Abstract: Add-on module suitable to receive and hold a disposable printer cartridge that is provided with inkjet nozzles, which disposable printer cartridge is equipped for placement in a printer, and wherein the add-on module is a disposable and independent item without forming a constructional part of the printer, and wherein the add-on module comprises at least one of capping means and wiping means that are arranged for capping and wiping respectively of said inkjet nozzles of the printer cartridge.

Abstract: A printing system comprises an ink deposition assembly, a media transport device, and an airflow control system. The ink deposition assembly comprises a printhead to eject ink through a carrier plate opening in a carrier plate. The media transport device holds a print medium against a movable support surface by vacuum suction and transports the print media through a deposition region. The airflow control system comprises a baffle that is movable between an upstream-blocking configuration and a downstream-blocking configuration, and an actuator configured to move the baffle. In the upstream-blocking configuration the baffle blocks airflow through an upstream side of the printhead opening while allowing airflow through a downstream side of the printhead opening. In the downstream-blocking configuration the baffle blocks airflow through the downstream side of the printhead opening while allowing airflow through the upstream side of the printhead opening.

Abstract: A printing system comprises a print fluid deposition assembly, a media transport device, and an air flow control system. The print fluid deposition assembly comprises a printhead module comprising a plurality of printheads to eject a print fluid to a deposition region. The media transport device holds a print medium against a movable support surface by vacuum suction and transports the print medium through the deposition region. The air flow control system is arranged to flow air toward the movable support surface at locations upstream and downstream of the printhead module, based on a location of a print medium relative to the printhead module.

Abstract: A printing system comprises a printhead to eject ink through an opening in a carrier plate to a deposition region. A print medium is held against a movable support surface by vacuum suction communicated through platen holes of a vacuum platen and transported through the deposition region. An airflow control system comprises upstream and downstream valves associated with the printhead, individually addressable channels for the vacuum platen, or both. The upstream and downstream valves are arranged to selectively block and allow airflow through an upstream side or a downstream side, respectively, of the opening in the carrier plate. Actuation of the upstream and downstream valves may be controlled based on a location of the print medium. The channels are arranged to selectively control the supply of vacuum suction to respectively corresponding columns of platen holes. Actuation of the channels may be controlled based on a size of the print medium.

Abstract: A head cap configured to maintain a head configured to discharge a liquid from nozzles formed in a nozzle surface, the head cap includes a cap configured to cap the nozzle surface of the head, and a holder holding the cap, the holder being detachably attachable to one of a carriage mounting the head and a guide configured to guide the carriage.

Abstract: An integrated inkjet module includes: a support chassis configured for fixedly mounting over a media feed path; a maintenance chassis mounted on the support chassis; a print bar chassis liftably mounted on the maintenance chassis, the print bar chassis having a plurality of print modules mounted thereon, each print module comprising a respective printhead; and an aerosol collector fixed to the support chassis and positioned for collecting ink mist generated during printing.

Abstract: A printing system comprises a print fluid deposition assembly, a media transport device, and an air flow control system. The print fluid deposition assembly comprises a carrier plate and a printhead arranged to eject a print fluid through an opening of the carrier plate to a deposition region. The media transport device comprises a movable support surface to transport a print medium along a process direction through the deposition region, the media transport device holding the print medium against the movable support surface by vacuum suction. The air flow control system is arranged to selectively flow air through the opening of the carrier plate between the carrier plate and the printhead based on a location of a print medium transported by the media transport device relative to the printhead.

Abstract: A printing system comprises a print fluid deposition assembly, a media transport device, and an air flow control system. The print fluid deposition assembly comprises a printhead to eject a print fluid through an opening of a carrier plate to a deposition region. The media transport device holds a print medium against the movable support surface by vacuum suction and transports the print medium through the deposition region. The air flow control system is to flow air through the carrier plate to the movable support surface via a port through the carrier plate on an inboard side the carrier plate and to control a flow rate of the air flowed through the port based on a size of a print medium transported by the media transport device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imprint apparatus that forms an imprint material pattern on a substrate by using a mold, comprising: a discharge unit on which a plurality of discharge outlets configured to discharge an imprint material are arranged; a measurement unit configured to measure a relative tilt between the discharge unit and the substrate; and a control unit configured to control a process of causing the discharge unit to discharge the imprint material while relatively moving the discharge unit and the substrate to each other, wherein the control unit is configured to change a relative movement direction of the discharge unit and the substrate in the process in accordance with the relative tilt measured by the measurement unit so as to reduce an arrangement error of the imprint material, discharged from the plurality of discharge outlets, on the substrate.

