Abstract:
Service station components for interacting with one type of printhead are located to be aligned in operative position only in a first servicing mode, and service station components for interacting with another type of printhead are differently located to be aligned in operative position only in a second servicing mode. This allows for different servicing schemes of two or more modes to be applied based on the individual characteristics of the ink and/or nozzle plates employed in inkjet printheads. In some instances, an individual printhead can be serviced in more than one servicing mode. In a preferred embodiment, replaceable service station units are provided for each different printhead.
Abstract:
To assemble a printer chassis comprising three structural aluminium beams extending between two structural sideplates, the printer carriage beam is first attached to the sideplates by means of attachment points arranged along a straight line and then the printing beam and lower beam are attached to provide a vibration- and deformation-resistant chassis relative to which all the other printer components are referenced. Slider rods are mounted on the printer carriage beam by means of screws which hold the rods against the beam to keep them straight. The screws also pass through apertures in rod supports, the apertures being sized to permit longitudinal thermal movements of the rods relative to the beam.
Abstract:
A tool and a method for adjusting a space between a printhead in a print cartridge and a platen in an ink jet printer are disclosed. The shape of the tool mimics the shape of a print cartridge. The tool is inserted into an aperture in a carriage in place of the print cartridge whose printhead is the closest to the platen, or, if all of the printheads are equally close to the platen, then the tool may be inserted in place of any of the print cartridges. The tool includes a thin flexible member that extends toward the platen. The length of the member is such that, when the tool is properly inserted into the aperture and contacts the platen, then the printhead to platen spacing at that point on the platen would be just equal to a minimum acceptable spacing between a printhead in the same aperture and the platen. Contact between the member of the tool and the platen is detected by listening for a scraping sound caused by such contact and/or watching for flexure of the member caused by such contact while moving the carriage laterally. Subsequently, the height of the carriage relative to the platen is gradually adjusted until no sound or flexure is detected as the carriage moves along the platen. Subsequently, the tool is removed and a print cartridge is inserted into the aperture so that printing may commence.
Abstract:
A printer comprises a printing assembly for printing an image on a print media in a print zone; a cutting assembly for cutting the print media along a contour in a cut zone; wherein the print zone and the cut zone are distinct from one another, one of the zones being downstream of the respective other zone in a print media advance direction; a control unit controlling the printhead assembly and the cutting assembly to perform printing and cutting operations during a single print media feed. A method of printing, using said printer, comprises feeding the print media through the cut zone and through the print zone, in any order; and simultaneously printing an image and cutting a contour while the print media is being fed through the cut zone and through the print zone.
Abstract:
System for supplying ink printed on a print medium comprises a heater to heat air, an impingement plate with a plurality of holes, and a blower for blowing heated air through the holes of the impingement plate onto the print medium. The impingement flux length in the system which may be defined as the length of the impingement plate through which heated air is blown, is adjustable.
Abstract:
System for supplying ink printed on a print medium comprises a heater to heat air, an impingement plate with a plurality of holes, and a blower for blowing heated air through the holes of the impingement plate onto the print medium. The impingement flux length in the system which may be defined as the length of the impingement plate through which heated air is blown, is adjustable.
Abstract:
Ink drying methods and apparatus are disclosed. One example ink drying apparatus includes a resistive heating element having a first power dissipation density adjacent to a center region of a print media travel path and a second power dissipation density adjacent to an edge region of the print media travel path, wherein the first and second power densities are not equal.
Abstract:
A printer comprises a printing assembly for printing an image on a print media in a print zone; a cutting assembly for cutting the print media along a contour in a cut zone; wherein the print zone and the cut zone are distinct from one another, one of the zones being downstream of the respective other zone in a print media advance direction; a control unit controlling the printhead assembly and the cutting assembly to perform printing and cutting operations during a single print media feed. A method of printing, using said printer, comprises feeding the print media through the cut zone and through the print zone, in any order; and simultaneously printing an image and cutting a contour while the print media is being fed through the cut zone and through the print zone.