Abstract: An array inkjet head and an inkjet image forming apparatus having the array inkjet head. The array inkjet head is formed by sequentially combining a first member, a second member, a third member on an upper surface of which a plurality of base modules are mounted, and a cover member that covers the third member, and the cover member comprises a plurality of opening holes formed along the lengthwise direction of the cover member to expose the head chips and a plurality of concave units formed on both sides of each of the opening holes and to have a predetermined gaps between edge units of the base modules to be coated with an adhesive.

Abstract: An image input/output apparatus, and the image input/output apparatus includes an ink-jet head including at least one nozzle unit having a length that is greater than or equal to a width of a recording medium and being movable in a sub scanning direction, and a scanning unit installed on the ink-jet head movable in the sub scanning direction relative to the ink-jet head.

Abstract: A printer and printing method can print at high quality at a printing boundary where different printing elements can print in the same area of a printing medium. When printing by moving a printhead, in which a plurality of printing elements are arrayed, relatively to a printing medium, the following control is performed. That is, it is checked whether different printing elements are printable in the same area on the printing medium on the basis of input image data. It is checked whether the input image data is used to print a text image or a graphic/halftone image. It is controlled in accordance with the check results to print in the same printable area by the different printing elements by changing respective ratios at which printing elements are used.

Abstract: Provided is a volume element printing system for printing a three-dimensional object. The system includes a first printhead group having a plurality of first printheads configured to print a first voxel layer on a substrate, and at least one second printhead group having a plurality of second printheads downstream from the first group. The second printhead group is configured to print a subsequent voxel layer on at least part of the first layer, said second printheads being reconfigurable as backup printheads for the first printheads in case of failure. The system also includes an object insertion device configured to insert an object into a cavity defined by the voxel layers, and a conveyor configured to convey the substrate past the printhead groups. Also included is a control system configured to control and monitor the printhead groups, the object insertion device and the conveyor, and dynamically to reconfigure the second printheads if failure of a first printhead is detected.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly includes an elongate ink supply body. The body defines a plurality of ink supply channels. An elongate cradle defines a plurality of rows of apertures and can be fast with the body so that ink within the ink supply channels can pass through respective rows. A plurality of printhead segments each includes a carrier. Each carrier defines a plurality of rows of ink supply passages arranged so that the ink supply passages can be placed in alignment with respective apertures when the carrier is cradled within the cradle. Each printhead segment further includes an elongate ink ejection printhead mounted to the carrier in fluid communication with the ink supply passages.

Abstract: The invention provides for an inkjet printer assembly. The assembly includes a cartridge having an integrated pagewidth printhead integrated circuit (IC), and a cradle configured to receive the cartridge such that the printhead IC is adjacent a media feed path. The assembly also includes a driven mechanism configured to maintain the printhead and to feed print media through the media feed path, as well as a controller operatively connected to the cartridge and configured to determine a performance characteristic of the cartridge and to control operation of said driven mechanism and printhead IC in response to the determined performance characteristic of the cartridge.

Abstract: A modular printhead module is disclosed. The printhead module includes a carrier. An elongate ink delivery member is mounted in the carrier and defines a plurality of longitudinal conduits, each for carrying a respective type of ink. The elongate ink delivery member further defines a plurality of sets of apertures, each set including a plurality of apertures which are each in register with a corresponding conduit. A single printhead including a plurality of inkjet nozzles is also provided. Each inkjet nozzle engages with a respective set of apertures so that each inkjet nozzle is engaged in fluid communication with a respective conduit.

Abstract: A printer system is provided having a printhead which has nozzles, a bubble forming chamber corresponding to each nozzle, and heater elements disposed in each chamber each configured for thermal contact with a bubble forming liquid such that heating heater elements to a temperature above the boiling point of the bubble forming liquid forms a gas bubble that causes the ejection of a drop of an ejectable liquid through the nozzles. Each heater element is an elongate strip suspended between corresponding electrodes on opposite sides of the chamber. Each strip has a cross-section with a lateral dimension different than that of each other strip of the corresponding chamber and at least triple that of the thickness of that strip. The thickness of each strip is less than 0.3 microns. The heater elements and electrodes are arranged so that the electrodes are non-coincident with the electrodes of the other heater elements.

