Inca Digital Printers Limited

Agfa Nv

Nicholas John Campbell

Stephen George Tunnicliffe-Wilson

Adam Woolfe

Stephen Douglas

Steven Mark Sadler

Philip Heylen

A printhead adjustment apparatus for adjusting the translation and rotation of a printhead is provided. The apparatus comprises a first portion and a second portion, each arranged for coupling to the printhead. The apparatus also comprises a first actuator coupled to the first portion by a first flexure arrangement and a second actuator coupled to the second portion by a second flexure arrangement. Translation of the first and second actuators in the same direction as each other causes translation of the first and second portions in the same direction as each other to provide translation of the printhead, while translation of the first and second actuators in opposite directions to each other causes translation of the first and second portions in opposite directions to each other to provide rotation of the printhead.

Printhead adjustment apparatus

A printhead support structure may have a receiving portion to receive a printhead, first and second portions having an adjustment mechanism therebetween for converting a translational movement of the first portion to a rotational movement of the second portion, and a coupling mechanism coupling the second portion to the receiving portion for adjusting the rotational angle of the printhead. A method for adjusting a position of a printhead coupled to a printhead support may include applying a force to a first portion of the printhead support to effect a translational movement of the first portion, converting the translational movement of the first portion into a rotational movement of a second portion of the printhead support, and applying the rotational movement of the second portion to the printhead.

Printhead attachment system

In an ink jet printer (), where there is relative movement between a print carriage () and a print table () to print on to a substrate mounted on the table (), the gradient of the print table at each position of the print carriage () is used to produce a compensated position of the print carriage (), and printing data is sent to the print head according to the compensated position instead of the actual position. This delays or advances the release of ink, to compensate for the difference in the time taken for the ink to reach a substrate mounted on the print table () when the print gap between print heads and print table () is not constant.

Print gap compensation

A pressure regulation system for a high throughput inkjet printer uses a peristaltic pump to provide a meniscus vacuum to the printheads. A peristaltic pump is a small and inexpensive device which can produce a low flow rate suitable for achieving the relatively small meniscus vacuum required by drop on demand systems. Furthermore the pump can operate in both directions, and seals in the event of power loss.

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Cambridge, United Kingdom

Nicholas John Campbell