Abstract: The invention relates to a system for positioning at least one spacer in a longitudinal pipe having an outer duct and an inner duct mounted in said outer duct, the system including a bracing module configured to maintain a pipe longitudinally along an axis while maintaining positioning clearance between the inner duct and the outer duct, and an insertion module having a pusher member, guided longitudinally along said axis, that is configured to move at least one spacer in the positioning clearance of the longitudinal pipe.

Abstract: Cool-down time is menimized by the use of a cooler having integral fins of high surface area, and the use of high-efficiency fans. Heat-up time is minimized by the low mass of the cooler, and the prevention of transmission of heat to the housing.

Abstract: A method for making functionally gradient coatings by 3D printing based on electrostatic spinning and electrostatic spraying is disclosed, which uses a hybrid 3D printing system based on electrostatic spinning and electrostatic spraying including: a first injection pump, a second injection pump, a first nozzle, a second nozzle, a high voltage power supply, a core rod collector, a controller, a motor and a speed-adjusting unit. The first injection pump, the first nozzle, the high voltage power supply, the core rod collector and the controller constitute an electrostatic spinning subsystem. The second injection pump, the second nozzle, the high voltage power supply, the core rod collector and the controller constitute an electrostatic spraying subsystem. The electrostatic spinning subsystem is controlled by the controller to generate a first material coating, and the electrostatic spraying subsystem is controlled by the controller to generate a second material coating.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer uses a mechanical system to adjust a vertical height of a platform that supports a substrate for formation of a three-dimensional object in the printer. The mechanical system includes a Geneva mechanism operated by a rack and pinion arrangement to drive differential screws and adjust a vertical distance between the platform and a printhead in the printer.

Abstract: A 3-D printing apparatus includes a frame, a tank, an automatic-filling module and a control unit. The tank is disposed in the frame and contains a liquid-forming material. The automatic-filling module includes a sensing unit, a reservoir, a filling pipe and a pressuring unit. The sensing unit detects a liquid level of the tank. The reservoir stores the liquid-forming material. The filling pipe connects to the reservoir and includes an outlet. A maximum liquid level of the liquid-forming material in the reservoir is lower than or equal to a level of the outlet. A gap exists between the outlet and a top edge of the tank. The pressuring unit provides a positive pressure to the reservoir so that the liquid-forming material in the reservoir flows to the tank. The control unit determines whether the pressuring unit provides the positive pressure to the reservoir according to the liquid level.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of at least one component of a field device for determining or monitoring a process variable, wherein the field device is applied in automation technology and is manufactured from at least one material.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a composite part. The method comprises positioning a prepreg material relative to a composite forming tool. The composite forming tool comprises a frame associated with a shaping system, a base comprising at least one mold, and the shaping system associated with the frame and configured to move relative to the frame, the base, and the prepreg material. The method also lowers the shaping system of the composite forming tool towards the prepreg material. The method applies pressure to the prepreg material with a centerline presser of the shaping system. The method also applies a force to the prepreg material using a number of compliant elongate members of the shaping system to uniformly apply the prepreg material to the at least one mold of the base of the composite forming tool.

Abstract: A method of preparing an anisotropic polymer film using an electric field generator. The method of preparing an electric field generator comprising supplying an electric field across an electric field application zone, where the electric field is generated by a first electrode having a first charge and a second electrode having a charge opposite of the first, passing a polymer film that optionally includes dispersed particles through the electric field application zone, where the polymer film contacts the first electrode to induce orientation, and freezing the polymer film to lock the orientation before the polymer film exits the electric field application zone.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite article may include attaching a polymer element to a tool. The polymer element may be pre-stretched prior to attachment to the tool. The method may further include annealing the polymer element at a predetermined temperature while constraining a length of the polymer element using the tool. In addition, the method may include curing or solidifying resin associated with the polymer element. The annealing step may be performed prior to the curing or solidifying step. Alternatively, the annealing step may be performed concurrently with the curing or solidifying step.

Abstract: A method of repairing a core stiffened structure can include removing a damaged portion of the core stiffened structure; creating a cutout in a portion of a repair core member; fitting the repair core member onto an existing core member such that the cutout mates with a portion of the existing core member; bonding the repair core member to the existing core member; and placing a skin patch over the repair core member.