Abstract: The invention provides for a volume element (voxel) printing system for printing a three-dimensional object. The system includes a first printhead group having a plurality of first printheads configured to print a first voxel layer on a substrate, and at least one second printhead group having a plurality of second printheads downstream from the first group. The second group is configured to print a subsequent voxel layer on at least part of the first layer. The system also includes an object insertion device configured to insert objects into voids in the voxel layers, and a conveyor to operatively convey the substrate past the printhead groups. Also included is a control system to control and monitor the printhead groups, the object insertion device and the conveyor.

Abstract: A desktop printer having a relatively small “footprint” on a desktop is provided. It has a base and a print engine connected together by a substantially vertically extending body of the printer. A media supply and collector are provided on surfaces of the body so as to be substantially vertically disposed, where the media is supplied to the print engine for printing from the supply and is delivered to the collector after printing.

Abstract: An inkjet image forming apparatus includes an inkjet head having a nozzle unit having a length in a main scanning direction corresponding to a width of a printing medium, a capping unit to move to a capping position to cap the nozzle unit and an uncapping position for a printing. The capping unit includes a cap member having a spitting hole and covering the nozzle unit, an absorbing member to absorb an ink passing through the spitting hole, and a support member disposed at a position where the cap member and the absorbing member are installed, the support member receiving the ink spitted.

Abstract: A printing system is provided having a conveyor for conveying a substrate along a conveying direction, and a sequence of printhead groups arranged along the conveying direction for printing respective object layers onto one another. A first printhead group within the sequence prints its respective object layer onto the substrate. At least one of the printhead groups is configured to print its respective object layer with at least two materials.

Abstract: A method and resulting device for accurately positioning an array of die modules in an imaging array, including larger partial width arrays and full page width arrays, is described herein. The method includes forming physical reference datum directly on an individual silicon die module, and positioning the individual die modules on a temporary holder. The temporary holder includes an alignment tool and singulated die are placed onto the temporary holder by abutting the physical reference datum against the alignment tool. A vacuum temporarily secures the die positioned on the temporary holder, and a permanent substrate is then attached to the die of the temporary holder. The temporary holder is released in favor of the permanent substrate having the accurately aligned die modules thereon.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a holding face, an inkjet head including plural nozzles arranged along a predetermined direction correspondingly with a predetermined resolution, a first moving mechanism which performs a first movement of moving at least one of the inkjet head and the holding member in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction, a second moving mechanism which performs a second movement of moving the holding member in the predetermined direction, and a first movement controlling unit which controls the first moving mechanism to perform the first movement first and second times. In the second time, the inkjet head and the holding member are moved in directions that are opposite to directions in the first time. A second movement controlling unit controls the second moving mechanism to, after the first movement for the first time, perform the second movement by one half of a distance corresponding to the predetermined resolution.

Abstract: Provided is a modular printer assembly which includes a housing having upper and lower covers, a first side wall and a second, opposed side wall, as well as a loading mechanism which includes a drive assembly with a traversing mechanism engaged with the drive assembly, and a pair of endless belts and roller assemblies operatively engaged with the traversing mechanism, so that actuation of the drive assembly displaces the traversing mechanism to push, or pull, the belt and roller mechanisms farther apart, or closer together, respectively. The printer assembly also includes a print engine having two opposed arcuate printheads each with a radius of curvature which approximates a radius of inlet rollers with each roller at least partially received in said curvature of each respective printhead, the print engine configured to print ink followed by a fixative onto the media operatively fed between the printhead.

Abstract: A printhead assembly for a pagewidth printer arrangement includes a channel shaped member. A number of printhead tiles are located in the channel shaped member. Each tile has a printhead integrated circuit (IC) carrier member for receiving a printhead IC and an ink ducting member that mates with the carrier member and defines ink ducts for supplying the printhead IC with ink via the carrier member.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for wide format inkjet printing using conventional piezoelectric inkjet print heads that each print at a native resolution. A plurality of inkjet print heads are disposed in a print head array to print an image on the substrate at the native resolution across an entire width of the substrate without scanning across the width of the substrate. The print head array may be shifted in a direction parallel to the width of the substrate, and the print head array may be used to print images on the substrate in multiple passes to form a composite image having a resolution equal to a multiple of the native resolution. Alternatively, a plurality of print head arrays may be provided, with adjacent print head arrays spaced apart to provide a composite print resolution equal to a multiple of the native resolution.

