Abstract: A wide format printer that has an ink supply, a feed line coupled to the ink supply, a return line coupled to the ink supply, a plurality of printheads collectively spanning a paper path more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide, the printheads each fluidically coupled to the feed and the return lines, a bypass line coupling the first conduit to the return line and, a pumping system configured to initially prime ink through the feed line, the return line, and the bypass line before priming each of the printheads.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has an ink supply, an accumulator reservoir, a valve coupling the accumulator reservoir to the ink supply, the valve being configured to open when the ink level in the accumulator reservoir reaches a lower limit of a predetermined ink level range, and close when the ink level in the accumulator reservoir reaches an upper limit of the ink level range and, a plurality of printheads collectively spanning a paper path more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide, each of the printheads being in fluid communication with the accumulator reservoir and each of the printheads having nozzles for ejecting ink onto media. During printing, the accumulator reservoir is fixed relative to the printheads such that hydrostatic ink pressure at the nozzles is generated by the elevation of the ink level in the accumulator reservoir relative to the elevation of the of the nozzles.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system that has a vacuum platen assembly, a printhead assembly spaced from the vacuum platen assembly and a media encoder embedded within the vacuum platen assembly.

Abstract: A printing system that has a drive roller for feeding different sizes of media along a media path, an inkjet printhead assembly for printing the media and an ink aerosol collection system for removing ink aerosol from areas adjacent the media path. The ink aerosol collection system is configured to remove aerosol at a greater rate in response to an increase in the media size.

Abstract: A printing system that has a printhead assembly for printing media fed along a media path and a plurality of service modules for the printhead assembly. Each of the service modules is configured to operate in a plurality of different modes and each of the service modules are independently operable.

Abstract: A printing system that has a print zone, a media path extending through the print zone along a paper axis, a printhead carriage with a plurality of printhead mounting sites for mounting a plurality of printhead modules adjacent the print zone such that the printhead modules collectively span the media path, the printhead carriage having a long side extending transverse to the paper axis, the long side having access formations for ink conduits and a plurality of interfaces for connection to the ink conduits to supply ink to each of the printhead modules respectively. All ink for the plurality of printhead modules is supplied by ink conduits extending through the access formations on said long side of the printhead carriage.

Abstract: A printing system with an ink supply, a feed line coupled to the ink supply, a return line coupled to the ink supply, a plurality of printheads each fluidically coupled to the first and return lines and a bypass line coupling the feed line to the return line.

Abstract: A printing system that has a printhead assembly, a vacuum platen assembly opposite the printhead assembly, a media path between the printhead assembly and the vacuum platen, a drive roller for moving media along the media path, a vacuum belt assembly to move the media away from the vacuum platen assembly and a scanner adjacent the vacuum belt to capture information from the media for feedback control of the printhead assembly.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has a media feed assembly for feeding different sizes of media along a media path having a width from 914 mm (36 inches) to 1372 mm (54 inches), a printhead assembly positioned on a first side of the media path and spanning the width of the media path, an aerosol collection duct with an opening on the first side of the media path and a spittoon system positioned on a second side of the media path opposing the first side. The printhead assembly is configured to eject non-printing ink drops from any section not required to print media that is less than the maximum width, and the spittoon system is configured to collect the non-printing ink drops.

Abstract: A printing system that has a media transport system configured to transport media of differing dimensions along a media path, a printhead assembly for printing media transported along the media path, the media path having differing widths depending on the dimensions of the media and, a plurality of service modules for the printhead assembly. Each of the service modules is configured to operate in a plurality of different modes. During use, the media path extends between the printhead assembly and at least some of the service modules configured to operate in one of the modes while any of the service modules beyond the media path operate in another of the modes.

Abstract: An inkjet printer that has a print zone, a media path extending through the print zone along a paper axis, a printhead carriage with a plurality of printhead mounting sites for mounting a plurality of printhead modules adjacent the print zone such that the printhead modules collectively span the media path and a plurality of interfaces for supplying ink to, and receiving ink from each of the printhead modules respectively.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has a drive roller for feeding different sizes of media along a media path at least 432 mm (17 inches) wide, an inkjet printhead assembly for printing the media and an ink aerosol collection system for removing ink aerosol from areas adjacent the media path. The ink aerosol collection system is configured to remove aerosol at a greater rate in response to an increase in the media size.

Abstract: A printing system that has an inkjet printhead assembly for printing media fed along a media path, and an aerosol collection system for collecting ink aerosol generated by the printhead assembly. The printhead assembly is positioned on a first side of the media path and the aerosol collection system has a first aerosol collection opening positioned on the first side of the media path and a second aerosol collection opening positioned on a second side of the media path.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has a printhead assembly with nozzles for ejecting ink onto media fed along a media path more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide, a plurality of ink containers, a plurality accumulator reservoirs, each having an inlet for connection to one of the ink containers, an outlet for connection to the printhead assembly and a fluid level regulator for maintaining fluid levels in the reservoir within a controlled fluid level range. During use, the plurality of ink accumulator reservoirs are mounted at a fixed elevation relative to the nozzles such that hydrostatic fluid pressure at the nozzles is maintained within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A printing system that has an ink supply, a feed line coupled to the ink supply, a return line coupled to the ink supply, a plurality of printheads each fluidically coupled to the feed and the return lines via separate couplings. Each of the printheads receives ink from both the feed and the return lines.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has a print zone, a media path extending through the print zone along a paper axis, the media path being more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide, a printhead carriage for mounting a plurality of printhead modules adjacent the print zone such that the printhead modules collectively span the media path and are staggered with respect to the paper axis. The printhead modules each have nozzles arranged in parallel rows and a plurality of datum features for holding the printhead carriage such that the parallel rows extend normal to the paper feed axis.

Abstract: A printing system that has an ink supply, a feed line coupled to the ink supply, a return line coupled to the ink supply, a plurality of printheads each coupled to the feed line and the return line and a pumping system configured to generate fluid flow from the feed line to the return line via the printheads to prime the printheads.

Abstract: A printing system that has a printhead assembly, a drive roller for feeding media along a media path and a vacuum platen assembly configured for movement relative to the fixed printhead assembly.

Abstract: A printing system with a printhead assembly with nozzles for ejecting ink, a plurality of ink containers, a accumulator reservoirs each having an inlet for connection to one of the ink containers, an outlet for connection to the printhead assembly and a fluid level regulator for maintaining fluid levels in the reservoir within a controlled fluid level range. The ink accumulator reservoirs are mounted at a fixed elevation relative to the nozzles such that hydrostatic fluid pressure at the nozzles is maintained within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has a printhead assembly, a vacuum platen assembly opposite the printhead assembly, a media path between the printhead assembly and the vacuum platen, a drive roller for moving media along the media path, a vacuum belt assembly to move the media away from the vacuum platen assembly and a scanner adjacent the vacuum belt to capture information from the media for feedback control of the printhead assembly. The media path is more than 432 mm (17 inches wide).