Abstract:
The invention provides for a pressure-based tester for testing integrity of a platform assembly. The platform assembly includes a pair of assembled platform components fastened together and a fluid path extending into both components, the platform assembly suitable for supporting printhead integrated circuits to be tested. The tester includes a housing assembly, a regulated gas supply arranged in the housing assembly, and a retaining mechanism in fluid communication with the gas supply and configured to retain the platform assembly in fluid communication with the gas supply during testing of the platform assembly. The tester also includes a pressure measuring apparatus operatively connected to the gas supply and configured to generate a signal corresponding to a pressure value applied to the retaining mechanism, and a control system configured to control operation of the regulated gas supply, the retaining mechanism and configured to receive the signal from the pressure measuring apparatus and to detect decay in the pressure value.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to the field of printer component testing, in general. More specifically, the invention relates to a leak tester for a carrier for printhead integrated circuits, a method for testing integrity of a base or carrier for printhead integrated circuits, a safety system for a pressure decay tester for a printhead integrated circuit carrier, a cradle assembly for a pressure decay leak tester, and a pressure-based tester for testing an integrity of a platform assembly. 
       CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS 
       [0002]    The following applications have been filed by the Applicant simultaneously with the present application: 
         [0000]                                                        MPN023US   MPN024US   MPN025US   MPN026US   MPN027US   MPN028US   MPN029US       MPN030US   MPN031US   MPN032US   MPN033US   MPN034US   MPN035US   MPN036US       MPN038US   MPN039US   MPN041US   MPN042US   MPN043US   MPN046US   MPN047US       MPN048US   MPN049US   MPN051US   MPN052US   MPN053US   MPN054US   MPN055US       MPN056US   MPN057US   MPN058US   MPN059US   MPN060US   MPN061US                    
The disclosures of these co-pending applications are incorporated herein by reference. The above applications have been identified by their filing docket number, which will be substituted with the corresponding application number, once assigned.
 
       CROSS REFERENCES 
       [0003]    The following patents or patent applications filed by the applicant or assignee of the present invention are hereby incorporated by cross-reference. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 11/246687 
                 11/246718 
                 7322681 
                 11/246686 
                 11/246703 
                 11/246691 
                 11/246711 
               
               
                 11/246690 
                 11/246712 
                 11/246717 
                 7401890 
                 7401910 
                 11/246701 
                 11/246702 
               
               
                 11/246668 
                 11/246697 
                 11/246698 
                 11/246699 
                 11/246675 
                 11/246674 
                 11/246667 
               
               
                 11/829957 
                 11/829960 
                 11/829961 
                 11/829962 
                 11/829963 
                 11/829966 
                 11/829967 
               
               
                 11/829968 
                 11/829969 
                 11946839 
                 11946838 
                 11946837 
                 11951230 
                 12141034 
               
               
                 12140265 
                 12183003 
                 11/688863 
                 11/688864 
                 11/688865 
                 7364265 
                 11/688867 
               
               
                 11/688868 
                 11/688869 
                 11/688871 
                 11/688872 
                 11/688873 
                 11/741766 
                 12014767 
               
               
                 12014768 
                 12014769 
                 12014770 
                 12014771 
                 12014772 
                 12014773 
                 12014774 
               
               
                 12014775 
                 12014776 
                 12014777 
                 12014778 
                 12014779 
                 12014780 
                 12014781 
               
               
                 12014782 
                 12014783 
                 12014784 
                 12014785 
                 12014787 
                 12014788 
                 12014789 
               
               
                 12014790 
                 12014791 
                 12014792 
                 12014793 
                 12014794 
                 12014796 
                 12014798 
               
               
                 12014801 
                 12014803 
                 12014804 
                 12014805 
                 12014806 
                 12014807 
                 12049371 
               
               
                 12049372 
                 12049373 
                 12049374 
                 12049375 
                 12103674 
                 12146399 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    In order to ensure proper printing operation, it is important to test printhead integrated circuit prototypes prior to large-scale fabrication of the printhead integrated circuits. 
         [0005]    Such testing can be carried out on some form of support assembly, base or carrier fabricated for testing purposes. In order for the testing to be accurate and properly indicative of the condition of the printhead assembly, the support assembly must meet minimum standards of integrity. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a leak tester for a carrier for printhead integrated circuits, said carrier having at least one fluid inlet in fluid communication with a plurality of fluid outlets via discrete fluid paths, the tester comprising:
       a support assembly that includes at least one receptacle shaped and configured to receive at least one respective carrier;   a pressurized fluid supply arranged on the support assembly and configured to supply pressurized fluid to the fluid inlets, the pressurized fluid supply incorporating a sealing mechanism configured to engage the fluid inlets in a sealing manner;   a pressure measurement arrangement operatively arranged with respect to the pressurized fluid supply to measure pressure applied at the fluid inlets; and   a controller operatively connected to the pressure measurement arrangement and pressurized fluid supply, the controller being configured to control the fluid supply to charge the carrier with pressurized fluid until a predetermined pressure is reached, and to monitor the pressure for a predetermined period of time.       
 
