Patent ID: 6098264
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: B41J,H01S,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of assembling a replaceable light source and modulator unit, the method comprising the steps of:mounting the light source on a base so as to be movable with respect to said base;mounting a lens adjacent to said light source so as to be movable with respect to said light source;adjusting said lens in at least a transverse position with respect to a light beam from said light source so that said light beam is visually centered at a visual target position;placing a beam profiler in an optical path downstream of said lens to obtain a light beam waist position;adjusting said light source in a direction of said light beam to obtain said beam waist at said beam profiler;wherein said step of placing said beam profiler in said optical path comprises the step of locating said beam profiler at a position which corresponds with a center of a crystal of a modulator assembly;replacing said beam profiler with said modulator assembly such that said modulator assembly is mounted in a movable manner on said base;positioning said base having said light source and said modulator assembly movably mounted thereon on a first fixture, said first fixture simulating a receiving structure of a printer;removably fastening a second fixture on said light source and said modulator assembly, said second fixture having at least two modulator adjuster for moving the modulator assembly in linear and rotational directions and at least one light source adjuster for moving said light source in linear and rotational directions with respect to the light beam incident upon the modulator assembly;adjusting said second fixture by holding both the light source and modulator assembly in four degrees of freedom wherein a beam exiting the modulator assembly is aligned with respect to said first fixture; andrigidly fastening both the light source and modulator assembly to said base making a complete field replaceably unit.