Abstract: A pin actuated printhead includes an orifice through which a material is ejected, a chamber to hold the material to be ejected, a channel connecting the chamber to the orifice, and an actuated pin, to enter the orifice and to eject the material from the orifice. The printhead is configured to eject a material with a viscosity of 10,000 cP or more at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator for a printhead. The electrostatic actuator may include a substrate. A dielectric layer may be disposed on the substrate. An electrode layer may be disposed on the dielectric layer. A first standoff layer may be disposed at least partially on the electrode layer. A second standoff layer may be disposed at least partially on the electrode layer and at least partially on the first standoff layer. A portion of the second standoff layer disposed on the electrode layer may be removed to form one or more landing pads. A membrane may be disposed at least partially on the second standoff layer.

Abstract: A printhead including a plurality of actuators, wherein each actuator of the plurality of actuators includes a plurality of drive electrodes, a plurality of diaphragms, and a single nozzle. Each drive electrode is uniquely paired with one of the diaphragms. In an embodiment, the printhead may be configured so that all drive electrodes for a single actuator always activate simultaneously to eject ink from the single nozzle. In another embodiment, the printhead may be configured so that each drive electrode of the plurality of drive electrodes for a single actuator are individually addressable and may be fired independently of the other drive electrodes of the single actuator.

Abstract: Methods and systems of ejecting ink drops from an inkjet printer are disclosed. The methods and systems can include a printhead with one or more tapered nozzles each with an associated taper angle and exit diameter. Ink can be received into the printhead and formed into ink drops in the tapered nozzles. The ink drops can each have an associated drop mass and drop speed. The tapered nozzles can be provided such that the exit diameter can independently dictate the drop mass and the taper angle can independently dictate the drop speed. As such, the complexity of jet design optimization is reduced.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator for a printhead. The electrostatic actuator may include a substrate. A dielectric layer may be disposed on the substrate. An electrode layer may be disposed on the dielectric layer. A first standoff layer may be disposed at least partially on the electrode layer. A second standoff layer may be disposed at least partially on the electrode layer and at least partially on the first standoff layer. A portion of the second standoff layer disposed on the electrode layer may be removed to form one or more landing pads. A membrane may be disposed at least partially on the second standoff layer.

Abstract: A printhead including a plurality of actuators, wherein each actuator of the plurality of actuators includes a plurality of drive electrodes, a plurality of diaphragms, and a single nozzle. Each drive electrode is uniquely paired with one of the diaphragms. In an embodiment, the printhead may be configured so that all drive electrodes for a single actuator always activate simultaneously to eject ink from the single nozzle. In another embodiment, the printhead may be configured so that each drive electrode of the plurality of drive electrodes for a single actuator are individually addressable and may be fired independently of the other drive electrodes of the single actuator.

Abstract: A method for forming an ink jet printhead can include interposing a coverlay between a press plate of a press and an ink jet printhead aperture plate assembly, such that the coverlay physically contacts an anti-wetting coating on a surface of the aperture plate assembly. With the coverlay contacting the anti-wetting coating, a force is applied to the aperture plate assembly using the press. The coverlay is separated from the aperture plate assembly, wherein the coverlay includes a layer having an elastic modulus of at least 0.5 GPa.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead including a thermo-pneumatic actuator array for ejecting ink from an array of nozzles. The actuator array may include the use of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) semiconductor wafer including a device layer, a handle layer, and a dielectric layer that physically separates the device layer from the handle layer to simplify printhead formation. During an exemplary process, the SOI wafer is attached to a heater wafer and a nozzle plate is attached to the dielectric layer such that, during use of the printhead, the device layer functions as an actuator membrane. Deflection of the device layer during use of the printhead creates a pressure within an ink chamber which causes ejection of ink from one of the nozzles of the array of nozzles.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead including a thermo-pneumatic actuator array for ejecting ink from an array of nozzles. The actuator array may include the use of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) semiconductor wafer including a device layer, a handle layer, and a dielectric layer that physically separates the device layer from the handle layer to simplify printhead formation. During an exemplary process, the SOI wafer is attached to a heater wafer and a nozzle plate is attached to the dielectric layer such that, during use of the printhead, the device layer functions as an actuator membrane. Deflection of the device layer during use of the printhead creates a pressure within an ink chamber which causes ejection of ink from one of the nozzles of the array of nozzles.