         [0011]    Thus, this aspect of the invention provides a means for testing the integrity of a carrier in which printhead integrated circuits is to be tested. It will be appreciated that leakage between components of the carrier are indicated if the pressure monitored by the controller decays over a period of time. 
         [0012]    The receptacles may include locators to locate the carriers in the receptacles prior to engagement of the sealing mechanisms with the fluid inlets. Each sealing mechanism may include a clamp arrangement for clamping about the fluid inlet. 
         [0013]    The controller may include an operator interface arranged on the support assembly allowing an operator to control the tester. The interface may include indicators to indicate an operational status of the tester to an operator. 
         [0014]    The pressurized fluid supply may include a pneumatic system mounted in the housing assembly, the pneumatic system including pneumatic circuits in fluid communication with respective receptacles, the pneumatic circuits each including a primary pressure regulator for primary regulation and a secondary pressure regulator for final regulation. 
         [0015]    Each pneumatic circuit may include the pressure measurement arrangement in turn including a positive pressure sensor for sensing a system pressure and a number of compound pressure sensors to sense pressure at the sealing mechanism. 
         [0016]    According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for testing integrity of a base for printhead integrated circuits, the base having at least one fluid inlet in fluid communication with a plurality of fluid outlets via discrete fluid paths, said method comprising the steps of:
       engaging the, or each, fluid inlet of the base to a fluid supply in a sealing manner;   charging the base with pressurized fluid until a predetermined pressure is reached; and   monitoring the pressure in the base for a predetermined period of time, wherein a rate of pressure decay is indicative of an integrity of the base.       
 
         [0020]    The fluid inlet may be engaged to a pneumatic system so that the base is charged with pressurized gas. The step of sealing may include clamping the fluid inlet to the fluid supply via a clamping arrangement. 
         [0021]    The pressurized gas may be subjected to primary and secondary regulation substantially to neutralize the effect of supply pressure variations. The step of monitoring may include the step of sensing the pressure in the pneumatic circuit and generating a signal representing a value associated with the pressure. 
         [0022]    The step of monitoring may include indicating data associated with said value to an operator. 
         [0023]    According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a pneumatic assembly for a pressure decay tester of printhead integrated circuits, the assembly comprising
       a pressurized gas supply;   a pneumatic clamping arrangement in fluid communication with the pressurized gas supply for clamping a carrier for the printhead integrated circuits such that the carrier is in fluid communication with the printhead integrated circuits;   a valve arrangement to apply a predetermined pressure to the carrier;   a sensing arrangement to sense a static pressure in the carrier; and   a control system in communication with the clamping, valve and sensing arrangements to control operation thereof and to generate a discernible signal representing said static pressure such that a decay in said static pressure can be determined.       
 
         [0029]    The pneumatic clamping arrangement may include a support on which the carrier is supported. The clamping arrangement may be configured so that, when actuated, the carrier is urged against the support. 
         [0030]    The support may define gas supply openings in which gas inlet spouts of the carrier are received in use. 
         [0031]    The valve arrangement may include an gas supply isolation valve operatively connected to the control system to isolate the gas supply openings from the pressurized gas supply during determination of said static pressure. 
         [0032]    The sensing arrangement may include a pressure transmitter operatively connected to the control system to communicate pressure values upstream of the isolation valve to the control system. 
         [0033]    The clamping arrangement may include pneumatic spout clamps positioned in the support to clamp the spouts in position. 
         [0034]    The valve arrangement may include spout clamp valves operatively connected to the control system to control operation of the spout clamps. 
         [0035]    According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a cradle assembly for a pressure decay leak tester, said assembly operatively receiving a printhead integrated circuit carrier having a plurality of printing fluid paths defined therein, respective fluid inlets in fluid communication with respective fluid paths and a locating formation to facilitate correct location of the carrier on the tester, the assembly comprising:
       at least one complementary locating formation for engaging the locating formation of the carrier;   at least one fluid outlet for charging the carrier with fluid via a respective fluid inlet of the carrier;   a clamping device for clamping the carrier to the fluid outlet, so that the integrity of the fluid paths is observable via pressure decay testing; and   a control system operatively connected to the clamping device for controlling operation of the clamping device.       
 
