Abstract: A printer is provided having a printhead assembly having a carrier frame, a pagewidth printhead with a corresponding pagewidth print zone defined by a plane adjacent the printhead assembly mounted at a base of the carrier frame, an approach guide mounted to the carrier frame on a first side of the printhead and an exit guide mounted to the carrier frame on a second side of the printhead, and a feed mechanism for continuously feeding a web of print media through the print zone. The web is unsupported in the print zone and is guided therethrough by the guides. The approach guide curves about the carrier frame base to terminate upstream with a leading angular edge abutting with the web such that the natural path of the web is deflected downwards and around the approach guide, and the exit guide curves about the carrier frame base to terminate downstream.

Abstract: A feed mechanism for a wide format printer is provided having a supply spool for supplying media web to a printhead, a take-up spool for receiving the web after printing, a take-up motor connected to the take-up spool, a take-up control system for controlling the take-up motor torque, a drive roller system positioned between the supply and take-up spools, a drive motor connected to the drive roller system, and a braking motor connected to the supply spool for generating tension in the web between the supply spool and the drive roller system. The take-up, drive and braking motors are separate motors and are separately connected to the take-up spool, drive roller system and supply spool, respectively. The web fed from the drive roller system to the take-up spool is maintained under substantially constant tension by regulating the torque of the take-up motor using the take-up control system.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an apertured polymeric film. The method comprising the steps of: (a) masking a polymeric film with a first mask having first laser transmission zones defined therein; (b) laser-ablating first apertures through the polymeric film using the first mask; (c) masking the film with a second mask having second laser transmission zones defined therein, each second zone being aligned with a corresponding first aperture, and each second zone having greater perimeter dimensions than the corresponding first aperture; and (d) reaming the first apertures by laser-ablating the polymeric film using the second mask, the reamed first apertures defining second apertures in the film.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a film used in attaching a printhead integrated circuit to an ink supply manifold is disclosed. An adhesive polymeric film having a protective liner is provided. Photoresist is then deposited onto the protective liner, and the photoresist is photopatterned. Ink supply holes are etched through the adhesive polymeric film and the protective liner, with the photoresist acting as a mask for the etching. Finally, the protective liner including the photoresist is removed from the adhesive polymeric film after the etching step is complete.

Abstract: A printer is provided having a printhead assembly having a carrier frame, a pagewidth printhead with a corresponding pagewidth print zone defined by a plane adjacent the printhead assembly mounted at a base of the carrier frame, an approach guide mounted to the carrier frame on a first side of the printhead and an exit guide mounted to the carrier frame on a second side of the printhead, and a feed mechanism for continuously feeding a web of print media through the print zone. The web is unsupported in the print zone and is guided therethrough by the guides. The approach guide curves about the carrier frame base to terminate upstream with a leading angular edge abutting with the web such that the natural path of the web is deflected downwards and around the approach guide, and the exit guide curves about the carrier frame base to terminate downstream.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a film for attachment of one or more printhead integrated circuits to an ink supply manifold is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing an adhesive polymeric film having a protective liner; (b) depositing photoresist onto the protective liner; (c) photopatterning the photoresist to define a plurality of openings positioned for etching supply holes through the film; (d) etching the plurality of ink supply holes through the film, the photoresist acting as a mask for the etch; and (e) removing the protective liner having the photoresist deposited thereon.

Abstract: A feed mechanism for a wide format printer is provided having a supply spool for supplying media web to a printhead, a take-up spool for receiving the web after printing, a take-up motor connected to the take-up spool, a take-up control system for controlling the take-up motor torque, a drive roller system positioned between the supply and take-up spools, a drive motor connected to the drive roller system, and a braking motor connected to the supply spool for generating tension in the web between the supply spool and the drive roller system. The take-up, drive and braking motors are separate motors and are separately connected to the take-up spool, drive roller system and supply spool, respectively. The web fed from the drive roller system to the take-up spool is maintained under substantially constant tension by regulating the torque of the take-up motor using the take-up control system.

Abstract: A wide format printer having an alternative print zone arrangement is provided. The printer comprises a printhead having a corresponding print zone, the print zone being defined by a plane adjacent the printhead, and a feed mechanism for continuously feeding a web of print media through the print zone. The printer is characterized in that the web is unsupported in the print zone, which obviates the need for a platen and advantageously maintains a constant distance between the printhead and the web.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an apertured polymeric film. The method comprising the steps of: (a) masking a polymeric film with a first mask having first laser transmission zones defined therein; (b) laser-ablating first apertures through the polymeric film using the first mask; (c) masking the film with a second mask having second laser transmission zones defined therein, each second zone being aligned with a corresponding first aperture, and each second zone having greater perimeter dimensions than the corresponding first aperture; and (d) reaming the first apertures by laser-ablating the polymeric film using the second mask, the reamed first apertures defining second apertures in the film.

