Patent ID: 7437820

Claim:
A method for integrally fabricating a combined orifice array plate, having an array of orifices from which fluid is jetted to break off as drops, and change plate, having chagrining electrodes for selectively charging the drops as they break off from the fluid jetted from the orifices, for a continuous ink jet printer print head, said method comprising steps of: providing a silicon substrate having first and second opposed sides; applying a first etch-stop layer to said first side of the substrate; etching an array of charging channels into the substrate through the first etch-stop layer on the first side of the substrate; passivating the array of charging channels by depositing a dielectric insulator into the array of charging channels; forming charge electrodes by coating the passivated array of charging channels with metal; applying a second etch-stop layer to said second opposed side of the substrate; forming the array of orifices; and etching a trench in said first side of the substrate while continuing to etch the array of orifices to a depth such that the charging electrodes are approximately positioned to enable the charging electrodes to selectively charge the drops that break off from the fluid jetted from the orifices.