Abstract: A compactor system for use on board marine vessels and offshore installation. The compactor has a cart with bottom and side members capable of withstanding a compaction force. The upper rim of the cart has a lip. The system has a compaction unit formed of a movable upper frame with a shoulder and a lower fixed frame. During waste compaction, the moveable upper frame moves in an upward direction to a point where the shoulder engages the cart's lip to establish a force-distribution loop among the upper frame and the side and bottom members of the cart. The cart's wheels are not subjected to the compaction force.

Abstract: A continuously extruded seamless PVC pipe shrinks to about 50% of its extruded size when reheated to a specific temperature. Prior to shrinking, the extruded pipe is slid over a wooden piling, dimensional lumber, railroad tie or other metal or wood substrate. Upon application of heat, the pipe will shrink to encapsulate the substrate in a hermetically sealed, durable membrane. This impervious membrane will prevent any attack on the substrate by boring and surface destroying organisms and substances.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a multilayered heat-recoverable article in which an adhesive layer easily flows during heat shrinkage to ensure adhesiveness with an adherend and does not flow out from a base material layer after heat shrinkage, and a wire splice and a wire harness that include a tube formed by thermally shrinking such a multilayered heat-recoverable article. The multilayered heat-recoverable article (1) according to the present invention includes a cylindrical base material layer (10), and an adhesive layer (11) formed on an inner circumferential surface of the base material layer. The adhesive layer (11) is formed of a resin composition that contains a polyamide as a main component and that does not substantially contain an inorganic filler. The resin composition is cross-linked by irradiation with ionizing radiation. A shear viscosity of the adhesive layer (11) at 150° C. is 300 Pa·s or more at a shear rate of 0.01 s?1 and 200 Pa·s or less at a shear rate of 100 s?1.

Abstract: A structure for preventing vacuum suction when packing liquid crystal panels is disclosed. The structure includes a spaced buffer layer arranged between two liquid crystal panels, a first vacuum breaker structure arranged on a first surface of the spaced buffer layer to form at least one air gap between one of the liquid crystal panel and the spaced buffer layer, and the first surface is opposite to one of the liquid crystal panels. The vacuum suction between the liquid crystal panels and the spaced buffer layer is avoided by arranging the vacuum breaker structures therebetween. As such, the liquid crystal panel is prevented from being brought up by other liquid crystal panel due to the vacuum suction, which avoids the fragment and related cost.

Abstract: Provided is a laminate sheet in which, on one surface of a resin layer having optical transparency, a colored layer and a backing layer are sequentially laminated, and on the other surface of the resin layer, a pattern layer made of an ionizing radiation curable resin and having optical transparency is laminated. The pattern layer has a softening temperature of 140 to 160° C., and the resin layer, the colored layer, and the backing layer have softening temperatures of 120° C. or lower. The surface of the pattern layer has a concavo-convex shape and the thickness thereof is continuously varied.

Abstract: A decoration panel of the present invention includes an outer layer having a through hole formed thereon which is opened to a front surface to be decorated and a back surface on a side opposite to the front surface, and a decoration layer including an inlay pattern portion which is part of the decoration layer entering the inside of the through hole from the back surface side being curved and deformed, the decoration layer being arranged on the entire back surface of the outer layer and having an approximately uniform layer thickness.

Abstract: A decorative laminate for application to a structural component is provided. The decorative laminate has a substrate layer of a nonwoven fabric material with or without a flame retardant material. The decorative laminate further has an embossable layer disposed upon the substrate layer. The embossable layer includes an embossing resin material and the flame retardant material. The decorative laminate further has a protective layer disposed upon the embossable layer. The protective layer includes a polyvinyl fluoride-based material and has a decorative material printed on a first side of the protective layer facing the embossable layer. An adhesive layer is applied to the substrate layer of the decorative laminate. The decorative laminate is applied to the structural component with the substrate layer facing a bonding surface of the structural component and with an adhesive layer applied between the decorative laminate and the bonding surface of the structural component.

