Abstract: A three dimensional printer includes a printhead, a movement mechanism coupled to the printhead, a maintenance module, and a controller. The printhead includes an ejection face with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting droplets of printing fluid. The maintenance module includes a maintenance tray and an effluent tray. The maintenance tray has a lateral periphery and an upper side including a storage cap, a wiper, and a spittoon. The effluent tray has a lateral periphery, underlies the maintenance tray, and receives accumulated fluid from the maintenance tray. The periphery of the maintenance tray and the periphery of the effluent tray interengage when the maintenance tray is removably mounted over the effluent tray. The controller is configured to operate the printhead, the maintenance module, and the movement mechanism to provide printing and printhead maintenance.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system includes a printhead having an ejection face with nozzles for ejecting different printing fluids, a movement mechanism coupled to the printhead, a fluid supply coupled to the printhead, a maintenance module, and a controller. The maintenance module includes a purge platform, a wiper, and a spittoon. The controller is configured to: (a) receive a new print job; (b) activate the movement mechanism to position the ejection face over the purge platform; (c) activate the fluid supply to at least partially fill a space between the ejection face and the purge platform with fluid; (d) activate the movement mechanism to translate the ejection face over the wiper to remove excess fluid; (e) activate the movement mechanism to position the ejection face over the spittoon; (f) activate the plurality of nozzles to eject drops into the spittoon until the received mixture is expelled from the nozzles.

Abstract: A three dimensional printer includes a printhead, a movement mechanism coupled to the printhead, a maintenance module, and a controller. The printhead includes an ejection face with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting droplets of printing fluid. The maintenance module includes a maintenance tray and an effluent tray. The maintenance tray has a lateral periphery and an upper side including a storage cap, a wiper, and a spittoon. The effluent tray has a lateral periphery, underlies the maintenance tray, and receives accumulated fluid from the maintenance tray. The periphery of the maintenance tray and the periphery of the effluent tray interengage when the maintenance tray is removably mounted over the effluent tray. The controller is configured to operate the printhead, the maintenance module, and the movement mechanism to provide printing and printhead maintenance.