Abstract: An inkjet printer that has an elongate array of nozzles for ejecting ink and ink conduits for supplying the array of nozzles with ink. The ink conduits are aligned with the longitudinal extent of the elongate array and have a plurality of pulse dampers individually in fluid communication with the ink conduits. Each pulse damper contains a volume of gas for compression by pressure pulses in the ink conduits, distributed along the length of the elongate array. A pressure pulse moving through an elongate printheads, such as a pagewidth printhead, can be damped at any point in the ink flow line. However, the pulse will cause nozzle flooding as it passes the nozzles in the printhead integrated circuit, regardless of whether it is subsequently dissipated at the damper. By incorporating a number of pulse dampers into the ink supply conduits immediately next to the nozzle array, any pressure spikes are damped at the site where they would otherwise cause detrimental flooding.

Abstract: An alignment mechanism for a printhead includes a support frame into which there is formed a printhead module mounting plate. The mounting plate is coupled to a lever at one side of the lever's fulcrum point. A grub screw is captured by a portion of the mounting frame and rotatably received at a point on the lever at an opposite side of the fulcrum to the mounting plate coupling point. The fulcrum point is located closer to the mounting plate than to the grub screw. Rotation of the grub screw causes minute movement of the mounting plate. A number of hinged arms are also provided which interconnect the mounting plate and the frame and are arranged to facilitate linear movement of the mounting plate in response to adjustment of the grub screw.

Abstract: A print engine for an inkjet printer including: a removable inkjet cartridge of a type having a pagewidth printhead and an ink supply; and a cradle having a body adapted to receive the removable inkjet cartridge and to control the operation of the printhead for printing; wherein the cradle is configured to be secured to the inkjet printer to receive print media from a media input tray and to deliver printed media to a media output tray.

Abstract: A nozzle device is provided for an inkjet printer. The nozzle device includes a support structure defining an ink inlet chamber connected to a source of ink. An elongate actuating arm is cantilevered relative to the support structure. A nozzle chamber structure defines a nozzle chamber for receiving ink from the ink inlet chamber. The nozzle chamber structure includes a static portion extending from the support structure and defines a nozzle opening through which ink in the nozzle chamber can be ejected. The nozzle chamber structure further includes a movable wall portion mounted to the actuating arm, between its ends, so that the actuating arm terminates in a free end within the nozzle chamber. Upon actuation of the actuating arm, the free end of the actuating arm moves within the nozzle chamber and ejects ink therein through the nozzle opening.

Abstract: The invention provides for an elongate printhead assembly for a pagewidth printer. The printhead assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having mounted thereon various electronic components to facilitate operation of the printer. A number of printhead integrated circuits are respectively angularly disposed with respect to a longitudinal axis of the PCB. Tape automated bond (TAB) film is in register with a number of printhead integrated circuits. The film is configured to arrange the integrated circuits in signal communication with the electronic components. The assembly also includes an ink distribution molding for distributing ink from an ink reservoir to the integrated circuits, and a laminated stack arranged between the ink distribution molding and the integrated circuits for ducting the ink to respective integrated circuits.

Abstract: High-density image printing can be achieved by using ink jet print heads capable of ejecting ink. A plurality of same color print heads capable of ejecting the same color ink are controlled according to the same print data. Drive timings for the same color print heads are so set that the dots printed by these same color print heads overlap each other.

Abstract: An inkjet deposition apparatus includes a position encoder 128 in a translation stage 116. The position encoder provides encoder signals which are used as a clock signal for a pattern memory 136. Ejection of droplets of a material to be printed can therefore be synchronised with the speed of movement of the translation, providing improved accuracy and speed of deposition.

