Patent Publication Number: US-6209989-B1

Title: Dual chamber single actuator ink jet printing mechanism

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of inkjet printing and in particular discloses a dual chamber single actuator inkjet printer. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many different types of printing have been invented, a large number of which are presently in use. The known forms of print have a variety of methods for marking the print media with a relevant marking media. Commonly used forms of printing include offset printing, laser printing and copying devices, dot matrix type impact printers, thermal paper printers, film recorders, thermal wax printers, dye sublimation printers and ink jet printers both of the drop on demand and continuous flow type. Each type of printer has its own advantages and problems when considering cost, speed, quality, reliability, simplicity of construction and operation etc. 
     In recent years, the field of ink jet printing, wherein each individual pixel of ink is derived from one or more ink nozzles has become increasingly popular primarily due to its inexpensive and versatile nature. 
     Many different techniques on ink jet printing have been invented. For a survey of the field, reference is made to an article by J Moore, “Non-Impact Printing: Introduction and Historical Perspective”, Output Hard Copy Devices, Editors R Dubeck and S Sherr, pages 207-220 (1988). 
     Ink Jet printers themselves come in many different types. The utilization of a continuous stream ink in ink jet printing appears to date back to at least 1929 wherein U.S. Pat. No. 1,941,001 by Hansell discloses a simple form of continuous stream electrostatic ink jet printing. 
     U.S. Pat. 3,596,275 by Sweet also discloses a process of a continuous ink jet printing including the step wherein the ink jet stream is modulated by a high frequency electro-static field so as to cause drop separation. This technique is still utilized by several manufacturers including Elmjet and Scitex (see also U.S. Pat, No. 3,373,437 by Sweet et al) 
     Piezo-electric ink jet printers are also one form of commonly utilized ink jet printing device. Piezo-electric systems are disclosed by Kyser et. al. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,398 (1970) which utilizes a diaphragm mode of operation, by Zolten in U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,212 (1970) which discloses a squeeze mode of operation of a piezo electric crystal, Stemme in U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,120 (1972) discloses a bend mode of piezo-electric operation, Howkins in U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,601 discloses a Piezo electric push mode actuation of the ink jet stream and Fischbeck in U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,590 which discloses a sheer mode type of piezo-electric transducer element. 
     Recently, thermal ink jet printing has become an extremely popular form of ink jet printing. The ink jet printing techniques include those disclosed by Endo et al in GB 2007162 (1979) and Vaught et al in U.S. Pat. No. 4490728. Both the aforementioned references disclosed ink jet printing techniques rely upon the activation of an electrothermal actuator which results in the creation of a bubble in a constricted space, such as a nozzle, which thereby causes the ejection of ink from an aperture connected to the confined space onto a relevant print media. Printing devices utilizing the electro-thermal actuator are manufactured by manufacturers such as Canon and Hewlett Packard. 
     As can be seen from the foregoing, many different types of printing technologies are available. Ideally, a printing technology should have a number of desirable attributes. These include inexpensive construction and operation, high speed operation, safe and continuous long term operation etc. Each technology may have its own advantages and disadvantages in the areas of cost, speed, quality, reliability, power usage, simplicity of construction operation, durability and consumables. 
     In any inkjet printing arrangement, especially where page width printheads are being constructed and utilized, it is important to minimize the size of the structure of each ejection nozzle. As the inkjet nozzles may be constructed in the form of multiple nozzles at a time on for example, silicon wafer, by minimizing the size of each nozzle, it is possible to fit more nozzles and hence more printheads on a single silicon wafer. It is therefore advantageous to provide for an arrangement that is of a compact size and utilizes low energy levels so as to minimize the energy requirements in the actuation of inkjet printheads. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invent to provide an efficient dual chamber single vertical actuator inkjet printer. 
     In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for ejecting fluids from a nozzle chamber comprising a nozzle chamber having at least two fluid ejection apertures defined in the walls of the chamber; a moveable paddle vane located between the fluid ejection apertures; an actuator mechanism attached to the moveable paddle vane and adapted to move the paddle vane in a first direction so as to cause the ejection of fluid drops out of a first fluid ejection aperture and to further move the paddle vane in a second alternative direction so as to cause the ejection of fluid drops out of a second fluid ejection aperture. 
     The actuator can comprise a thermal actuator having at least two heater elements with a first of the elements being actuated to cause the paddle vane to move in a first direction and a second heater element being actuated to cause the paddle vane to move in a second direction. The heater elements preferably have a high bend efficiency wherein the bend efficiency is defined as the youngs modulus times the coefficient of thermal expansion divided by the density and by the specific heat capacity. 
     The heater elements can be arranged on opposite sides of a central arm, the central arm having a low thermal conductivity. 
     The paddle vane and the actuator can be joined at a fulcrum pivot point, the fulcrum pivot point comprising a thinned portion of the nozzle chamber wall. The actuator can include one end fixed to a substrate and a second end containing a bifurcated tongue having two leaf portions on each end of the bifurcated tongue, the leaf portions interconnecting to a corresponding side of the paddle with the tongue such that, upon actuation of the actuator, one of the leaf portions pulls on the paddle end. 
     The apparatus can further comprise a fluid supply channel connecting the nozzle chamber with a fluid supply for supplying fluid to the nozzle chamber, the connection being in a wall of the chamber substantially adjacent the quiescent position of the paddle vane. The connection can comprise a slot defined in the wall of the chamber, the slot having similar dimensions to a cross-sectional profile of the paddle vane. The central arm can comprise substantially glass. 
     The apparatus is ideally suited for use in the form of ink jet printer. Each fluid ejection aperture preferably includes a rim defined around an outer surface thereof. 
     Preferably, a multiplicity of apparatuses can be arranged such that the fluid ejection apertures are grouped together spatially into spaced apart rows and fluid is ejected from the fluid ejection apertures of each of the rows in phases. The nozzle chambers can be further grouped into multiple ink colors and with each of the nozzles being supplied with a corresponding ink color. 
     In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of ejecting drops of fluid from a nozzle chamber having at least two nozzle apertures defined in the wall of the nozzle chambers utilizing a moveable paddle vane attached to an actuator mechanism, the method comprising the steps of actuating the actuator to cause the moveable paddle to move in a first direction so as to eject drops from a first of the nozzle apertures; and actuating the actuator causing the moveable paddle to move in a second direction so as to eject drops from a second of the nozzle apertures. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIGS. 1-5 comprise schematic illustrations of the operation of the preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a side perspective view, of a single nozzle arrangement of the preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view, partly in section of a single nozzle arrangement of the preferred embodiment; 
     FIGS. 8-27 are cross sectional views of the processing steps in the construction of the preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 28 illustrates a part of an array view of a portion of a printhead as constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 29 provides a legend of the materials indicated in FIG. 30 to  42 ; and 
     FIG. 30 to FIG. 44 illustrate sectional views of the manufacturing steps in one form of construction of an ink jet printhead nozzle. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS 
     In the preferred embodiment, there is provided an inkjet printhead having an array of nozzles wherein the nozzles are grouped in pairs and each pair is provided with a single actuator which is actuated so as to move a paddle type mechanism to force the ejection of ink out of one or other of the nozzle pairs. The paired nozzles eject ink from a single nozzle chamber which is resupplied by means of an ink supply channel. Further, the actuator of the preferred embodiment has unique characteristics so as to simplify the actuation process. 
     Turning initially to FIGS. 1 to  5 , there will now be explained the principles of operation of the preferred embodiment. In the preferred embodiment, a single nozzle chamber  1  is utilized to supply ink two ink ejection nozzles  2 ,  3 . Ink is resupplied to the nozzle chamber  1  via means of an ink supply channel  5 . In its quiescent position, to ink menisci  6 ,  7  are formed around the ink ejection holes  2 ,  3 . The arrangement of FIG. 1 being substantially axially symmetric around a central paddle  9  which is attached to an actuator mechanism. 
     When it is desired to eject ink out of one of the nozzles, say nozzle  3 , the paddle  9  is actuated so that it begins to move as indicated in FIG.  2 . The movement of paddle  9  in the direction  10  results in a general compression of the ink on the right hand side of the paddle  9 . The compression of the ink results in the meniscus  7  growing as the ink is forced out of the nozzles  3 . Further, the meniscus  6  undergoes an inversion as the ink is sucked back on the left hand side of the actuator  10  with additional ink  12  being sucked in from ink supply channel  5 . The paddle actuator  9  eventually comes to rest and begins to return as illustrated in FIG.  3 . The ink  13  within meniscus  7  has substantial forward momentum and continues away from the nozzle chamber while the paddle  9  causes ink to be sucked back into the nozzle chamber. Further, the surface tension on the meniscus  6  results in further in flow of the ink via the ink supply channel  5 . The resolution of the forces at work in the resultant flows results in a general necking and subsequent breaking of the meniscus  7  as illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein a drop  14  is formed which continues onto the media or the like. The paddle  9  continues to return to its quiescent position. 
     Next, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the paddle  9  returns to its quiescent position and the nozzle chamber refills by means of surface tension effects acting on meniscuses  6 ,  7  with the arrangement of returning to that showing in FIG.  1 . When required, the actuator  9  can be activated to eject ink out of the nozzle  2  in a symmetrical manner to that described with reference to FIG. 1-5. Hence, a single actuator  9  is activated to provide for ejection out of multiple nozzles. The dual nozzle arrangement has a number of advantages including in that movement of actuator  9  does not result in a significant vacuum forming on the back surface of the actuator  9  as a result of its rapid movement. Rather, meniscus  6  acts to ease the vacuum and further acts as a “pump” for the pumping of ink into the nozzle chamber. Further, the nozzle chamber is provided with a lip  15  (FIG. 2) which assists in equalizing the increase in pressure around the ink ejection holes  3  which allows for the meniscus  7  to grow in an actually symmetric manner thereby allowing for straight break off of the drop  14 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is illustrated a suitable nozzle arrangement with FIG. 6 showing a single side perspective view and FIG. 7 showing a view, partly in section illustrating the nozzle chamber. The actuator  20  includes a pivot arm attached at the post  21 . The pivot arm includes an internal core portion  22  which can be constructed from glass. On each side  23 ,  24  of the internal portion  22  is two separately control heater arms which can be constructed from an alloy of copper and nickel (45% copper and 55% nickel). The utilization of the glass core is advantageous in that it has a low coefficient thermal expansion and coefficient of thermal conductivity. Hence, any energy utilized in the heaters  23 ,  24  is substantially maintained in the heater structure and utilized to expand the heater structure and opposed to an expansion of the glass core  22 . Structure or material chosen to form part of the heater structure preferably has a high “bend efficiency”. One form of definition of bend efficiency can be the youngs modulus times the coefficient of thermal expansion divided by the density and by the specific heat capacity. 
     The copper nickel alloy in addition to being conductive has a high coefficient of thermal expansion, a low specific heat and density in addition to a high young&#39;s modulus. It is therefore a highly suitable material for construction of the heater element although other materials would also be suitable. 
     Each of the heater elements can comprise a conductive out and return trace with the traces being insulated from one and other along the length of the trace and conductively joined together at the far end of the trace. The current supply for the heater can come from a lower electrical layer via the pivot anchor  21 . At one end of the actuator  20 , there is provided a bifurcated portion  30  which has attached at one end thereof to leaf portions  31 ,  32 . 
     To operate the actuator, one of the arms  23 ,  24  eg.  23  is heated in air by passing current through it. The heating of the arm results in a general expansion of the arm. The expansion of the arm results in a general bending of the arm  20 . The bending of the arm  20  further results in leaf portion  32  pulling on the paddle portion  9 . The paddle  9  is pivoted around a fulcrum point by means of attachment to leaf portions  38 ,  39  which are generally thin to allow for minor flexing. The pivoting of the arm  9  causes ejection of ink from the nozzle hole  40 . The heater is deactivated resulting in a return of the actuator  20  to its quiescent position and its corresponding return of the paddle  9  also to is quiescent position. Subsequently, to eject ink out of the other nozzle hole  41 , the heater  24  can be activated with the paddle operating in a substantially symmetric manner. 
     It can therefore be seen that the actuator can be utilized to move the paddle  9  on demand so as to eject drops out of the ink ejection hole eg.  40  with the ink refilling via an ink supply channel  44  located under the paddle  9 . 
     The nozzle arrangement of the preferred embodiment can be formed on a silicon wafer utilizing standard semi-conductor fabrication processing steps and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) construction techniques. 
     For a general introduction to a micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) reference is made to standard proceedings in this field including the proceeding of the SPIE (International Society for Optical Engineering) including volumes 2642 and 2882 which contain the proceedings of recent advances and conferences in this field. 
     Preferably, a large wafer of printheads is constructed at any one time with each printhead providing a predetermined pagewidth capabilities and a single printhead can in turn comprise multiple colors so as to provide for full color output as would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     Turning now to FIG.  8 -FIG. 27 there will now be explained one form of fabrication of the preferred embodiment. The preferred embodiment can start as illustrated in FIG. 8 with a CMOS processed silicon wafer  50  which can include a standard CMOS layer  51  including of the relevant electrical circuitry etc. The processing steps can then be as follows: 
     1. As illustrated in FIG. 9, a deep etch of the nozzle chamber  51  is performed to a depth of 25 micron; 
     2. As illustrated in FIG. 10, a 27 micron layer of sacrificial material  52  such as aluminum is deposited; 
     3. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the sacrificial material is etched to a depth of 26 micron using a glass stop so as to form cavities using a paddle and nozzle mask. 
     4. As illustrated in FIG. 12, a 2 micron layer of low stress glass  53  is deposited. 
     5. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the glass is etched to the aluminum layer utilizing a first heater via mask. 
     6. As illustrated in FIG. 14, a 2 micron layer of 60% copper and 40% nickel is deposited  55  and planarized (FIG. 15) using chemical mechanical planarization (CMP). 
     7. As illustrated in FIG. 16, a 0.1 micron layer of silicon nitride is deposited  56  and etched using a heater insulation mask. 
     8. As illustrated in FIG. 17, a 2 micron layer of low stress glass  57  is deposited and etched using a second heater mask. 
     9. As illustrated in FIG. 18, a 2 micron layer of 60% copper and 40% nickel is deposited  55  and planarized (FIG. 19) using chemical mechanical planarization. 
     10. As illustrated in FIG. 20, a 1 micron layer of low stress glass  60  is deposited and etched (FIG. 21) using a nozzle wall mask. 
     11. As illustrated in FIG. 22, the glass is etched down to the sacrificial layer using an actuator paddle wall mask. 
     12. As illustrated in FIG. 23, a 5 micron layer of sacrificial material  62  is deposited and planarized using CMP. 
     13. As illustrated in FIG. 24, a 3 micron layer of low stress glass  63  is deposited and etched using a nozzle rim mask. 
     14. As illustrated in FIG. 25, the glass is etched down to the sacrificial layer using nozzle mask. 
     15. As illustrated in FIG. 26, the wafer can be etched from the back using a deep silicon trench etcher such as the Silicon Technology Systems deep trench etcher. 
     16. Finally, as illustrated in FIG. 27, the sacrificial layers are etched away releasing the ink jet structure. 
     Subsequently, the print head can be washed, mounted on an ink chamber, relevant electrical interconnections TAB bonded and the print head tested. 
     Turning now to FIG. 28, there is illustrated a portion  80  of a full colour printhead which is divided into three series of nozzles  71 ,  72  and  73 . Each series can supply a separate color via means of a corresponding ink supply channel. Each series is further subdivided into two subrows e.g.  76 ,  77  with the relevant nozzles of each subrow being fired simultaneously with one subrow being fired a predetermined time after a second subrow such that a line of ink drops is formed on a page. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 28 the actuators a formed in a curved relationship with respect to the main nozzle access so as to provide for a more compact packing of the nozzles. Further, the block portion ( 21  of FIG. 6) is formed in the wall of an adjacent series with the block portion of the row  73  being formed in a separate guide rail  80  provided as an abutment surface for the TAB strip when it is abutted against the guide rail  80  so as to provide for an accurate registration of the tab strip with respect to the bond pads  81 ,  82  which are provided along the length of the printhead so as to provide for low impedance driving of the actuators. 
     The principles of the preferred embodiment can obviously be readily extended to other structures. For example, a fulcrum arrangement could be constructed which includes two arms which are pivoted around a thinned wall by means of their attachment to a cross bar. Each arm could be attached to the central cross bar by means of similarly leafed portions to that shown in FIG.  6  and FIG.  7 . The distance between a first arm and the thinned wall can be L units whereas the distance between the second arm and wall can be NL units. Hence, when a translational movement is applied to the second arm for a distance of N×X units the first arm undergoes a corresponding movement of X units. The leafed portions allow for flexible movement of the arms whilest providing for full pulling strength when required. 
     It would be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention can further be utilized in either mechanical arrangements requiring the application forces to enduce movement in a structure. 
     One form of detailed manufacturing process which can be used to fabricate monolithic ink jet print heads operating in accordance with the principles taught by the present embodiment can proceed utilizing the following steps: 
     1. Using a double sided polished wafer, complete drive transistors, data distribution, and timing circuits using a 0.5 micron, one poly, 2 metal CMOS process. Relevant features of the wafer at this step are shown in FIG.  30 . For clarity, these diagrams may not be to scale, and may not represent a cross section though any single plane of the nozzle. FIG. 29 is a key to representations of various materials in these manufacturing diagrams, and those of other cross referenced ink jet configurations. 
     2. Etch oxide down to silicon or aluminum using Mask  1 . This mask defines the ink inlet, the heater contact vias, and the edges of the print head chips. This step is shown in FIG.  31 . 
     3. Etch exposed silicon to a depth of 20 microns. This step is shown in FIG.  32 . 
     4. Deposit a 1 micron conformal layer of a first sacrificial material. 
     5. Deposit 20 microns of a second sacrificial material, and planarize down to the first sacrificial layer using CMP. This step is shown in FIG.  33 . 
     6. Etch the first sacrificial layer using Mask  2 , defining the nozzle chamber wall, the paddle, and the actuator anchor point. This step is shown in FIG.  34 . 
     7. Etch the second sacrificial layer down to the first sacrificial layer using Mask  3 . This mask defines the paddle. This step is shown in FIG.  35 . 
     8. Deposit a 1 micron conformal layer of PECVD glass. 
     9. Etch the glass using Mask  4 , which defines the lower layer of the actuator loop. 
     10. Deposit 1 micron of heater material, for example titanium nitride (TiN) or titanium diboride (TiB2). Planarize using CMP. This step is shown in FIG.  36 . 
     11. Deposit 0.1 micron of silicon nitride. 
     12. Deposit 1 micron of PECVD glass. 
     13. Etch the glass using Mask  5 , which defines the upper layer of the actuator loop. 
     14. Etch the silicon nitride using Mask  6 , which defines the vias connecting the upper layer of the actuator loop to the lower layer of the actuator loop. 
     15. Deposit 1 micron of the same heater material previously deposited. Planarize using CMP. This step is shown in FIG.  37 . 
     16. Deposit 1 micron of PECVD glass. 
     17. Etch the glass down to the sacrificial layer using Mask  6 . This mask defines the actuator and the nozzle chamber wall, with the exception of the nozzle chamber actuator slot. This step is shown in FIG.  38 . 
     18. Wafer probe. All electrical connections are complete at this point, bond pads are accessible, and the chips are not yet separated. 
     19. Deposit 4 microns of sacrificial material and planarize down to glass using CMP. 
     20. Deposit 3 microns of PECVD glass. This step is shown in FIG.  39 . 
     21. Etch to a depth of (approx.) 1 micron using Mask  7 . This mask defines the nozzle rim. This step is shown in FIG.  40 . 
     22. Etch down to the sacrificial layer using Mask  8 . This mask defines the roof of the nozzle chamber, and the nozzle itself. This step is shown in FIG.  41 . 
     23. Back-etch completely through the silicon wafer (with, for example, an ASE Advanced Silicon Etcher from Surface Technology Systems) using Mask  9 . This mask defines the ink inlets which are etched through the wafer. The wafer is also diced by this etch. This step is shown in FIG.  42 . 
     24. Etch both types of sacrificial material. The nozzle chambers are cleared, the actuators freed, and the chips are separated by this etch. This step is shown in FIG.  43 . 
     25. Mount the print heads in their packaging, which may be a molded plastic former incorporating ink channels which supply the appropriate color ink to the ink inlets at the back of the wafer. 
     26. Connect the print heads to their interconnect systems. For a low profile connection with minimum disruption of airflow, TAB may be used. Wire bonding may also be used if the printer is to be operated with sufficient clearance to the paper. 
     27. Hydrophobize the front surface of the print heads. 
     28. Fill the completed print heads with ink and test them. A filled nozzle is shown in FIG.  44 . 
     The presently disclosed ink jet printing technology is potentially suited to a wide range of printing system including: colour and monochrome office printers, short run digital printers, high speed digital printers, offset press supplemental printers, low cost scanning printers high speed pagewidth printers, notebook computers with inbuilt pagewidth printers, portable colour and monochrome printers, colour and monochrome copiers, colour and monochrome facsimile machines, combined printer, facsimile and copying machines, label printers, large format plotters, photograph copiers, printers for digital photographic “minilabs”, video printers, PhotoCD printers, portable printers for PDAs, wallpaper printers, indoor sign printers, billboard printers, fabric printers, camera printers and fault tolerant commercial printer arrays. 
     It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. 
     Ink Jet Technologies 
     The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer type device. Of course many different devices could be used. However presently popular ink jet printing technologies are unlikely to be suitable. 
     The most significant problem with thermal inkjet is power consumption. This is approximately 100 times that required for high speed, and stems from the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection. This involves the rapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble which expels the ink. Water has a very high heat capacity, and must be superheated in thermal inkjet applications. This leads to an efficiency of around 0.02%, from electricity input to drop momentum (and increased surface area) out. 
     The most significant problem with piezoelectric inkjet is size and cost. Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonable drive voltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle. Also, each piezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuit on a separate substrate. This is not a significant problem at the current limit of around 300 nozzles per print head, but is a major impediment to the fabrication of pagewide print heads with 19,200 nozzles. 
     Ideally, the inkjet technologies used meet the stringent requirements of in-camera digital color printing and other high quality, high speed, low cost printing applications. To meet the requirements of digital photography, new inkjet technologies have been created. The target features include: 
     low power (less than 10 Watts) 
     high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more) 
     photographic quality output 
     low manufacturing cost 
     small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section) 
     high speed (&lt;2 seconds per page). 
     All of these features can be met or exceeded by the inkjet systems described below with differing levels of difficulty. 45 different inkjet technologies have been developed by the Assignee to give a wide range of choices for high volume manufacture. These technologies form part of separate applications assigned to the present Assignee as set out in the table below. 
     The inkjet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digital printing systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras, through to desktop and network printers, and through to commercial printing systems 
     For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, the print head is designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS chip with MEMS post processing. For color photographic applications, the print head is 100 mm long, with a width which depends upon the inkjet type. The smallest print head designed is IJ38, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a chip area of 35 square mm. The print heads each contain 19,200 nozzles plus data and control circuitry. 
     Ink is supplied to the back of the print head by injection molded plastic ink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which can be created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standard injection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the wafer to the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. The print head is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automated bonding. 
     CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATIONS 
     The following table is a guide to cross-referenced patent applications filed concurrently herewith and discussed hereinafter with the reference being utilized in subsequent tables when referring to a particular case: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Docket 
                   