         [0040]    The clamping device may include two opposing coplanar clamp halves and said complementary location formation is a pair of spigots interposed between the clamp halves, so that actuation of the clamping device displaces the halves towards each other to embrace the carrier located on said spigots. 
         [0041]    The clamping device may include a support plate, the spigots extending from the support plate. The clamp halves may be shaped to engage edges of the carrier and to urge the carrier against the support plate when the halves are displaced towards each other. The clamping device may include one of a pneumatic and a hydraulic actuator. 
         [0042]    The clamp halves may each define digit recesses to facilitate manual insertion and removal of the carrier from the assembly. The control system may be configured to receive a particular signal from the tester and to deactivate the clamping device on receipt of said signal. 
         [0043]    According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a pressure-based tester for testing integrity of a platform assembly having a pair of assembled platform components fastened together and a fluid path extending into both components, the platform assembly suitable for supporting printhead integrated circuits to be tested, the tester comprising
       a housing assembly;   a regulated gas supply arranged in the housing assembly;   a retaining mechanism in fluid communication with the gas supply and configured to retain the platform assembly in fluid communication with the gas supply during testing of the platform assembly;   a pressure measuring apparatus operatively connected to the gas supply and configured to generate a signal corresponding to a pressure value applied to the retaining mechanism; and   a control system configured to control operation of the regulated gas supply and the retaining mechanism and configured to receive the signal from the pressure measuring apparatus and to detect decay in the pressure value.       
 
         [0049]    The control system may include a touch panel processing device operatively connected to the regulated gas supply, the retaining mechanism and the pressure measuring apparatus. 
         [0050]    The touch panel processing device may be configured to generate a graphic user interface that displays pressure test results as a Cartesian plane graph with pressure and time on respective axes. The retaining mechanism may include a cradle assembly and a clamping mechanism to clamp the platform in the cradle assembly. 
         [0051]    The cradle assembly may incorporate a pair of spaced manifolds arranged on the housing assembly and having outlets capable of engaging respective fluid paths of the platform assembly. The gas supply may include a pair of gas supply conduits and a pair of manifold isolation valves for connecting respective manifolds to the gas supply conduits. 
         [0052]    The gas supply may include a system isolation valve, the pressure measurement apparatus being interposed between the system isolation valve and the manifold isolation valves. 
         [0053]    According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a software product for execution by a controller of a leak tester, as described above, said software product enabling the leak tester to perform a method having the steps of:
       engaging the, or each, fluid inlet of the base to a fluid supply in a sealing manner;   charging the base with pressurized fluid until a predetermined pressure is reached; and   monitoring the pressure in the base for a predetermined period of time, wherein a rate of pressure decay is indicative of an integrity of the base.       
 
