Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods are provided for digitally controlled powder deposition. The apparatus comprises a supply chamber configured to maintain a reservoir of powder in a fluidised state, and one or more dispenser elements. The supply chamber is further configured to direct a flow of the fluidised powder from the reservoir to an orifice, causing it to be dispensed from the orifice.

Abstract: A printhead for dispensing a fluid, the printhead comprising: at least one chamber; an array of piezoactuated flow channel dispensers enclosed in the at least one chamber, wherein each flow channel dispenser comprises a duty cycle configured to control a flow rate through the given flow channel dispenser; a multi-orifice dispensing plate; and, an air dispensing element comprising a source of compressed air and an air flow controller configured to direct a flow of air. And systems for supplying fluid to such printheads.

Abstract: A printhead for dispensing a fluid is provided. The printhead comprises at least one chamber; an array of piezoactuated flow channel dispensers enclosed in the at least one chamber; a multi-orifice dispensing plate; and an air dispensing element comprising a source of compressed air and an air flow controller configured to direct a flow of air.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing element is provided. The element comprising; a dispensing plate comprising a plurality of orifices; the dispensing plate at least partially defining a fluid flow path; a plurality of piezoelectric transducers each comprising a piston configured to move perpendicular to the dispensing plate between a first position wherein the piston is close to the dispensing plate and a second position wherein the piston is further from the dispensing plate. The movement between the first and second positions results in the ejection of a droplet of fluid via a surface cavitation droplet ejection process such that the diameter of the droplet is less than a diameter of the orifice.

Abstract: A mask and air pressure control system for use in coating deposition is disclosed. A method is provided for controlling liquid coating droplets during deposition onto a substrate by directing atomized liquid coating droplets in a flow path toward the substrate, and applying a vacuum or pressurized air from an air pressure control system to at least a portion of the atomized liquid coating droplets in the flow path. The air pressure control mask comprises an air pressure control fixture structured and arranged for connection to a source of vacuum or pressurized air, and a nozzle opening structured and arranged to at least partially surround a flow path of the liquid coating droplets and to selectively allow at least a portion of the liquid coating droplets to pass through the air pressure control mask, wherein the vacuum or pressurized air prevents at least a portion of oversprayed liquid coating droplets from being deposited on the substrate outside an intended edge of the coating.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing element is provided. The element comprising; a dispensing plate comprising a plurality of orifices; the dispensing plate at least partially defining a fluid flow path; a plurality of piezoelectric transducers each comprising a piston configured to move perpendicular to the dispensing plate between a first position wherein the piston is close to the dispensing plate and a second position wherein the piston is further from the dispensing plate. The movement between the first and second positions results in the ejection of a droplet of fluid via a surface cavitation droplet ejection process such that the diameter of the droplet is less than a diameter of the orifice.

Abstract: An industrial printhead (100) comprising a flow channel enclosed in a chamber, wherein the flow channel (102) has at least one fluid inlet (102a) and at least one fluid outlet (102b), wherein the flow channel is resonated, in use, by a vibration distributor (104) comprising a mass resonator (103), piezoelectric exciter (108) and wave concentrator (110) arranged in an axial configuration.

Abstract: A method of digitally controlled application and fixation of dyestuff to a textile on a processing line is provided. The method comprising the steps of: determining one or more parameters of a textile; determining, by a processor, at least one dose setting for an array of flow channel dispensers of the processing line, wherein determining the at least one dose setting is based on the one or more parameters; dispensing, by the array of flow channel dispensers, dyestuff onto the textile according to the at least one dose setting and delivering energy to the substrate to fix the dyestuff in the textile.

Abstract: A printhead for dispensing a fluid is provided. The printhead comprises at least one chamber; an array of piezoactuated flow channel dispensers enclosed in the at least one chamber; a multi-orifice dispensing plate; and an air dispensing element comprising a source of compressed air and an air flow controller configured to direct a flow of air.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods are provided for digitally controlled powder deposition. The apparatus comprises a supply chamber configured to maintain a reservoir of powder in a fluidised state, and one or more dispenser elements. The supply chamber is further configured to direct a flow of the fluidised powder from the reservoir to an orifice, causing it to be dispensed from the orifice.

Abstract: Systems for applying a masking material to a substrate, the system comprising: a source feed for delivering a quantity of masking material to a substrate, a waste deposit for receiving masking material when removed from the substrate, a spray nozzle moveable relative to the substrate and a controller for controlling movement of the nozzle relative to the substrate and the speed of delivery of the masking material from the source feed, wherein the speed of movement of the spray nozzle relative to the substrate is substantially equal to the speed of delivery of the masking material from the source feed.

Abstract: An industrial printhead comprising an array of piezoactuated flow channel dispensers enclosed in a chamber with a multi-orifice plate allowing fluid exit.

Abstract: An industrial printhead (100) comprising a flow channel enclosed in a chamber, wherein the flow channel (102) has at least one fluid inlet (102a) and at least one fluid outlet (102b), wherein the flow channel is resonated, in use, by a vibration distributor (104) comprising a mass resonator (103), piezoelectric exciter (108) and wave concentrator (110) arranged in an axial configuration.

Abstract: An industrial printhead comprising an array of piezoactuated flow channel dispensers enclosed in a chamber with a multi-orifice plate allowing fluid exit.

Abstract: Systems for applying a masking material to a substrate, the system comprising: a source feed for delivering a quantity of masking material to a substrate, a waste deposit for receiving masking material when removed from the substrate, a spray nozzle moveable relative to the substrate and a controller for controlling movement of the nozzle relative to the substrate and the speed of delivery of the masking material from the source feed, wherein the speed of movement of the spray nozzle relative to the substrate is substantially equal to the speed of delivery of the masking material from the source feed.

Abstract: An industrial printhead comprising an array of piezoactuated flow channel dispensers enclosed in a chamber with a multi-orifice plate allowing fluid exit.

Abstract: A system for depositing a substance onto a substrate comprises continuously transporting the substrate in a transport direction while traversing a deposition arrangement across the substrate to deposit the substance in a number of swathes. During such movement the positions of the deposition arrangement and the substrate are controlled with respect to one another such that the swathes complement one another to provide substantially uniform coverage of the substrate. As a result of the defined arrangement, improved substrate speeds can be achieved since there is no need for the substrate to stop at each traverse.

Abstract: A system and method for depositing a substance onto a continuously moving substrate in first and second transverse swathes, is achieved by providing a print carriage having a first set of inkjet heads and a second set of inkjet heads. The carriage is traversed across the substrate in a forward pass, while depositing the first and second swathes from the respective first and second plurality of inkjet heads and subsequently traversed across the substrate in a reverse pass. The first and second sets of inkjet heads are arranged such that the first and second swathes complement one another on both forward and reverse passes to provide substantially complete coverage of the substrate. In this manner complementary swathes may be deposited from a single head.

Abstract: A print head module (20) for depositing a substance has an axis and a plurality of print heads (22) provided with nozzles (23). The heads are distributed along the axis to form an elongate compound head having nozzle redundancy by arranging the heads in partially overlapping relation to one another. This allows deposition of the substance from the nozzles in uniform swathes having different angles transverse to the axis.

Abstract: A print head module (20) for depositing a substance has an axis and a plurality of print heads (22) provided with nozzles (23). The heads are distributed along the axis to form an elongate compound head having nozzle redundancy by arranging the heads in partially overlapping relation to one another. This allows deposition of the substance from the nozzles in uniform swathes having different angles transverse to the axis.