Abstract: According to one feature of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a porous catcher includes providing a catcher face material layer; forming pores in the catcher face material layer using a first etching process that is controlled by a first photolithographic mask; providing a reinforcing structure material layer that is in mechanical contact with the porous catcher face; forming openings in the reinforcing structure material layer using a second etching process that is controlled by a second photolithographic mask; and fluidically connecting the openings in the reinforcing structure and the pores of the catcher face using a material removal process.

Abstract: A printhead includes a catcher and a negative pressure source. The catcher includes a liquid drop contact structure. The liquid drop contact structure includes a plurality of pores, each of the plurality of pores having a substantially uniform size when compared to each other. The plurality of pores have a critical pressure point above which air can displace liquid from the plurality of pores. The negative pressure source is in fluid communication with the plurality of pores of the liquid contact structure. The negative pressure source includes a pressure regulator to control the negative pressure such that the negative pressure remains below the critical pressure point of the plurality of pores of the liquid drop contact structure.

Abstract: A liquid drop ejector is disclosed including a nozzle structure and a thermal actuator. The nozzle structure includes a nozzle and a wall. The nozzle includes an end and the wall extends from the end of the nozzle. The thermal actuator is associated with at least one of the nozzle and the wall, and is operable to add surface energy to at least one of the nozzle and the wall to cause a directional change in a liquid flowing through the nozzle structure.

Abstract: A liquid ejection device includes a jetting module including an array of nozzles; a thermal stimulation device associated with each nozzle of the array of nozzles; and a controller in electrical communication with each thermal stimulation device. The controller is configured to provide a first activation waveform to each thermal stimulation device and to provide a second activation waveform to each thermal stimulation device to clean the associated nozzle with liquid emitted from the associated nozzle. The second activation waveform has a higher activation component when compared to the first activation waveform.