                   
               
               
                 No. 
                 Reference 
                 Title 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 IJ01US 
                 IJ01 
                 Radiant Plunger Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ02US 
                 IJ02 
                 Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ03US 
                 IJ03 
                 Planar Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet 
               
               
                 IJ04US 
                 IJ04 
                 Stacked Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ05US 
                 IJ05 
                 Reverse Spring Lever Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ06US 
                 IJ06 
                 Paddle Type Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ07US 
                 IJ07 
                 Permanent Magnet Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ08US 
                 IJ08 
                 Planar Swing Grill Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ09US 
                 IJ09 
                 Pump Action Refill Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ10US 
                 IJ10 
                 Pulsed Magnetic Field Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ11US 
                 IJ11 
                 Two Plate Reverse Firing Electromagnetic Ink Jet 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Printer 
               
               
                 IJ12US 
                 IJ12 
                 Linear Stepper Actuator Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ13US 
                 IJ13 
                 Gear Driven Shutter Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ14US 
                 IJ14 
                 Tapered Magnetic Pole Electromagnetic Ink Jet 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Printer 
               
               
                 IJ15US 
                 IJ15 
                 Linear Spring Electromagnetic Grill Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ16US 
                 IJ16 
                 Lorenz Diaphragm Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ17US 
                 IJ17 
                 PTFE Surface Shooting Shuttered Oscillating 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Pressure Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ18US 
                 IJ18 
                 Buckle Grip Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ19US 
                 IJ19 
                 Shutter Based Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ20US 
                 IJ20 
                 Curling Calyx Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ21US 
                 IJ21 
                 Thermal Actuated Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ22US 
                 IJ22 
                 Iris Motion Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ23US 
                 IJ23 
                 Direct Firing Thermal Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ24US 
                 IJ24 
                 Conductive PTFE Ben Activator Vented Ink Jet 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Printer 
               
               
                 IJ25US 
                 IJ25 
                 Magnetostrictive Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ26US 
                 IJ26 
                 Shape Memory Alloy Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ27US 
                 IJ27 
                 Buckle Plate Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ28US 
                 IJ28 
                 Thermal Elastic Rotary Impeller Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ29US 
                 IJ29 
                 Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ30US 
                 IJ30 
                 Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Using PTFE and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Corrugated Copper Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ31US 
                 IJ31 
                 Bend Actuator Direct Ink Supply Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ32US 
                 IJ32 
                 A High Young&#39;s Modulus Thermoelastic Ink Jet 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Printer 
               
               
                 IJ33US 
                 IJ33 
                 Thermally actuated slotted chamber wall ink Jet 
               
               
                   
                   
                 printer 
               
               
                 IJ34US 
                 IJ34 
                 Ink Jet Printer having a thermal actuator comprising 
               
               
                   
                   
                 an external coiled spring 
               
               
                 IJ35US 
                 IJ35 
                 Trough Container Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                 IJ36US 
                 IJ36 
                 Dual Chamber Single Vertical Actuator Ink Jet 
               
               
                 IJ37US 
                 IJ37 
                 Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Fulcrum Actuator 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Ink Jet 
               
               
                 IJ38US 
                 IJ38 
                 Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Actuator Ink Jet 
               
               
                 IJ39US 
                 IJ39 
                 A single bend actuator cupped paddle ink jet 
               
               
                   
                   
                 printing device 
               
               
                 IJ40US 
                 IJ40 
                 A thermally actuated ink jet printer having a series 
               
               
                   
                   
                 of thermal actuator units 
               
               
                 IJ41US 
                 IJ41 
                 A thermally actuated ink jet printer including a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 tapered heater element 
               
               
                 IJ42US 
                 IJ42 
                 Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet 
               
               
                 IJ43US 
                 IJ43 
                 Inverted Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet 
               
               
                 IJ44US 
                 IJ44 
                 Surface bend actuator vented ink supply ink jet 
               
               
                   
                   
                 printer 
               
               
                 IJ45US 
                 IJ45 
                 Coil Actuated Magnetic Plate Ink Jet Printer 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Tables of Drop-on-Demand Inkjets 
     Eleven important characteristics of the fundamental operation of individual inkjet nozzles have been identified. These characteristics are largely orthogonal, and so can be elucidated as an eleven dimensional matrix. Most of the eleven axes of this matrix include entries developed by the present assignee. 
     The following tables form the axes of an eleven dimensional table of inkjet types. 
     Actuator mechanism (18 types) 
     Basic operation mode (7 types) 
     Auxiliary mechanism (8 types) 
     Actuator amplification or modification method (17 types) 
     Actuator motion (19 types) 
     Nozzle refill method (4 types) 
     Method of restricting back-flow through inlet (10 types) 
     Nozzle clearing method (9 types) 
     Nozzle plate construction (9 types) 
     Drop ejection direction (5 types) 
     Ink type (7 types) 
     The complete eleven dimensional table represented by these axes contains 36.9 billion possible configurations of inkjet nozzle. While not all of the possible combinations result in a viable inkjet technology, many million configurations are viable. It is clearly impractical to elucidate all of the possible configurations. Instead, certain inkjet types have been investigated in detail. These are designated IJ01 to IJ45 above. 
     Other inkjet configurations can readily be derived from these 45 examples by substituting alternative configurations along one or more of the 11 axes. Most of the IJ01 to IJ45 examples can be made into inkjet print heads with characteristics superior to any currently available inkjet technology. 
     Where there are prior art examples known to the inventor, one or more of these examples are listed in the examples column of the tables below. The IJ01 to IJ45 series are also listed in the examples column. In some cases, a printer may be listed more than once in a table, where it shares characteristics with more than one entry. 
     Suitable applications include: Home printers, Office network printers, Short run digital printers, Commercial print systems, Fabric printers, Pocket printers, Internet WWW printers, Video printers, Medical imaging, Wide format printers, Notebook PC printers, Fax machines, Industrial printing systems, Photocopiers, Photographic minilabs etc. 
     The information associated with the aforementioned 11 dimensional matrix are set out in the following tables. 
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 ACTUATOR MECHANISM (APPLIED ONLY TO SELECTED INK DROPS) 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Actuator 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Mechanism 
                 Description 
                 Advantages 
                 Disadvantages 
                 Examples 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Thermal 
                 An electrothermal heater heats the 
                 ♦ Large force generated 
                 ♦ High power 
                 ♦ Canon Bubblejet 
               
               
                 bubble 
                 ink to above boiling point, 
                 ♦ Simple construction 
                 ♦ Ink carrier limited to water 
                   1979 Endo et al GB 
               
               
                   
                 transferring significant heat to the 
                 ♦ No moving parts 
                 ♦ Low efficiency 
                   patent 2,007,162 
               
               
                   
                 aqueous ink. A bubble nucleates and 
                 ♦ Fast operation 
                 ♦ High temperatures required 
                 ♦ Xerox heater-in-pit 
               
               
                   
                 quickly forms, expelling the ink. 
                 ♦ Small chip area required for 
                 ♦ High mechanical stress 
                   1990 Hawkins et al 
               
               
                   
                 The efficiency of the process is low, 
                   actuator 
                 ♦ Unusual materials required 
                   U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 
               
               
                   
                 with typically less than 0.05% of the 
                   
                 ♦ Large drive transistors 
                 ♦ Hewlett-Packard TIJ 
               
               
                   
                 electrical energy being transformed 
                   
                 ♦ Cavitation causes actuator failure 
                   1982 Vaught et al 
               
               
                   
                 into kinetic energy of the drop. 
                   
