pad located on the substrate surface, an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer over both the discrete metal contact pad and the substrate, and a metal via structure extending through the ILD layer onto the discrete metal contact pad. Next, a vertical via is formed in the template structure, which extends through the ILD layer onto the discrete metal contact pad. A vertical conductive structure is then formed in the vertical via by electroplating, which is conducted by applying an electroplating current to the discrete metal contact pad through the metal via structure. Preferably, the template structure comprises multiple discrete metal contact pads, multiple metal via structures, and multiple vertical vias for formation of multiple vertical conductive structures.

Abstract: According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method for manufacturing a magnetic head includes: providing a substrate; forming a first magnetic layer having a pattern for forming a magnetic pole on the substrate; forming a stopper layer of non-magnetic material on the top and the sides of the first magnetic layer; reducing the thickness of the stopper layer on the top of the first magnetic layer; and forming a second magnetic layer on the stopper layer. The method further includes: polishing the second magnetic layer to expose the stopper layer on the top of the first magnetic layer; and removing the stopper layer on the top of the first magnetic layer, so as to expose the top of the first magnetic layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solvent-soluble stamp for nano-imprint lithography is provided. According to the method, a stamp is formed on a master substrate made of an ultraviolet-transparent material, using a material which is soluble in a solvent, and then a metal stamp or another stamp for a nano-imprint lithography is manufactured using the solvent-soluble stamp. Next, the stamp for nano-imprint lithography can be achieved by melting the soluble stamp. Therefore, it is possible to reuse the master several times. Further, it is possible to solve a problem in which a mold cannot be separated from the stamp. Furthermore, a uniform and clean stamp with a nano size can be obtained.

Abstract: In this method for producing an anti-reflective film, pores are formed on a surface of a polymer molding material to continuously change a refractive index and then reduce reflectance, in which anodic oxidized porous alumina, in which pores having a tapered shape and whose pore diameter continuously changes, are formed by repeating anodic oxidation at about the same formation voltage and pore diameter enlargement treatment, is used as a mold, or a stamper, which is produced by using the anodic oxidized porous aluminum as a mold, is used as a mold.

Abstract: In a method of producing a photosensitive planographic printing plate according to the present invention, a web is coated with a coating solution, and a coating solution film thus formed is rapidly dried. For this drying, fresh air is blown onto the web W heated with a heat roll such that the air is blown parallel to the coating solution film. The coating solution film can thereby be prevented from changing its thickness due to an air stream during drying, while the coating solution film can be rapidly dried. Accordingly, the coating solution film can be dried before the film is leveled, to form a coating layer having uniform thickness.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microelectronics device is provided, wherein the microelectronics device is formed on a substrate having a frontside and a backside. The method comprises forming a circuit element on the frontside of the substrate from a plurality of layers deposited on the frontside of the substrate, wherein the plurality of layers includes an intermediate electrical contact layer, and forming an interconnect structure after forming the electrical contact layer. The interconnect structure includes a contact pad formed on the backside of the substrate, and a through-substrate interconnect in electrical communication with the contact pad, wherein the through-substrate interconnect extends from the backside of the substrate to the electrical contact layer.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor which comprises a substrate having thereon an anodic oxidation layer, with the printing plate precursor comprising a hydrophilic layer containing at least one kind of fine particles selected from the group consisting of heat-fusible hydrophobic thermoplastic fine particles, finely divided polymers having thermally reactive functional groups and microcapsules in which compounds having heat-reactive functional groups are encapsulated, and with the anodic oxidation layer having a surface over which micropores having an average pore size of 6 to 40 nm are uniformly distributed.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprises an electrochemically grained aluminium substrate, the grained surface of which is coated with a layer of gel-like amorphous colloidal oxides and hydroxides of aluminium and their hydrates incorporating metallic aluminium and inter-metallic aluminium alloys—generally at a level of below 5%—this layer being produced during the electrochemical graining process. The layer is typically present in an amount of from 0.1-20 g/m2 and at a layer thickness of 0.1-4.0 &mgr;m, the particle sizes in the said layer generally falling in the range of from 10 to 2000 nm. Methods are disclosed for the preparation of said precursors via the electrochemical graining of aluminium substrates. The invention provides lithographic printing plate precursors which may be imagewise exposed by means of a high intensity laser beam to provide printing plates showing high durability on press and giving images which show good resolution and are free from background staining.