Abstract: A spool for a printer comprising: a spindle for receiving an outer shaft supporting a roll of print media, wherein the spindle includes a first end and a second end; resiliently deformable first and second gripping rings circumferentially mounted about the first and second ends of the spindle respectively; a first member which is releasably engagable with a first end of the spindle; a second member located at the second end of the spindle and operably connected to the second gripping ring. Releasable engagement of the first member with the spindle axially compresses the first gripping ring whilst urging the outer shaft against the second member thereby axially compressing the second gripping ring. Axial compression of the first and second gripping rings causes radial expansion thereof, thereby urging the first and second gripping ring into gripping engagement with the outer shaft received on the spindle.

Abstract: A spool, such as supply for a wide-format printer, is provided. The spool comprises a spindle for slidingly receiving an outer shaft, which is typically the core of a roll of print media. A first resiliently deformable gripping ring is circumferentially mounted about the spindle, and a compression mechanism is provided for axially compressing the gripping ring. The axial compression causes radial expansion of the gripping ring, thereby urging the gripping ring into gripping engagement with the outer shaft received on the spindle.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a film for attachment of one or more printhead integrated circuits to an ink supply manifold is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing an adhesive polymeric film having a protective liner; (b) depositing photoresist onto the protective liner; (c) photopatterning the photoresist to define a plurality of openings positioned for etching supply holes through the film; (d) etching the plurality of ink supply holes through the film, the photoresist acting as a mask for the etch; and (e) removing the protective liner having the photoresist deposited thereon.

Abstract: A wide format printer having an alternative print zone arrangement is provided. The printer comprises a printhead having a corresponding print zone, the print zone being defined by a plane adjacent the printhead, and a feed mechanism for continuously feeding a web of print media through the print zone. The printer is characterized in that the web is unsupported in the print zone, which obviates the need for a platen and advantageously maintains a constant distance between the printhead and the web.

Abstract: A method of printing is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (i) feeding a web of print media from a supply spool to a radially expanded take-up spool, whilst simultaneously printing onto the print media, thereby providing a printed roll of print media wound onto the radially expanded take-up spool; (ii) radially contracting the take-up spool once printing is completed; and (iii) removing the printed roll of print media from the radially contracted take-up spool.

Abstract: A take-up spool for a wide format printer is provided. The spool comprises a radially expandable shaft and at least one expander releasably engageable with the shaft. Engagement of the expander with the shaft radially expands at least part of the shaft. Expansion and contraction of the shaft facilitates removal of a web of print media wound onto the shaft.

Abstract: A spool, such as supply for a wide-format printer, is provided. The spool comprises a spindle for slidingly receiving an outer shaft, which is typically the core of a roll of print media. A first resiliently deformable gripping ring is circumferentially mounted about the spindle, and a compression mechanism is provided for axially compressing the gripping ring. The axial compression causes radial expansion of the gripping ring, thereby urging the gripping ring into gripping engagement with the outer shaft received on the spindle.

Abstract: A printhead assembly for a wide format printer is provided. The printhead assembly comprises a printhead carrier, a printhead mounted on the carrier, and a guide. The printhead has an associated print zone defined by a plane adjacent the printhead and the guide is configured to guide a web through the print zone. The printhead assembly advantageously obviates the need for a platen in a wide format printer and is adapted to maintain a constant predetermined distance between the printhead and the web. A wide format printer comprising the printhead assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A feed mechanism for feeding a web of print media past a printhead is provided. The feed mechanism comprises a supply spool, a take-up spool, a take-up motor operatively connected to the take-up spool, a take-up control system for controlling the torque of the take-up motor, a drive roller system positioned between the supply spool and the take-up spool and a drive motor operatively connected to the drive roller system. In use, a web fed from the drive roller system to the take-up spool is maintained under substantially constant tension by regulating the torque of the take-up motor using the take-up control system. A wide format printer comprising the feed mechanism is also provided.

Abstract: A wide format printer having a web path adapted for high speed printing is provided. The printer comprises a printhead assembly, the printhead assembly comprising a printhead mounted at the base of a printhead carrier, and a feed mechanism for continuously feeding a web of print media past the printhead. The printhead assembly is positioned in the path of the web such that, in use, the web is tensioned around the printhead assembly. This arrangement is advantageous for achieving high speed pagewidth printing, whilst controlling the distance between the printhead and the web using surface features on the printhead assembly.