Abstract: Thermoformed polymeric foam articles and methods of forming the same are described. In some embodiments, thermoformed articles are produced from multi-layer foamed sheet where the formed article has a density equal to or less than the precursor multi-layer sheet. One of the layers of the thermoformed article may be a polymer foam layer having a density reduction between 5% and 50% as compared to the solid polymer. Such polymer foam layers can be referred to as “medium density” or “high density” foams. Advantageously, the methods described herein are practical for commercial use and, for example, can be used to produce a variety of thermoformed articles suitable for use in many different applications.

Abstract: A filament network for a composite structure may include a number of fiber layers, wherein each fiber layer includes a fiber bundle and a filament layer at least partially covering the fiber bundle, the filament layer including discontinuous filaments including at least one of different length filaments including first length filaments and second length filaments, wherein the first length filaments include a first length and the second length filaments include a second length, and wherein the first length is different than the second length and different type filaments including first type filaments and second type filaments, wherein the first type filaments include a first material composition, wherein the second type filaments include a second material composition, and wherein the first material composition is different that the second material composition, and a resin binding the number of fiber layers together.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, compositions including a first silk fibroin layer, and a second silk fibroin layer, wherein at least a portion of the first silk fibroin layer is directly adhered to at least a portion of the second silk fibroin layer to form a silk-silk interface and methods of making the same.

Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for a morphing material that may include an outer layer, a polymer layer, and an inner core. The polymer layer can be between the inner core and the outer layer. The inner core can include a shape memory polymer and the shape memory polymer can have a known glass transition temperature. The morphing material can be mechanically deformed to a temporary shape when a temperature of the shape memory polymer is at or above the glass transition temperature.

Abstract: A composite structure having a base charge and an outer channel charge is provided. The outer channel charge has an inner radius and an outer radius. A charge of plies adjacent to the inner radius reduces the inner radius.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reducing lifting of a graphics film from a substrate, the graphic film having a polymeric film layer having on one major side thereof an adhesive layer, wherein lifting is reduced by applying the graphic film to the substrate with an intermediary base film, the base film comprising a backing layer having opposite first and second major sides, the first major side having an adhesive layer and the graphic film being adhered to the second major side of the base film.

Abstract: Multilayered polymer films are configured so that successive constituent layer packets can be delaminated in continuous sheet form from the remaining film. The films are compatible with known coextrusion manufacturing techniques, and can be made without adhesive layers between layer packets that are tailored to be individually peelable from the remainder of the film. Instead, combinations of polymer compositions are used to allow non-adhesive polymer layers to be combined such that irreversible delamination of the film is likely to occur at interfaces between layer packets pairs. Some of the polymer layers, including at least one embedded layer, comprise an antimicrobial agent, and these layers may be positioned at the front of each layer packet. After the antimicrobial layer of one layer packet has been used, the packet can be peeled away to expose a pristine antimicrobial layer of the next layer packet. The antimicrobial agent may be organic.

Abstract: An article and a method for making shaped cooling holes in an article are provided. The method includes the steps of providing a metal alloy powder; forming an initial layer with the metal alloy powder, the initial layer having a preselected thickness and a preselected shape, the preselected shape including at least one aperture; sequentially forming an additional layer over the initial layer with the metal alloy powder, the additional layer having a second preselected thickness and a second preselected shape, the second preselected shape including at least one aperture corresponding to the at least one aperture in the initial layer; and joining the additional layer to the initial layer, forming a structure having a predetermined thickness, a predetermined shape, and at least one aperture having a predetermined profile. The structure is attached to a substrate to make the article.

Abstract: This invention provides an aluminum alloy material capable of being thermally bonded in a single layer without using a bonding agent, such as a brazing or welding filler metal. This invention also provides a bonding method for the aluminum alloy material, and an aluminum bonded body using the aluminum alloy material. The aluminum alloy material is made of an aluminum alloy containing Si: 1.0 to 5.0 mass % and Fe: 0.01 to 2.0 mass % with the balance Al and inevitable impurities. The aluminum alloy material contains 10 to 1×104 pieces/?m3 of Al-based intermetallic compounds having equivalent circle diameters of 0.01 to 0.5 ?m and 200 pieces/mm2 or less of Si-based intermetallic compounds having equivalent circle diameters of 5.0 to 10 ?m.

