Abstract: A system and method for the fabrication of a fluid, gas and/or vacuum flow system (10) having a laminate gasket manifold (14) containing a plurality of bi-directional fluid-flow channels (22) therein. Initially, a photoimagable polyimide dry film resist layer (44) is applied to one or more stiffening elements (46) in order to form laminate sub-layers (42). The resist is then patterned to form a plurality of openings therein. Selectively, the laminate sub-layers are etched to form alignment apertures (18) therein. The resist-coated sub-layers (42) are then stacked such that the alignment apertures (18) therein are aligned to each other, respectively, to form bi-directional fluid-flow channels (22). Heat and pressure are then applied to the stack of laminate sub-layers (42) at 70-75 degrees C. in a vacuum laminator for 10 to 30 seconds.

Abstract: A self-cleaning ink jet printer with cleaning mechanism and method of cleaning the ink jet printer. The printer comprises a print head having a surface thereon surrounding a plurality of ink ejection orifices. The orifices are in communication with respective ones of a plurality of ink channels formed in the print head. A solvent delivering canopy is constructed from alternating stacked layers of polyimide and stainless steel sheets with internal geometries, one on top of each other, thus creating internal fluidic passageways. The canopy is connected to a manifold body and has a passageway alignable with the surface. Contaminant residing on the surface is entrained in the solvent when a wiper blade loosens contaminant from the surface. Per an applied vacuum, the canopy vacuums the solvent and entrained contaminant from the surface.

Abstract: A system and method for the fabrication of a fluid, gas and/or vacuum flow system (10) having a laminate gasket manifold (14) containing a plurality of bi-directional fluid-flow channels (22) therein. Initially, a photoimagable polyimide dry film resist layer (44) is applied to one or more stiffening elements (46) in order to form laminate sub-layers (42). The resist is then patterned to form a plurality of openings therein. Selectively, the laminate sub-layers are etched to form alignment apertures (18) therein. The resist-coated sub-layers (42) are then stacked such that the alignment apertures (18) therein are aligned to each other, respectively, to form bi-directional fluid-flow channels (22). Heat and pressure are then applied to the stack of laminate sub-layers (42) at 70-75 degrees C. in a vacuum laminator for 10 to 30 seconds.

Abstract: An improved diaphragm (34, 56) for drop on demand ink jet print heads and method for manufacturing the same. The present diaphragm (34, 56) includes a support element (42, 62) defining at least a portion of a chamber (14) for holding ink, the support element (42, 62) defining an opening (40) adjacent to the chamber (14), and the diaphragm (34, 56) being electroformed on a surface (26) of the support element (42, 62) around the opening (40) at least substantially covering the opening (40) and enclosing the chamber (14). The diaphragm (34, 56) preferably has a central region (48) disposed generally centrally over the opening (40) and a bellows (58) surrounds the central region (48).

Abstract: A system and method for the fabrication of a fluid, gas and/or vacuum flow system (10) having a laminate gasket manifold (14) containing a plurality of bi-directional fluid-flow channels (22) therein. Initially, a photoimagable polyimide dry film resist layer (44) is applied to one or more stiffening elements (46) in order to form laminate sub-layers (42). The resist is then patterned to form a plurality of openings therein. Selectively, the laminate sub-layers are etched to form alignment apertures (18) therein. The resist-coated sub-layers (42) are then stacked such that the alignment apertures (18) therein are aligned to each other, respectively, to form bi-directional fluid-flow channels (22). Heat and pressure are then applied to the stack of laminate sub-layers (42) at 70-75 degrees C. in a vacuum laminator for 10 to 30 seconds.

Abstract: A self-cleaning in ink jet printer (10) with cleaning mechanism (170) and method of cleaning the ink jet printer. The printer (10) comprises a print head (60) having a surface (95) thereon surrounding a plurality of ink ejection orifices (90). The orifices (90) are in communication with respective ones of a plurality of ink channels (70) formed in the print head (60). A canopy (185) is constructed from alternating stacked layers (185a, 185b, 185c, 185d, 185e) of polyimide and stainless steel sheets with internal geometries, one on top of each other thus creating internal fluidic passageways. The solvent delivering canopy (185) is connected to a manifold body (180) and has a passageway (234) alignable with the surface (95). Contaminant residing on the surface is entrained in the solvent when a wiper blade (225) loosens contaminant from the surface (95). The canopy (185) also has a passageway (236) alignable with the surface (95).

Abstract: An inkjet printer nozzle plate having a non-wetting surface of uniform thickness and an orifice wall of tapered contour, and method of making the nozzle plate. In the method a metal masking layer is deposited on a glass substrate, the masking layer having an opening therethrough for passage of light only through the opening. Next, a negative photoresist layer is deposited on the masking layer, the negative photoresist layer being capable of photochemically reacting with the light. A light source passes light through the substrate, so that the light also passes only through the opening in the form of a tapered light cone. This tapered light cone will define the tapered contour of a nozzle plate orifice wall to be formed. The negative photoresist layer photochemically reacts with the light only in the light cone to define a light-exposed region of hardened negative photoresist.

Abstract: A mandrel for forming an inkjet printer nozzle plate having a non-wetting surface of uniform thickness and an orifice wall of tapered contour, and method of making the mandrel. A metal masking layer is deposited on a glass substrate, the masking layer having an opening therethrough for passage of light only through the opening. Next, a negative photoresist layer is deposited on the masking layer, the negative photoresist layer being capable of photochemically reacting with the light. A light source passes light through the substrate, so that the light also passes only through the opening in the form of a tapered light cone. This tapered light cone will define the tapered contour of a nozzle plate orifice wall to be formed. The negative photoresist layer photochemically reacts with the light only in the light cone to define a light-exposed region of hardened negative photoresist.