         [0057]    According to a seventh aspect of the invention there is provided a memory incorporating a software product, as described above. 
         [0058]    Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is intended to illustrate particular embodiments of the invention and to permit a person skilled in the art to put those embodiments of the invention into effect. Accordingly, the following description is not intended to limit the scope of the preceding paragraphs or the claims in any way. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0059]    In the accompanying drawings: 
           [0060]      FIG. 1A  shows, in side perspective view, a carrier for printhead integrated circuits for use with a leak or pressure decay tester, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0061]      FIG. 1B  shows a side view of the carrier of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0062]      FIG. 2  shows a close-up perspective view of a portion of the carrier shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0063]      FIG. 3  shows a front perspective view of a pressure decay leak tester, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0064]      FIG. 4  shows a close-up view of a receptacle or cradle assembly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, of the leak tester shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0065]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the carrier of  FIG. 1  located in the cradle of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0066]      FIG. 6  shows an operator interface of the leak tester of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0067]      FIG. 7  shows a rear view of a housing of the leak tester of  FIG. 3  with a service panel removed to reveal inner components; 
           [0068]      FIG. 8  shows a section top view from line A-A′ of the open service panel of the leak tester of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0069]      FIG. 9  shows a close-up frontal view of a touch panel controller of the leak tester of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0070]      FIG. 10  shows a rear view of a services panel of the leak tester of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0071]      FIG. 11  shows an overview pneumatic circuit diagram for the leak tester of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0072]      FIG. 12  shows an example of a graphic user interface displayed by the touch panel controller of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0073]      FIG. 13  shows a block diagram of a method of testing the carrier with the leak tester, in accordance with the invention; and 
           [0074]      FIG. 14  shows a detailed pneumatic circuit diagram for the leak tester of  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0075]    Broadly, the invention provides a means to conduct pressure decay testing on a carrier  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . The carrier  10  is an assembly. It is therefore necessary to test the integrity of that assembly prior to carrying out tests on integrated circuits positioned on the assembly. 
         [0076]    The carrier  10  generally includes a channel member  18  and a cover member  20  which are bonded to each other with an adhesive along a bond line  24  ( FIG. 2 ). The members  18  and  20  define a number of ink paths or channels therethrough. These paths terminate as microscopic fluid outlets  12  which are used to supply a printhead integrated circuit (not shown) with printing fluid in operation. 
         [0077]    The carrier  10  also includes a laminate  14 , which defines laser ablated holes aligned with the fluid outlets  12 . The laminate  14  is thermally bonded to the channel member  18 , as shown, along a bond line  22 . Fluid inlets or spouts  11  extend from the cover member  20 . Locating or spigot apertures  25  ( FIG. 2 ) discussed in more detail below are defined in respective ends of the carrier  10 . 
         [0078]    The purpose of the carrier  10  is to distribute printing fluids from a number of reservoirs via tortuous ink paths to the printhead integrated circuits. The printing fluids are fed, under pressure, into the carrier  10  via the spouts  11 . 
         [0079]    Before the printhead integrated circuits can be attached to the laminate  14 , it is necessary to ensure that the members  18  and  20 , as well as the laminate  14 , are properly bonded and attached to prevent leakage of printing fluids. For this reason, the integrity of the bond lines  22 ,  24  should be tested or checked. One way of testing is to apply pressurized fluid to the carrier  10 , via the spouts  11 , to hold the pressure and to test pressure decay. 
         [0080]      FIG. 3  shows one possible embodiment in accordance with the invention of a pressure decay leak tester  26  for testing the carrier  10 . The Inventors have identified pressure decay testing as a suitable methodology for this purpose. In the embodiment shown, the tester  26  includes a housing assembly  42  which has a support assembly or platform  30  having a left receptacle or cradle assembly  28 . 1  and a right receptacle or cradle assembly  28 . 2 , each, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, for receiving the carrier  10 . Each cradle assembly  28  is a retaining mechanism to receive and position the carrier  10 . 
         [0081]    It is to be appreciated that the tester  26  can have any number of receptacles or cradle assemblies  28 . In the embodiment shown, the two cradle assemblies  28  allow, for example, simultaneous testing of two carriers  10 , or continuous testing of carriers as one carrier can be tested whilst another is inserted into an unoccupied cradle assembly and prepared for testing. 
