Abstract: A system and method of aligning a charge tunnel of a continuous inkjet printer with a drop generator and a catcher, wherein the charge tunnel passes through an outer wall of a charge tunnel unit, including adjusting a linear position of the charge tunnel unit, and adjusting a rotary position of the charge tunnel unit. The adjusting steps are performed to ensure that the charge tunnel is aligned with the drop generator and the catcher.

Abstract: According to certain aspects of an embodiment of the present invention, a deflection electrode assembly is provided for use in a continuous ink jet printer of the type which projects a stream of ink drops toward a substrate and controls placement of the ink drops on the substrate by selectively charging the individual ink drops and passing the charged ink drops through an electric (deflection) field created by the deflection electrode assembly. The deflection electrode assembly includes a high voltage deflection electrode and a low voltage deflection electrode positioned on opposite sides of the ink drop stream. A dielectric insulating member is mounted on at least one of the deflection electrodes. The insulating member include a longitudinal opening which exposes the deflection electrode along the path of the ink jet stream, thereby virtually eliminating the tendency for accumulated ink to decrease the strength of the deflection field.

Abstract: An continuous ink jet printer projects a stream of evenly spaced ink drops toward a substrate and controls placement of the ink drops on the substrate by selectively charging the individual ink drops and passing the charged ink drops through an electric field to control placement of said charged ink drops on a substrate. The printer may be used to print either single or multiple lines of print in a single stroke. A stroke consists of a single column from all lines and can have adjacent drops printed in alternating lines to reduce drop interaction. Each line of print in the stroke having N virtual print positions, at least some of which are being divided into pairs of adjacent positions. Each pair of adjacent positions has a first print position and a second print position. The printer includes a controller having a plurality of first and second look-up tables, each of which is associated with a different one of said pairs of adjacent print positions.

Abstract: According to certain aspects of an embodiment of the present invention, a deflection electrode assembly is provided for use in a continuous ink jet printer of the type which projects a stream of ink drops toward a substrate and controls placement of the ink drops on the substrate by selectively charging the individual ink drops and passing the charged ink drops through an electric (deflection) field created by the deflection electrode assembly. The deflection electrode assembly includes a high voltage deflection electrode and a low voltage deflection electrode positioned on opposite sides of the ink drop stream. A dielectric insulating member is mounted on at least one of the deflection electrodes. The insulating member include a longitudinal opening which exposes the deflection electrode along the path of the ink jet stream, thereby virtually eliminating the tendency for accumulated ink to decrease the strength of the deflection field.

Abstract: An continuous ink jet printer projects a stream of evenly spaced ink drops toward a substrate and controls placement of the ink drops on the substrate by selectively charging the individual ink drops and passing the charged ink drops through an electric field to control placement of said charged ink drops on a substrate. The printer may be used to print either single or multiple lines of print in a single stroke. A stroke consists of a single column from all lines and can have adjacent drops printed in alternating lines to reduce drop interaction. Each line of print in the stroke having N virtual print positions, at least some of which are being divided into pairs of adjacent positions. Each pair of adjacent positions has a first print position and a second print position. The printer includes a controller having a plurality of first and second look-up tables, each of which is associated with a different one of said pairs of adjacent print positions.

Abstract: A stroke based method for printing for use in a continuous ink jet printer. A set number of drops are assigned to a stroke, but the number of positions which can be printed on a stroke is greater than the number of drops on the stroke. This allows improved fonts at the same print speed.

Abstract: A temperature control unit is incorporated directly into the printhead of an ink jet printing system to provide temperature control. The temperature control system includes a heat pump assembly consisting of at least one thermoelectric device, coupled to a heat exchanger through which the ink flows. The thermoelectric device conveys heat to or from the heat exchanger carrying the ink depending upon actual ink temperature versus a desired temperature. If the ink is too hot, excess heat is dumped to a heat exchanger (or second heat exchanger) which may be air or liquid cooled. In the event that the ink is too cool, the electrical current to the TED is reversed and heat is pumped to the ink from the heat exchangers.

Abstract: Ink jet printers used for printing large characters employ a separate solenoid valve for each drop stream which forms part of a printhead matrix. By optimizing the frequency response of the nozzle/valve sub system (primarily the connecting tubing), higher operating frequencies can be obtained. It has been found that a ratio of six to one between subsystem resonant frequency and operating frequency provides greatly improved printing.