Abstract: A method of priming an inkjet printhead having ink ejection nozzles. The method includes: providing an ink bag containing ink for distribution to the nozzles via a fluid path between the ink bag and the nozzles; applying inwardly directed force on at least one exterior wall of the ink bag so as to reduce an available fluid volume of the ink bag, thereby causing ink to flow from the ink bag to the nozzles along the fluid path; and arranging a biasing member in the ink bag so that the biasing member applies outwardly directed force on at least one interior wall of the ink bag to restrain the reduction of available fluid volume of the ink bag only once the available fluid volume of the ink bag has been reduced to a predetermined volume. The printhead is a pagewidth printhead, having a pagewidth of 100.9 millimeters.

Abstract: A printhead system for an inkjet printer includes an inkjet printhead. A media transport arrangement transports sheets of print media operatively past the printhead. A system controller is operatively connected to the printhead to control operation of the printhead. A print media sensor is operatively connected to the system controller to detect movement of a sheet of print media and to actuate the inkjet printhead.

Abstract: An ink priming system for a cartridge unit of the type having a pagewidth printhead assembly in fluid communication with one or more ink storage compartments. The system includes a priming inlet provided on said pagewidth printhead assembly for receiving a supply of ink for priming the cartridge unit; an ink flow passage providing fluid connection between the pagewidth printhead assembly and one of the ink storage compartments; and an ink retaining member located within each ink storage compartment for receiving and storing ink. Ink is supplied to the priming inlet of the pagewidth printhead assembly to flow from the pagewidth printhead assembly to the ink storage compartment via the ink flow passage to prime the ink retaining member of each ink storage compartment with ink.

Abstract: A printhead for a printer in which a print medium advances in a media advance direction, said printhead being static when printing and having an adjustable length in a width direction that is perpendicular to said media advance direction, such that the length of the printhead in said width direction can be adjusted to the width of the image to be printed.

Abstract: A camera device includes a replaceable print roll. The print roll includes an ink reservoir section storing respective types of ink. A validation apparatus is configured to validate the replaceable print roll. A printer is configured to print an image on print media upon validation of the print roll. The printer includes an ink supply unit defining a channel from which ink supply passages extend. The printer is configured to receive the ink within the ink supply passages. An ink ejection printhead is located in the channel and includes sets of ink inlets with each set being configured to receive a respective type of ink from the ink supply passages. A roller assembly is arranged to transport the print media in register with the printhead during printing of the image.

Abstract: A method of ejecting drops of an ejectable liquid from a printhead is provided. The printhead has nozzles with bubble forming chambers, a heater element(s) disposed in the chambers configured for thermal contact with a bubble forming liquid and having bubble nucleation sections of smaller cross section than the rest of the heater element, and drive circuitry for controlling operation of the heater elements via electrodes, with parts of the drive circuitry disposed on opposing sides of the chambers. The method includes heating the heater elements by applying actuation energy of less than 500 nJ to form a gas bubble in the liquid that causes drop ejection from the nozzles and supplying the nozzle with a replacement volume of the liquid equivalent to the ejected drop. The bubble nucleation sections and the rest of the heater elements are co-planar and remain co-planar when heater elements are heated.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead comprising a plurality of transversely aligned color channels is provided. Each color channel comprises at least one nozzle row extending longitudinally along said printhead. Each nozzle in a row ejects the same colored ink. The printhead is comprised of a plurality of printhead modules, and the number of color channels is equal to the number of printhead modules.

Abstract: A pagewidth printhead is provided for an inkjet printer. The printhead includes an elongate support. A plurality of printhead modules is supported by the support. Each printhead module includes rows of unit cells. Each unit cell includes a nozzle through which ink can be ejected and an actuator configured to eject ink from the nozzle. Opposite edges of each printhead module define complementary formations so that the printhead modules can be engaged together in series along the support.

Abstract: The invention provides for a modular printer including a housing having an upper and lower cover, with a first side wall having an air duct with an air inlet, and a second side wall defining air exit vents, so that warm air can be ducted over print media passing through the housing. The printer further includes entry and exit media feed roller assemblies at respective opposite ends of the housing for feeding the print media through the housing. Also included is a print engine having two opposing arcuate printheads having a radius of curvature which approximates that of the radius of the rollers. The printhead are at least partially received between opposite halves of the rollers of the entry roller assembly. The print engine is configured to print ink followed by a fixative onto the print media, with the feed assemblies configured to feed the media through the housing at a predetermined rate so that said media only leaves the housing when the fixative has dried.