Abstract: A molding packaging material includes an outer substrate layer made of a heat-resistant resin, an inner sealant layer made of a thermoplastic resin, a metallic foil layer provided between the outer substrate layer and the inner sealant layer, and a protection coat layer formed on a side opposite to the metallic foil layer side of the outer substrate layer. The protection coat layer is made of a resin composition including a main resin containing a phenoxy resin and a urethane resin, and a curing agent, and has a thickness of 0.1 ?m to 10 ?m.

Abstract: Provided are a multilayer structure including a polyamide layer (A) and a polyether polyamide layer (B) and also a multilayer structure including a polyolefin layer (C) and a polyether polyamide layer (B), wherein the polyamide layer (A) contains a polyamide (a) in which a diamine constituent unit thereof includes a constituent unit derived from a xylylenediamine (a-1), and a dicarboxylic acid constituent unit thereof includes a constituent unit derived from an ?,?-linear aliphatic dicarboxylic acid (a-2) having from 4 to 20 carbon atoms; and the polyether polyamide layer (B) contains a polyether polyamide (b) in which a diamine constituent unit thereof includes constituent units derived from a polyether diamine compound (b-1) having a specified structure and a xylylenediamine (b-2), and a dicarboxylic acid constituent unit thereof includes a constituent unit derived from an ?,?-linear aliphatic dicarboxylic acid (b-3) having from 4 to 20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A composite structure cured by the process of: electrically coupling a first lead to a first portion of said composite structure; electrically coupling a second lead to a second portion of said composite structure; and using an electric power source to pass electric current through said composite structure from said first portion to said second portion, wherein passing said electric current through said composite structure causes the temperature of at least a portion of said composite structure increase to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Provided are a light-shielding sheet that has a function of shielding light of a specific wavelength and that is capable of preventing a light-shielding substance from being transferred into the contents and seeping out of a container and a container produced using the light-shielding sheet. This light-shielding sheet of the present invention has a multilayer structure of three or more layers including at least one light-shielding layer that shields a specific wavelength and/or eluate-blocking layer that blocks substances eluted from the light-shielding layer. When producing a container from the light-shielding sheet, an eluate-blocking layer A is provided at least between the light-shielding layer and an innermost layer or on the innermost layer, and an eluate-blocking layer B is provided between the light-shielding layer and an outermost layer or on the outermost layer. The light-shielding layer may further double as an eluate-blocking layer.

Abstract: A laminate assembly and method for manufacturing a laminate assembly for a card assembly is provided. The assembly includes a top coat layer, a carrier layer connected with the top coat layer, and a colored core coupled by an adhesive layer. One or more of the adhesive layer or the top coat layer includes a colorant of a second color that is different from the first color of the colored core such that the first color of the colored core less not visible through the printed surface of the top coat layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a composite material part comprising a web and at least one flange. In a laying up stage, a plurality of plies of different orientations, including 0° oriented plies, are laid up to obtain a flat laminate with edges comprising an outer contour and an inner contour, the flat laminate also comprising at least one section with a radius of curvature of less than 10 m. A forming stage comprises forming a fold along a folding line on the flat laminate to create a flange forming an angle with the web, and applying a stress tension to the 0° oriented plies located at least partially between the folding line and the outer contour of the flat laminate, in the at least one section, to avoid the appearance of wrinkles.

Abstract: A method and a production device for producing a test element are disclosed. The method comprises providing in a transport step a continuous substrate tape, wherein the tape is transported in a transport direction parallel to a direction of extension of the continuous substrate tape; applying in an adhesive application step at least one continuous adhesive strip, wherein the strip is applied to the continuous substrate tape with a liquid adhesive and a slot coating process, and wherein the continuous adhesive strip is oriented parallel to the transport direction; applying in a cover element application step at least one cover element, wherein the at least one cover element is applied to the continuous adhesive strip, thereby securing the cover element to the continuous substrate tape; and individualizing in an individualization step the continuous substrate tape, wherein the tape is individualized into single test elements.

