Abstract: A print bar assembly includes: a mounting frame having a pair of opposite first and second sidewalls extending parallel to a media feed direction, the first sidewall having an upwardly extending first guide slot defined between opposite first bearing surfaces; a print bar carriage slidably received within the mounting frame and an actuation mechanism operatively connected to the print bar carriage for lifting and lowering the print bar carriage relative to the mounting frame. The print bar carriage includes a chassis, a printhead and a pair of first bearings rotatably received in the first guide slot. During sliding movement of the print bar carriage, the pair of first bearings travel within the first guide slot and bear against the first bearing surfaces to constrain rotational movement of the print bar carriage.

Abstract: A method of wiping a plurality of printheads positioned in a staggered overlapping arrangement across a width of a media feed path, each printhead having a respective wiper associated therewith. The wipers for neighboring printheads are moved in opposite directions with respect to each other.

Abstract: A print bar assembly includes: a mounting frame having a pair of opposite first and second sidewalls extending parallel to a media feed direction, the first sidewall having an upwardly extending first guide slot defined between opposite first bearing surfaces; a print bar carriage slidably received within the mounting frame and an actuation mechanism operatively connected to the print bar carriage for lifting and lowering the print bar carriage relative to the mounting frame. The print bar carriage includes a chassis, a printhead and a pair of first bearings rotatably received in the first guide slot. During sliding movement of the print bar carriage, the pair of first bearings travel within the first guide slot and bear against the first bearing surfaces to constrain rotational movement of the print bar carriage.

Abstract: A method of capping a plurality of printheads positioned in a staggered overlapping arrangement across a width of a media feed path. Each printhead has a respective capper. The method includes the steps of: moving the cappers towards respective printheads in a direction parallel to a media feed direction; and lowering the printheads onto their respective cappers. The cappers for neighboring printheads are moved in opposite directions towards their respective printheads.

Abstract: A method of wiping a plurality of printheads positioned in a staggered overlapping arrangement across a width of a media feed path, each printhead having a respective wiper associated therewith. The wipers for neighboring printheads are moved in opposite directions with respect to each other.

Abstract: A method of printing a document using one of a plurality of print modes, the method comprising: (i) notionally dividing a digital image of the document into sectors; (ii) for each sector, comparing one or more properties of the luminosity of pixels within each sector with one or more threshold values; (iii) using the comparison of (ii) to determine whether each sector is likely to show an image defect if printed at a lower image quality print mode; (iv) selecting a print mode such that all sectors are determined not to be likely to show an image defect; (v) printing the document using the determined print mode.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a printer including a plurality of printheads positioned in a staggered overlapping arrangement across a width of a media feed path. Each printhead has a respective wiper and the method includes the step of moving the wipers towards respective printheads in a direction parallel to a media feed direction. The wipers for neighboring printheads are moved in opposite directions towards their respective printheads.

Abstract: A modular printer includes: a media feed path defining a media feed direction and a plurality of printer modules positioned in a staggered overlapping arrangement so as to extend across a width of the media feed path. Each printer module includes a printhead and a respective maintenance sled for slidably moving towards the printhead in a direction parallel to the media feed direction. Further, the maintenance sleds for neighboring printer modules are configured to move in opposite directions towards their respective printheads.

Abstract: A method of printing a document using one of a plurality of print modes, the method comprising: (i) notionally dividing a digital image of the document into sectors; (ii) for each sector, comparing one or more properties of the luminosity of pixels within each sector with one or more threshold values; (iii) using the comparison of (ii) to determine whether each sector is likely to show an image defect if printed at a lower image quality print mode; (iv) selecting a print mode such that all sectors are determined not to be likely to show an image defect; (v) printing the document using the determined print mode.

Abstract: A printer assembly includes: a housing having referencing slots defined in opposite sidewalls; a stop positioned towards a lower end of each referencing slot; a print bar carriage slidably received within the housing; and a lift mechanism for lifting the print bar carriage relative to the housing. The print bar carriage includes: a chassis; a printhead supported by the chassis; and a pair of lugs, each lug being slidably received in a respective referencing slot of the housing. Each stop has a datum surface which defines a printing position of the print bar carriage, the print bar carriage being in the printing position when each lug is in abutting engagement with a respective datum surface.

Abstract: A method of printing a document using one of a plurality of print modes, the method comprising: (i) notionally dividing a digital image of the document into sectors; (ii) for each sector, comparing one or more properties of the luminosity of pixels within each sector with one or more threshold values; (iii) using the comparison of (ii) to determine whether each sector is likely to show an image defect if printed at a lower image quality print mode; (iv) selecting a print mode such that all sectors are determined not to be likely to show an image defect; (v) printing the document using the determined print mode.

