Abstract: In one aspect, the invention features assemblies for depositing droplets on a substrate during relative motion of the assembly and the substrate along a process direction. The assemblies include a first printhead module and a second printhead module contacting the first printhead module, each of the printhead modules including a surface that includes an array of nozzles through which the printhead modules can eject fluid droplets, wherein each nozzle in the first printhead module's nozzle array is offset with respect to a corresponding nozzle in the second printhead module's nozzle array in a direction orthogonal to the process direction.

Abstract: Ink jet printheads and printhead components are described.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical systems with structures having piezoelectric actuators are described. The structures each have a body that supports piezoelectric islands. The piezoelectric islands have a first surface and a second opposite surface. The piezoelectric islands can be formed, in part, by forming cuts into a thick layer of piezoelectric material, attaching the cut piezoelectric layer to a body having etched features and grinding the piezoelectric layer to a thickness that is less than the depths of the cuts. Conductive material can be formed on the piezoelectric layer to form electrodes.

Abstract: A printhead assembly including one or more nozzles is described that can include a droplet ejection module. In one embodiment, the droplet ejection module includes a liquid supply assembly, a housing and a droplet ejection body. The liquid supply assembly includes a self-contained liquid reservoir and a liquid outlet. The housing is configured to permanently connect to the liquid supply assembly and includes a liquid channel configured to receive a liquid from the liquid outlet of the liquid supply assembly and to deliver the liquid to a droplet ejection body. The droplet ejection body is permanently connected to the housing and includes one or more liquid inlets configured to receive liquid from the housing and one or more nozzles configured to selectively eject droplets.

Abstract: A fluid drop delivery device is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of nozzle openings from which fluid is ejected and a waste control aperture.

Abstract: A fluid drop delivery device is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of nozzle openings from which fluid is ejected and a waste control aperture.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a printhead assembly is described that can allow dynamic nozzle and drop placement adjustment in one or more directions.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical systems with structures having piezoelectric actuators are described. The structures each have a body that supports piezoelectric islands. The piezoelectric islands have a first surface and a second opposite surface. The piezoelectric islands can be formed, in part, by forming cuts into a thick layer of piezoelectric material, attaching the cut piezoelectric layer to a body having etched features and grinding the piezoelectric layer to a thickness that is less than the depths of the cuts. Conductive material can be formed on the piezoelectric layer to form electrodes.

Abstract: A flexible circuit for use within a printhead assembly and to connect a printhead body to an external circuit includes a substantially planar portion having one or more layers of conductive material and having a top surface substantially parallel to a top surface of the printhead body. One or more integrated circuits can be mounted onto the planar portion. Multiple leads extend from each integrated circuit, the leads electrically connected to the printhead body. One or more arms are attached to, and substantially perpendicular to, the planar portion, each arm including one or more external connectors configured to connect to the external circuit.

Abstract: A flexible circuit for use within a printhead assembly and to connect a printhead body to an external circuit includes a substantially planar portion having one or more layers of conductive material and having a top surface substantially parallel to a top surface of the printhead body. One or more integrated circuits can be mounted onto the planar portion. Multiple leads extend from each integrated circuit, the leads electrically connected to the printhead body. One or more arms are attached to, and substantially perpendicular to, the planar portion, each arm including one or more external connectors configured to connect to the external circuit.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention features assemblies for depositing droplets on a substrate during relative motion of the assembly and the substrate along a process direction. The assemblies include a first printhead module and a second printhead module contacting the first printhead module, each of the printhead modules including a surface that includes an array of nozzles through which the printhead modules can eject fluid droplets, wherein each nozzle in the first printhead module's nozzle array is offset with respect to a corresponding nozzle in the second printhead module's nozzle array in a direction orthogonal to the process direction.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical systems with structures having piezoelectric actuators are described. The structures each have a body that supports piezoelectric islands. The piezoelectric islands have a first surface and a second opposite surface. The piezoelectric islands can be formed, in part, by forming cuts into a thick layer of piezoelectric material, attaching the cut piezoelectric layer to a body having etched features and grinding the piezoelectric layer to a thickness that is less than the depths of the cuts. Conductive material can be formed on the piezoelectric layer to form electrodes.

Abstract: An ink recirculation assembly includes a main ink inlet configured to receive ink from an ink source, a main ink outlet configured to direct ink toward an ink source, and a channel extending from the main ink inlet to the main ink outlet. The channel includes an inlet portion and an outlet portion. A pressure differential is formed across the inlet and outlet portions, for example, by a constrictor separating said portions. The inlet portion is configured to move ink from the main ink inlet to openings formed in the inlet portion, said openings configured to direct ink toward ink inlet channels for each of multiple printhead modules. An outlet portion is configured to move ink away from openings formed in the outlet portion toward the main ink outlet, said openings configured to receive ink from ink outlet channels for each of the multiple printhead modules.

Abstract: A mounting assembly is described for mounting and housing printhead modules. The mounting assembly includes a lower plate, an upper plate and multiple mounting blocks. The lower plate can include openings configured to expose a surface of a printhead module housed within the mounting assembly, the surface including multiple ink nozzle openings. Each opening can include alignment datums to align the printhead module in a first direction and in a second direction. The upper plate is approximately parallel to the lower plate, and can include multiple openings configured to provide access to ink channels formed in printhead modules housed within the mounting assembly. The mounting blocks are positioned between and affixed to the lower and upper plates, and are configured to couple to a printhead module. Each mounting block can include a datum to align the printhead module in a third direction.

Abstract: Techniques for printing charged droplets are described herein.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a printhead assembly is described that can allow dynamic nozzle and drop placement adjustment in one or more directions.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical systems with structures having piezoelectric actuators are described. The structures each have a body that supports piezoelectric islands. The piezoelectric islands have a first surface and a second opposite surface. The piezoelectric islands can be formed, in part, by forming cuts into a thick layer of piezoelectric material, attaching the cut piezoelectric layer to a body having etched features and grinding the piezoelectric layer to a thickness that is less than the depths of the cuts. Conductive material can be formed on the piezoelectric layer to form electrodes.

Abstract: A fluid ejector having a first surface, a second surface, and an orifice that allows fluid in contact with the second surface to be ejected. The fluid ejector has a non-wetting layer exposed on at least a first surface of the fluid ejector, and a overcoat layer exposed on a second surface, the overcoat layer being more wetting than the non-wetting layer. Fabrication of this apparatus can include depositing a non-wetting layer on the first and second surfaces, masking the first surface, optionally removing the non-wetting layer from the second surface, and depositing an overcoat layer on the second surface.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical systems with structures having piezoelectric actuators are described. The structures each have a body that supports piezoelectric islands. The piezoelectric islands have a first surface and a second opposite surface. The piezoelectric islands can be formed, in part, by forming cuts into a thick layer of piezoelectric material, attaching the cut piezoelectric layer to a body having etched features and grinding the piezoelectric layer to a thickness that is less than the depths of the cuts. Conductive material can be formed on the piezoelectric layer to form electrodes.

Abstract: A printhead having a monolithic semiconductor body with an upper face and a lower face. The body defines a fluid path including a pumping chamber, a nozzle flow path, and a nozzle opening. The nozzle opening is defined in the lower face of the body and the nozzle flow path includes an accelerator region. A piezoelectric actuator is associated with the pumping chamber. The actuator includes a piezoelectric layer having a thickness of about 50 micron or less.