Abstract: A thermal bubble jetting device including a substrate. A superoleophobic, textured surface is positioned on the substrate. The textured surface comprises one or more gaps configured for holding a gas. A receptacle is positioned in fluid communication with the textured surface. Both an inlet and nozzle are in fluid communication with the receptacle. The device includes a heater mechanism configured to expand a gas in the one or more gaps so as to sufficiently increase pressure in the receptacle to force liquid through the nozzle.

Abstract: A coating for an ink jet printhead front face, wherein the coating comprises an oleophobic anti-wetting coating having high thermal stability and maintaining good contact and sliding angle performance. In particular, the coating comprises fluorinated silicone.

Abstract: A coating for an ink jet printhead front face, wherein the coating comprises an oleophobic anti-wetting coating having high thermal stability and maintaining good contact and sliding angle performance. In particular, the coating comprises fluorinated silicone.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a MEMS inkjet type print head and the resulting device is disclosed. The method includes providing a driver component and separately providing an actuatable membrane component, the actuatable membrane component being formed in the absence of an acid etch removing a sacrificial layer. The separately provided actuatable membrane component is bonded to the driver component and a nozzle plate is attached to the actuatable membrane component subsequent to the bonding. Separately fabricating the components removes the need for hydrofluoric acid etch removal of a sacrifical layer previously required for forming the actuatable membrane with respect to the driver component.

Abstract: In an inkjet printer, a low surface energy material is applied to a printhead face and a drip bib during a printhead maintenance operation. The low surface energy material forms a thin layer on the printhead face and drip bib to resist adhesion of ink to the printhead. The low surface energy material can be a layer of silicone oil.

Abstract: Methods and systems of ejecting ink drops from an inkjet printer are disclosed. The methods and systems can include a printhead with one or more stepped nozzles each with an associated entrance diameter and exit diameter. Ink can be received into the printhead and formed into ink drops in the stepped nozzles. The ink drops can each have an associated drop mass and drop speed. The stepped nozzles can be provided such that the exit diameter can independently dictate the drop mass and the entrance diameter can independently dictate the drop speed. As such, the complexity of jet design optimization is reduced.

Abstract: A thermal bubble jetting device including a substrate. A superoleophobic, textured surface is positioned on the substrate. The textured surface comprises one or more gaps configured for holding a gas. A receptacle is positioned in fluid communication with the textured surface. Both an inlet and nozzle are in fluid communication with the receptacle. The device includes a heater mechanism configured to expand a gas in the one or more gaps so as to sufficiently increase pressure in the receptacle to force liquid through the nozzle.

Abstract: Actuator ink chamber systems and methods of making the same and ink jet printheads. The actuator ink chamber systems and ink jet print heads having an ink chamber with a low-adhesion coating applied on at least one portion of the inner surface of the ink chamber to reduce or eliminate actuator membrane damage during ink freeze/thaw cycles.

Abstract: In an inkjet printer, a low surface energy material is applied to a printhead face and a drip bib during a printhead maintenance operation. The low surface energy material forms a thin layer on the printhead face and drip bib to resist adhesion of ink to the printhead. The low surface energy material can be a layer of silicone oil.

Abstract: An ink jet print head includes an ink chamber defined by an electrostatically actuated membrane and a nozzle plate opposing the membrane. The nozzle plate includes a nozzle hole and a group of priming holes, the priming holes configured to maintain a substantially ink free surface on the nozzle plate during a freeze thaw cycle of ink in the ink chamber. A method for accommodating expansion and contraction of ink during a freeze thaw cycle of ink in an ink chamber is also provided. The method includes providing a group of priming holes in a nozzle plate of the ink chamber, the group of priming holes maintaining a substantially ink free surface on the nozzle plate during the freeze thaw cycle.

Abstract: An aperture plate for a print head of a printer can include a first layer having a first emissivity which is covered by a second layer having a second emissivity which is less than the first emissivity. In an embodiment, the second layer can be etched at nozzle locations to form openings in the second layer which have widths/areas greater than widths/areas of nozzles formed in the first layer. In another embodiment, the second layer can have a smaller thickness at the nozzle locations and a larger thickness away from the nozzle locations. Forming the openings in the second layer which are larger than the nozzles, or forming the second layer thinner at the nozzle locations prior to forming the nozzles, can provide a well-formed nozzle and an aperture plate having a low emissivity.