Abstract: A printhead assembly is provided which has a plurality of printhead modules and at least one fluid connector. Each module has printing fluid ejection nozzles supplied with printing fluid from at least one longitudinally extending channel defined in a printing fluid distribution member of the respective module. The distribution members have complementary female and male end portions configured to interconnect the channels of adjacent modules. The fluid connector is connected to the distribution member female or male end portion of at least one of the modules and communicates printing fluid from a fluid supply to the nozzles of all of the modules via the interconnected channels.

Abstract: A method of capping a pagewidth printhead assembly is provided. The printhead assembly has two confronting pagewidth printheads and a plurality of nozzles located along each printhead and arranged in use to deliver ink onto opposite surfaces of print media as it is transported past the printheads. In the method linear movement of each printhead is effected in a first direction and linear movement of associated capping members is effected in a second direction to a position at which each capping member is located in nozzle capping engagement with the associated printhead. The first and second directions are non-parallel.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly includes an elongate support having a plurality of internal webs protruding from a base section to define a plurality of parallel ink supply channels; a shim mounted on the support and defining a plurality of rows of openings through which ink from respective supply channels is provided; and a plurality of elongate printhead modules mounted serially on the shim. Each module includes a carrier carrying a printhead. Each carrier defines a plurality of ink supply passages through which ink passes to the printhead from respective rows of the openings. Either end of each carrier defines complementary formations such that adjacent pairs of the carriers nest together. The plurality of internal webs protrude from the base section to define a semicircular recess in which the shim is received. The shim is received in the semicircular recess such that the each of the plurality of rows respectively align with one of the plurality of parallel ink channels.

Abstract: A printer cartridge for an inkjet printer including a printing fluid storage and a pagewidth printhead in fluid communication with said printing fluid storage, said printhead including two print chips which extend the length of the printhead.

Abstract: Provided is a print engine controller for a pagewidth printhead. The controller includes contone and bi-level decompression circuitry for decompressing a contone layer of compressed page data and a bi-level layer of compressed page data, respectively. The controller also includes halftoner and compositor circuitry for halftoning the decompressed contone layer to associated bi-level versions and compositing the decompressed bi-level layer over the halftoned contone layers. Also included is printhead interface circuitry for receiving the halftoned and composited data so as to generate print data suitable for printing by the printhead. The controller further includes line loader and formatter circuitry for receiving dot data from the halftoner and compositor circuitry to store the dot data for lines to be printed in memory circuitry of the controller and to format said lines into an order required by the printhead interface circuitry.

Abstract: A printer is provided having a printhead assembly and a capping mechanism. The printhead assembly has two confronting pagewidth printheads and a plurality of nozzles located along each printhead and arranged in use to deliver ink onto opposite surfaces of print media as it is transported past the printheads. The capping mechanism has capping members having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printheads and actuating means arranged to effect linear movement of the capping members in a first direction and linear movement of the printheads in a second direction to a position at which nozzle capping engagement is effected between the capping members and respective ones of the printheads. The first and second directions are non-parallel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of compensating for defective nozzles. Accordingly, in an image forming apparatus having inkjet nozzles (i.e., an inkjet printer), image quality deterioration due to defective nozzles (i.e., nozzles that cannot discharge ink) may be compensated for by replacing data after moving a printer head to an optimum position. Image quality deterioration due to defective nozzles may also be compensated by replacing data to be printed after moving at he printer head to the optimum position.

Abstract: A mobile telecommunications device is provided having a body, a printhead arranged in the body to print on a print media, and a drive shaft arranged in the body to feed the print media past the printhead for printing. The printhead is arranged within 2 millimeters from the drive shaft.

Abstract: A full width array printhead is provided having a continuous maintainable printhead surface and method of forming the same. The printhead includes a substrate and an array of die modules mounted thereon with a front face of each die module exposed. A hardened fill material surrounds the array of die modules to define a continuous surface coplanar with the front face of the array of die modules.