         [0082]    The tester  26  also includes a controller or control system that includes a touch panel processing device  36 , and an operator interface  32  located on the housing  42 , as shown. The touch panel controller  36  and interface  32  allow an operator or user to control and operate the tester  26 . The tester  26  also includes a number of indicators or gauges  38  to show an operational status of the tester  26 . A barcode scanner or reader  34  is connected to the controller  36 . It reads an identifier or barcode from the carrier  10  and communicates associated data to the controller  36 . The rationale herefor is explained below. 
         [0083]    In addition, the tester  26  also includes an interface, such as a USB interface, to allow the controller  36  to interface with a computer or other remote monitoring system (not shown). 
         [0084]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show a cradle assembly  28  in more detail. In the embodiment shown, the cradle assembly  28  features a sealing, engagement or retaining mechanism  54  in the form of a clamp arrangement or clamping device having two opposing coplanar clamp halves  56 . 1  and  56 . 2 , as shown. The cradle assembly  28  includes locators or locating formations in the form of a pair of spigots  50  interposed between the clamp halves  56 . Each spigot  50  is received through a respective spigot opening  25  of the carrier  10  to locate the carrier  10  in the assembly  28 . 
         [0085]    The locating formations or spigots  50  engage the apertures  25  of the carrier  10 , to ensure that the fluid inlets or spouts  11  of the carrier  10  are aligned with, and received in, respective fluid supply outlets or spout holes  52  of the cradle  28 . The outlets  52  are used to charge the carrier  10  with pressurized fluid, in use. The clamping device  54  includes a support plate  58  with the spigots  50  extending from the support plate  58 . 
         [0086]    Pneumatically operated spout clamps (described in further detail with reference to  FIG. 14 ) are positioned in the support plate  58  to clamp the spouts  11  in an airtight manner. 
         [0087]    The clamp halves  56  have opposed bearing edges  57  that are shaped to engage edges of the carrier  10  and to urge said carrier  10  against the support plate  58  when the halves  56  are displaced towards each other. The clamp halves  56  each define digit recesses  60  to facilitate manual insertion and removal of the carrier  10  from the cradle  28 . 
         [0088]    The clamp halves  56  are connected to the plate  58  with pneumatic actuators  61  on each side of the plate  58 . The pneumatic actuators  61  form part of a pneumatic circuit ( FIG. 14 ), described in further detail below. 
         [0089]      FIG. 6  shows a more detailed view of the operator interface  32 . The interface  32  includes a start button to start a pressure decay test for each one of the cradles  28 . These respective buttons are indicated by reference numerals  62  and  64 . Also included is an emergency stop button  68 , a reset button  70  which resets the tester  26 , and a scan button  66  which activates the barcode scanner  34 . The Inventor has found buttons manufactured by Sprecher &amp; Schuh to be suitable for this application. 
         [0090]    The emergency stop button  68  is a 40 mm, twist and pull-to-release, non-keyed, heavy duty operating button incorporating a normally closed switch. The reset button  70  is a flush, momentarily illuminated, blue lens push button having a normally open switch. The start buttons  62  and  64  are two flush, momentarily illuminated, green lens push buttons having normally open switches. The scan button  66  is similar, but has an amber lens. 
         [0091]    A rear portion of the housing assembly  42  of the tester  26  is shown in  FIG. 7  with a service panel removed to show the inner workings thereof. The controller  36  and associated pressurized fluid supply components are shown in more detail. 
         [0092]    As shown, the tester  26  includes the touch panel controller  36  which has an integrated processor to process the necessary instructions to control and operate the components of the tester  26 . The Inventor has found that the Advantech™ PPC-123T touch screen display including an Intel™ Pentium™ III processor is suitable for the application. The controller  36  uses a PCMCIA data acquisition card  72  coupled with a dedicated breakout board  84  to interface the card  72  with precision pressure sensors located in the respective cradles  28 . The board  84  typically includes a precision resistor per sensor, i.e. two resistors for the embodiment shown. 
         [0093]    It is to be appreciated that trunking  97  is provided to facilitate the connection of the relevant electrical and/or pneumatic components. As shown, trunking  97  forms a channel or conduit for electrical and pneumatic wires and lines. Further shown are rail  85  and connector blocks  87  to facilitate the interconnection of electrical components. 
         [0094]    The tester  26  further includes digital input-output modules  86 . The Inventor has found three ADAM-4055™ modules manufactured by Advantech™ to be suitable for this purpose. These modules  86  include an isolated converter to convert RS-232 signals from the controller  36  into isolated RS-422 or RS-485 signals without having to change the controller&#39;s hardware or software. The Inventor has identified Advantech™ model ADAM-4520 as a suitable unit. 
         [0095]    The embodiment of the tester  26  shown includes two power supplies to power the different components. Reference numeral  102  refers to a DC power supply unit which is an AC/DC switching power supply unit with a single output and remote open sense lead protection features. The Inventor has found the Condor International Plus Series 24V Dc power supply to be suitable. In addition, reference numeral  94  indicates a primary switched-mode power supply unit used in the embodiment shown. The Inventor has found the Phoenix Contact 24V DC 2A (MINI-PS-100-240AC/24DC/2) model suitable for this application. 