                 ♦ Kogation reduces bubble formation 
                   U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,728 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ Large print heads are difficult to 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   fabricate 
               
               
                 Piezoelectric 
                 A piezoelectric crystal such as lead 
                 ♦ Low power consumption 
                 ♦ Very large area required for actuator 
                 ♦ Kyser et al 
               
               
                   
                 lanthanum zirconate (PZT) is 
                 ♦ Many ink types can be used 
                 ♦ Difficult to integrate with electronics 
                   U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,398 
               
               
                   
                 electrically activated, and either 
                 ♦ Fast operation 
                 ♦ High voltage drive transistors required 
                 ♦ Zoltan 
               
               
                   
                 expands, shears, or bends to apply 
                 ♦ High efficiency 
                 ♦ Full pagewidth print heads impractical 
                   U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,212 
               
               
                   
                 pressure to the ink, ejecting drops. 
                   
                   due to actuator size 
                 ♦ 1973 Stemme 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ Requires electrical poling in high field 
                   U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,120 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   strengths during manufacture 
                 ♦ Epson Stylus 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ Tektronix 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ IJ04 
               
               
                 Electro- 
                 An electric field is used to activate 
                 ♦ Low power consumption 
                 ♦ Low maximum strain (approx. 0.01%) 
                 ♦ Seiko Epson, Usui et 
               
               
                 strictive 
                 electrostriction in relaxor materials 
                 ♦ Many ink types can be used 
                 ♦ Large area required for actuator due to 
                   all JP 253401/96 
               
               
                   
                 such as lead lanthanum zirconate 
                 ♦ Low thermal expansion 
                   low strain 
                 ♦ IJ04 
               
               
                   
                 titanate (PLZT) or lead magnesium 
                 ♦ Electric field strength 
                 ♦ Response speed is marginal (˜10 μs) 
               
               
                   
                 niobate (PMN). 
                   required (approx. 3.5 V/μm) 
                 ♦ High voltage drive transistors required 
               
               
                   
                   
                   can be generated without 
                 ♦ Full pagewidth print heads impractical 
               
               
                   
                   
                   difficulty 
                   due to actuator size 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ Does not require electrical 
               
               
                   
                   
                   poling 
               
               
                 Ferroelectric 
                 An electric field is used to induce a 
                 ♦ Low power consumption 
                 ♦ Difficult to integrate with electronics 
                 ♦ IJ04 
               
               
                   
                 phase transition between the 
                 ♦ Many ink types can be used 
                 ♦ Unusual materials such as PLZSnT are 
               
               
                   
                 antiferroelectric (AFE) and 
                 ♦ Fast operation (&lt;1 μs) 
                   required 
               
               
                   
                 ferroelectric (FE) phase. Perovskite 
                 ♦ Relatively high longitudinal 
                 ♦ Actuators require a large area 
               
               
                   
                 materials such as tin modified lead 
                   strain 
               
               
                   
                 lanthanum zirconate titanate 
                 ♦ High efficiency 
               
               
                   
                 (PLZSnT) exhibit large strains of up 
                 ♦ Electric field strength of 
               
               
                   
                 to 1% associated with the AFE to FE 
                   around 3 V/μm can be 
               
               
                   
                 phase transition. 
                   readily provided 
               
               
                 Electrostatic 
                 Conductive plates are separated by a 
                 ♦ Low power consumption 
                 ♦ Difficult to operate electostatic 
                 ♦ IJ02, IJ04 
               
               
                 plates 
                 compressible or fluid dielectric 
                 ♦ Many ink types can be used 
                   devices in an aqueous environment 
               
               
                   
                 (usually air). Upon application of a 
                 ♦ Fast operation 
                 ♦ The electrostatic actuator will normally 
               
               
                   
                 voltage, the plates attract each other 
                   
                   need to be separated from the ink 
               
               
                   
                 and displace ink, causing drop 
                   
                 ♦ Very large area required to achieve 
               
               
                   
                 ejection. The conductive plates may 
                   
                   high forces 
               
               
                   
                 be in a comb or honeycomb 
                   
                 ♦ High voltage drive transistors may be 
               
               
                   
                 structure, or stacked to increase the 
                   
                   required 
               
               
                   
                 surface area and therefore the force. 
                   
                 ♦ Full pagewidth print heads are not 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   competitive due to actuator size 
               
               
                 Electrostatic 
                 A strong electric field is applied to 
                 ♦ Low current consumption 
                 ♦ High voltage required 
                 ♦ 1989 Saito et al, 
               
               
                 pull on ink 
                 the ink, whereupon electrostatic 
                 ♦ Low temperature 
                 ♦ May be damaged by sparks due to air 
                   U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068 
               
               
                   
                 attraction accelerates the ink towards 
                   
                   breakdown 
                 ♦ 1989 Miura et al, 
               
               
                   
                 the print medium. 
                   
                 ♦ Required field strength increases as the 
                   U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,954 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   drop size decreases 
                 ♦ Tone-jet 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ High voltage drive transistors required 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ Electrostatic field attracts dust 
               
               
                 Permanent 
                 An electromagnet directly attracts a 
                 ♦ Low power consumption 
                 ♦ Complex fabrication 
                 ♦ IJ07, IJ10 
               
               
                 magnet 
                 permanent magnet, displacing ink 
                 ♦ Many ink types can be used 
                 ♦ Permanent magnetic material such as 
               
               
                 electro- 
                 and causing drop ejection. Rare earth 
                 ♦ Fast operation 
                   Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB) 
               
               
                 magnetic 
                 magnets with a field strength around 
                 ♦ High efficiency 
                   required. 
               
               
                   
                 1 Tesla can be used. Examples are: 
                 ♦ Easy extension from single 
                 ♦ High local currents required 
               
               
                   
                 Samarium Cobalt (SaCo) and 
                   nozzles to pagewidth print 
                 ♦ Copper metalization should be used for 
               
               
                   
                 magnetic materials in the 
                   heads 
                   long electromigration lifetime and low 
               
               
                   
                 neodymium iron boron family 
                   
                   resistivity 
               
               
                   
                 (NdFeB, NdDyFeBNb, NdDyFeB, 
                   
                 ♦ Pigmented inks are usually infeasible 
               
               
                   
                 etc) 
                   
                 ♦ Operating temperature limited to the 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   Curie temperature (around 540 K.) 
               
               
                 Soft magnetic 
                 A solenoid induced a magnetic field 
                 ♦ Low power consumption 
                 ♦ Complex fabrication 
                 ♦ IJ01, IJ05, IJ08, IJ10 
               
               
                 core electro- 
                 in a soft magnetic core or yoke 
                 ♦ Many ink types can be used 
                 ♦ Materials not usually present in a 
                 ♦ IJ12, IJ14, IJ15, IJ17 
               
               
                 magnetic 
                 fabricated from a ferrous material 
                 ♦ Fast operation 
                   CMOS fab such as NiFe, CoNiFe, or 
               
               
                   
                 such as electroplated iron alloys such 
                 ♦ High efficiency 
                   CoFe are required 
               
               
                   
                 as CoNiFe [1], CoFe, or NiFe alloys. 
                 ♦ Easy extension from single 
                 ♦ High local currents required 
               
               
                   
                 Typically, the soft magnetic material 
                   nozzles to pagewidth print 
                 ♦ Copper metalization should be used for 
               
               
                   
                 is in two parts, which are normally 
                   heads 
                   long electromigration lifetime and low 
               
               
                   
                 held apart by a spring. When the 
                   
                   resistivity 
               
               
                   
                 solenoid is actuated, the two parts 
                   
                 ♦ Electroplating is required 
               
               
                   
                 attract, displacing the ink. 
                   
                 ♦ High saturation flux density is required 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   (2.0-2.1 T is achievable with CoNiFe 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   [1]) 
               
               
                 Magnetic 
                 The Lorenz force acting on a current 
                 ♦ Low power consumption 
                 ♦ Force acts as a twisting motion 
                 ♦ IJ06, IJ11, IJ13, IJ16 
               
               
                 Lorenz force 
                 carrying wire in a magnetic field is 
                 ♦ Many ink types can be used 
                 ♦ Typically, only a quarter of the 
               
               
                   
                 utilized. 
                 ♦ Fast operation 
                   solenoid length provides force in a 
               
               
                   
                 This allows the magnetic field to be 
                 ♦ High efficiency 
                   useful direction 
               
               
                   
                 supplied externally to the print head, 
                 ♦ Easy extension from single 
                 ♦ High local currents required 
               
               
                   
                 for example with rare earth 
                   nozzles to pagewidth print 
                 ♦ Copper metalization should be used for 
               
               
                   
                 permanent magnets. 
                   heads 
                   long electromigration lifetime and low 
               
               
                   
                 Only the current carrying wire need 
                   
                   resistivity 
               
               
                   
                 be fabricated on the print-head, 
                   
                 ♦ Pigmented inks are usually infeasible 
               
               
                   
                 simplifying materials requirements. 
               
               
                 Magneto- 
                 The actuator uses the giant 
                 ♦ Many ink types can be used 
                 ♦ Force acts as a twisting motion 
                 ♦ Fischenbeck, 
               
               
                 striction 
                 magnetostrictive effect of materials 
                 ♦ Fast operation 
                 ♦ Unusual materials such as Terfenol-D 
                   U.S. Pat. No. 4,032,929 
               
               
                   
                 such as Terfenol-D (an alloy of 
                 ♦ Easy extension from single 
                   are required 
                 ♦ IJ25 
               
               
                   
                 terbium, dysprosium and iron 
                   nozzles to pagewidth print 
                 ♦ High local currents required 
               
               
                   
                 developed at the Naval Ordnance 
                   heads 
                 ♦ Copper metalization should be used for 
               
               
                   
                 Laboratory, hence Ter-Fe-NOL). For 
                 ♦ High force is available 
                   long electromigration lifetime and low 
               
               
                   
                 best efficiency, the actuator should 
                   
                   resistivity 
               
               
                   
                 be pre-stressed to approx. 8 MPa. 
                   
                 ♦ Pre-stressing may be required 
               
               
                 Surface 
                 Ink under positive pressure is held in 
                 ♦ Low power consumption 
                 ♦ Requires supplementary force to effect 
                 ♦ Silverbrook, EP 0771 
               
               
                 tension 
                 a nozzle by surface tension. The 
                 ♦ Simple construction 
                   drop separation 
                   658 A2 and related 
               
               
                 reduction 
                 surface tension of the ink is reduced 
                 ♦ No unusual materials 
                 ♦ Requires special ink surfactants 
                   patent applications 
               
               
                   
                 below the bubble threshold, causing 
                   required in fabrication 
                 ♦ Speed may be limited by surfactant 
               
               
                   
                 the ink to egress from the nozzle. 
                 ♦ High efficiency 
                   properties 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ Easy extension from single 
               
               
                   
                   
                   nozzles to pagewidth print 
               
               
                   
                   
                   heads 
               
               
                 Viscosity 
                 The ink viscosity is locally reduced 
                 ♦ Simple construction 
                 ♦ Requires supplementary force to effect 
                 ♦ Silverbrook, EP 0771 
               
               
                 reduction 
                 to select which drops are to be 
                 ♦ No unusual materials 
                   drop separation 
                   658 A2 and related 
               
               
                   
                 ejected. A viscosity reduction can be 
                   required in fabrication 
                 ♦ Requires special ink viscosity 
                   patent applications 
               
               
                   
                 achieved electrothermally with most 
                 ♦ Easy extension from single 
                   properties 
               
               
                   
                 inks, but special inks can be 
                   nozzles to pagewidth print 
                 ♦ High speed is difficult to achieve 
               
               
                   
                 engineered for a 100:1 viscosity 
                   heads 
                 ♦ Requires oscillating ink pressure 
               
               
                   
                 reduction. 
                   
                 ♦ A high temperature difference 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   (typically 80 degrees) is required 
               
               
                 Acoustic 
                 An acoustic wave is generated and 
                 ♦ Can operate without a 
                 ♦ Complex drive circuitry 
                 ♦ 1993 Hadimioglu et 
               
               
                   
                 focussed upon the drop ejection 
                   nozzle plate 
                 ♦ Complex fabrication 
                   al, EUP 550,192 
               
               
                   
                 region. 
                   
                 ♦ Low efficiency 
                 ♦ 1993 Elrod et al, EUP 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ Poor control of drop position 
                   572,220 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ Poor control of drop volume 
               
               
                 Thermoelastic 
                 An actuator which relies upon 
                 ♦ Low power consumption 
                 ♦ Efficient aqueous operation requires a 
                 ♦ IJ03, IJ09, IJ17, IJ18 
               
               
                 bend actuator 
                 differential thermal expansion upon 
                 ♦ Many ink types can be used 
                   thermal insulator on the hot side 
                 ♦ IJ19, IJ20, IJ21, IJ22 
               
               
                   
                 Joule heating is used. 
                 ♦ Simple planar fabrication 
                 ♦ Corrosion prevention can be difficult 
                 ♦ IJ23, IJ24, IJ27, IJ28 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ Small chip area required for 
                 ♦ Pigmented inks may be infeasible, as 
                 ♦ IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 
               
               
                   
                   
                   each actuator 
                   pigment particles may jam the bend 
                 ♦ IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ Fast operation 
                   actuator 
                 ♦ IJ37, IJ38, IJ39, IJ40 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ High efficiency 
                   
                 ♦ IJ41 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ CMOS compatible voltages 
               
               
                   
                   
                   and currents 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ Standard MEMS processes 
               
               
                   
                   
                   can be used 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ Easy extension from single 
               
               
                   
                   
                   nozzles to pagewidth print 
               
               
                   
                   
                   heads 
               
               
                 High CTE 
                 A material with a very high 
                 ♦ High force can be generated 
                 ♦ Requires special material (e.g. PTFE) 
                 ♦ IJ09, IJ17, IJ18, IJ20 
               
               
                 thermoelastic 
                 coefficient of thermal expansion 
                 ♦ PTFE is a candidate for low 
                 ♦ Requires a PTFE deposition process, 
                 ♦ IJ21, IJ22, IJ23, IJ24 
               
               
                 actuator 
                 (CTE) such as 
                   dielectric constant 
                   which is not yet standard in ULSI fabs 
                 ♦ IJ27, IJ28, IJ29, IJ30 
               
               
                   
                 polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is 
                   insulation in ULSI 
                 ♦ PTFE deposition cannot be followed 
                 ♦ IJ31, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 
               
               
                   
                 used. As high CTE materials are 
                 ♦ Very low power 
                   with high temperature (above 350° C.) 
               
               
                   
                 usually non-conductive, a heater 
                   consumption 
                   processing 
               
               
                   
                 fabricated from a conductive 
                 ♦ Many ink types can be used 
                 ♦ Pigmented inks may be infeasible, as 
               
               
                   
                 material is incorporated. A 50 μm 
                 ♦ Simple planar fabrication 
                   pigment particles may jam the bend 
               
               
                   
                 long PTFE bend actuator with 
                 ♦ Small chip area required for 
                   actuator 
               
               
                   
                 polysilicon heater and 15 mW power 
                   each actuator 
               
               
                   
                 input can provide 180 μN force and 
                 ♦ Fast operation 
               
               
                   
                 10 μm deflecton. Actuator motions 
                 ♦ High efficiency 
               
               
                   
                 include: 
                 ♦ CMOS compatible voltages 
               
               
                   
                 1) Bend 
                   and currents 
               
               
                   
                 2) Push 
                 ♦ Easy extension from single 
               
               
                   
                 3) Buckle 
                   nozzles to pagewidth print 
               
               
                   
                 4) Rotate 
                   heads 
               
               
                 Conductive 
                 A polymer with a high coefficient of 
                 ♦ High force can be generated 
                 ♦ Requires special materials 
                 ♦ IJ24 
               
               
                 polymer 
                 thermal expansion (such as PTFE) is 
                 ♦ Very low power 
                   development (High CTE conductive 
               
               
                 thermoelastic 
                 doped with conducting substances to 
                   consumption 
                   polymer) 
               
               
                 actuator 
                 increase its conductivity to about 3 
                 ♦ Many ink types can be used 
                 ♦ Requires a PTFE deposition process, 
               
               
                   
                 orders of magnitude below that of 
                 ♦ Simple planar fabrication 
                   which is not yet standard in ULSI fabs 
               
               
                   
                 copper. The conducting polymer 
                 ♦ Small chip area required for 
                 ♦ PTFE deposition cannot be followed 
               
               
                   
                 expands when resistively heated. 
                   each actuator 
                   with high temperature (above 350° C.) 
               