Abstract: A modular service station for servicing at least one inkjet printhead of an inkjet printing system, the service station comprising: a frame with mounted thereon at least one capping element and at least one wiping element, a means for horizontal movement of the at least one inkjet printhead between a printing position and a servicing position, the means for horizontal movement configured to enable a wiping process, a means for vertical movement of the at least one inkjet printhead, the means for vertical movement configured to enable capping, unclogging or purging processes in respect to the at least one inkjet printhead, and a waste ink tank in hermetic communication with the at least one capping element. A method of servicing an inkjet printhead of an inkjet printing system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus is provided, which comprises a head, a maintenance mechanism which has a cap and which is movable to a maintenance position and a waiting position, a first support mechanism which supports the maintenance mechanism disposed at the maintenance position, and a second support mechanism which supports the maintenance mechanism disposed at the waiting position. One of the first and second support mechanisms is relatively movable to a first position and a second position with respect to the other. When the one of them is disposed at the first position, both of them is configured to support the maintenance mechanism simultaneously. When the one of them is disposed at the second position, the other of them is separated away from the maintenance mechanism.

Abstract: A control method of a liquid ejection apparatus including a liquid ejection head, a cap configured to seal a nozzle formation surface, and an ejection failure detector which performs a detection operation of detecting ejection failure of a nozzle, the control method including starting a vibration operation of continuously vibrating the liquid in the nozzle, after a liquid ejection operation is completed, starting the detection operation before a relative moving operation of relatively moving the liquid ejection head and the cap so as to face each other is completed, and stopping the vibration operation after the detection operation.

Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus comprises a carriage, on which a printhead is mounted, configured to move, a lever member configured to be rotatable about a rotating shaft and to be engageable with an engaging portion of the carriage, and a cam mechanism configured to have first and second locked states in which the lever member engages with the engaging portion of the carriage. The first locked state restricts a rotation of the lever member so as not to release an engagement with the engaging portion, and the second locked state allows the rotation of the lever member so as to release the engagement with the engaging portion.

Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes: a housing defining a storage chamber therein; a liquid passage in communication with the storage chamber; and a circuit board. The liquid passage extends in a first lateral direction from the housing when the housing is in an operational posture. The circuit board includes a substrate and an electrical contact. The substrate includes a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a front surface facing in the first lateral direction and connecting the top surface to the bottom surface, and a printer engaging surface facing in a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction and connecting the top surface to the bottom surface of the substrate. The electrical contact is provided on the top surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An example printing device include a frame, a printbar, a lift mechanism, and a lock. The lift mechanism is operably coupled to move the printbar from a printing position to a capping position along a printbar path of travel with respect to the frame. The lock is operably coupled to the frame to releasably engage the printbar in the capping position and disengage the printbar and permit movement to the printing position.

Abstract: In an example, a service station may comprise a conveyor movable along or about a conveyor path. Example service station may further comprise a first service module removably installed on the conveyor, and a second service module removably installed on the conveyor. The conveyor may move the first service module and the second service module along the conveyor path. The example service station may further comprise a lifter disposed in a lifting zone along the conveyor path to lift one of the first service module and the second service module from a stowed position to an operating position if the first service module or the second service module is disposed in the lifting zone along the conveyor path.

Abstract: A moving body reciprocation mechanism has a rotation shaft and a moving body that engages with a spiral ridge part of the rotation shaft and reciprocates along an axial direction. The state of the moving body changes among: a first state in which the moving body moves in a first movement direction; a second state in which the moving body releases the engagement; and a third state in which the moving body reengages with the spiral ridge part and moves in a second movement direction. The rotation shaft has a planar part and a cylindrical protrusion part. A cylinder part of the moving body has: a first end part that fits onto the cylindrical protrusion part in the second state; and a second end part that radially faces an outer circumferential surface of the spiral ridge part in the second state.

