Abstract: A fluid deposition device including a platen and a cartridge mount assembly is described. The platen is configured to support a substrate upon which a fluid will be deposited. The cartridge mount assembly includes a receptacle configured to receive a print cartridge and multiple electrical contacts configured to mate with corresponding electrical contacts on the print cartridge. In one implementation, the cartridge mount assembly further includes a vacuum connector configured to mate with a vacuum inlet included on the print cartridge. When the print cartridge is received in the receptacle, the print cartridge can form connections with the electrical contacts and with the vacuum connector of the receptacle at substantially the same time.

Abstract: In general, in a first aspect, the invention features a production system for producing items having an image printed thereon. The production system includes a conveyor configured to carry articles along a path relative to one or more stations of the production line, wherein each article is positioned at a site on the conveyor. The production system also includes a printing station configured to print an image on the articles as the conveyor moves the items past the printing station and an electronic controller configured to provide instructions to the printing station, wherein the electronic controller modifies the printing operation based on the operation of another station in the production system.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a jetting assembly including a plurality of nozzles for ejecting droplets on a substrate moving relative to the jetting assembly, a mechanism for increasing the displacement of the jetting assembly relative to the substrate, and a sensor configured to activate the mechanism for increasing the displacement of the jetting assembly upon detecting a predetermined dimension of the substrate surface relative to the jetting assembly.

Abstract: An ink jet device includes an ink jet print head and a deaerator having an ink passage, a membrane and a vacuum chamber. The ink passage has an exit connected to the ink jet print head and an inlet, and the membrane has a first side and a second side. The first side contacts ink in the ink passage and the second side contacts the vacuum chamber. The inlet of the ink passage is located above the exit.

Abstract: Micromechanical devices having complex multilayer structures and techniques for forming the devices are described.

Abstract: Apparatus including a plurality of droplet ejection devices, an electric source and a controller. Each droplet ejection device includes switches connected in parallel to a piezoelectric actuator. Each switch includes an input terminal to connect to an input waveform signal, an output terminal to connect to the piezoelectric actuator, a control signal terminal to control a connection of the switch with a control signal, and a resistance between the input terminal and output terminal. The apparatus has a waveform table with information to distribute the input waveform signal to an input of each of the droplet ejection devices. The waveform signal table includes waveform signal information for a step pulse, a sawtooth waveform, and/or a combination of two or more waveform patterns.

Abstract: A cleaning member is pivotally fixed to a support member to clean ink-jet print heads that are positioned on a print-head receptor module. The cleaning member pivots from a cleaning position to an idle position and the print-head receptor module is pivotally fixed to a support member to allow the module to pivot from a printing position to a cleaning position. The pivotal supports are positioned such that, when the module and the cleaning member are each in their respective cleaning positions, the cleaning member is positioned to clean ink jets inserted into the receptors.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ink jet printing module can include forming a piezoelectric element having a stiffened surface.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ink jet printing module has a semiconductive material on a surface of a piezoelectric element of the module.

Abstract: A drop delivery printhead includes a well about a nozzle opening to enhance jetting performance.

Abstract: A fluid deposition device including a platen and a cartridge mount assembly is described. The platen is configured to support a substrate upon which a fluid will be deposited. The cartridge mount assembly includes a receptacle configured to receive a print cartridge and multiple electrical contacts configured to mate with corresponding electrical contacts on the print cartridge. In one implementation, the cartridge mount assembly further includes a vacuum connector configured to mate with a vacuum inlet included on the print cartridge. When the print cartridge is received in the receptacle, the print cartridge can form connections with the electrical contacts and with the vacuum connector of the receptacle at substantially the same timee.

Abstract: A single-pass print head has multiple orifice plates each serving some but not all of the area to be printed.

Abstract: A drop ejector includes a plurality of projections to control fluid flow.

Abstract: Ink jet printheads and printhead components are described. One printhead includes a flow path and a piezoelectric actuator. The flow path includes a pumping region and the piezoelectric actuator is associated with the pumping region. The actuator has a pre-fired piezoelectric layer with a thickness of about 50 microns or less. A bonding layer fixes the pre-fired piezoelectric layer relative to the flow path.

Abstract: Methods and articles used to degass liquids in a drop ejection device are disclosed. For example, a drop ejection device having a flow path in which fluid is pressurized for ejecting a drop from a nozzle opening, and a deaerator including a fluid reservoir region, a vacuum region, and a partition between the fluid reservoir region and the vacuum region, the partition including a wetting layer and a non-wetting layer and one or more channels extending through the wetting and non-wetting layers, wherein the wetting layer is exposed to the fluid reservoir region.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ink jet head that includes a polymer film, for example a flex print, located between the piezoelectric element and the reservoirs in the jet body. The film provides an efficient seal for the reservoirs and also positions the electrodes on the side of the piezoelectric element in which motion is effected, which can reduce the magnitude of the drive voltage. This location of the compliant flex print material also can enhance electrical and mechanical isolation between reservoirs, which improves jetting accuracy. The compliance of the polymer also reduces strain on the ink jet head.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing droplets on a substrate, the apparatus includes a support for the substrate, a droplet ejection assembly positioned over the support for depositing the droplets on the substrate on the support, an enclosure structure defining with the support an enclosed region through which the droplets are ejected onto the substrate, the enclosure structure also defining with the support an inlet gap and an outlet gap through which the substrate travels and a source of pressurized gas connected to the enclosure structure to provide a flow of gas from the enclosure structure through the gaps.