         [0096]    Also included is a safety relay  90 , and three solid state relays  88 , two applied to isolate a pneumatic system of the tester, and the third to allow the controller  36  to activate or deactivate the barcode scanner  34 . The Inventor has found the Omron™ G92002 relay suitable for the safety relay  90 , and Weiland™ Flare 24V DC terminal relays suitable for the solid state relays, as shown. 
         [0097]    The tester  26  also includes a residual current circuit breaker  96  as a safety feature. The breaker  96  provides over current protection and earth leakage protection. The breaker  96  is generally a single pole unit with a switched neutral which detects an AC residual current while also having an earth fault indication window with a trip free mechanism. The Inventor has found the Hager™ AD 810T residual current circuit breaker suitable for the task. 
         [0098]    The barcode scanner  34  is located at the front of the tester  26  so that an operator can scan a barcode of the carrier  10  prior to inserting the carrier  10  into the cradle assembly  28 . The Inventor has found the IT3900 barcode scanner manufactured by Hand Held Products Inc. to be suitable for this application. Also included are fuses  92  for safety reasons. 
         [0099]    A broad overview of a pneumatic test circuit of the device is shown in  FIG. 11 . The test circuit has a main pressure inlet  128 . A system isolation valve or main air isolation switch  134  (reference numeral  206  in  FIG. 14 ) is positioned downstream of the inlet  128 . A main pressure gauge or system pressure indicator  74  (reference numeral  258  in  FIG. 14 ) is positioned downstream of the valve  134 . Left and right isolation valves  252 ,  254  are connected in parallel to each other downstream of the system isolation valve  134 . 
         [0100]    Left and right spout arrangements  238 ,  240  are connected to respective isolation valves  252 ,  254  to receive pressurized air when the isolation valves  252 ,  254  are opened. Each arrangement  238 ,  240  has a number of the fluid supply outlets  52 . Spouts  11  of respective carriers  10  are received and clamped in the outlets  52  of respective arrangements  238 ,  240 . 
         [0101]    Pressure transmitters  248 ,  250  are connected to respective arrangements  238 ,  240  to transmit pressure values to the controller  36  so that pressure decay in the carriers  10  can be determined. 
         [0102]    The pneumatic circuit is shown in more detail in  FIG. 14  and generally indicated with reference numeral  200 . Air is supplied to the circuit via a manual isolation valve  202 . After mist separation at  204 , a system isolation valve  206  controls air supply to the circuit  200 . 
         [0103]    A take-off line  210  is connected downstream of the isolation valve  206  via a two-way connector  208 . A right spout clamp arrangement  212  and a right clamp assembly  214  are connected in parallel to the line  210 . A left spout clamp arrangement  216  and a left clamp assembly  218  are also connected in parallel to the line  210 . 
         [0104]    The spout clamp arrangements  212 ,  216  serve to clamp the spouts  52  also described above with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0105]    Each clamp assembly  214 ,  218  has two pairs of sleeve and piston actuators  220 , each pair physically represented as  61  in  FIG. 4 . The actuators  220  are connected to the line  210  via respective solenoid valves  222 . The valves  222  are connected to the controller  36  so that clamping of the carriers  10  can be initiated by the controller  36 . 
         [0106]    Each spout clamp arrangement  212 ,  216  has five pneumatic spout clamps  224 , in the respective spouts physically indicated at  52  in  FIG. 4 . The spout clamps  224  are connected in parallel to the line  210 , via respective solenoid valves  226  and pressure indicators/switches  228  in series. 
         [0107]    Respective pressure regulators  230  interconnect the line  210  and each pressure indicator  228 . The solenoid valves  226  and the indicators  228  are connected to the controller  36  so that pressure supplied to the spout clamps  224  is controlled. 
         [0108]    A second take-off line  232  is connected downstream of the connector  208  via a two-way connector  234  and a pressure regulator  236 . The second take-off line  232  supplies pressurized fluid to the left spout arrangement  238  and the right spout arrangement  240 . Each spout arrangement  238 ,  240  has a manifold  242  with five solenoid valves  244  connected in parallel to the manifold  242 . A filtered outlet  246  is connected to each valve  244  to supply filtered air to the carrier  10  via the spouts  11 . 
         [0109]    The pressure transmitters or pressure indicators/switches  248 ,  250  are connected in parallel to respective valves  244  of respective spout arrangements  238 ,  240  and in series to respective solenoid isolation valves  252 ,  254 . The switches  248 ,  250  are connected to the controller  36  so that pressure applied at the spouts  11  can be recorded by the controller  36 . The solenoid isolation valves  252 ,  254  are operatively connected to the controller  36  to facilitate operation of the valves  252 ,  254 . 
         [0110]    In turn, the isolation valves  252 ,  254  are connected in parallel to a test pressure indicator/switch  256 . Thus, once the carrier  10  has been pressurized to a predetermined extent via the valves  244  using pressure feedback values from the pressure indicator  256 , the valves  244  can be closed to the air supply. The indicators  248 ,  250  are connected to the controller  36  and are configured for feeding pressure values back to the controller  36  to determine whether, and to what extent, pressure decay is occurring. 
         [0111]    A system pressure indicator/switch  258  is connected in series to the indicator  256  and is connected to the controller  36  to monitor system pressure. A pressure regulator  260  is interposed in series between the indicators  256 ,  258 . A further pressure regulator  266  is interposed between the indicator  258  and the connector  234 . 