Abstract: A maintenance unit includes a wiper for wiping off ink on a recording head and a wiper carriage. A holding metal plate holds the wiper and includes a communication portion which connects together an upper space and a lower space. The communication portion has an ink guide member. The ink guide member has an upper opening and a lower opening. The length of the upper opening in the direction perpendicular to the wiping direction is larger than the length of an ink ejection face. The length of the communication portion is smaller than the length of the ink ejection face.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, an electronic component mounting device includes: a mounting head which picks up an electronic component from a part feeder, and transfers and mounts the electronic component on a board; a dispenser which applies a paste to a lower surface of the electronic component picked up by the mounting head, the paste being flied out from an ejection hole of the dispenser against gravity, the ejection hole opening upwardly; and a shield member which is disposed between the electronic component and the dispenser and has an opening above the ejection hole.

Abstract: A printer includes a carriage, a carriage moving mechanism including a motor, a motor driver that controls the motor, a stop instruction device, and an interlock device. The stop instruction device transmits a stop signal for the carriage or stops a driving permission signal for the carriage when a predetermined stop condition is satisfied. The interlock device is interposed between the motor and the motor driver and shuts off the motor from the motor driver after a lapse of a predetermined delay time of transmitting the stop signal or stopping the driving permission signal. The motor driver controls the motor to decelerate the carriage in at least a portion of a period before the delay time has elapsed.

Abstract: In an inkjet printing apparatus, a controller causes a scanner to read an image formed on an original in response to reception of a copy instruction and generates image data representing the read image. The controller determines a standby period in response to reception of the copy instruction. In response to elapse of the standby period since the reception of the copy instruction, the controller separates a cap and an inkjet head. After the cap and the inkjet head separated each other and completion of reading at least part of the image on the original, the controller causes the recording head to eject ink droplets based on the image data.

Abstract: In an inkjet printing apparatus, a controller causes a scanner to read an image formed on an original in response to reception of a copy instruction and generates image data representing the read image. The controller determines a standby period in response to reception of the copy instruction. In response to elapse of the standby period since the reception of the copy instruction, the controller separates a cap and an inkjet head. After the cap and the inkjet head separated each other and completion of reading at least part of the image on the original, the controller causes the recording head to eject ink droplets based on the image data.

Abstract: A digital printing machine includes a first sheet-conveying belt made of a first material, a second sheet-conveying belt made of a second material, and a print head for printing on a front side and a back side of the print sheet. The print head is directed towards the first sheet-conveying belt. A reversing device reverses the print sheet between receiving a print on the front side and receiving a print on the back side. A drier dries a print that has been printed onto the print sheet by the print head. The drier is directed towards the second sheet-conveying belt. For instance, the first sheet-conveying belt may be a metal belt and the second sheet-conveying belt may be a plastic belt.

Abstract: A printhead device is provided. The printhead device includes a cell tube, a cell tube rubber plug covering the cell tube, a connector arranged at an end of the cell tube, and a fixing knob fixed to the connector and communicating with a printing nozzle through a bottom liquid tube. A fixing clip is provided on the upper part of the cell tube, and a stepping motor box is provided on the upper end of the fixing clip. An air valve box is arranged on the upper side of the stepping motor box, and a rotary air valve is provided in the air valve box. The rotary air valve communicates with the inner cavity of the cell tube through an internal vent tube, and with an air valve straight tube or an air valve gooseneck tube.