Abstract: An inkjet printer unit including: a media input tray for supplying print media for printing; a print engine for printing an image on said print media; and a media output tray for collecting the printed media; wherein the print engine contains a removable inkjet cartridge of a type having a pagewidth printhead and an ink supply and a cradle having a body adapted to receive the removable inkjet cartridge and to control the operation of the printhead for printing.

Abstract: A channel unit has an ink ejection surface that includes nozzles, another surface, a common ink chamber, pressure chambers, and individual ink channels each fluidly connecting the common ink chamber with one nozzle via a corresponding pressure chamber. An actuator unit is fixed to the another surface. The actuator unit is deformable to selectively change the volumes of the plurality of pressure chambers. A reservoir unit has a first surface fixed to the another surface, a second surface extending in parallel with the ink ejection surface, and an ink reservoir. The actuator unit is interposed between the channel unit and the reservoir unit. A base plate has a flat planar surface. A fixing portion fixes the base plate to the reservoir unit at at least one position, allowing the flat planar surface of the base plate to be in close contact with the second surface of the reservoir unit.

Abstract: A printhead assembly is provided comprising at least one printhead module comprising at least two printhead integrated circuits, each of which has nozzles formed therein for delivering printing fluid onto the surface of print media, a support member supporting and carrying the printing fluid for the printhead integrated circuits, and at least two flexible printed circuit boards for connecting electrical signals to the printhead integrated circuits. The assembly further comprises drive electronics incorporating at least one controller which is connected to at least one of the printhead integrated circuits via the respective flexible printed circuit board for controlling the printing operation thereof, and a casing in which the printhead module and drive electronics are removably mounted.

Abstract: A printer system is provided having a printhead including nozzles with bubble forming chambers, a heater element(s) disposed in each chamber configured for thermal contact with a bubble forming liquid, and drive circuitry corresponding to the nozzles for controlling operation of the heater elements via electrodes, such that the heater element forms a gas bubble in the liquid that causes drop ejection from the nozzle. Parts of the drive circuitry is disposed on opposing sides of the chambers. The heater element has a bubble nucleation section of smaller cross section than the rest of the heater element where the bubble nucleation section and the rest of the heater element are co-planar and remain co-planar when the heater element is heated. An actuation energy of less than 500 nanojoules is required to be applied to each heater element to heat it sufficiently to form the bubble.

Abstract: A printer is provided having a printhead and controller. The printhead has a plurality of printhead modules each having a plurality of ejection nozzles. The nozzles of at least one of the printhead modules is rotationally displaced relative to the other printhead modules. The controller communicates ejection data to the ejection nozzles in accordance with a cumulative correction factor for each printhead module, including printhead modules having non-rotationally displaced nozzles, to at least partially compensate for the rotational displacement.

Abstract: An inkjet printer, comprises a plurality of recording heads to jet ink onto a recording medium; an ink distributing device to distribute ink to the plurality of recording heads and having a damping action to the ink, the ink distributing device including, an ink chamber to store ink therein, an inlet section having an ink inlet port through which ink is fed from an outside into the ink chamber, and an outlet section having a plurality of ink outlet ports through which ink is discharged from the ink chamber; and a plurality of supplying pipes to distribute ink from the plurality of outlet ports to the plurality of recording heads.

Abstract: The invention provides a printhead assembly for a printer which prints onto a moving web that follows a path. A full width printhead located across the path of the printer. The printhead is a color printhead which is at least as wide as the web. The printhead is supplied with a number of different inks which are remote from the printhead and which are supplied to the printhead through tubes. In some embodiments the printhead is retained by a rail which is located across the path and along which the printhead slides into and out of a printing position.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly includes an elongate support defining a plurality of parallel ink supply channels. A shim is mounted on the support and defines a plurality of rows of openings through which ink from respective supply channels can be provided. A plurality of elongate printhead modules is mounted serially on the shim. Each module includes a carrier that carries a printhead. Each carrier defines a plurality of ink supply passages through which ink passes to its printhead from respective rows of the openings. Either end of each carrier defines complementary formations so that adjacent pairs of the carriers nest together.