         [0112]    Return lines  262  are connected together at  264  upstream of the indicator  256  and connect to respective spout arrangements  238 ,  240  via respective solenoid isolation valves  252 ,  254 . 
         [0113]    It follows that the tester  26  has a pneumatic system and pressure measurement arrangement that comprises a number of sensors, valves, filters and regulators. Pressure sensors  74  and  124  ( FIG. 7  and represented as the system pressure indicator  258  and the test pressure indicator  256  in  FIG. 14 ) are digital compound pressure sensors. The sensors  74  and  124  are typically configured to measure both positive and vacuum pressure. The Inventor has found SMC ZSE40 digital pressure sensors to be suitable for this purpose. 
         [0114]    Pressure regulator  76  (shown physically in  FIG. 7  and represented as regulator  266  in  FIG. 14 ) is an SMC IR series pressure regulator for primary regulation. Pressure regulator  104  (shown physically in  FIG. 7  and represented as regulator  260  in  FIG. 14 ) is a Fairchild 1000 series high precision pressure regulator for final regulation of the air supply to the respective cradles  28 . Pressure regulators  82  and  98  (shown physically in  FIG. 7  and represented as regulators  230  in  FIG. 14 ) are used on the respective cradles  28 , with pressure regulator  80  (represented as regulator  236  in  FIG. 14 ) for pilot air pressure. These regulators  80 ,  82  and  98  are SMC AR20K series regulators having a backflow mechanism to ensure a quick release of air pressure to release the carrier  10  from the cradle  28 . Pressure sensors  78  and  100  (shown physically in  FIG. 7  and represented as indicators  228  in  FIG. 14 ) are SMC ISE40 digital pressure sensors. 
         [0115]      FIG. 8  shows a bottom portion of the panel shown in  FIG. 7 . Pressure transmitters  120  (represented as indicators  248 ,  250  in  FIG. 14 ) are two GE PTX 1400 transmitters used in the respective cradles  28 . These transmitters use an integral electronics system to provide a 2 wire 4 to 20 mA output proportional to the applied pressure. 
         [0116]    Reference numerals  106 ,  108 , and  110  refer to 3-port solenoid valves (referred to as solenoid valves  252 ,  254  and  244  in  FIG. 14 ). The Inventor has found the SMC SYJ500 series 3-port, pilot operated solenoid valve to be suitable. These valves are base mounted 24V DC valves with surge voltage protection. 
         [0117]    Reference numeral  112  indicates 5-port solenoid valves (referred to as solenoid valves  222 ,  226  in  FIG. 14 ) to control the spout clamps  224 . The Inventor has found the SMC SY3160 valves suitable. These valves are 24V DC body-ported, cassette type solenoid valves with fittings for a 6 mm air pipe. 
         [0118]    Air filters  114  and  122  are used to remove any particles from the air before charging the carrier  10  with pressurized air. The Inventor has found SMC SF series inline air filters to be adequate for this purpose. Also included are mist separators  118  and micro-mist separator  116  to remove moisture from the pneumatic system. The Inventor has found the SMC AFM series mist separator suitable for  118 , and the SMC AFD series mist separator suitable for  116 . 
         [0119]      FIG. 9  shows the components of  FIG. 7  in front view. Like components are indicated by like reference numerals. Similarly,  FIG. 10  shows an outside view of the components of  FIG. 8 , with like reference numerals indicating like components. 
         [0120]    As shown, the tester  26  includes a mains AC power isolation switch  132  and the main air supply isolation switch  134 . A mains power IEC connector  130  is also included, along with a  6  mm main air supply connector for connecting a pressurized fluid supply to the pneumatic system of the tester  26 . An RJ45 connection  127  is also present, to connect the controller  36  to a remote monitoring system. 
         [0121]    The remote monitoring system (not shown) interfaces with the tester  26  via the controller  36 . The remote monitoring system is able to monitor the tester  26  to record the operations performed. Of particular use is that the remote monitoring system can monitor the barcodes of each carrier tested, along with the result of the pressure test so performed. For example, each carrier is scanned with the barcode scanner  34  before it is tested. The barcode is sent to the remote monitoring system, along with the test result. 
         [0122]    This remote monitoring prevents inferior carriers from proceeding with subsequent processing, such as being fitted with printhead circuitry, as each carrier must typically be identified by its barcode before further processing thereof can take place. 
         [0123]      FIG. 12  shows a graphical user interface (GUI)  138  which is typically displayed on the controller&#39;s touch panel display. As shown, the GUI  138  comprises two Cartesian graphs  139 , one for each cradle  28 . The graphs  139  indicate a pressure measurement along a Y-axis and time on an X-axis. 
         [0124]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , the left graph  139 . 1  shows a graph for a carrier  10  which has passed the pressure decay test. The carrier  10  is charged with pressurized fluid as described with reference to  FIG. 14  and the controller  36  monitors the pressure decay over a predetermined period of time through its connection with the indicators  248 ,  250 . If there is insignificant pressure decay, as shown by the horizontal line of graph  139 . 1 , then the integrity of the fluid paths and laminate of the carrier  10  is confirmed. 
         [0125]    Graph  139 . 2  shows the result of a failed pressure decay test on a carrier. As shown, the pressure in the carrier declines over time, which indicates that the integrity of the fluid paths or laminate is insufficient. 
