Xaar Technology Limited

Jesus Garcia Maza

Stephen Mark Jeapes

Ulrik Manfred Naunton

Richard Hugh Lewis

Arturo Garcia Gomez

Robert John Charles Dunn

Colin Brook

Mario Massucci

Peter Boltryk

Artur Tomasz Jedynak

Athanasios Kanaris

Alfonso Cameno Salinas

Juan Reyero

Nigel Heather

Tomas Cerny

Alan Morgan

Kevin Gallon

A droplet deposition apparatus () comprising: a first head module (A,B,A) and a second head module (B,A,B) arranged in at least partially overlapping relationship, each head module having a plurality of nozzles in at least one nozzle array (A, B); and a storage () configured to store a table of determined best aligned nozzle pairs in an overlap region and corresponding skew angles (Θi) of at least one of the head modules relative to a datum of the droplet deposition apparatus and/or a corresponding positional offset of the second head module relative to the first head module; wherein, in the overlap region, nozzles of the first head module are arranged at a first nozzle pitch (P) and nozzles of the second head module are arranged at a second nozzle itch (P). Associated methods in respect of determining misalignment information in respect of such a droplet deposition apparatus, and determining one or more best aligned nozzle pairs in an overlap region between at least two head modules, are also provided.

Droplet deposition apparatus and methods for determining misalignment thereof

A method for reducing instability of a nozzle meniscus of a droplet deposition apparatus. The method includes the steps of receiving first and second data blocks for respective first and second line pixels, receiving a data set of forbidden pixel periods, determining a first jitter delay value based on the forbidden pixel periods, generating first and second print data based on the first and second data blocks, the first print data defining a first holding period and one or more drive pulses and the second print data defining one or more drive pulses; wherein the first and second print data generate first and second actuating element signals that cause an actuating element to eject at least one droplet from a nozzle, wherein the first jitter delay value adjusts a first pixel period, defined by the drive pulses, to fall outside of the forbidden pixel periods to reduce nozzle meniscus instability.

Methods, apparatus and control systems for droplet deposition apparatus

A droplet deposition head including a datum surface arrangement for alignment of the head relative to an external mounting component in either a vertical mounting mode in which the head is held against a vertical mounting plate or a horizontal mounting mode where the head is held against a horizontal mounting plate. The datum surface arrangement comprising at least seven datum surfaces (x; y, y, y; z, z, z) provided on the head, wherein five of the seven datum surfaces are provided for alignment in both vertical and horizontal mounting modes, and wherein a sixth datum surface (z) is provided for alignment exclusively in said horizontal mounting mode and a seventh datum surface (y) is provided for alignment exclusively in said vertical mounting mode.

Droplet deposition head alignment system

A droplet deposition head includes: one or more manifold components, providing one or more fluid inlets, each of which is connectable to a fluid supply system so that the head can receive a corresponding droplet fluid; and two or more arrays of fluid chambers, each chamber being provided with a respective actuating element and a respective nozzle, each actuating element being actuable to eject a droplet of fluid in an ejection direction through the corresponding one of the nozzles, each array extending in an array direction. The head extends, in the ejection direction, from a first end, at which the one or more fluid inlets are located, to a second end, at which the arrays of fluid chambers are located. One or more branched inlet paths are provided within the manifold components over a first portion of their height in the ejection direction, each of the branched paths being fluidically connected so as to receive fluid at a main branch thereof from a respective one of the fluid inlets, branching at one or more branching points into two or more sub-branches, and culminating in a plurality of end sub-branches, to which fluid is conveyed. A plurality of widening inlet chambers is provided within the manifold components over a second portion of their height in the ejection direction, the width of each widening inlet chamber in the array direction increasing with distance in the ejection direction from a first end to a second end thereof, the first end being fluidically connected so as to receive fluid from one or more of the branched paths and the second end being fluidically connected so as to supply fluid to one or more of the arrays. Each of the branched inlet paths is fluidically connected so as to supply fluid to two or more of the widening inlet chambers. Also provided are manifold components, which include a plurality of layers, for a droplet deposition head.

Droplet deposition head and manifold components therefor

Growing community of inventors

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Jesus Garcia Maza