Abstract: In order to simplify the sequence of creating a mask, in particular for producing a printing plate, and at the same time to improve the quality of the printing plate produced by means of a mask, the use of laser-induced thermal transfer is provided. The structure information is applied directly to the surface of a printing plate carrier during the creation of a mask, by means of a thermal transfer film and a laser image-setting unit, so that by means of the structure information applied, differentiation with regard to image points and non-image points can be carried out directly in order to produce a printing plate.

Abstract: A method of producing an ink jet recording head, in which a discharge port surface provided with a discharge port, through which ink is discharged, is provided comprises a conductive treatment step of carrying out a conductive treatment of the discharge port surface in a state where a material is present in the portion of the discharge port, a removing step of removing the material to open the discharge port, and an electrolytic deposition step of electrolytically deposit a water repellent material in the conduction-treated region of the discharge port surface.

Abstract: An inkjet printer nozzle plate having a non-wetting surface of uniform thickness and an orifice wall of tapered contour, and method of making the nozzle plate. In the method a metal masking layer is deposited on a glass substrate, the masking layer having an opening therethrough for passage of light only through the opening. Next, a negative photoresist layer is deposited on the masking layer, the negative photoresist layer being capable of photochemically reacting with the light. A light source passes light through the substrate, so that the light also passes only through the opening in the form of a tapered light cone. This tapered light cone will define the tapered contour of a nozzle plate orifice wall to be formed. The negative photoresist layer photochemically reacts with the light only in the light cone to define a light-exposed region of hardened negative photoresist.

Abstract: A method for forming an ink jet nozzle plate includes providing a structure having a top substrate layer, a bottom substrate layer, and a buried layer disposed between the top substrate layer and the bottom substrate layer; selectively etching the top substrate layer to form a plurality of spaced ink cavities in the top substrate layer exposing portions of the buried layer; removing by etching the bottom substrate layer and bonding a base having ink delivery channels over the top substrate layer, with at least one channel corresponding to each ink cavity to thereby form the ink jet nozzle plate; and providing a mask having a plurality of openings over the buried layer and etching through such mask openings through the buried layer to the ink cavities to provide at least one bore region corresponding to each ink cavity to provide ink ejection access to such ink cavities so that the buried layer has portions which overhang the ink cavity.

Abstract: A process for preparing removable metal sleeve for gravure printing machines has been carried out in which after treating the lateral surface of the cylinder with a separator product and after associating protective strips in closure of the through holes of the lateral surface of the cylinder, the same is dipped into an electro-copper plating bath for forming a copper removable sleeve and axial removing of the copper sleeve is obtained by means of compressed air forced to form an air cushion between the cooper sleeve and the lateral surface of the cylinder and by means of a separator product used between the same copper sleeve and the cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention provides several methods for engraving gravure cylinders much more rapidly and at a higher resolution while, at the same time, reducing the engraving cost. The present invention employs a resist that is deposited onto the surface of a gravure cylinder. The resist is capable of being physically and/or chemically changed in response to being exposed to a form of actinic energy, such as a laser beam. The exposed areas of resist allow a material, such as chromium, to be plated onto the surface of the gravure cylinder to form walls that define cells therebetween. In use, the cells contain ink for printing the desired patterns of text and/or images.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing an image-forming element having a hollow cylindrical drum body with a metallic outer layer and provided on its outer circumferential surface with a plurality of circumferentially extending electrodes which are electrically insulated from one another and from the drum body. The steps include cutting grooves into the metallic outer layer of the drum body, forming an insulating surface layer at least on the internal walls of the grooves by converting the surface of the metallic outer layer into an insulating substance, and filling the grooves with electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an orifice plate that is built up in multiple layers and includes a complete axial through passage for a fluid. The orifice plate includes inlet openings, outlet openings, and at least one conduit lying between them. The layers or functional planes of the orifice plate are built up on one another by electroplating metal deposition (multilayer electroplating). Orifice plates manufactured in this manner are particularly suitable for use on injection valves in fuel injection systems, in paint nozzles, inhalers, or inkjet printers, or in freeze-drying processes, for spraying or injecting fluids such as beverages.