               
                   
                 Examples of conducting dopants 
                 ♦ Fast operation 
                   processing 
               
               
                   
                 include: 
                 ♦ High efficiency 
                 ♦ Evaporation and CVD deposition 
               
               
                   
                 1) Carbon nanotubes 
                 ♦ CMOS compatible voltages 
                   techniques cannot be used 
               
               
                   
                 2) Metal fibers 
                   and currents 
                 ♦ Pigmented inks may be infeasible, as 
               
               
                   
                 3) Conductive polymers such as 
                 ♦ Easy extension from single 
                   pigment particles may jam the bend 
               
               
                   
                   doped polythiophene 
                   nozzles to pagewidth print 
                   actuator 
               
               
                   
                 4) Carbon granules 
                   heads 
               
               
                 Shape memory 
                 A shape memory alloy such as TiNi 
                 ♦ High force is available 
                 ♦ Fatigue limits maximum number of 
                 ♦ IJ26 
               
               
                 alloy 
                 (also known as Nitinol - Nickel 
                   (stresses of hundred of 
                   cycles 
               
               
                   
                 Titanium alloy developed at the 
                   MPa) 
                 ♦ Low strain (1%) is required to extend 
               
               
                   
                 Naval Ordnance Laboratory) is 
                 ♦ Large strain is available 
                   fatigue resistance 
               
               
                   
                 thermally switched between its weak 
                   (more than 3%) 
                 ♦ Cycle rate limited by heat removal 
               
               
                   
                 martensitic state and its high 
                 ♦ High corrosion resistance 
                 ♦ Requires unusual materials (TiNi) 
               
               
                   
                 stiffness austenic state. The shape of 
                 ♦ Simple construction 
                 ♦ The latent heat of transformation must 
               
               
                   
                 the actuator in its martensitic state is 
                 ♦ Easy extension from single 
                   be provided 
               
               
                   
                 deformed relative to the austenic 
                   nozzles to pagewidth print 
                 ♦ High current operation 
               
               
                   
                 shape. The shape change causes 
                   heads 
                 ♦ Requires pre-stressing to distort the 
               
               
                   
                 ejection of a drop. 
                 ♦ Low voltage operation 
                   martensitic state 
               
               
                 Linear 
                 Linear magnetic actuators include 
                 ♦ Linear Magnetic actuators 
                 ♦ Requires unusual semiconductor 
                 ♦ IJ12 
               
               
                 Magnetic 
                 the Linear Induction Actuator (LIA), 
                   can be constructed with 
                   materials such as soft magnetic alloys 
               
               
                 Actuator 
                 Linear Permanent Magnet 
                   high thrust, long travel, and 
                   (e.g. CoNiFe [1]) 
               
               
                   
                 Synchronous Actuator (LPMSA), 
                   high efficiency using planar 
                 ♦ Some varieties also require permanent 
               
               
                   
                 Linear Reluctance Synchronous 
                   semiconductor fabrication 
                   magnetic materials such as 
               
               
                   
                 Actuator (LRSA), Linear Switched 
                   techniques 
                   Neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) 
               
               
                   
                 Reluctance Actuator (LSRA), and 
                 ♦ Long actuator travel is 
                 ♦ Requires complex multi-phase drive 
               
               
                   
                 the Linear Stepper Actuator (LSA). 
                   available 
                   circuitry 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ Medium force is available 
                 ♦ High current operation 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ Low voltage operation 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 BASIC OPERATION MODE 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Opera- 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 tional 
               
               
                 mode 
                 Description 
                 Advantages 
                 Disadvantages 
                 Examples 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Actuator 
                 This is the simplest mode of 
                 ♦ 
                 Simple operation 
                 ♦ 
                 Drop repetition rate is usually limited 
                 ♦ 
                 Thermal inkjet 
               
               
                 directly 
                 operation: the actuator directly 
                 ♦ 
                 No external fields 
                   
                 to less than 10 KHz. However, this is 
                 ♦ 
                 Piezoelectric inkjet 
               
               
                 pushes ink 
                 supplies sufficient kinetic energy to 
                   
                 required 
                   
                 not fundamental to the method, but is 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ01, IJ02, IJ03, IJ04 
               
               
                   
                 expel the drop. The drop must have a 
                 ♦ 
                 Satellite drops can be 
                   
                 related to the refill method normally 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ05, IJ06, IJ07, IJ09 
               
               
                   
                 sufficient velocity to overcome the 
                   
                 avoided if drop 
                   
                 used 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ11, IJ12, IJ14, IJ16 
               
               
                   
                 surface tension. 
                   
                 velocity is less 
                 ♦ 
                 All of the drop kinetic energy 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ20, IJ22, IJ23, IJ24 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 than 4 m/s 
                   
                 must be provided by the actuator 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ25, IJ26, IJ27, IJ28 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Can be efficient, 
                 ♦ 
                 Satellite drops usually form if drop 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 depending upon the 
                   
                 velocity is greater than 4.5 m/s 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 actuator used 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ37, IJ38, IJ39, IJ40 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ41, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 
               
               
                 Proximity 
                 The drops to be printed are selected 
                 ♦ 
                 Very simple print head 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires close proximity between the 
                 ♦ 
                 Silverbrook, EP 0771 
               
               
                   
                 by some manner (e.g. thermally 
                   
                 fabrication can be used 
                   
                 print head and the print media or 
                   
                 658 A2 and related 
               
               
                   
                 induced surface tension reduction of 
                 ♦ 
                 The drop selection 
                   
                 transfer roller 
                   
                 patent applications 
               
               
                   
                 pressurized ink). Selected drops are 
                   
                 means does not need 
                 ♦ 
                 May require two print heads printing 
               
               
                   
                 separated from the ink in the nozzle 
                   
                 to provide the energy 
                   
                 alternate rows of the image 
               
               
                   
                 by contact with the print medium or 
                   
                 required to separate 
                 ♦ 
                 Monolithic color print heads are 
               
               
                   
                 a transfer roller. 
                   
                 the drop from the 
                   
                 difficult 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 nozzle 
               
               
                 Electro- 
                 The drops to be printed are selected 
                 ♦ 
                 Very simple print head 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires very high electrostatic field 
                 ♦ 
                 Silverbrook, EP 0771 
               
               
                 static 
                 by some manner (e.g. thermally 
                   
                 fabrication can be used 
                 ♦ 
                 Electrostatic field for small nozzle 
                   
                 658 A2 and related 
               
               
                 pull on 
                 induced surface tension reduction of 
                 ♦ 
                 The drop selection 
                   
                 sizes is above air breakdown 
                   
                 patent applications 
               
               
                 ink 
                 pressurized ink). Selected drops are 
                   
                 means does not need 
                 ♦ 
                 Electrostatic field may attract dust 
                 ♦ 
                 Tone-Jet 
               
               
                   
                 separated from the ink in the nozzle 
                   
                 to provide the energy 
               
               
                   
                 by a strong electric field. 
                   
                 required to separate 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 the drop from the 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 nozzle. 
               
               
                 Magnetic 
                 The drops to be printed are selected 
                   
                 Very simple print 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires magnetic ink 
                 ♦ 
                 Silverbrook, EP 0771 
               
               
                 pull on 
                 by some manner (e.g. thermally 
                   
                 head fabrication 
                 ♦ 
                 Ink colors other than black are 
                   
                 658 A2 and related 
               
               
                 ink 
                 induced surface tension reduction of 
                   
                 can be used 
                   
                 difficult 
                   
                 patent applications 
               
               
                   
                 pressurized ink). Selected drops are 
                 ♦ 
                 The drop selection 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires very high magnetic fields 
               
               
                   
                 separated from the ink in the nozzle 
                   
                 means does not need 
               
               
                   
                 by a strong magnetic field acting on 
                   
                 to provide the energy 
               
               
                   
                 the magnetic ink. 
                   
                 required to separate 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 the drop from the 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 nozzle 
               
               
                 Shutter 
                 The actuator moves a shutter to 
                 ♦ 
                 High speed (&gt;50 KHz) 
                 ♦ 
                 Moving parts are required 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ13, IJ17, IJ21 
               
               
                   
                 block ink flow to the nozzle. The ink 
                   
                 operation can be 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires ink pressure modulator 
               
               
                   
                 pressure is pulsed at a multiple of the 
                   
                 achieved due to 
                 ♦ 
                 Friction and wear must be considered 
               
               
                   
                 drop ejection frequency. 
                   
                 reduced refill time 
                 ♦ 
                 Striction is possible 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Drop timing can be 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 very accurate 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 The actuator energy 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 can be very low 
               
               
                 Shuttered 
                 The actuator moves a shutter to 
                 ♦ 
                 Actuators with small 
                 ♦ 
                 Moving parts are required 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ08, IJ15, IJ18, IJ19 
               
               
                 grill 
                 blocking flow through a grill to the 
                   
                 travel can be used 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires ink pressure modulator 
               
               
                   
                 nozzle. The shutter movement need 
                 ♦ 
                 Actuators with small 
                 ♦ 
                 Friction and wear must be considered 
               
               
                   
                 only be equal to the width of the grill 
                   
                 force can be used 
                 ♦ 
                 Striction is possible 
               
               
                   
                 holes. 
                 ♦ 
                 High speed (&gt;50 KHz) 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 operation can be 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 achieved 
               
               
                 Pulsed 
                 A pulsed magnetic field attracts an 
                 ♦ 
                 Extremely low energy 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires an external pulsed magnetic 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ10 
               
               
                 magnetic 
                 ‘ink pusher’ at the drop ejection 
                   
                 operation is possible 
                   
                 field 
               
               
                 pull on 
                 frequency. An actuator controls a 
                 ♦ 
                 No heat dissipation 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires special materials for 
               
               
                 ink pusher 
                 catch, which prevents the ink pusher 
                   
                 problems 
                   
                 both the actuator and the ink pusher 
               
               
                   
                 from moving when a drop is not to 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Complex construction 
               
               
                   
                 be ejected. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 AUXILIARY MECHANISM (APPLIED TO ALL NOZZLES) 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Auxiliary 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Mechanism 
                 Description 
                 Advantages 
                 Disadvantages 
                 Examples  
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 None 
                 The actuator directly fires the ink 
                 ♦ 
                 Simplicity of construction 
                 ♦ 
                 Drop ejection energy must 
                 ♦ 
                 Most inkjets, 
               
               
                   
                 drop, and there is no external field or 
                 ♦ 
                 Simplicity of operation 
                   
                 be supplied by individual 
                   
                 including 
               
               
                   
                 other mechanism required. 
                 ♦ 
                 Small physical size 
                   
                 nozzle actuator 
                   
                 piezoelectric and 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 thermal bubble. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ01-IJ07, IJ09, IJ11 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ12, IJ14, IJ20, IJ22 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ23-IJ45 
               
               
                 Oscillating ink 
                 The ink pressure oscillates, 
                 ♦ 
                 Oscillating ink pressure can 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires external ink 
                 ♦ 
                 Silverbrook, EP 0771 
               
               
                 pressure 
                 providing much of the drop ejection 
                   
                 provide a refill pulse, 
                   
                 pressure oscillator 
                   
                 658 A2 and related 
               
               
                 (including 
                 energy. The actuator selects which 
                   
                 allowing higher operating 
                 ♦ 
                 Ink pressure phase and 
                   
                 patent applications 
               
               
                 acoustic 
                 drops are to be fired by selectively 
                   
                 speed 
                   
                 amplitude must be carefully 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 
               
               
                 stimulation) 
                 blocking or enabling nozzles. The 
                 ♦ 
                 The actuators may operate 
                   
                 controlled 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 
               
               
                   
                 ink pressure oscillation may be 
                   
                 with much lower energy 
                 ♦ 
                 Acoustic reflections in the 
               
               
                   
                 achieved by vibrating the print head, 
                 ♦ 
                 Acoustic lenses can be used 
                   
                 ink chamber must be 
               
               
                   
                 or preferably by an actuator in the 
                   
                 to focus the sound on the 
                   
                 designed for 
               
               
                   
                 ink supply. 
                   
                 nozzles 
               
               
                 Media 
                 The print head is placed in close 
                 ♦ 
                 Low power 
                 ♦ 
                 Precision assembly required 
                 ♦ 
                 Silverbrook, EP 0771 
               
               
                 proximity 
                 proximity to the print medium. 
                 ♦ 
                 High accuracy 
                 ♦ 
                 Paper fibers may cause 
                   
                 658 A2 and related 
               
               
                   
                 Selected drops protrude from the 
                 ♦ 
                 Simple print head 
                   
                 problems 
                   
                 patent applications 
               
               
                   
                 print head further than unselected 
                   
                 construction 
                 ♦ 
                 Cannot print on rough 
               
               
                   
                 drops, and contact the print medium. 
                   
                   
                   
                 substrates 
               
               
                   
                 The drop soaks into the medium fast 
               
               
                   
                 enough to cause drop separation. 
               
               
                 Transfer roller 
                 Drops are printed to a transfer roller 
                 ♦ 
                 High accuracy 
                 ♦ 
                 Bulky 
                 ♦ 
                 Silverbrook, EP 0771 
               
               
                   
                 instead of straight to the print 
                 ♦ 
                 Wide range of print 
                 ♦ 
                 Expensive 
                   
                 658 A2 and related 
               
               
                   
                 medium. A transfer roller can also be 
                   
                 substrates can be used 
                 ♦ 
                 Complex construction 
                   
                 patent applications 
               
               
                   
                 used for proximity drop separation. 
                 ♦ 
                 Ink can be dried on the 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Tektronix hot melt 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 transfer roller 
                   
                   
                   
                 piezoelectric inkjet 
               
               
                 Electrostatic 
                 An electric field is used to accelerate 
                 ♦ 
                 Low power 
                 ♦ 
                 Field strength required 
                 ♦ 
                 Any of the IJ series 
               
               
                   
                 selected drops towards the print 
                 ♦ 
                 Simple print head 
                   
                 for separation of small 
                 ♦ 
                 Silverbrook, EP 0771 
               
               
                   
                 medium. 
                   
                 construction 
                   
                 drops is near or above air 
                   
                 658 A2 and related 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 breakdown 
                   
                 patent applications 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Tone-Jet 
               
               
                 Direct 
                 A magnetic field is used to accelerate 
                 ♦ 
                 Low power 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires magnetic ink 
                 ♦ 
                 Silverbrook, EP 0771 
               
               
                 magnetic field 
                 selected drops of magnetic ink 
                 ♦ 
                 Simple print head 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires strong magnetic 
                   
                 658 A2 and related 
               
               
                   
                 towards the print medium. 
                   
                 construction 
                   
                 field 
                   
                 patent applications 
               
               
                 Cross 
                 The print head is placed in a constant 
                 ♦ 
                 Does not require magnetic 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires external magnet 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ06, IJ16 
               
               
                 magnetic field 
                 magnetic field. The Lorenz force in a 
                   
                 materials to be integrated in 
                 ♦ 
                 Current densities may be 
               
               
                   
                 current carrying wire is used to move 
                   
                 the print head 
                   
                 high, resulting in electro- 
               
               
                   
                 the actuator. 
                   
                 manufacturing process 
                   
                 migration problems 
               
               
                 Pulsed 
                 A pulsed magnetic field is used to 
                 ♦ 
                 Very low power operation 
                 ♦ 
                 Complex print head 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ10 
               
               
                 magnetic field 
                 cyclically attract a paddle, which 
                   
                 is possible 
                   
                 construction 
               
               
                   
                 pushes on the ink. A small actuator 
                 ♦ 
                 Small print head size 
                 ♦ 
                 Magnetic materials required 
               
               
                   
                 moves a catch, which selectively 
                   
                   
                   
                 in print head 
               
               
                   
                 prevents the paddle from moving.  
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 ACTUATOR AMPLIFICATION OR MODIFICATION METHOD 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Actuator 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 amplifi- 
               
               
                 cation 
                 Description 
                 Advantages 
                 Disadvantages 
                 Examples 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 None 
                 No actuator mechanical 
                 ♦ 
                 Operational simplicity 
                 ♦ 
                 Many actuator mechanisms have 
                 ♦ 
                 Thermal Bubble 
               
               
                   
                 amplification is used. The actuator 
                   
                   
                   
                 insufficient travel, or insufficient 
                   
                 Inkjet 
               
               
                   
                 directly drives the drop ejection 
                   
                   
                   
                 force, to efficiently drive 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ01, IJ02, IJ06, IJ07 
               
               
                   
                 process. 
                   
