Abstract: In an example, a surface inspection apparatus includes a light source to illuminate a portion of a surface in a print apparatus, a light detection apparatus and processing circuitry. The light detection apparatus may receive diffusely reflected light and specularly reflected light from the portion of the surface, and may comprise a detection element for detecting the specularly reflected light. The processing circuitry may comprise a comparison module to determine a relationship between an intensity of the detected diffusely reflected light and the detected specularly reflected light and a quality module to evaluate if the surface meets a quality criterion based on the relationship.

Abstract: A print material usage estimation device may comprise a first usage meter to measure a first print material usage associated with print material deposition on a print medium over a specified time period. 5 The print material usage estimation device may further comprise a second usage meter to measure a second print material usage associated with other printer processes over the specified time period. The print material usage estimation device may further comprise a ratio calculator to calculate a ratio between second print material usage and first print material usage over the specified time period. The print 10 material usage estimation device may further comprise an estimator to estimate total print material usage for an instructed print job based on a predetermined first print material usage for the print job and the calculated ratio.

Abstract: In an example, a surface inspection apparatus includes a light source to illuminate a portion of a surface in a print apparatus, a light detection apparatus and processing circuitry. The light detection apparatus may receive diffusely reflected light and specularly reflected light from the portion of the surface, and may comprise a detection element for detecting the specularly reflected light. The processing circuitry may comprise a comparison module to determine a relationship between an intensity of the detected diffusely reflected light and the detected specularly reflected light and a quality module to evaluate if the surface meets a quality criterion based on the relationship.

Abstract: In an example, a printhead-wiping device comprises: a wiper element and a biasing mechanism, the biasing mechanism to bias the wiper element towards a printhead. An actuator may be used to adjust a preload force applied to the biasing mechanism. The preload force applied to the biasing mechanism may be controlled using a controller so as to control a wiping force applied by the wiper element against the printhead.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a printhead having a nozzle to eject liquid and an actuator associated with the nozzle. A controller is provided to activate a recovery sequence including heating the printhead without firing drops in a first phase, activating the actuator to fire 1000 drops or more from the nozzle in a second phase after the first phase, and heating the printhead and applying pressure to expel liquid from the nozzle in a third phase after the second phase.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed. The printer spits printing fluid from nozzles using a spit pattern. The spit pattern is non-uniform along the spit pattern length.

Abstract: In an example, a printhead-wiping device comprises: a wiper element and a biasing mechanism, the biasing mechanism to bias the wiper element towards a printhead. An actuator may be used to adjust a preload force applied to the biasing mechanism. The preload force applied to the biasing mechanism may be controlled using a controller so as to control a wiping force applied by the wiper element against the printhead.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a printhead having a nozzle to eject liquid and an actuator associated with the nozzle.

Abstract: In some examples, a method includes, in response to a fluid firing unit being operated according to a normal printing mode, applying a first voltage to the fluid firing unit to fire the fluid firing unit during a printing operation. The method further includes determining, using a sensor, whether a predetermined condition is met, and in response to determining that the predetermined condition is met, operating the fluid firing unit according to a recovery mode in which a second voltage higher than the first voltage is applied to the fluid firing unit to clean the fluid firing unit.

Abstract: In some examples, a method includes, in response to a fluid firing unit being operated according to a normal printing mode, applying a first voltage to the fluid firing unit to fire the fluid firing unit during a printing operation. The method further includes determining, using a sensor, whether a predetermined condition is met, and in response to determining that the predetermined condition is met, operating the fluid firing unit according to a recovery mode in which a second voltage higher than the first voltage is applied to the fluid firing unit to clean the fluid firing unit.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed. The printer spits printing fluid from nozzles using a spit pattern. The spit pattern is non-uniform along the spit pattern length.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method implemented by a printer to control a fluid firing unit of a printhead, when said printhead is coupled to the printer, to operate according to any one of a normal printing mode and a recovery mode. According to the method, if the fluid firing unit is operated according to the normal printing mode, a first voltage is applied to the fluid firing unit to fire the fluid firing unit during a printing operation; and if the fluid firing unit is operated according to the recovery mode, a second voltage higher than the first voltage is applied to the fluid firing unit to clean the fluid firing unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method implemented by a printer to control a fluid firing unit of a printhead, when said printhead is coupled to the printer, to operate according to any one of a normal printing mode and a recovery mode. According to the method, if the fluid firing unit is operated according to the normal printing mode, a first voltage is applied to the fluid firing unit to fire the fluid firing unit during a printing operation; and if the fluid firing unit is operated according to the recovery mode, a second voltage higher than the first voltage is applied to the fluid firing unit to clean the fluid firing unit.

Abstract: Operation of a printer for printing an image is described herein. It is determined whether ejection of imaging droplets of a print fluid via a set of nozzles for printing an outstanding image portion is sufficient for preventing clogging of the set of nozzles. Upon determining that ejection of imaging droplets for printing the outstanding image portion is sufficient for preventing clogging of the set of nozzles, printing is performed by ejecting only imaging droplets of the print fluid via the set of nozzles. Upon determining that ejection of imaging droplets for printing the outstanding image portion is not sufficient for preventing clogging of the set of nozzles, a servicing procedure is to be executed of to eject purging droplets of the print fluid via the set of nozzles.