Abstract: A printer assembly includes a housing having a pair of opposite first and second sidewalls, the first sidewall having a vertical guide slot; a shaft rotatably mounted between the sidewalls; pinions fixedly mounted at either end of the shaft; a print bar carriage slidably received within the housing; and a drive motor for rotating the shaft and lifting the print bar carriage. The print bar carriage includes: a chassis; first and second racks engaged with respective pinions to define a rack-and-pinion lift mechanism; first bearings rotatably mounted at a first side of the chassis, each first bearing being received in the guide slot; and a printhead supported by the chassis. During sliding movement of the print bar carriage, the first bearings travel within the guide slot and bear against opposite guide surfaces to constrain rotational movement of the print bar carriage.

Abstract: A modular printer includes: a media feed path defining a media feed direction and a plurality of printer modules positioned in a staggered overlapping arrangement so as to extend across a width of the media feed path. Each printer module includes a printhead and a respective maintenance sled for slidably moving towards the printhead in a direction parallel to the media feed direction. Further, the maintenance sleds for neighboring printer modules are configured to move in opposite directions towards their respective printheads.

Abstract: A modular printer includes: (a) a media feed path defining a media feed direction; (b) a first printer module suspended over the media feed path; and (c) a second printer module suspended over the media feed path and at least partially overlapping the first printer module in the media feed direction. The first and second printer modules have respective first and second printheads and maintenance assemblies. The first and second printheads are relatively proximal to each other with respect to the media feed direction, and the first and second maintenance assemblies are relatively distal from each other with respect to the media feed direction.

Abstract: A modular printer includes: (a) a media feed path defining a media feed direction; (b) a first printer module suspended over the media feed path; and (c) a second printer module suspended over the media feed path and at least partially overlapping the first printer module in the media feed direction. The first and second printer modules have respective first and second printheads and maintenance assemblies. The first and second printheads are relatively proximal to each other with respect to the media feed direction, and the first and second maintenance assemblies are relatively distal from each other with respect to the media feed direction.

Abstract: A printer assembly includes a housing having a pair of opposite first and second sidewalls, the first sidewall having a vertical guide slot; a shaft rotatably mounted between the sidewalls; pinions fixedly mounted at either end of the shaft; a print bar carriage slidably received within the housing; and a drive motor for rotating the shaft and lifting the print bar carriage. The print bar carriage includes: a chassis; first and second racks engaged with respective pinions to define a rack-and-pinion lift mechanism; first bearings rotatably mounted at a first side of the chassis, each first bearing being received in the guide slot; and a printhead supported by the chassis. During sliding movement of the print bar carriage, the first bearings travel within the guide slot and bear against opposite guide surfaces to constrain rotational movement of the print bar carriage.

Abstract: A printer assembly includes: a housing having referencing slots defined in opposite sidewalls; a stop positioned towards a lower end of each referencing slot; a print bar carriage slidably received within the housing; and a lift mechanism for lifting the print bar carriage relative to the housing. The print bar carriage includes: a chassis; a printhead supported by the chassis; and a pair of lugs, each lug being slidably received in a respective referencing slot of the housing. Each stop has a datum surface which defines a printing position of the print bar carriage, the print bar carriage being in the printing position when each lug is in abutting engagement with a respective datum surface.

Abstract: A method of printing comprising: storing a plurality of sets of linearization data (32) for a printhead (12; 14; 16; 18) with each set corresponding to a different history of usage of the printhead; monitoring (S210) the history of usage of the printhead; selecting (S220), prior to printing, from said plurality of sets of linearization data a set of linearization data that is the set that most closely matches the monitored history of usage of the printhead prior to said printing; and printing (S250) the image using the selected set of linearization data.

Abstract: A method of detecting fluid drops ejected from a fluid applicator unit having nozzles. The method includes establishing a detection zone to detect detection fluid drops transmitted therein and ejecting a set of detection fluid drops through a set of nozzles of the fluid applicator unit through the detection zone to a detection receiving member. The method also includes ejecting a set of warm-up fluid drops through an other set of nozzles to a warm-up receiving member in a manner in which the set of warm-up fluid drops bypasses the detection zone. The method also includes detecting the set of the detection fluid drops ejected into the detection zone.

Abstract: A method of detecting fluid drops ejected from a fluid applicator unit having nozzles. The method includes establishing a detection zone to detect detection fluid drops transmitted therein and ejecting a set of detection fluid drops through a set of nozzles of the fluid applicator unit through the detection zone to a detection receiving member. The method also includes ejecting a set of warm-up fluid drops through an other set of nozzles to a warm-up receiving member in a manner in which the set of warm-up fluid drops bypasses the detection zone. The method also includes detecting the set of the detection fluid drops ejected into the detection zone.