                   
                   
                 the drop ejection process 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ16, IJ25, IJ26 
               
               
                 Differ- 
                 An actuator material expands more 
                 ♦ 
                 Provides greater travel 
                 ♦ 
                 High stresses are involved 
                 ♦ 
                 Piezoelectric 
               
               
                 ential 
                 on one side than on the other. The 
                   
                 in a reduced print head 
                 ♦ 
                 Care must be taken that the materials 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ03, IJ09, IJ17-IJ24 
               
               
                 expansion 
                 expansion may be thermal, 
                   
                 area 
                   
                 do not delaminate 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ27, IJ29-IJ39, IJ42, 
               
               
                 bend 
                 piezoelectric, magnetostrictive, or 
                 ♦ 
                 The bend actuator 
                 ♦ 
                 Residual bend resulting from high 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ43, IJ44 
               
               
                 actuator 
                 other mechanism. 
                   
                 converts a high force 
                   
                 temperature or high stress during 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 low travel actuator  
                   
                 formation 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 mechanism to high 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 travel, lower force 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 mechanism 
               
               
                 Transient 
                 A trilayer bend actuator where the 
                 ♦ 
                 Very good temperature 
                 ♦ 
                 High stresses are involved 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ40, IJ41 
               
               
                 bend 
                 two outside layers are identical. This 
                   
                 stability 
                 ♦ 
                 Care must be taken that the materials 
               
               
                 actuator 
                 cancels bend due to ambient 
                 ♦ 
                 High speed, as a new 
                   
                 do not delaminate 
               
               
                   
                 temperature and residual stress. The 
                   
                 drop can be fired 
               
               
                   
                 actuator only responds to transient 
                   
                 before heat dissipates 
               
               
                   
                 heating of one side or the other. 
                 ♦ 
                 Cancels residual stress 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 of formation 
               
               
                 Actuator 
                 A series of thin actuators are stacked. 
                 ♦ 
                 Increased travel 
                 ♦ 
                 Increased fabrication complexity 
                 ♦ 
                 Some piezoelectric 
               
               
                 stack 
                 This can be appropriate where 
                 ♦ 
                 Reduced drive voltage 
                 ♦ 
                 Increased possibility of short circuits 
                   
                 ink jets 
               
               
                   
                 actuators require high electric field 
                   
                   
                   
                 due to pinholes 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ04 
               
               
                   
                 strength, such as electrostatic and 
               
               
                   
                 piezoelectric actuators. 
               
               
                 Multiple 
                 Multiple smaller actuators are used 
                 ♦ 
                 Increases the force 
                 ♦ 
                 Actuator forces may not add linearly, 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ12, IJ13, IJ18, IJ20 
               
               
                 actuators 
                 simultaneously to move the ink. 
                   
                 available from an 
                   
                 reducing efficiency 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ22, IJ28, IJ42, IJ43 
               
               
                   
                 Each actuator need provide only a 
                   
                 actuator 
               
               
                   
                 portion of the force required. 
                 ♦ 
                 Multiple actuators can 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 be positioned to 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 control ink flow 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 accurately 
               
               
                 Linear 
                 A linear spring is used to transform a 
                 ♦ 
                 Matches low travel 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires print head area for the 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ15 
               
               
                 Spring 
                 motion with small travel and high 
                   
                 actuator with higher 
                   
                 spring 
               
               
                   
                 force into a longer travel, lower force 
                   
                 travel requirements 
               
               
                   
                 motion. 
                 ♦ 
                 Non-contact method of 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 motion transformation 
               
               
                 Reverse 
                 The actuator loads a spring. When 
                 ♦ 
                 Better coupling to the 
                 ♦ 
                 Fabrication complexity 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ05, IJ11 
               
               
                 spring 
                 the actuator is turned off, the spring 
                   
                 ink 
                 ♦ 
                 High stress in the spring 
               
               
                   
                 releases. This can reverse the 
               
               
                   
                 force/distance curve of the actuator 
               
               
                   
                 to make it compatible with the 
               
               
                   
                 force/time requirements of the drop 
               
               
                   
                 ejection. 
               
               
                 Coiled 
                 A bend actuator is coiled to provide 
                 ♦ 
                 Increases travel 
                 ♦ 
                 Generally restricted to planar 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ17, IJ21, IJ34, IJ35 
               
               
                 actuator 
                 greater travel in a reduced chip area. 
                 ♦ 
                 Reduces chip area 
                   
                 implementations due to extreme 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Planar implementa- 
                   
                 fabrication difficulty in other 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 tions are relatively 
                   
                 orientations. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 easy to fabricate. 
               
               
                 Flexure 
                 A bend actuator has a small region 
                 ♦ 
                 Simple means of 
                 ♦ 
                 Care must be taken not to exceed the 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ10, IJ19, IJ33 
               
               
                 bend 
                 near the fixture point, which flexes 
                   
                 increasing travel of 
                   
                 elastic limit in the flexure area 
               
               
                 actuator 
                 much more readily than the 
                   
                 a bend actuator 
                 ♦ 
                 Stress distribution is very uneven 
               
               
                   
                 remainder of the actuator. The 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Difficult to accurately model with 
               
               
                   
                 actuator flexing is effectively 
                   
                   
                   
                 finite element analysis 
               
               
                   
                 converted from an even coiling to an 
               
               
                   
                 angular bend, resulting in greater 
               
               
                   
                 travel of the actuator tip. 
               
               
                 Gears 
                 Gears can be used to increase travel 
                 ♦ 
                 Low force, low travel 
                 ♦ 
                 Moving parts are required 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ13 
               
               
                   
                 at the expense of duration. Circular 
                   
                 actuators can be used 
                 ♦ 
                 Several actuator cycles are required 
               
               
                   
                 gears, rack and pinion, ratchets, and 
                 ♦ 
                 Can be fabricated 
                 ♦ 
                 More complex drive electronics 
               
               
                   
                 other gearing methods can be used. 
                   
                 using standard surface 
                 ♦ 
                 Complex construction 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 MEMS processes 
                 ♦ 
                 Friction, friction, and wear are 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 possible 
               
               
                 Catch 
                 The actuator controls a small catch. 
                 ♦ 
                 Very low actuator 
                 ♦ 
                 Complex construction 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ10 
               
               
                   
                 The catch either enables or disables 
                   
                 energy 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires external force 
               
               
                   
                 movement of an ink pusher that is 
                 ♦ 
                 Very small actuator 
                 ♦ 
                 Unsuitable for pigmented inks 
               
               
                   
                 controlled in a bulk manner. 
                   
                 size 
               
               
                 Buckle 
                 A buckle plate can be used to change 
                 ♦ 
                 Very fast movement 
                 ♦ 
                 Must stay within elastic limits of the 
                 ♦ 
                 S. Hirata et al, “An 
               
               
                 plate 
                 a slow actuator into a fast motion. It 
                   
                 achievable 
                   
                 materials for long device life 
                   
                 Ink-jet Head . . . ”, 
               
               
                   
                 can also convert a high force, low 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 High stresses involved 
                   
                 Proc. IEEE MEMS, 
               
               
                   
                 travel actuator into a high travel, 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Generally high power requirement 
                   
                 Feb. 1996, pp 418- 
               
               
                   
                 medium force motion. 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 423. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ18, IJ27 
               
               
                 Tapered 
                 A tapered magnetic pole can increase 
                 ♦ 
                 Linearizes the 
                 ♦ 
                 Complex construction 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ14 
               
               
                 magnetic 
                 travel at the expense of force. 
                   
                 magnetic force/ 
               
               
                 pole 
                   
                   
                 distance curve 
               
               
                 Lever 
                 A lever and fulcrum is used to 
                 ♦ 
                 Matches low travel 
                 ♦ 
                 High stress around the fulcrum 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ32, IJ36, IJ37 
               
               
                   
                 transform a motion with small travel 
                   
                 actuator with higher 
               
               
                   
                 and high force into a motion with 
                   
                 travel requirements 
               
               
                   
                 longer travel and lower force. The 
                 ♦ 
                 Fulcrum area has no 
               
               
                   
                 lever can also reverse the direction of 
                   
                 linear movement, and 
               
               
                   
                 travel. 
                   
                 can be used for a 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 fluid seal 
               
               
                 Rotary 
                 The actuator is connected to a rotary 
                 ♦ 
                 High mechanical 
                 ♦ 
                 Complex construction 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ28 
               
               
                 impeller 
                 impeller. A small angular defection 
                   
                 advantage 
                 ♦ 
                 Unsuitable for pigmented inks 
               
               
                   
                 of the actuator results in a rotation of 
                 ♦ 
                 The ratio of force 
               
               
                   
                 the impeller vanes, which push the 
                   
                 to travel of the 
               
               
                   
                 ink against stationary vanes and out 
                   
                 actuator can be 
               
               
                   
                 of the nozzle. 
                   
                 matched to the nozzle 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 requirements by 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 varying the number 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 of impeller vanes 
               
               
                 Acoustic 
                 A refractive or diffractive (e.g. zone 
                 ♦ 
                 No moving parts 
                 ♦ 
                 Large area required 
                 ♦ 
                 1993 Hadimioglu et 
               
               
                 lens 
                 plate) acoustic lens is used to 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Only relevant for acoustic ink jets 
                   
                 al, EUP 550,192 
               
               
                   
                 concentrate sound waves. 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 1993 Elrod et al, EUP 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 572,220 
               
               
                 Sharp 
                 A sharp point is used to concentrate 
                 ♦ 
                 Simple construction 
                 ♦ 
                 Difficult to fabricate using standard 
                 ♦ 
                 Tone-jet 
               
               
                 conductive 
                 an electrostatic field. 
                   
                   
                   
                 VLSI processes for a surface ejecting 
               
               
                 point 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ink-jet 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Only relevant for eletrostatic ink jets 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 ACTUATOR MOTION 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Actuator 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 motion 
                 Description 
                 Advantages 
                 Disadvantages 
                 Examples 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Volume 
                 The volume of the actuator changes, 
                 ♦ 
                 Simple construction 
                 ♦ 
                 High energy is typically required to 
                 ♦ 
                 Hewlett-Packard 
               
               
                 expansion 
                 pushing the ink in all directions. 
                   
                 in the case of 
                   
                 achieve volume expansion. This leads 
                   
                 Thermal Inkjet 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 thermal ink jet 
                   
                 to thermal stress, cavitation, and 
                 ♦ 
                 Canon Bubblejet 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 kogation in thermal ink jet 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 implementations 
               
               
                 Linear, 
                 The actuator moves in a direction 
                 ♦ 
                 Efficient coupling 
                   
                 High fabrication complexity may be 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, 
               
               
                 normal 
                 normal to the print head surface. The 
                   
                 to ink drops 
                   
                 required to achieve perpendicular 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ11, IJ14 
               
               
                 to chip 
                 nozzle is typically in the line of 
                   
                 ejected normal to 
                   
                 motion 
               
               
                 surface 
                 movement. 
                   
                 the surface 
               
               
                 Linear, 
                 The actuator moves parallel to the 
                 ♦ 
                 Suitable for planar 
                 ♦ 
                 Fabrication complexity 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ12, IJ13, IJ15, IJ33, 
               
               
                 parallel 
                 print head surface. Drop ejection 
                   
                 fabrication 
                 ♦ 
                 Friction 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 
               
               
                 to chip 
                 may still be normal to the surface. 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Striction 
               
               
                 surface 
                   
               
               
                 Membrane 
                 An actuator with a high force but 
                 ♦ 
                 The effective area 
                 ♦ 
                 Fabrication complexity 
                 ♦ 
                 1982 Hawkins U.S. 
               
               
                 push 
                 small area is used to push a stiff 
                   
                 of the actuator 
                 ♦ 
                 Actuator size 
                   
                 Pat. No. 4,459,601 
               
               
                   
                 membrane that is in contact with the 
                   
                 becomes the 
                 ♦ 
                 Difficulty of integration in a VLSI 
               
               
                   
                 ink. 
                   
                 membrane area 
                   
                 process 
               
               
                 Rotary 
                 The actuator causes the rotation of 
                 ♦ 
                 Rotary levers may 
                 ♦ 
                 Device complexity 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ05, IJ08, IJ13, IJ28 
               
               
                   
                 some element, such a grill or 
                   
                 be used to increase 
                 ♦ 
                 May have friction at a pivot point 
               
               
                   
                 impeller 
                   
                 travel 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Small chip area 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 requirements 
               
               
                 Bend 
                 The actuator bends when energized. 
                 ♦ 
                 A very small change 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires the actuator to be made from 
                 ♦ 
                 1970 Kyser et al U.S. 
               
               
                   
                 This may be due to differential 
                   
                 in dimensions 
                   
                 at least two distinct layers, or to have a 
                   
                 Pat. No. 3,946,398 
               
               
                   
                 thermal expansion, piezoelectric 
                   
                 can be converted 
                   
                 thermal difference across the actuator 
                 ♦ 
                 1973 Stemme U.S. 
               
               
                   
                 expansion, magnetostriction, or other 
                   
                 to a large motion. 
                   
                   
                   
                 Pat. No. 3,747,120 
               
               
                   
                 form of relative dimensional change. 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ03, IJ09, IJ10, IJ19 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, IJ29 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ30, IJ31, IJ33, IJ34 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ35 
               
               
                 Swivel 
                 The actuator swivels around a central 
                 ♦ 
                 Allows operation 
                 ♦ 
                 Inefficient coupling to the ink motion 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ06 
               
               
                   
                 pivot. This motion is suitable where 
                   
                 where the net linear 
               
               
                   
                 there are opposite forces applied to 
                   
                 force on the 
               
               
                   
                 opposite sides of the paddle, e.g. 
                   
                 paddle is zero. 
               
               
                   
                 Lorenz force. 
                 ♦ 
                 Small chip area 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 requirements 
               
               
                 Straighten 
                 The actuator is normally bent, and 
                 ♦ 
                 Can be used with 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires careful balance of stresses to 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ26, IJ32 
               
               
                   
                 straightens when energized. 
                   
                 shape memory 
                   
                 ensure that the quiescent bend is 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 alloys where the 
                   
                 accurate 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 austenic phase is 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 planar 
               
               
                 Double 
                 The actuator bends in one direction 
                 ♦ 
                 One actuator can be 
                 ♦ 
                 Difficult to make the drops ejected by 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ36, IJ37, IJ38 
               
               
                 bend 
                 when one element is energized, and 
                   
                 used to power two 
                   
                 both bend directions identical. 
               
               
                   
                 bends the other way when another 
                   
                 nozzles. 
                 ♦ 
                 A small efficiency loss compared to 
               
               
                   
                 element is energized. 
                 ♦ 
                 Reduced chip size. 
                   
                 equivalent single bend actuators. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Not sensitive to 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 ambient temperature 
               
               
                 Shear 
                 Energizing the actuator causes a 
                 ♦ 
                 Can increase the 
                 ♦ 
                 Not readily applicable to other actuator 
                 ♦ 
                 1985 Fishbeck U.S. 
               
               
                   
                 shear motion in the actuator material. 
                   
                 effective travel of 
                   
                 mechanisms 
                   
                 Pat. No. 4,584,590 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 piezoelectric 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 actuators 
               
               
                 Radial 
                 The actuator squeezes an ink 
                 ♦ 
                 Relatively easy to 
                 ♦ 
                 High force required 
                 ♦ 
                 1970 Zoltan U.S. 
               
               
                 con- 
                 reservoir, forcing ink from a 
                   
                 fabricate single 
                 ♦ 
                 Inefficient 
                   
                 Pat. No. 3,683,212 
               
               
                 striction 
                 constricted nozzle. 
                   
                 nozzles from glass 
                 ♦ 
                 Difficult to integrate with VLSI 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 tubing as macro- 
                   
                 processes 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 scopic structures 
               
               
                 Coil/ 
                 A coiled actuator uncoils or coils 
                 ♦ 
                 Easy to fabricate 
                 ♦ 
                 Difficult to fabricate for non-planar 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ17, IJ21, IJ34, IJ35 
               
               
                 uncoil 
                 more tightly. The motion of the free 
                   
                 as a planar 
                   
                 devices 
               
               
                   
                 end of the actuator ejects the ink. 
                   