Abstract: Methods for welding sandwich structures together, especially vehicle structures, where the structures include two opposing face sheets with a core, such as a micro-truss core, therebetween. In one embodiment, two sandwich structures are butt welded together. A cooling fluid barrier is provided at an end of the core between the face sheets to prevent cooling fluid from entering the core during the welding process, where the cooling barrier can be a micro-truss structure and can include cooling fluid channels. A welding insert is inserted into the end of one of the structures adjacent to the cooling barrier, and is welded to the other structure to secure the structures together.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for fabricating pressure compensated insulated glass units (IGUs). In one example, a method assembles an IGU from a first lite, a second lite and a spacer registered with and between the first and second lite, while at least the space between the first and second lites and within the perimeter of the spacer contains a heated or cooled inert gas. In another example, a method provides a vented IGU, heats or cools the vented IGU, introduces inert gas into the interior volume of the vented IGU, and seals vent ports before the IGU comes to ambient temperature. In another example, a method introduces or removes inert gas from an IGU by penetrating a seal of the IGU and then reseals the IGU. In another example, an apparatus for fabricating an IGU comprises a temperature control unit configured to heat or cool an inert gas and an IGU press wherein the apparatus is configured to introduce a heated inert gas or a cooled inert gas into the IGU as the hermetic seal of the IGU is formed.

Abstract: Apparatus for shaping a segment of material includes a forming member having a curved sidewall shaped complementary to a desired shape of the segment of material, and a conforming member having an applicator side and an engagement side disposed for engagement with the curved sidewall of the forming member. The conforming member includes a plurality of attachment regions disposed on the applicator side. Each attachment region is adapted to hold the segment of material on the conforming member. Engagement of the conforming member with the forming member causes the attachment regions to move from a first shape profile to a second shape profile, the second shape profile being the desired shape of the segment of material.

Abstract: Assembling jig for mounting panel structure elements onto a surface of a CFRP-panel, comprising a base frame on which several positioning boards are transversely attached, which are parallel arranged one to another for supporting the CFRP-panel on an upper mounting surface, wherein the base frame comprises at least one metal bar for coupling the positioning boards consisting of a material having a thermal expansion coefficient which corresponds to the thermal expansion coefficient of the CFRP-material of the panel in order to provide a tolerance compensation system in at least longitudinal direction of the base frame.

Abstract: In an apparatus and a method for synchronizing a roll-to-roll transfer device, the apparatus includes a thin-film, a first roller, a second roller, a first load sensing element and a control part. The thin-film is transferred by the roll-to-roll transfer device. The first roller makes contact with a lower surface of the thin-film, and rotates with a rotational axis via a first rotational element. The second roller is disposed over the first roller, makes contact with an upper surface of the thin-film, and rotates with the rotational axis via a second rotational element. The first load sensing element senses a load of the first roller or a load of the second roller. The control part synchronizes a translational velocity of the first rotational element or the second rotational element based on the load sensed by the first load sensing element.

Abstract: A method for forming a hydraulic transfer film includes: (a) forming a pattern layer on a water-soluble substrate by gravure printing using a laser-engraved cylinder, the pattern layer including at least two oil-soluble regions that are separated from each other by a spacing, the water-soluble substrate being exposed from the spacing; (b) forming an oil-soluble base layer on the water-soluble substrate to cover the pattern layer and to fill the spacing between the oil-soluble regions; and (c) forming a curable activating layer on the oil-soluble base layer to obtain the hydraulic transfer film, the activating layer including a curable activating agent that partially permeates into and is intermingled with the oil-soluble base layer and the pattern layer.

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus is described. The apparatus has a plurality of radial arms each having a printing head associated therewith. A target area is in alignment with at least one of the printing heads wherein a design is applied to a target article at the target area by the printing head. A means for providing relative movement between the target area and the printing head provides multiple passes between a squeegee associated with the printing head and the target area. A means for providing a pressure between the squeegee and the target area is regulated such that a first pressure between the squeegee and the target area on a first stroke is not equal to a second pressure between the squeegee and the target area on a subsequent second stroke.

Abstract: An aqueous sacrificial coating composition for an image transfer member in an aqueous ink imaging system is provided. The sacrificial coating composition may include at least one polymer, at least one selected from (i) at least one chain extender, or (ii) a reactive elastomeric latex, wherein the at least one chain extender comprises a species capable of linking linear chains or chain segments of the reactive elastomeric latex, at least one hygroscopic plasticizer, and at least one surfactant.