         [0126]    The tester  26  also includes a safety system to ensure safe operation thereof and to minimize damage to the carrier  10  and the tester  26 , as well as harm to the operator. It is to be appreciated that the safety system is typically implemented via the controller  36 . 
         [0127]    As such, the controller  36  is linked to a number of regulators, as described above, which include sensors or indicators, as described earlier, for monitoring air pressure. An incorrect pressure typically indicates an undesirable operational status of the tester  26 , and the controller  36  can deactivate the tester  26  and its components to prevent damage and/or harm. 
         [0128]    As such, each cradle  28  may include a sensor which senses a position of the clamping mechanism  54  and reports it to the controller  36 . If the carrier  10  is not correctly located in the cradle  28 , then the controller  36  prevents the clamping mechanism  54  from damaging the carrier  10 . 
         [0129]    A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the controller  36  may be configured to monitor features relating to the operational status of the tester  26 . This is achieved by processing feedback data received from the indicators described with reference to  FIG. 14 . For example, the controller  36  can monitor a condition of the engagement mechanism  54 , as described above, the fluid pressure applied by the fluid pressure application arrangement of the tester  26 , a presence of the carrier  10  in the cradle  28 , etc. In one embodiment, the barcode scanner  34  can be used to verify an authenticity of the carrier  10 . For example, as explained above, the remote monitoring system monitors the respective carriers. If a carrier is scanned with the scanner  34 , the remote monitoring system is able to verify whether or not that particular carrier has passed or cleared all the preceding manufacturing processes. If the carrier has an invalid barcode, the controller  36  will notify the operator and not test the carrier. 
         [0130]    Similarly, the controller  36  is able to monitor an electricity or air supply to the tester  26  for undesired levels, or the like. The controller  36  is also typically configured so that the operator is required to key in an operator identifier for identification purposes, so that a record can be kept of which operator tested which carrier, or the like. 
         [0131]      FIG. 13  shows a diagram for a method, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, of testing the integrity of the carrier  10  with the tester  26 . The blocks in the diagram may indicate steps performed by the operator or by the controller  36  of the tester  26 . 
         [0132]    It is to be appreciated that reference to a reference numeral representing a particular method step refers to a respective block indicated by such reference numeral in the accompanying drawings. As such, the method included in the invention is not limited or constrained to particular method steps referred to in this manner. A skilled person will understand that further methods are possible under this invention which might exclude some of these steps or include additional steps. 
         [0133]    In general, the method commences with the operator scanning the barcode of the carrier  10  with the scanner  34  of the tester  26 , shown at block  140 . If the scan is successful, the identity of the carrier, as established by the barcode, is transmitted to the remote monitoring system, as shown at block  142 . If the scan is unsuccessful, perhaps due to a damaged barcode, the carrier  10  is quarantined for later examination, as at block  144 . 
         [0134]    The operator then proceeds to place the carrier  10  in the cradle  28 , indicated at block  146 . At block  148 , the operator presses the start button once the carrier  10  is properly loaded. The controller  36  senses whether or not the carrier  10  is properly located in the cradle  28 . If the carrier  10  is properly positioned, the controller  36  engages the carrier with the clamping mechanism  54 , shown at block  150 . If the carrier is not correctly positioned in the cradle, the controller  36  will typically notify the operator via the display screen. 
         [0135]    Once the carrier  10  is clamped in the cradle  28 , the controller  36  performs the pressure decay test at  152  by charging the carrier with pressurized air via the fluid supply outlets  52  in the cradle  28 . The pressure sensors, as described above, in communication with these outlets  52  enable the controller  36  to monitor the pressure in the carrier for a predetermined period of time. For example, the controller  36  charges the carrier with pressurised air until a predetermined pressure is reached, whereafter the pressure in the carrier is monitored by the pressure sensors for, say,  5  seconds. If no appreciable pressure decay is sensed, the integrity of the carrier is sound. 
         [0136]    Once the test is completed, the controller  36  is able to report the results thereof directly to the remote monitoring system via the RJ45 connector  126 , as described above, shown at block  154 . That data is uploaded to the remote monitoring system at  162 . The results are also shown to the operator via the display screen of the controller  36 . After the test, the controller  36  releases the clamping mechanism  54  at  156  so that the operator is able to remove the carrier from the cradle  28 , shown at block  158 . If the carrier passed the test, the operator allows it proceed to the next step in the manufacturing process, otherwise the carrier is placed in quarantine for later examination. This is shown in block  160 . 
         [0137]    It is to be appreciated that the invention also includes a software product for execution by the controller  36  of the leak tester  26 , as described above. The software product enables the leak tester to perform the functions and relevant method steps described above. The invention inherently includes a memory, such as a magnetic or optical disc, incorporating such a software product.