                 VLSI process 
                 ♦ 
                 Poor out-of-plane stiffness 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Small area required, 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 therefore low cost 
               
               
                 Bow 
                 The actuator bows (or buckles) in the 
                 ♦ 
                 Can increase the 
                 ♦ 
                 Maximum travel is constrained 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ16, IJ18, 1127 
               
               
                   
                 middle when energized. 
                   
                 speed of travel 
                 ♦ 
                 High force required 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Mechanically rigid 
               
               
                 Push-Pull 
                 Two actuators control a shutter. One 
                 ♦ 
                 The structure is 
                 ♦ 
                 Not readily suitable for inkjets which 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ18 
               
               
                   
                 actuator pulls the shutter, and the 
                   
                 pinned at both ends, 
                   
                 directly push the ink 
               
               
                   
                 other pushes it. 
                   
                 so has a high out-of- 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 plane rigidity 
               
               
                 Curl 
                 A set of actuators curl inwards to 
                 ♦ 
                 Good fluid flow to 
                 ♦ 
                 Design complexity 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ20, IJ42 
               
               
                 inwards 
                 reduce the volume of ink that they 
                   
                 the region behind 
               
               
                   
                 enclose. 
                   
                 the actuator in- 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 creases efficiency 
               
               
                 Curl 
                 A set of actuators curl outwards, 
                 ♦ 
                 Relatively simple 
                 ♦ 
                 Relatively large chip area 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ43 
               
               
                 outwards 
                 pressurizing ink in a chamber 
                   
                 construction 
               
               
                   
                 surrounding the actuators, and 
               
               
                   
                 expelling ink from a nozzle in the 
               
               
                   
                 chamber. 
               
               
                 Iris 
                 Multiple vanes enclose a volume of 
                 ♦ 
                 High efficiency 
                 ♦ 
                 High fabrication complexity 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ22 
               
               
                   
                 ink. These simultaneously rotate, 
                 ♦ 
                 Small chip area 
                 ♦ 
                 Not suitable for pigmented inks 
               
               
                   
                 reducing the volume between the 
               
               
                   
                 vanes. 
               
               
                 Acoustic 
                 The actuator vibrates at a high 
                 ♦ 
                 The actuator can be 
                 ♦ 
                 Large area required for efficient 
                 ♦ 
                 1993 Hadimioglu 
               
               
                 vibration 
                 frequency. 
                   
                 physically distant 
                   
                 operation at useful frequencies 
                   
                 et al, EUP 550,192 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 from the ink 
                 ♦ 
                 Acoustic coupling and crosstalk 
                 ♦ 
                 1993 Elrod et al, EUP 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Complex drive circuitry 
                   
                 572,220 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Poor control of drop volume and 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 position 
               
               
                 None 
                 In various inkjet designs the actuator 
                 ♦ 
                 No moving parts 
                 ♦ 
                 Various other tradeoffs are required to 
                 ♦ 
                 Silverbrook, EP 0771 
               
               
                   
                 does not move. 
                   
                   
                   
                 eliminate moving parts 
                   
                 658 A2 and related 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 patent applications 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Tone-jet 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 NOZZLE REFILL METHOD 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Nozzle 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 refill 
               
               
                 method 
                 Description 
                 Advantages 
                 Disadvantages 
                 Examples  
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Surface 
                 After the actuator is energized, it 
                 ♦ 
                 Fabrication simplicity 
                 ♦ 
                 Low speed 
                 ♦ 
                 Thermal inkjet 
               
               
                 tension 
                 typically returns rapidly to its normal 
                 ♦ 
                 Operational simplicity 
                 ♦ 
                 Surface tension force relatively 
                 ♦ 
                 Piezoelectric inkjet 
               
               
                   
                 position. This rapid return sucks in 
                   
                   
                   
                 small compared to actuator force 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14 
               
               
                   
                 air through the nozzle opening. The 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Long refill time usually 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ16, IJ20, IJ22-IJ45 
               
               
                   
                 ink surface tension at the nozzle then 
                   
                   
                   
                 dominates the total repetition 
               
               
                   
                 exerts a small force restoring the 
                   
                   
                   
                 rate 
               
               
                   
                 meniscus to a minimum area. 
               
               
                 Shuttered 
                 Ink to the nozzle chamber is 
                 ♦ 
                 High-speed 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires common ink pressure 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 
               
               
                 oscillating 
                 provided at a pressure that oscillates 
                 ♦ 
                 Low actuator energy, as the 
                   
                 oscillator 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 
               
               
                 ink 
                 at twice the drop ejection frequency. 
                   
                 actuator need only open or 
                 ♦ 
                 May not be suitable for 
               
               
                 pressure 
                 When a drop is to be ejected, the 
                   
                 close the shutter, instead of 
                   
                 pigmented inks 
               
               
                   
                 shutter is opened for 3 half cycles: 
                   
                 ejecting the ink drop 
               
               
                   
                 drop ejection, actuator return, and 
               
               
                   
                 refill. 
               
               
                 Refill 
                 After the main actuator has ejected a 
                 ♦ 
                 High speed, as the nozzle is 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires two independent 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ09 
               
               
                 actuator 
                 drop a second (refill) actuator is 
                   
                 actively refilled 
                   
                 actuators per nozzle 
               
               
                   
                 energized. The refill actuator pushes 
               
               
                   
                 ink into the nozzle chamber. The 
               
               
                   
                 refill actuator returns slowly, to 
               
               
                   
                 prevent its return from emptying the 
               
               
                   
                 chamber again. 
               
               
                 Positive 
                 The ink is held a slight positive 
                 ♦ 
                 High refill rate, therefore a 
                 ♦ 
                 Surface spill must be prevented 
                 ♦ 
                 Silverbrook, EP 0771 
               
               
                 ink 
                 pressure. After the ink drop is 
                   
                 high drop repetition rate is 
                 ♦ 
                 Highly hydrophobic print head 
                   
                 658 A2 and related 
               
               
                 pressure 
                 ejected, the nozzle chamber fills 
                   
                 possible 
                   
                 surfaces are required 
                   
                 patent applications 
               
               
                   
                 quickly as surface tension and ink 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Alternative for: 
               
               
                   
                 pressure both operate to refill the 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14 
               
               
                   
                 nozzle. 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ16, IJ20, IJ22-IJ45  
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 METHOD OF RESTRICTING BACK-FLOW THROUGH INLET 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Inlet 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 back-flow 
               
               
                 restriction 
               
               
                 method 
                 Description 
                 Advantages 
                 Disadvantages 
                 Examples  
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Long inlet 
                 The ink inlet channel to the nozzle 
                 ♦ 
                 Design simplicity 
                 ♦ 
                 Restricts refill rate 
                 ♦ 
                 Thermal inkjet 
               
               
                 channel 
                 chamber is made long and relatively 
                 ♦ 
                 Operational simplicity 
                 ♦ 
                 May result in a relatively large chip 
                 ♦ 
                 Piezoelectric inkjet 
               
               
                   
                 narrow, relying on viscous drag to 
                 ♦ 
                 Reduces crosstalk 
                   
                 area 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ42, IJ43 
               
               
                   
                 reduce inlet back-flow. 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Only partially effective 
               
               
                 Positive 
                 The ink is under a positive pressure, 
                 ♦ 
                 Drop selection and 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires a method (such as a nozzle 
                 ♦ 
                 Silverbrook, EP 0771 
               
               
                 ink 
                 so that in the quiescent state some of 
                   
                 separation forces can 
                   
                 rim or effective hydrophobizing, or 
                   
                 658 A2 and related 
               
               
                 pressure 
                 the ink drop already protrudes from 
                   
                 be reduced 
                   
                 both) to prevent flooding of the 
                   
                 patent applications 
               
               
                   
                 the nozzle. 
                 ♦ 
                 Fast refill time 
                   
                 ejection surface of the print head. 
                 ♦ 
                 Possible operation of 
               
               
                   
                 This reduces the pressure in the 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 the following: 
               
               
                   
                 nozzle chamber which is required to 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12 
               
               
                   
                 eject a certain volume of ink. The 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22, 
               
               
                   
                 reduction in chamber pressure results 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ41 
               
               
                   
                 in a reduction in ink pushed out 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ44 
               
               
                   
                 through the inlet. 
               
               
                 Baffle 
                 One or more baffles are placed in the 
                 ♦ 
                 The refill rate is not as 
                 ♦ 
                 Design complexity 
                 ♦ 
                 HP Thermal Ink Jet 
               
               
                   
                 inlet ink flow. When the actuator is 
                   
                 restricted as the long 
                 ♦ 
                 May increase fabrication complexity 
                 ♦ 
                 Tektronix 
               
               
                   
                 energized, the rapid ink movement 
                   
                 inlet method. 
                   
                 (e.g. Tektronix hot melt Piezoelectric 
                   
                 piezoelectric ink jet 
               
               
                   
                 creates eddies which restrict the flow 
                 ♦ 
                 Reduces crosstalk 
                   
                 print heads). 
               
               
                   
                 through the inlet. The slower refill 
               
               
                   
                 process is unrestricted, and does not 
               
               
                   
                 result in eddies. 
               
               
                 Flexible 
                 In this method recently disclosed by 
                 ♦ 
                 Significantly reduces 
                 ♦ 
                 Not applicable to most inkjet 
                 ♦ 
                 Canon 
               
               
                 flap 
                 Canon, the expanding actuator 
                   
                 back-flow for edge- 
                   
                 configurations 
               
               
                 restricts 
                 (bubble) pushes on a flexible flap 
                   
                 shooter thermal ink jet 
                 ♦ 
                 Increased fabrication complexity 
               
               
                 inlet 
                 that restricts the inlet. 
                   
                 devices 
                 ♦ 
                 Inelastic deformation of polymer flap 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 results in creep over extended use 
               
               
                 Inlet filter 
                 A filter is located between the ink 
                 ♦ 
                 Additional advantage 
                 ♦ 
                 Restricts refill rate 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ04, IJ12, IJ24, IJ27 
               
               
                   
                 inlet and the nozzle chamber. The 
                   
                 of ink filtration 
                 ♦ 
                 May result in complex construction 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ29, IJ30 
               
               
                   
                 filter has a multitude of small holes 
                 ♦ 
                 Ink filter may be 
               
               
                   
                 or slots, restricting ink flow. The 
                   
                 fabricated with no 
               
               
                   
                 filter also removes particles which 
                   
                 additional process 
               
               
                   
                 may block the nozzle. 
                   
                 steps 
               
               
                 Small inlet 
                 The ink inlet channel to the nozzle 
                 ♦ 
                 Design simplicity 
                 ♦ 
                 Restricts refill rate 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ02, IJ37, IJ44 
               
               
                 compared 
                 chamber has a substantially smaller 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 May result in a relatively large chip 
               
               
                 to nozzle 
                 cross section than that of the nozzle, 
                   
                   
                   
                 area 
               
               
                   
                 resulting in easier ink egress out of 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Only partially effective 
               
               
                   
                 the nozzle than out of the inlet. 
               
               
                 Inlet 
                 A secondary actuator controls the 
                 ♦ 
                 Increases speed of the 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires separate refill actuator and 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ09 
               
               
                 shutter 
                 position of a shutter, closing off the 
                   
                 ink-jet print head 
                   
                 drive circuit 
               
               
                   
                 ink inlet when the main actuator is 
                   
                 operation 
               
               
                   
                 energized. 
               
               
                 The inlet 
                 The method avoids the problem of 
                 ♦ 
                 Back-flow problem is 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires careful design to minimize 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ01, IJ03, IJ05, IJ06 
               
               
                 is located 
                 inlet back-flow by arranging the ink- 
                   
                 eliminated 
                   
                 the negative pressure behind the 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ07, IJ10, IJ11, IJ14 
               
               
                 behind the 
                 pushing surface of the actuator 
                   
                   
                   
                 paddle 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ16, IJ22, IJ23, IJ25 
               
               
                 ink- 
                 between the inlet and the nozzle. 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ28, IJ31, IJ32, IJ33 
               
               
                 pushing 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ34, IJ35, IJ36, IJ39 
               
               
                 surface 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ40, IJ41 
               
               
                 Part of 
                 The actuator and a wall of the ink 
                 ♦ 
                 Significant reductions 
                 ♦ 
                 Small increase in fabrication 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ07, IJ20, IJ26, IJ38 
               
               
                 the 
                 chamber are arranged so that the 
                   
                 in back-flow can be 
                   
                 complexity 
               
               
                 actuator 
                 motion of the actuator closes off the 
                   
                 achieved 
               
               
                 moves to 
                 inlet. 
                 ♦ 
                 Compact designs 
               
               
                 shut off 
                   
                   
                 possible 
               
               
                 the inlet 
               
               
                 Nozzle 
                 In some configurations of ink jet, 
                 ♦ 
                 Ink back-flow problem 
                 ♦ 
                 None related to ink back-flow on 
                 ♦ 
                 Silverbrook, EP 0771 
               
               
                 actuator 
                 there is no expansion or movement 
                   
                 is eliminated 
                   
                 actuation 
                   
                 658 A2 and related 
               
               
                 does not 
                 of an actuator which may cause ink 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 patent applications 
               
               
                 result in 
                 back-flow through the inlet. 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Valve-jet 
               
               
                 ink 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Tone-jet 
               
               
                 back-flow 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ18, IJ19, IJ21  
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 NOZZLE CLEARING METHOD 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Nozzle 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Clearing 
               
               
                 method 
                 Description 
                 Advantages 
                 Disadvantages 
                 Examples  
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Normal 
                 All of the nozzles are fired 
                 ♦ 
                 No added complexity 
                 ♦ 
                 May not be sufficient to displace 
                 ♦ 
                 Most ink jet systems 
               
               
                 nozzle 
                 periodically, before the ink has a 
                   
                 on the print head 
                   
                 dried ink 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12 
               
               
                 firing 
                 chance to dry. When not in use the 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22 
               
               
                   
                 nozzles are sealed (capped) against 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ45 
               
               
                   
                 air. 
               
               
                   
                 The nozzle firing is usually 
               
               
                   
                 performed during a special clearing 
               
               
                   
                 cycle, after first moving the print 
               
               
                   
                 head to a cleaning station. 
               
               
                 Extra 
                 In systems which heat the ink, but do 
                 ♦ 
                 Can be highly 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires higher drive voltage for 
                 ♦ 
                 Silverbrook, EP 0771 
               
               
                 power to 
                 not boil it under normal situations, 
                   
                 effective if the heater 
                   
                 clearing 
                   
                 658 A2 and related 
               
               
                 ink heater 
                 nozzle clearing can be achieved by 
                   
                 is adjacent to the 
                 ♦ 
                 May require larger drive transistors 
                   
                 patent applications 
               
               
                   
                 over-powering the heater and boiling 
                   
                 nozzle 
               
               
                   
                 ink at the nozzle. 
               
               
                 Rapid 
                 The actuator is fired in rapid 
                 ♦ 
                 Does not require extra 
                 ♦ 
                 Effectiveness depends substantially 
                 ♦ 
                 May be used with 
               
               
                 succession 
                 succession. In some configurations, 
                   
                 drive circuits on the 
                   
                 upon the configuration of the inkjet 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ11 
               
               
                 of actuator 
                 this may cause heat build-up at the 
                   
                 print head 
                   
                 nozzle 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22 
               
               
                 pulses 
                 nozzle which boils the ink, clearing 
                 ♦ 
                 Can be readily 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ23-IJ25, IJ27-IJ34 
               
               
                   
                 the nozzle. In other situations, it may 
                   
                 controlled and initiated 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ36-IJ45 
               
               
                   
                 cause sufficient vibrations to 
                   
                 by digital logic 
               
               
                   
                 dislodge clogged nozzles. 
               
