Abstract: A nozzle plate contains nozzles, liquid chambers and connection channels between liquid chambers and supply containers for the liquid. All the function regions are produced integrally as a microstructure body by casting from one or more microstructured mold inserts. The smallest implementable spacing of the nozzles from one another can be considerably smaller than in the previously known plates, which allows increased printing density.

Abstract: A nozzle plate contains nozzles, liquid chambers and connection channels between liquid chambers and supply containers for the liquid. All the function regions are produced integrally as a microstructure body by casting from one or more microstructured mold inserts. The smallest implementable spacing of the nozzles from one another can be considerably smaller than in the previously known plates, which allows increased printing density.

Abstract: A nozzle plate contains nozzles, liquid chambers and connection channels between liquid chambers and supply containers for the liquid. All the function regions are produced integrally as a microstructure body by casting from one or more microstructured mold inserts. The smallest implementable spacing of the nozzles from one another can be considerably smaller than in the previously known plates, which allows increased printing density.

Abstract: A microstructured mold with at least one open cavity is produced from a solid body (metal, ceramic, glass, stone or monocrystalline material) by precision mechanical machining, additive or subtractive structuring. The cavity is filled and the mold covered by a flowable material and the solidified flowable material is separated from the mold giving a microstructure element. Alternatively, the top portion of the solidified flowable material is removed to expose the surface of the mold and the solidified material filling the cavity. A layer of conductive material is applied to the exposed surface and remaining solidified material. Then the conductive layer and the remaining solidified material are separated from the mold to provide a structure with a shape complementary to the mold. A layer of metal is electrodeposited on the complementary structure and, finally, the metal layer is separated to produce a metallic microstructure element.

Abstract: A process to manufacture stepped mold inserts and stepped microstructural bodies molded with the mold inserts. Stepped mold inserts are manufactured using structured irradiation masks with regionally different absorption for x-radiation; to this end, extensive calculations are necessary. Furthermore, several masks can be used in succession and for each irradiation step the penetration depth of the x-radiation can be changed. These masks must be positioned with high precision. With the present process stepped mold inserts are manufactured by a simple procedure. Several layers of varying thickness are applied on a metal plate alternating with non-conductive and conductive material. The layered stack is prestructured by precision mechanical machining at depths that vary from region to region, filled with a resist material and irradiated preferably through a single structured mask.