Abstract:
An apparatus enables alignment of the position of a printhead independent of other printheads in a printhead assembly. The apparatus includes a printhead configured to eject ink onto an image receiving member, a plate to which the printhead can be rigidly mounted and selectively removed, and a translation carriage to which the plate is rigidly mounted. The apparatus also includes a track ball operatively coupled to two actuators for movement of the plate in an X and a roll direction relative to the translation carriage.
Abstract:
A printhead cleaning device is configured to use a cleaning web to absorb the residual ink left on the faceplate of the printhead. The cleaning web is supplied from a feed cartridge and taken up by a take-up cartridge. The cartridges include indexing mechanisms that are configured to dispense and pull-in, respectively, a predetermined length of the cleaning web during each maintenance cycle of the printhead.
Abstract:
A printing system comprises printheads to eject ink to a deposition region. Print media are held by vacuum suction against a movable support surface, which moves over a vacuum platen. The vacuum platen comprises platen holes through which the vacuum suction is communicated. An airflow control system comprises airflow zones, each comprising a group of the platen holes, a duct, and a valve, the duct and the valve being arranged to selectively control vacuum suction through the group of the platen holes. For each of the printheads, at least one of the airflow zones is located under the respective printhead. Thus, airflow through platen holes under the printheads can be selectively controlled by selectively controlling the vacuum suction in the airflow zones.
Abstract:
A melting device melts solid ink into liquid ink by passing alternating current through an electrical conductor arranged in coils around a housing. The liquid ink passes from a reservoir, through a spool valve arrangement, and into first and second chambers. The spool valve arrangement only allows liquid ink into one chamber at a time. While the first chamber is being filled, pressure is applied to the second chamber. The pressure applied to the second chamber forces the liquid ink in the second chamber through a filter and an outlet. When the first chamber is filled to a predetermined level, pressure is no longer applied to the second chamber and is applied to the first chamber. The pressure applied to the first chamber moves the spool valve arrangement to block the first chamber. While pressure is applied to the first chamber, the second chamber is filled with liquid ink.
Abstract:
A registration system for a printing device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. For example, the registration system includes at least one sensor to detect a position of a print media, a platform comprising at least one multi-rotational wheel, and a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and the at least one multi-rotational wheel, wherein the processor calculates a desired movement of the at least one multi-rotational wheel based on the position of the print media.
Abstract:
What is disclosed is an apparatus and method for inhibiting the formation of sediment in an ink sub-tank of a MICR inkjet printer. In one embodiment, the present apparatus comprises an ink sub-tank containing MICR ink substantially comprising a ferrofluid of particles, and an electromagnet. When the MICR inkjet printer is turned OFF, the electromagnet is lowered into a chamber inside the ink sub-tank and an electric current is applied to activate the electromagnet. Activation of the electromagnet causes the particles of the ferrofluid to be attracted to the electromagnet's magnetic field such that the particles are lifted off a bottom of the sub-tank to inhibit sediment formation thereon. The electromagnet is de-activated when the MICR inkjet printer is turned OFF. A sensor is employed to activate the electromagnet when sediment in the ink sub-tank has reached a pre-determined level.
Abstract:
A printhead cleaning device is configured to use a cleaning web to absorb the residual ink left on the faceplate of the printhead. The cleaning web is supplied from a feed cartridge and taken up by a take-up cartridge. The cartridges include indexing mechanisms that are configured to dispense and pull-in, respectively, a predetermined length of the cleaning web during each maintenance cycle of the printhead.
Abstract:
An apparatus enables alignment of the position of a printhead independent of other printheads in a printhead assembly. The apparatus includes a printhead configured to eject ink onto an image receiving member, a plate to which the printhead can be rigidly mounted and selectively removed, and a translation carriage to which the plate is rigidly mounted. The apparatus also includes a track ball operatively coupled to two actuators for movement of the plate in an X and a roll direction relative to the translation carriage.
Abstract:
A melting device melts solid ink into liquid ink by passing alternating current through an electrical conductor arranged in coils around a housing. The liquid ink passes from a reservoir, through a spool valve arrangement, and into first and second chambers. The spool valve arrangement only allows liquid ink into one chamber at a time. While the first chamber is being filled, pressure is applied to the second chamber. The pressure applied to the second chamber forces the liquid ink in the second chamber through a filter and an outlet. When the first chamber is filled to a predetermined level, pressure is no longer applied to the second chamber and is applied to the first chamber. The pressure applied to the first chamber moves the spool valve arrangement to block the first chamber. While pressure is applied to the first chamber, the second chamber is filled with liquid ink.