Abstract: There is described a transfer member or blanket for use in aqueous ink jet printer. The transfer member includes a non-woven polymer fiber matrix and a polymer dispersed throughout the non-woven polymer fiber matrix. The polymer fiber matrix has a first surface energy and the polymer has a second surface energy. The difference between the first surface energy and the second surface energy is from about 30 mJ/m2 to about 5 mJ/m2.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a first electrode layer which is stacked on the vibrating plate; a second electrode layer which is stacked on a side opposite to the vibrating plate with respect to the first electrode layer; a piezoelectric layer which is interposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer; and a conductive layer which electrically connects the first electrode layer to external wiring, in which a point of contact between the conductive layer and the first electrode layer is in a vibrating region of the vibrating plate.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharging apparatus configured to discharge liquid, including: a liquid discharging head including a driving element; a driving device configured to drive the driving element; a power unit; a switch configured to perform switching of voltage supply; and a controller. When the power unit is switched on, the controller causes a power supply voltage of the power unit to be raised up to a first voltage while checking the power supply voltage; and the controller controls the switch to start the voltage supply from the power unit to the driving device while the power supply voltage is being raised up to the first voltage; and under a condition that the voltage supply is started while the power supply voltage is being raised up to the first voltage, the controller controls the driving device to apply the voltage to the driving element.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head driving system includes an ink jet head, a driving circuit substrate provided with a driving circuit in which a driving signal is generated, a driving signal wiring that branches an output of the driving circuit into two or more systems, and a plurality of connectors that extract the driving signal wiring for each system, and a flexible flat substrate (FFC) in which a connector connected to a connector of the driving circuit substrate is installed, a driving signal pattern for transmitting the driving signal for each system is formed on a first layer, and a reference potential pattern is formed on a second layer. The driving circuit substrate is configured such that the same number of connectors as the number of wiring substrates are mounted at a position where a direction of insertion and extraction of the connector of the FFC is released.

Abstract: A printer attenuates banding visual defects arising from a lack of flatness in media as ink is ejected onto the media. The printer includes a detector that generates a signal corresponding to the slope in the media and a controller that modulates a volume of the ink drops ejected by one or more printheads in the vicinity of the slope in the media.

Abstract: A method for printing a plurality of image planes on a substrate, the method includes providing a plurality of print head for depositing material on the substrate as the substrate moves along a transport path; providing a first sensor in a predetermined position along a transport path relative to predetermined positions of the plurality of print heads; providing an indication of position of the substrate along the transport path; providing a plurality of cue marks at predetermined positions or intervals on the substrate which are detected by the first sensor; and determining placement of an image plane printed by at least one of the plurality of print heads upstream of the first sensor based on the detection of position of the cue marks on the substrate by the first sensor.

Abstract: Image data which defines an ink amount to be ejected from each of a plurality of nozzles is stored in memory, the image data which is stored in the memory is subjected to an interpolation process corresponding to a faulty nozzle of a print head, the image data which is subjected to the interpolation process is subjected to a rotation process and the image data which defines the ink amount to be ejected and corresponds to each of the plurality of nozzles to be stored in the memory so as to be in a read-out order of the memory when the print head is positioned at a certain point in relation to the print medium, and the image data which is subjected to the rotation process is read out and output as the print data.

Abstract: A liquid discharging apparatus includes a discharging unit that includes a row of nozzles configured to discharge a liquid, the discharging unit being configured to reciprocate in an outward direction and a return direction, the outward and return directions being transverse to the nozzle row; and a transport unit configured to intermittently transport a medium in a direction transverse to the outward and return directions. The liquid discharging apparatus is configured to form at least one adjustment pattern for adjusting a transport amount of each individual transport during the intermittent transport. The liquid discharging apparatus is configured to form the at least one adjustment pattern such that the at least one adjustment pattern includes both an outward direction movement pattern formed while moving the discharging unit in the outward direction and a return direction movement pattern formed while moving the discharging unit in the return direction.

Abstract: A method for printing includes the use of a protective guide system that protects a print head nozzle plate from physical contact with objects such as a curled print medium. The print head nozzle plate includes a nozzle array including a plurality of nozzles arranged in a plurality of subarrays. The plurality of subarrays are spaced from each other by a plurality of intranozzle areas devoid of nozzles. The protective guide system includes a frame and a plurality of cross members aligned with the intranozzle areas between the subarrays. The protective guide system thus protects the print head nozzle plate without obstructing the ink during printing.