               
                 Extra 
                 Where an actuator is not normally 
                   
                 A simple solution 
                 ♦ 
                 Not suitable where there is a 
                 ♦ 
                 May be used with 
               
               
                 power to 
                 driven to the limit of its motion, 
                   
                 where applicable 
                   
                 hard limit to actuator movement 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ03, IJ09, IJ16, IJ20 
               
               
                 ink 
                 nozzle clearing may be assisted by 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, IJ27 
               
               
                 pushing 
                 providing an enhanced drive signal 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 
               
               
                 actuator 
                 to the actuator. 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ39, IJ40, IJ41, IJ42 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ43, IJ44, IJ45 
               
               
                 Acoustic 
                 An ultrasonic wave is applied to the 
                 ♦ 
                 A high nozzle clearing 
                 ♦ 
                 High implementation cost if system 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 
               
               
                 resonance 
                 ink chamber. This wave is of an 
                   
                 capability can be 
                   
                 does not already include an acoustic 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 
               
               
                   
                 appropriate amplitude and frequency 
                   
                 achieved 
                   
                 actuator 
               
               
                   
                 to cause sufficient force at the nozzle 
                 ♦ 
                 May be implemented 
               
               
                   
                 to clear blockages. This is easiest to 
                   
                 at very low cost in 
               
               
                   
                 achieve if the ultrasonic wave is at a 
                   
                 systems which already 
               
               
                   
                 resonant frequency of the ink cavity. 
                   
                 include acoustic 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 actuators 
               
               
                 Nozzle 
                 A microfabricated plate is pushed 
                 ♦ 
                 Can clear severely 
                 ♦ 
                 Accurate mechanical alignment is 
                 ♦ 
                 Silverbrook, EP 0771 
               
               
                 clearing 
                 against the nozzles. The plate has a 
                   
                 clogged nozzles 
                   
                 required 
                   
                 658 A2 and related 
               
               
                 plate 
                 post for every nozzle. The array of 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Moving parts are required 
                   
                 patent applications 
               
               
                   
                 posts 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 There is risk of damage to the nozzles 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Accurate fabrication is required 
               
               
                 Ink 
                 The pressure of the ink is 
                 ♦ 
                 May be effective 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires pressure pump or other 
                 ♦ 
                 May be used with all 
               
               
                 pressure 
                 temporarily increased so that ink 
                   
                 where other methods 
                   
                 pressure actuator 
                   
                 IJ series inkjets 
               
               
                 pulse 
                 streams from all of the nozzles. This 
                   
                 cannot be used 
                 ♦ 
                 Expensive 
               
               
                   
                 may be used in conjunction with 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Wasteful of ink 
               
               
                   
                 actuator energizing. 
               
               
                 Print head 
                 A flexible ‘blade’ is wiped across the 
                 ♦ 
                 Effective for planar 
                 ♦ 
                 Difficult to use if print head surface 
                 ♦ 
                 Many ink jet systems 
               
               
                 wiper 
                 print head surface. The blade is 
                   
                 print head surfaces 
                   
                 is non-planar or very fragile 
               
               
                   
                 usually fabricated from a flexible 
                 ♦ 
                 Low cost 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires mechanical parts 
               
               
                   
                 polymer, e.g. rubber or synthetic 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Blade can wear out in high volume 
               
               
                   
                 elastomer. 
                   
                   
                   
                 print systems 
               
               
                 Separate 
                 A separate heater is provided at the 
                 ♦ 
                 Can be effective 
                 ♦ 
                 Fabrication complexity 
                 ♦ 
                 Can be used with 
               
               
                 ink boiling 
                 nozzle although the normal drop ejec- 
                   
                 where other nozzle 
                   
                   
                   
                 many IJ series ink 
               
               
                 heater 
                 tion mechanism does not require it. 
                   
                 clearing methods 
                   
                   
                   
                 jets 
               
               
                   
                 The heaters do not require individual 
                   
                 cannot be used 
               
               
                   
                 drive circuits, as many nozzles can 
                 ♦ 
                 Can be implemented at 
               
               
                   
                 be cleared simultaneously, and no 
                   
                 no additional cost 
               
               
                   
                 imaging is required. 
                   
                 in some ink jet 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 configurations  
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 NOZZLE PLATE CONSTRUCTION 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Nozzle 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 plate 
               
               
                 construc- 
               
               
                 tion 
                 Description 
                 Advantages 
                 Disadvantages 
                 Examples  
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Electro- 
                 A nozzle plate is separately 
                 ♦ 
                 Fabrication simplicity 
                 ♦ 
                 High temperatures and pressures are 
                 ♦ 
                 Hewlett Packard 
               
               
                 formed 
                 fabricated from electroformed nickel, 
                   
                   
                   
                 required to bond nozzle plate 
                   
                 Thermal Inkjet 
               
               
                 nickel 
                 and bonded to the print head chip. 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Minimum thickness constraints 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Differential thermal expansion 
               
               
                 Laser 
                 Individual nozzle holes are ablated 
                 ♦ 
                 No masks required 
                 ♦ 
                 Each hole must be individually 
                 ♦ 
                 Canon Bubblejet 
               
               
                 ablated or 
                 by an intense UV laser in a nozzle 
                 ♦ 
                 Can be quite fast 
                   
                 formed 
                 ♦ 
                 1988 Sercel et al., 
               
               
                 drilled 
                 plate, which is typically a polymer 
                 ♦ 
                 Some control over 
                 ♦ 
                 Special equipment required 
                   
                 SPIE, Vol. 998 
               
               
                 polymer 
                 such as polyimide or polysulphone 
                   
                 nozzle profile is 
                 ♦ 
                 Slow where there are many thousands 
                   
                 Excimer Beam 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 possible 
                   
                 of nozzles per print head 
                   
                 applications, pp. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Equipment required is 
                 ♦ 
                 May produce thin burrs at exit holes 
                   
                 76-83 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 relatively low cost 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 1993 Watanabe et al., 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 5,208,604 
               
               
                 Silicon 
                 A separate nozzle plate is 
                 ♦ 
                 High accuracy is 
                 ♦ 
                 Two part construction 
                 ♦ 
                 K. Bean, IEEE 
               
               
                 micro- 
                 micromachined from single crystal 
                   
                 attainable 
                 ♦ 
                 High cost 
                   
                 Transactions on 
               
               
                 machined 
                 silicon, and bonded to the print head 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Requires precision alignment 
                   
                 Electron Devices, 
               
               
                   
                 wafer. 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Nozzles may be clogged by adhesive 
                   
                 Vol. ED-25, No 10, 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 1978, pp 1185-1195 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Xerox 1990 Hawkins 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 et al., U.S. Pat. No. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 4,899,181 
               
               
                 Glass 
                 Fine glass capillaries are drawn from 
                 ♦ 
                 No expensive equip- 
                 ♦ 
                 Very small nozzle sizes are difficult 
                 ♦ 
                 1970 Zoltan U.S. 
               
               
                 capillaries 
                 glass tubing. This method has been 
                   
                 ment required 
                   
                 to form 
                   
                 Pat. No. 3,683,212 
               
               
                   
                 used for making individual nozzles, 
                 ♦ 
                 Simple to make single 
                 ♦ 
                 Not suited for mass production 
               
               
                   
                 but is difficult to use for bulk 
                   
                 nozzles 
               
               
                   
                 manufacturing of print heads with 
               
               
                   
                 thousands of nozzles. 
               
               
                 Mono- 
                 The nozzle plate is deposited as a 
                 ♦ 
                 High accuracy (&lt;1 μm) 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires sacrificial layer under the 
                 ♦ 
                 Silverbrook, EP 0771 
               
               
                 lithic, 
                 layer using standard VLSI deposition 
                 ♦ 
                 Monolithic 
                   
                 nozzle plate to form the nozzle 
                   
                 658 A2 and related 
               
               
                 surface 
                 techniques. Nozzles are etched in the 
                 ♦ 
                 Low cost 
                   
                 chamber 
                   
                 patent applications 
               
               
                 micro- 
                 nozzle plate using VLSI lithography 
                 ♦ 
                 Existing processes can 
                 ♦ 
                 Surface may be fragile to the touch 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, IJ11 
               
               
                 machined 
                 and etching. 
                   
                 be used 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ12, IJ17, IJ18, IJ20 
               
               
                 using 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ22, IJ24, IJ27, IJ28 
               
               
                 VLSI 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 
               
               
                 litho- 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ33, IJ34, IJ36, IJ37 
               
               
                 graphic 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ38, IJ39, IJ40, IJ41 
               
               
                 processes 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 
               
               
                 Mono- 
                 The nozzle plate is a buried etch stop 
                 ♦ 
                 High accuracy (&lt;1 μm) 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires long etch times 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ03, IJ05, IJ06, IJ07 
               
               
                 lithic, 
                 in the wafer. Nozzle chambers are 
                 ♦ 
                 Monolithic 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires a support wafer 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ08, IJ09, IJ10, IJ13 
               
               
                 etched 
                 etched in the front of the wafer, and 
                 ♦ 
                 Low cost 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ14, IJ15, IJ16, IJ19 
               
               
                 through 
                 the wafer is thinned from the back 
                 ♦ 
                 No differential 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ21, IJ23, IJ25, IJ26 
               
               
                 substrate 
                 side. Nozzles are then etched in the 
                   
                 expansion 
               
               
                   
                 etch stop layer. 
               
               
                 No nozzle 
                 Various methods have been tried to 
                 ♦ 
                 No nozzles to become 
                 ♦ 
                 Difficult to control drop position 
                 ♦ 
                 Ricoh 1995 Sekiya 
               
               
                 plate 
                 eliminate the nozzles entirely, to 
                   
                 clogged 
                   
                 accurately 
                   
                 et al U.S. Pat. No. 
               
               
                   
                 prevent nozzle clogging. These 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Crosstalk problems 
                   
                 5,412,413 
               
               
                   
                 include thermal bubble mechanisms 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 1993 Hadimioglu et al 
               
               
                   
                 and acoustic lens mechanisms 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 EUP 550,192 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 1993 Elrod et al 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 EUP 572,220 
               
               
                 Trough 
                 Each drop ejector has a trough 
                 ♦ 
                 Reduced manufac- 
                 ♦ 
                 Drop firing direction is sensitive to 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ35 
               
               
                   
                 through which a paddle moves. 
                   
                 turing complexity 
                   
                 wicking. 
               
               
                   
                 There is no nozzle plate. 
                 ♦ 
                 Monolithic 
               
               
                 Nozzle slit 
                 The elimination of nozzle holes and 
                 ♦ 
                 No nozzles to become 
                 ♦ 
                 Difficult to control drop position 
                 ♦ 
                 1989 Saito et al U.S. 
               
               
                 instead of 
                 replacement by a slit encompassing 
                   
                 clogged 
                   
                 accurately 
                   
                 Pat. No. 4,799,068 
               
               
                 individual 
                 many actuator positions reduces 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Crosstalk problems 
               
               
                 nozzles 
                 nozzle clogging, but increases 
               
               
                   
                 crosstalk due to ink surface waves  
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 DROP EJECTION DIRECTION 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Ejection 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 direction 
                 Description 
                 Advantages 
                 Disadvantages 
                 Examples  
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Edge 
                 Ink flow is along the surface of 
                 ♦ 
                 Simple construction 
                 ♦ 
                 Nozzles limited to edge 
                 ♦ 
                 Canon Bubblejet 
               
               
                 (‘edge 
                 the chip, and ink drops are 
                 ♦ 
                 No silicon etching required 
                 ♦ 
                 High resolution is difficult 
                   
                 1979 Endo et al GB 
               
               
                 shooter’) 
                 ejected from the chip edge. 
                 ♦ 
                 Good heat sinking via 
                 ♦ 
                 Fast color printing requires one print 
                   
                 patent No. 2,007,262 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 substrate 
                   
                 head per color 
                 ♦ 
                 Xerox heater-in-pit 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Mechanically strong 
                   
                   
                   
                 1990 Hawkins et al 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Ease of chip handing 
                   
                   
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 4,899,181 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Tone-jet 
               
               
                 Surface 
                 Ink flow is along the surface of 
                 ♦ 
                 No bulk silicon etching 
                 ♦ 
                 Maximum ink flow is severely 
                 ♦ 
                 Hewlett-Packard TIJ 
               
               
                 (‘roof 
                 the chip, and ink drops are 
                   
                 required 
                   
                 restricted 
                   
                 1982 Vaught et al 
               
               
                 shooter’) 
                 ejected from the chip surface, 
                 ♦ 
                 Silicon can make an 
                   
                   
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 
               
               
                   
                 normal to the plane of the chip. 
                   
                 effective heat sink 
                   
                   
                   
                 4,490,728 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Mechanical strength 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ02, IJ11, IJ12, IJ20 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ22 
               
               
                 Through 
                 Ink flow is through the chip, and 
                 ♦ 
                 High ink flow 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires bulk silicon etching 
                 ♦ 
                 Silverbrook, EP 0771 
               
               
                 chip, 
                 ink drops are ejected from the 
                 ♦ 
                 Suitable for pagewidth print 
                   
                   
                   
                 658 A2 and related 
               
               
                 forward 
                 front surface of the chip. 
                 ♦ 
                 High nozzle packing 
                   
                   
                   
                 patent applications 
               
               
                 (‘up 
                   
                   
                 density therefore low 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ04, IJ17, IJ18, IJ24 
               
               
                 shooter’) 
                   
                   
                 manufacturing cost 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ27-IJ45 
               
               
                 Through 
                 Ink flow is through the chip, and 
                 ♦ 
                 High ink flow 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires wafer thinning 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ01, IJ03, IJ05, IJ06, 
               
               
                 chip, 
                 ink drops are ejected from the 
                 ♦ 
                 Suitable for pagewidth print 
                 ♦ 
                 Requires special handling during 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ07, IJ08, 1109, IJ10 
               
               
                 reverse 
                 rear surface of the chip. 
                 ♦ 
                 High nozzle packing 
                   
                 manufacture 
                 ♦ 
                 IJ13, IJ14, IJ15, IJ16 
               
               
                 (‘down 
                   
                   
                 density therefore low 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ19, IJ22, IJ23, IJ25 
               
               
                 shooter’) 
                   
                   
                 manufacturing cost 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 IJ26 
               
               
                 Through 
                 Ink flow is through the actuator, 
                 ♦ 
                 Suitable for piezoelectric 
                 ♦ 
                 Pagewidth print heads require several 
                 ♦ 
                 Epson Stylus 
               
               
                 actuator 
                 which is not fabricated as part 
                   
                 print heads 
                   
                 thousand connections to drive circuits 
                 ♦ 
                 Tektronix hot melt 
               
               
                   
                 of the same substrate as the 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Cannot be manufactured in standard 
                   
                 piezoelectric ink jets 
               
               
                   
                 drive transistors. 
                   
                   
                   
                 CMOS fabs 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Complex assembly required  
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 INK TYPE 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Ink type 
                 Description 
                 Advantages 
                 Disadvantages 
                 Examples  
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Aqueous, 
                 Water based ink which typically 
                 ♦ 
                 Environmentally 
                 ♦ 
                 Slow drying 
                 ♦ 
                 Most existing inkjets 
               
               
                 dye 
                 contains: water, dye, surfactant, 
                   
                 friendly 
                 ♦ 
                 Corrosive 
                 ♦ 
                 All IJ series ink jets 
               
               
                   
                 humectant, and biocide. 
                 ♦ 
                 No odor 
                 ♦ 
                 Bleeds on paper 
                 ♦ 
                 Silverbrook, EP 0771 
               
               
                   
                 Modern ink dyes have high water- 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 May strikethrough 
                   
                 658 A2 and related 
               
               
                   
                 fastness, light fastness 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Cockles paper 
                   
                 patent applications 
               
               
                 Aqueous, 
                 Water based ink which typically 
                 ♦ 
                 Environmentally 
                 ♦ 
                 Slow drying 
                   
                 IJ02, IJ04, IJ21, IJ26 
               
               
                 pigment 
                 contains: water, pigment, 
                   
                 friendly 
                 ♦ 
                 Corrosive 
                   
                 IJ27, IJ30 
               
               
                   
                 surfactant, humectant, and 
                 ♦ 
                 No odor 
                 ♦ 
                 Pigment may clog nozzles 
                 ♦ 
                 Silverbrook, EP 0771 
               
               
                   
                 biocide. Pigments have an 
                 ♦ 
                 Reduced bleed 
                 ♦ 
                 Pigment may clog actuator 
                   
                 658 A2 and related 
               
               
                   
                 advantage in reduced bleed, 
                 ♦ 
                 Reduced wicking 
                   
                 mechanisms 
                   
                 patent applications 
               
               
                   
                 wicking and strikethrough. 
                 ♦ 
                 Reduced strikethrough 
                 ♦ 
                 Cockles paper 
                 ♦ 
                 Piezoelectric ink-jets 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Thermal ink jets 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 (with significant 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 restrictions) 
               
               
                 Methyl 
                 MEK is a highly volatile solvent 
                 ♦ 
                 Very fast drying 
                 ♦ 
                 Odorous 
                 ♦ 
                 All IJ series ink jets 
               
               
                 Ethyl 
                 used for industrial printing on 
                 ♦ 
                 Prints on various 
                 ♦ 
                 Flammable 
               
               
                 Ketone 
                 difficult surfaces such as aluminum 
                   
                 substrates such as 
               
               
                 (MEK) 
                 cans. 
                   
                 metals and plastics 
               
               
                 Alcohol 
                 Alcohol based inks can be used 
                   
                 Fast drying 
                 ♦ 
                 Slight odor 
                 ♦ 
                 All IJ series ink jet 
               
               
                 (ethanol, 
                 where the printer must operate at 
                 ♦ 
                 Operates at sub- 
                 ♦ 
                 Flammable 
               
               
                 2-butanol, 
                 temperatures below the freezing 
                   
                 freezing temperatures 
               
               
                 and 
                 point of water. An example of this 
                 ♦ 
                 Reduced paper cockle 
               
               
                 others) 
                 is in-camera consumer photo- 
                 ♦ 
                 Low cost 
               
               
                   
                 graphic printing. 
               