Abstract: A purge station assembly for use in an additive manufacturing system, which includes a purge station having a base bracket, a slide mount slidably engaged with the base bracket, and a contact head configured to clean a nozzle tip of a print head. The purge station assembly also includes a mechanism, such as a cable line, operably attached to the slide mount that allows an operator to mechanically move the slide mount relative to the base bracket from a location that is remote from the purge station.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus, including: a head having nozzles; a cap to cover the nozzles; a pump fluidically connected to the cap; a switcher for switching a state of the cap between a capping state and an uncapping state, and a controller configured to: determine a cap parameter relating to a cap evaporation rate being an evaporation rate of water in a remaining liquid remaining in the cap, in consideration of (i) an amount of water that moves from the liquid in the nozzles to the remaining liquid in the capping state and (ii) an amount of water that evaporates from the remaining liquid in the uncapping state; and control the head based on the determined cap parameter to perform a flushing for discharging the liquid from the nozzles.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a recording head; a transportation path along which the medium is transported via a head facing region which faces the recording head; and a maintenance unit used for maintenance of the recording head, wherein the head facing region, which is a region of the transportation path which faces the recording head, is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction, and the recording head is provided to be rotatable, and when rotating, the recording head can be switched between a first position in which the head surface is inclined along an inclination of the head facing region, the first position being a position for performing recording, and a second position in which the head surface becomes horizontal or becomes more horizontal than in the first position, the second position being a position for performing maintenance by the maintenance unit.

Abstract: A printhead module includes a plurality of rows of printhead nozzles, at least some of the rows including at least one displaced row portion, the displacement of the row portion including a component in a direction normal to that of a pagewidth to be printed, wherein the displaced row portions of at least some of the rows are different in length than the displaced row portions of at least some of the other rows.

Abstract: A power transmitter is configured to transmit power from a drive source to a driven member. The power transmitter includes: a cam connected to the drive source and having a cam surface; a cam follower connected to the driven member and including a sliding portion slidable on the cam surface; and a cover configured to cover the cam surface. The cover is configured to move together with the cam follower when the sliding portion of the cam follower slides on the cam surface of the cam driven by the drive source.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer with a cleaning function includes a machine table, a printing unit, a cleaning mechanism, and a control unit. The machine table has a work area and also includes a formation portion and an arrangement portion on the work area. The printing unit is disposed on the machine table and movable with respect to the machine table to form a reciprocating path. The arrangement portion is on the reciprocating path. The cleaning mechanism is disposed on the arrangement portion and includes a scraper having a contact portion. The control unit is electrically coupled to the printing unit and the cleaning mechanism, wherein the control unit selectively controls the contact portion of the scraper to protrude out of the machine table, so that a nozzle of the printing unit is cleaned by rubbing against the contact portion when moving in the reciprocating path.

Abstract: A printing device includes a carriage slidably mounted on a carriage rail, the carriage to move along the carriage rail, and a selectable drive system includes a capping system to cap a number of pens coupled to the carriage, a scan drive system to drive components of a scanning device associated with the printing device, a drive selector assembly to select between driving the capping system to a printing system drive position or driving the scan drive system depending on a position of a selector swing arm of the drive selector assembly, and a shifter to selectively shift the drive selector assembly between a scanning system drive position of the selector swing arm and a printing system drive position of the selector swing arm.

Abstract: A wiping member is configured to wipe a nozzle forming surface of a liquid ejecting head, which has nozzles through which a liquid is ejected, in a first direction. The wiping member includes a fibrous material and is configured to satisfy the following: ?a+3?a??f+3?f where ?f is an average of sizes of spaces between fibers in the first direction, ?f is a standard deviation of the sizes of the spaces, ?a is an average of sizes of aggregation substances formed of a solute in the liquid adhered to the nozzle forming surface in the first direction, and ?a is a standard deviation of the sizes of the aggregation substances.

Abstract: An image forming system includes: a first image forming apparatus that is disposed at an upstream side in a feeding direction of a belt-like continuous recording medium; and a second image forming apparatus that is disposed at a downstream side in the feeding direction of the recording medium, wherein each of the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus includes: a recording head that forms images on the recording medium by ejecting droplets from ejection outlets of the recording head; a closing member that serves to close the ejection outlets; and a controller that monitors head drive data for driving of the recording head, and closes the ejection outlets with the closing member in case a droplets non-ejection state is beyond a predetermined first allowable condition during printing.

