Abstract: Methods of forming a nozzle plate for a substrate with an ink ejection element include forming first and second negative photoresist layers, each with a different degradation temperature, directly on the substrate in accordance with a desired nozzle plate pattern. Upon heating the layers at a temperature greater than or at least as great as one of degradation temperatures and lower than the other, the negative photoresist layer with the lower degradation temperature breaks down while the other negative photoresist layer suffers nothing and remains intact. Thereafter, the degraded negative photoresist is completely removed with a simple solvent development step and the nozzle plate is formed. Preferred arrangements of negative photoresist materials include a first layer located adjacent the ink ejection element and a second layer on both the substrate and the first layer at locations other than above the ink ejection element.

Abstract: A system is described for compensating for misalignments in an ink jet printer having an ink jet print head cartridge that includes a heater chip. The system includes determining alignment adjustment information related to the misalignments in the ink jet printer, loading the alignment adjustment information into a volatile memory device on the heater chip, and accessing the alignment adjustment information from the volatile memory device. The system also includes generating nozzle control signals based at least in part on the alignment adjustment information. The nozzle control signals are selectively provided to resistive heating elements in the heater chip, thereby heating ink in ink chambers adjacent the heating elements and ejecting ink droplets toward a print medium. The timing of the nozzle control signals is adjusted based upon the amount of misalignment in the various components of the printer and print head.