Patent ID: 6235212
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: B41J,B82Y,G06K,G11C,H04N

Abstract:
A method of manufacture of a drop on demand ink jet print head arrangement including a series of nozzle chambers, said method comprising the steps of:(a) utilising an initial semiconductor wafer having an electrical circuitry layer formed thereon;(b) forming a bottom layer of conductive material on or in said electrical circuitry layer;(c) depositing and etching a first hydrophobic layer on said bottom layer;(d) depositing and etching a first sacrificial layer of sacrificial material on said first hydrophobic layer;(e) depositing and etching a top layer of conductive material on said first sacrificial layer, said top layer including predetermined portions interconnecting with said electrical circuitry layer;(f) depositing and etching a membrane layer on said top layer;(g) depositing and etching a second sacrificial layer on said membrane layer, said second sacrificial layer forming a blank for said nozzle chamber walls;(h) depositing and etching an inert material layer on said second sacrificial layer so as to form said nozzle chamber walls surrounding said nozzle chamber in addition to a nozzle fluid ejection hole in fluid communication with said nozzle chamber;(i) etching an ink supply channel in fluid communication with said nozzle chamber; and(j) etching away said sacrificial layers so as to leave a planar actuator which is defined by said top layer and said membrane layer, the actuator being arranged in the nozzle chamber above the bottom layer and being displaceable towards and away from said bottom layer, while remaining parallel to said bottom layer, to effect ink ejection, in use.