Abstract: A printer includes a medium transporter configured to feed out a medium in a rolled shape and transport the medium in a first direction; a head provided movably in a second direction and configured to eject droplets for image-forming downward along a vertical direction toward the medium which is transported; a receiver provided below a region of the medium facing the head along the vertical direction, and configured to receive the droplets ejected onto the medium from the head and having passed through the medium downward along the vertical direction; and a support member configured switchably arranged at a supporting position arranged between the medium and the receiver along the vertical direction and a retracted position that is retracted from the supporting position, and configured capable of supporting the medium in a state of being arranged at the supporting position.

Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus includes a printhead having an ejection orifice surface on which ejection orifices for ejecting ink are arranged, where the printhead performs a printing operation in a printing area; a carriage including the printhead, and movable in a first direction; a cap for covering the ejection orifice surface; and a wiper that wipes the ejection orifice surface. The cap is movable, by a movement of the carriage, to a first position, and to a second position farther from the printing area along the first direction. At the second position, the cap can rise and lower to a capping position at which the cap abuts the ejection orifice surface, and to a separated position at which the cap does not abut the ejection orifice surface. The wiper wipes the ejection orifice surface when the cap is at the second position and at the separated position.

Abstract: A print bar may include a mounting structure and a printhead mounted to the mounting structure. The printed may include multiple printhead dies molded into a monolithic body and arranged parallel to one another in the body. The body may have multiple channels therein through which printing fluid may pass directly to the dies.

Abstract: A liquid jetting apparatus includes: a head unit including nozzles; a cap which covers the nozzles in a state of being in contact with the head unit at a capping position; and a cap movement device including a cam having a slide surface and a cam follower which is slid on the slide surface. One of the cam and the cam follower is provided integrally with the cap, and the other of the cam and the cam follower is moved in a slide direction. The slide surface includes a first inclined surface inclined by a first angle relative to the slide direction and a second inclined surface inclined by a second angle greater than the first angle relative to the slide direction.

Abstract: A nozzle head cleaning module including a base housing having a main slope; a main carrier received in the base housing, a sub-carrier received in the main carrier and has a cover protruding upwardly, and an interference structure is provided. A set of one or more horizontal planes is formed on the main slope. A set of one or more main slide pins contacting with the main slope protrudes from the main carrier including a sub-slope, and the main carrier is moved along the main slope. When resting on the main slope, the main slide pin contacts with the main slope by multiple contact points. When resting on the horizontal plane, the main slide pin contacts with the horizontal plane by multiple contact points. The horizontal plane support main slide pin to maintain the cover in a raised position when the main slide pin is located thereon.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance system includes: a maintenance chassis having a maintenance module with a laterally movable capper; a print bar chassis movably mounted on the maintenance chassis, the print bar chassis having a printhead and a cover for the capper; a lift mechanism for raising and lowering the print bar chassis relative to the maintenance chassis between a capping position a printing position; and a retraction mechanism for laterally extending and retracting the capper between the capping position and the printing position. The printhead is engaged with the capper in the capping position and the cover is engaged with the capper in the printing position.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head that has a nozzle opening surface in which the nozzles open, a displacing mechanism formed to change a posture of the liquid ejecting head between a first posture in which the nozzle opening surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal and a second posture in which an inclination of the nozzle opening surface is smaller than the inclination of the nozzle opening surface in the first posture, and a wiping member to wipe the liquid ejecting head. On the nozzle opening surface, if a vertical lower end in the first posture is a first end and a vertical upper end in the first posture is a second end, the wiping member wipes the liquid ejecting head from the first end side toward the second end side when the liquid ejecting head is in the second posture.

Abstract: A printhead capping system includes: a fixed plate; first and second sliders slidably movable along the fixed plate; a mounting bracket having a cap assembly mounted thereon; and first and second arms interconnecting the mounting bracket and the respective first and second sliders. Movement of the first and second sliders towards each other causes lateral movement of the cap assembly away from the fixed plate, and movement of the first and second sliders away from each other causes lateral movement of the cap assembly towards the fixed plate.

Abstract: A maintenance device used in a liquid discharge head includes a first cap to seal a nozzle face of the liquid discharge head, a second cap disposed outside the first cap, and a humidity conditioner disposed outside the first cap and inside the second cap. The second cap seals the first cap and at least a contact portion between the nozzle face of the liquid discharge head and the first cap. The humidity conditioner adjusts humidity in a space between the first cap and the second cap.