Abstract: A process for producing a mold for electrolytically producing seamless rotary screen printing stencils is disclosed which includes the steps of: providing a metal mold body having a cylindrical outer surface; covering the outer surface with a sensitive layer such as a photo-sensitive layer, a thermo-sensitive layer or an electrically sensitive layer; exposing predetermined portions of the sensitive layer to a beam which is controlled electronically thereby creating exposed portions of the sensitive layer as well as unexposed portions of the sensitive layer; removing the unexposed portions of the sensitive layer; generating indentations in the metal body at locations where the unexposed portions of the sensitive layer have just been removed; removing the exposed portions of the sensitive layer; and filling the indentations with a non-conductive filler.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming method that (i) yields lower running costs, (ii) produces high resolution and high quality images as it allows for a minimum unit of the image being of molecular size, (iii) provides continuous image gradation, (iv) consists of environmentally friendly manufacturing steps, and (v) offers energy savings, low production cost and high efficiency which results in a versatile process with extensive applications in the related arts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electroplating and deplating a rotogravure cylinder out of a plating solution using ultrasonic energy is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plating tank adapted to rotatably maintain the cylinder and to contain a plating solution so that the cylinder is at least partially disposed into the plating solution. The apparatus also includes a mounting structure mountable within the tank partially on each side of and generally below the cylinder, along with a plurality of conductors at least partially disposed within the plating solution. A current source is electrically connected to the upper portions of the conductors and to the cylinder. An ultrasonic system to introduce wave energy into the plating solution includes at least one transducer element mountable within the tank and a power generator adapted to provide electrical energy to the transducer element. A holding tank having a circulating pump and heating and cooling elements for the plating solution may be provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for preparing devices having hollow metallic microchannels on a surface of a planar substrate. More specifically, the present invention is directed to methods for preparing devices having surface metallic microchannels with a range of widths and heights selected to provide efficient flow characteristics and having thick and, thus, strong and durable channel walls. In addition, the methods of the present invention are compatible with standard integrated circuit fabrication techniques and, because the microchannels are formed upon the surface of the substrate without degrading the surface planarity, these techniques can be used to incorporate electronic circuitry into the microchannel-containing devices. For purposes of this application, the term "microchannel" refers to enclosed or partially enclosed channels having heights within the range from about 2 to about 200 micrometers (.mu.m) and widths within the range of about 10 micrometers to about 2 millimeters.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing ink jet printheads and the product printheads derived therefrom. The method involves the electro-deposition passivation of ink channels in ink jet printheads.

Abstract: An aluminum support for a lithographic printing plate used in off-set printing or the like is disclosed, having a surface shape determined using an atomic force microscope (AFM) such that when measured within the measurement range of 100 .mu.m square with the resolution in the horizontal (X, Y) direction being 0.1 .mu.m, assuming that the surface area obtained by an approximate three-point problem is .alpha. and the upper projected area is .beta., the .alpha./.beta. value (specific surface area) is from 1.15 to 1.5, and when measured within the measurement range of 240 .mu.m square with the resolution in the horizontal (X, Y) direction being 1.9 .mu.m, the average surface roughness is from 0.35 to 1.0 .mu.m and the ratio of the sum of the surface area where the gradient of 30.degree. or more to the total surface area is from 5 to 40%.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an orifice plate that is built up in multiple layers and includes a complete axial through passage for a fluid. The orifice plate includes inlet openings, outlet openings, and at least one conduit lying between them. The layers or functional planes of the orifice plate are built up on one another by electroplating metal deposition (multilayer electroplating). Orifice plates manufactured in this manner are particularly suitable for use on injection valves in fuel injection systems, in paint nozzles, inhalers, or inkjet printers, or in freeze-drying processes, for spraying or injecting fluids such as beverages.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing ink jet printheads and the product printheads derived therefrom. The method involves the electrodeposition passivation of ink channels in ink jet printheads.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a thin-film structure using a transparent substrate is disclosed. A first structure, such as a ring having a central pillar, is formed of a conductive material on a surface of the substrate. A photoresist material pillar is formed on top of the conductive material central pillar by exposure through the transparent material. Such structures are useful as mandrel structures in the forming of precision thin-film components such as nozzle plates, mesh filter screens, and the like, for ink-jet pens.

