Abstract:
A system and method for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional structures, including three-dimensional cellular structures, are provided. The system comprises at least one print head for receiving and dispensing materials, the materials comprising a sheath fluid and a hydrogel, the print head comprising an orifice for dispensing the materials, microfluidic channels for receiving and directing the materials, fluidic switches corresponding to one of the microfluidic channels in the print head and configured to allow or disallow fluid flow in the microfluidic channels; a receiving surface for receiving a first layer of the materials dispensed from the orifice; a positioning unit for positioning the orifice of the print head in three dimensional space; and a dispensing means for dispensing the materials from the orifice of the print head.
Abstract:
A polyimide photoresist for thick film flow features adheres to a polyimide nozzle plate or other materials, without the use of an adhesive material between the two surfaces. Further, the photoresist can utilize an acrylate UV initiator, which can reduce the potential for HF to interact with the ink, and which can cause flocculation and eliminate the need for extremely long postbake cures used to remove HF from the photoresist. In another embodiment, an epoxy adhesive containing a dicyandiamide catalyst can be used to improve adhesion between polyimide films and a respective substrate.
Abstract:
Improved photoimaged nozzle members for a micro-fluid ejection head, micro-fluid ejection heads containing such nozzle members, and methods for making any of the same. One such nozzle member is provided by a photoresist nozzle layer applied adjacent a thick film layer on a substrate having fluid ejector actuators. The photoresist nozzle layer has a plurality of nozzles therein. The nozzles are formed in the nozzle layer from an exit surface of the nozzle layer to an entrance surface of the nozzle layer. The nozzles have a reentrant hole profile with a wall angle greater than about 4° up to about 30° measured from an axis orthogonal to a plane defined by the exit surface of the nozzle layer.
Abstract:
A semiconductor substrate for an ink jet printhead. The substrate includes a silicon substrate having a thickness ranging from about 500 to about 900 microns and having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. One or more ink feed slots are formed in the silicon substrate from the first surface to the second surface thereof. The ink feed slots have a first width dimension, opposing first ends, and a first length dimension between the opposing first ends adjacent the first surface of the substrate. Stress relieving openings are provided adjacent the opposing first ends of the ink feed slots. The stress relieving openings provide an overall feed slot length dimension, have a radius greater than the first width dimension of the ink feed slots and have a radius to first length dimension ratio ranging from about 1:60 to about 1:250.
Abstract:
A print assembly (14) for a wide format pagewidth inkjet printer (10) includes an elongate carrier (187) that is mountable on a support structure (12) of the printer and is positioned an operative distance from a platen (106) of the printer (10). A number of printhead chips (186) are provided in a number and configuration such that the printhead chips define a printing zone (120) between the carrier (187) and the platen (106), the printing zone (120) having a length of at least 36 inches (914 mm). Each printhead chip (186) is of the type that incorporates a plurality of nozzle arrangements (210) and being in the form of a micro electromechanical system to achieve the ejection of ink from the nozzle arrangement (210). Control circuitry (190) is positioned on the carrier (187) and is operatively connected to the printhead chips (186) to control operation of the printhead chips (186).
Abstract:
An ink jet nozzle assembly (10) includes a substrate (16). A nozzle (22) is displaceably arranged relative to the substrate (16). The nozzle (22) defines a nozzle opening (24) such that, in use, upon displacement of the nozzle (22) relative to the substrate (16) ink is ejected through the opening (24). A seal (52) is arranged intermediate the substrate (16) and the nozzle (22) for inhibiting leakage of ink from around a periphery of the nozzle (22).
Abstract:
A paint injector (300) for digital printing in which paint is deposited in metered amounts on a print medium comprising a wheel (304) rotatable by a shaft (303) of a motor (324), an idler (308) disposed in a paint reservoir (306), and a segment of wire (302) disposed around the wheel (304) and the idler (308). The motor (324) is preferably computer controlled (350) such that the rotation of the wheel (304) and thus movement of the wire (302) is selectively controlled. As the wheel (304) is rotated, paint contained within the paint reservoir (306) coats the wire (302) and is thus drawn by the wire (302) in front of an air stream. The air stream pulls the paint from the wire (302) and carries it toward the print medium.