Abstract: A digital printing machine includes at least one print head for inkjet printing, a drum for transporting printing material, and a spittoon for collecting ink coming from the print head. The drum has a mounting for the spittoon. The spittoon includes a support and an absorber fixed thereto. The absorber is quasi flush with the outer circumference of the drum, and the support and the absorber together form a replaceable disposable unit. A spittoon for use in a digital printing machine is also provided.

Abstract: A printer is configured to continue printing during maintenance of at least one printhead in the printer. The printer includes a plurality of printheads that each eject drops that overlap with adjacent drops ejected by another printhead. At least one printhead is selected for maintenance, moved to a position for performance of a maintenance operation, and returned to the position from which it was originally moved, while the remaining printheads continue to eject drops. The newly serviced printhead is returned to the position from which it was originally moved.

Abstract: The moisturizing apparatus includes: a liquid retainer arranged at a position facing a nozzle surface of a liquid ejection head, the nozzle surface being inclined relative to a horizontal plane, the liquid retainer being divided, along a direction of an inclination, into an uppermost liquid chamber, a lowermost liquid chamber and a middle liquid chamber arranged between the uppermost and lowermost liquid chambers, to store a moisturizer; a supply device which supplies the moisturizer to a liquid supply port provided in the middle liquid chamber, the supply device passing the moisturizer from the middle liquid chamber into the lowermost liquid chamber; and a discharge device which discharges the moisturizer from a waste liquid port provided in the middle liquid chamber, wherein the uppermost liquid chamber and a gas space in the lowermost liquid chamber are linked through.

Abstract: An embodiment of this invention is directed to a leakage detection of a printhead. The embodiment executes leakage detection as follows in a printing apparatus which uses a reciprocally movable printhead. That is, the embodiment monitors a voltage appearing on a second power line which supplies, to the printhead, a second voltage that is used for detecting the current leakage from the printhead and is lower than a first voltage to be supplied to perform printing by the printhead through a first power line to which a capacitor is parallel-connected. If a timing at which detection of the current leakage is executed is detected, the embodiment performs control so as to execute detection of the current leakage based on the monitored voltage, by turning off supply of the first voltage and turning on supply of the second voltage.

Abstract: A modular printer includes: a media feed path defining a media feed direction and a plurality of printer modules positioned in a staggered overlapping arrangement so as to extend across a width of the media feed path. Each printer module includes a printhead and a respective maintenance sled for slidably moving towards the printhead in a direction parallel to the media feed direction. Further, the maintenance sleds for neighboring printer modules are configured to move in opposite directions towards their respective printheads.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus including: (a) a head assembly including (a-1) recording heads having respective nozzle opening surfaces and (a-2) a head frame supporting the recording heads; (b) annular protrusions each of which is to be brought into contact with the head assembly, so as to surround the plurality of nozzles opening in the corresponding nozzle opening surface; (c) a supporting tray elongated in a supporting-tray longitudinal direction and supporting the annular protrusions; (d) a movement mechanism configured to move the head assembly and/or the supporting tray, and (e) a positioning pin projecting from a pin-located portion of the supporting tray. The pin-located portion is outside the annular protrusions, and is located in a center of the supporting tray in the supporting-tray longitudinal direction. The head frame has a positioning hole, into which the positioning pin is to be introduced upon contact of each annular protrusion with the head assembly.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head unit includes: a liquid ejecting head that has a fixing face to be used for attachment and that ejects a liquid from a nozzle; a head fixing member that has stiffness higher than that of the fixing face and that is secured to the fixing face on the liquid ejecting head; and a support member that has an attachment face to which the liquid ejecting head is attached through the head fixing member.

Abstract: A modular printer includes: (a) a media feed path defining a media feed direction; (b) a first printer module suspended over the media feed path; and (c) a second printer module suspended over the media feed path and at least partially overlapping the first printer module in the media feed direction. The first and second printer modules have respective first and second printheads and maintenance assemblies. The first and second printheads are relatively proximal to each other with respect to the media feed direction, and the first and second maintenance assemblies are relatively distal from each other with respect to the media feed direction.