Abstract: To prepare a screen printing stencil, a pattern of resist, having a complementary design to the final screen printing stencil, is applied to a conductive mandrel. A patterned layer is electroformed onto the exposed surface of the mandrel such that the layer corresponds to the exposed orifices of the pattern of resist. The resulting screen printing stencil can have an overgrowth geometry or a straight-wall geometry depending on the type of photoresist employed, and can be used in the electronic substrate fabrication and electronic assembly industries.

Abstract: A planographic printing plate in which a design pattern is realized in a part of the back surface of a support for the planographic printing plate without any adverse influence on a photosensitive resin layer on the front surface thereof. After an aluminum support with a thickness of 0.24 mm is cleaned by degreasing and etching, an electrolytic aqueous solution is prepared to contain the nitric acid concentration of 10 g/l and the aluminum ion concentration of 7 g/l. In an electrolytic treatment cell 5, the back surface of the aluminum support is arranged so as to be faced to an electrode. A 1 mm-thick masking plate formed of an insulating material punched to provided openings with arbitrary shapes is brought into close contact with the back surface of the aluminum support so that the back surface of the aluminum support is covered with the masking plate. A carbon plate with a thickness of 50 mm is used as the electrode.

Abstract: The entire part of a rear surface 2 of a nozzle plate 1 excluding peripheral portions 6 of nozzle holes 4 is coated with a resist tape, and this nozzle plate 1 is immersed in an electrolytic solution in which ions of a metal and particles of a water-repellent resin are dispersed to provide a plating thereon, and the plated nozzle plate 1 in the electrolytic solution is then heated to a temperature that is higher than a melting point of the water-repellent resin, whereby an entire portion extending from a front surface 3 of the nozzle plate 1 and the nozzle holes 4 contiguous to the front surface to the rear surface 2 is provided with a eutectoid plating layer 8 to suppress deviation of the passage of ink droplets due to wetting by an ink or the like.

Abstract: To prepare a screen printing stencil, a pattern of resist, having a complementary design to the final screen printing stencil, is applied to a conductive mandrel. A patterned layer is electroformed onto the exposed surface of the mandrel such that the layer corresponds to the exposed orifices of the pattern of resist. The resulting screen printing stencil has raised edges surrounding orifices. The raised edges are placed against a surface of a substrate to be printed in use of the stencil. The screen printing stencil can be used for printing substrates in the electronic substrate fabrication and electronic assembly industries.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a screen printing plate which can be obtained without using a mother mesh sheet and a resist film including a step of providing a non-plating area on the roll and exposing the roll coated with high-sensitivity photosensitive film by a multiple number of laser beams. The multiple number of laser beams are controlled by preset electric data so that the desired halftone points of negative halftone image are exposed on the roll.

Abstract: A method of producing a printer head wherein a substrate including at least one piezoelectric member polarized in its thickness direction is formed. A plurality of grooves and a plurality of posts are alternately defined in the substrate. A pre-processing solution is allowed to flow along the grooves at the following relative velocity so as to effect pre-processing when the velocity of the pre-processing solution for electroless plating relative to an object to be plated is V, the height of each of electrodes formed on the internal surfaces of the grooves is H, the width of each groove is W and a contact angle at which the pre-processing solution is brought into contact with the internal surfaces of the grooves is .theta..VW.sup.2 (1+cos.theta. )/H.sup.2 >0.6 mm/sThereafter, the substrate is immersed in an electroless plating solution to form the electrodes.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the wetting behavior of the surface of a cylinder formed of passivatable metal. A wetting device is used to apply an electrolyte to the surface of the metal cylinder. A direct current source is connected between the wetting device and the cylinder and a control device is used to control the voltage necessary for passivating the surface of the cylinder as a function of the pH value of the electrolyte and the type of metal forming the surface of the cylinder. The oleophilic or oleophobic characteristics of the cylinder are thus controlled.