               
                 Phase 
                 The ink is solid at room tempera- 
                 ♦ 
                 No drying time - ink 
                 ♦ 
                 High viscosity 
                 ♦ 
                 Tektronix hot melt 
               
               
                 change 
                 ture, and is melted in the print head 
                   
                 instantly freezes on 
                 ♦ 
                 Printed ink typically has a ‘waxy’ feel 
                   
                 piezoelectric ink jets 
               
               
                 (hot melt) 
                 before jetting. Hot melt inks are 
                   
                 the print medium 
                 ♦ 
                 Printed pages may ‘block’ 
                 ♦ 
                 1989 Nowak U.S. 
               
               
                   
                 usually wax based, with a melting 
                 ♦ 
                 Almost any print 
                 ♦ 
                 Ink temperature maybe above the 
                   
                 Pat. No. 4,820,346 
               
               
                   
                 point around 80° C. After jetting 
                   
                 medium can be used 
                   
                 curie point of permanent magnets 
                   
                 All IJ series inkjets 
               
               
                   
                 the ink freezes almost instantly 
                 ♦ 
                 No paper cockle 
                 ♦ 
                 Ink heaters consume power 
               
               
                   
                 upon contacting the print medium 
                   
                 occurs 
                 ♦ 
                 Long warm-up time 
               
               
                   
                 or a transfer roller. 
                 ♦ 
                 No wicking occurs 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 No bleed occurs 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 No strikethrough 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 occurs 
               
               
                 Oil 
                 Oil based inks are extensively used 
                 ♦ 
                 High solubility 
                 ♦ 
                 High viscosity: this is a significant 
                 ♦ 
                 All IJ series ink jets 
               
               
                   
                 in offset printing. They have 
                   
                 medium for some dyes 
                   
                 limitation for use in inkjets, which 
               
               
                   
                 advantages in improved 
                 ♦ 
                 Does not cockle paper 
                   
                 usually require a low viscosity. Some 
               
               
                   
                 characteristics on paper (especially 
                 ♦ 
                 Does not wick through 
                   
                 short chain and multi-branched oils 
               
               
                   
                 no wicking or cockle). Oil soluble 
                   
                 paper 
                   
                 have a sufficiently low viscosity. 
               
               
                   
                 dies and pigments are required. 
                   
                   
                 ♦ 
                 Slow drying 
               
               
                 Micro- 
                 A microemulsion is a stable, self 
                 ♦ 
                 Stops ink bleed 
                 ♦ 
                 Viscosity higher than water 
                 ♦ 
                 All IJ series ink jets 
               
               
                 emulsion 
                 forming emulsion of oil, water, and 
                 ♦ 
                 High dye solubility 
                 ♦ 
                 Cost is slightly higher than water based 
               
               
                   
                 surfactant. The characteristic drop 
                 ♦ 
                 Water, oil, and 
                   
                 ink 
               
               
                   
                 size is less than 100 nm, and is 
                   
                 amphiphilic soluble 
                 ♦ 
                 High surfactant concentration required 
               
               
                   
                 determined by the preferred 
                   
                 dies can be used 
                   
                 (around 5%) 
               
               
                   
                 curvature of the surfactant. 
                 ♦ 
                 Can stabilize pigment 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 suspensions  
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Ink Jet Printing 
     A large number of new forms of ink jet printers have been developed to facilitate alternative ink jet technologies for the image processing and data distribution system. Various combinations of ink jet devices can be included in printer devices incorporated as part of the present invention. Australian Provisional Patent Applications relating to these ink jets which are specifically incorporated by cross reference include: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Australian 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Provisional 
               
               
                 Number 
                 Filing Date 
                 Title 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 PO8066 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ01) 
               
               
                 PO8072 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ02) 
               
               
                 PO8040 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ03) 
               
               
                 PO8071 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ04) 
               
               
                 PO8047 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ05) 
               
               
                 PO8035 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ06) 
               
               
                 PO8044 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ07) 
               
               
                 PO8063 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ08) 
               
               
                 PO8057 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ09) 
               
               
                 PO8056 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ10) 
               
               
                 PO8069 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ11) 
               
               
                 PO8049 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ12) 
               
               
                 PO8036 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ13) 
               
               
                 PO8048 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ14) 
               
               
                 PO8070 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ15) 
               
               
                 PO8067 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ16) 
               
               
                 PO8001 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ17) 
               
               
                 PO8038 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ18) 
               
               
                 PO8033 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJI9) 
               
               
                 PO8002 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus (IJ20) 
               
               
                 PO8068 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ21) 
               
               
                 PO8062 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ22) 
               
               
                 PO8034 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ23) 
               
               
                 PO8039 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ24) 
               
               
                 PO8041 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ25) 
               
               
                 PO8004 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ26) 
               
               
                 PO8037 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ27) 
               
               
                 PO8043 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ28) 
               
               
                 PO8042 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ29) 
               
               
                 PO8064 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ30) 
               
               
                 PO9389 
                 23-Sep-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ31) 
               
               
                 PO9391 
                 23-Sep-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ32) 
               
               
                 PP0888 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ33) 
               
               
                 PP0891 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ34) 
               
               
                 PP0890 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ35) 
               
               
                 PP0873 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ36) 
               
               
                 PP0993 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ37) 
               
               
                 PP0890 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ38) 
               
               
                 PP1398 
                 19-Jan-98 
                 An Image Creation Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (IJ39) 
               
               
                 PP2592 
                 25-Mar-98 
                 An Image Creation Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (IJ40) 
               
               
                 PP593 
                 25-Mar-98 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ41) 
               
               
                 PP3991 
                 9-Jun-98 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ42) 
               
               
                 PP3987 
                 9-Jun-98 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ43) 
               
               
                 PP3985 
                 9-Jun-98 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ44) 
               
               
                 PP3983 
                 9-Jun-98 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ45) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Ink Jet Manufacturing 
     Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductor fabrication techniques in the construction of large arrays of ink jet printers. Suitable manufacturing techniques are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Australian 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Provisional 
               
               
                 Number 
                 Filing Date 
                 Title 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 PO7935 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM01) 
               
               
                 PO7936 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM02) 
               
               
                 PO7937 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM03) 
               
               
                 PO8061 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM04) 
               
               
                 PO8054 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM05) 
               
               
                 PO8065 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM06) 
               
               
                 PO8055 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM07) 
               
               
                 PO8053 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM08) 
               
               
                 PO8078 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM09) 
               
               
                 PO7933 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM10) 
               
               
                 PO7950 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM11) 
               
               
                 PO7949 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM12) 
               
               
                 PO8060 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM13) 
               
               
                 PO8059 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM14) 
               
               
                 PO8073 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM15) 
               
               
                 PO8076 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM16) 
               
               
                 PO8075 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM17) 
               
               
                 PO8079 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM18) 
               
               
                 PO8050 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM19) 
               
               
                 PO8052 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM20) 
               
               
                 PO7948 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM21) 
               
               
                 PO7951 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM22) 
               
               
                 PO8074 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM23) 
               
               
                 PO7941 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM24) 
               
               
                 PO8077 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM25) 
               
               
                 PO8058 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM26) 
               
               
                 PO8051 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM27) 
               
               
                 PO8045 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM28) 
               
               
                 PO7952 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM29) 
               
               
                 PO8046 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM30) 
               
               
                 PO8503 
                 11-Aug-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM30a) 
               
               
                 PO9390 
                 23-Sep-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM31) 
               
               
                 PO9392 
                 23-Sep-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM32) 
               
               
                 PP0889 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM35) 
               
               
                 PP0887 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM36) 
               
               
                 PP0882 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM37) 
               
               
                 PP0874 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM38) 
               
               
                 PP1396 
                 19-Jan-98 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM39) 
               
               
                 PP2591 
                 25-Mar-98 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM41) 
               
               
                 PP3989 
                 9-Jun-98 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM40) 
               
               
                 PP3990 
                 9-Jun-98 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM42) 
               
               
                 PP3986 
                 9-Jun-98 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM43) 
               
               
                 PP3984 
                 9-Jun-98 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM44) 
               
               
                 PP3982 
                 9-Jun-98 
                 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Apparatus (IJM45) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Fluid Supply 
     Further, the present application may utilize an ink delivery system to the ink jet head. Delivery systems relating to the supply of ink to a series of ink jet nozzles are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications, the disclosure of which are hereby incorporated by cross-reference: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Australian 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Provisional 
               
               
                   
                 Number 
                 Filing Date 
                 Title 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 PO8003 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Supply Method and Apparatus (F1) 
               
               
                   
                 PO8005 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Suppiy Method and Apparatus (F2) 
               
               
                   
                 PO9404 
                 23-Sep-97 
                 A Device and Method (F3) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     MEMS Technology 
     Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductor microelectromechanical techniques in the construction of large arrays of ink jet printers. Suitable microelectromechanical techniques are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Australian 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Provisional 
               
               
                   
                 Number 
                 Filing Date 
                 Title 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 PO7943 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A device (MEMS01) 
               
               
                   
                 PO8006 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A device (MEMS02) 
               
               
                   
                 PO8007 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A device (MEMS03) 
               
               
                   
                 PO8008 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A device (MEMS04) 
               
               
                   
                 PO8010 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A device (MEMS05) 
               
               
                   
                 PO8011 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A device (MEMS06) 
               
               
                   
                 P97947 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A device (MEMS07) 
               
               
                   
                 PO7945 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A device (MEMS08) 
               
               
                   
                 PO7944 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A device (MEMS09) 
               
               
                   
                 PO7946 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 A device (MEMS10) 
               
               
                   
                 PO9393 
                 23-Sep-97 
                 A Device and Method (MEMS11) 
               
               
                   
                 PP0875 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 A Device (MEMS12) 
               
               
                   
                 PP0894 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 A Device and Method (MEMS13) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     IR Technologies 
     Further, the present application may include the utilization of a disposable camera system such as those described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Australian 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Provisional 
               
               
                 Number 
                 Filing Date 
                 Title 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 PP0895 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 An Image Creation Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (IR01) 
               
               
                 PP0870 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 A Device and Method (IR02) 
               
               
                 PP0869 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 A Device and Method (IR04) 
               
               
                 PP0887 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (IR05) 
               
               
                 PP0885 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 An Image Production System (IR06) 
               
               
                 PP0884 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (IR10) 
               
               
                 PP0886 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (IR12) 
               
               
                 PP0871 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 A Device and Method (IR13) 
               
               
                 PP0876 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 An Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (IR14) 
               
               
                 PP0877 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 A Device and Method (IR16) 
               
               
                 PP0878 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 A Device and Method (IR17) 
               
               
                 PP0879 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 A Device and Method (IR18) 
               
               
                 PP0883 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 A Device and Method (IRI9) 
               
               
                 PP0880 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 A Device and Method (IR20) 
               
               
                 PP0881 
                 12-Dec-97 
                 A Device and Method (IR21) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DotCard Technologies 
     Further, the present application may include the utilization of a data distribution system such as that described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Australian 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Provisional 
               
               
                 Number 
                 Filing Date 
                 Title 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 PP2370 
                 16-Mar-98 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (Dot01) 
               
               
                 PP2371 
                 16-Mar-98 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (Dot02) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Artcam Technologies 
     Further, the present application may include the utilization of camera and data processing techniques such as an Artcam type device as described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Australian 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Provisional 
               
               
                 Number 
                 Filing Date 
                 Title 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 PO7991 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART01) 
               
               
                 PO8505 
                 11-Aug-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART01a) 
               
               
                 PO7998 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART02) 
               
               
                 PO7993 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART03) 
               
               
                 PO8012 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART05) 
               
               
                 PO8017 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART06) 
               
               
                 PO8014 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Media Device (ART07) 
               
               
                 PO8025 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART08) 
               
               
                 PO8032 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART09) 
               
               
                 PO7999 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART10) 
               
               
                 PO7998 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART11) 
               
               
                 PO8031 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART12) 
               
               
                 PO8030 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Media Device (ART13) 
               
               
                 PO8498 
                 11-Aug-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART14) 
               
               
                 PO7997 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Media Device (ART15) 
               
               
                 PO7979 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Media Device (ART16) 
               
               
                 PO8015 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Media Device (ART17) 
               
               
                 PO7978 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Media Device (ART18) 
               
               
                 PO7982 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART19) 
               
               
                 PO7989 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART20) 
               
               
                 P08019 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Media Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART21) 
               
               
                 PO7980 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART22) 
               
               
                 PO7942 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART23) 
               
               
                 PO8018 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART24) 
               
               
                 PO7938 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART25) 
               
               
                 PO8016 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART26) 
               
               
                 PO8024 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART27) 
               
               
                 PO7940 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART28) 
               
               
                 PO7939 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART29) 
               
               
                 PO8501 
                 11-Aug-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART30) 
               
               
                 PO8500 
                 11-Aug-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART31) 
               
               
                 PO7987 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART32) 
               
               
                 PO8022 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART33) 
               
               
                 PO8497 
                 11-Aug-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART30) 
               
               
                 PO8029 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Sensor Creation Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART36) 
               
               
                 PO7985 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART37) 
               
               
                 PO8020 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART38) 
               
               
                 PO8023 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART39) 
               
               
                 PO9395 
                 23-Sep-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART4) 
               
               
                 PO8021 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART40) 
               
               
                 PO8504 
                 11-Aug-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART42) 
               
               
                 PO8000 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART43) 
               
               
                 PO7977 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART44) 
               
               
                 PO7934 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART45) 
               
               
                 PO7990 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART46) 
               
               
                 PO8499 
                 11-Aug-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART47) 
               
               
                 PO8502 
                 11-Aug-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART48) 
               
               
                 PO7981 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART50) 
               
               
                 PO7986 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Data Processing Methodand Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART51) 
               
               
                 PO7983 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART52) 
               
               
                 PO8026 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART53) 
               
               
                 PO8027 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART54) 
               
               
                 PO8028 
                 15-Jul-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART56) 
               
               
                 PO9394 
                 23-Sep-97 
                 Image Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART57) 
               
               
                 PO9396 
                 23-Sep-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART58) 
               
               
                 PO9397 
                 23-Sep-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART59) 
               
               
                 PO9398 
                 23-Sep-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART60) 
               
               
                 PO9399 
                 23-Sep-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART61) 
               
               
                 PO9400 
                 23-Sep-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART62) 
               
               
                 PO9401 
                 23-Sep-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART63) 
               
               
                 PO9402 
                 23-Sep-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART64) 
               
               
                 PO9403 
                 23-Sep-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART65) 
               
               
                 PO9405 
                 23-Sep-97 
                 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART66) 
               
               
                 PP0959 
                 16-Dec-97 
                 A Data Processing Method and Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (ART68) 
               
               
                 PP1397 
                 19-Jan-98 
                 A Media Device (ART69)