Printhead module assembly with A flexible PCB

1. A printhead module assembly for a pagewidth printer system, the module assembly comprising:

a printhead integrated circuit (IC) manufactured using a micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) process;

a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) electrically connected to the integrated circuit for supplying power and data thereto;

a top channel layer supporting the IC, the top channel layer defining a number of slots therein;

an upper layer defining holes that are aligned with respective inner parts of the slots of the top channel layer, the upper layer further defining a number of channels;

a mid layer defining a number of holes which are aligned with respective ends of the channels in the upper layer; and

a lower layer defining channels for supplying ink and compressed air to the IC via the layers stacked to form an ink distribution assembly.

2. The module assembly of claim 1 , wherein the IC is bonded by wires onto the flexible PCB, the wires being encapsulated in an epoxy.

3. The module assembly of claim 1 , wherein the IC includes a multi-layer stack of silicon having ink channels in a bottom layer of silicon, the channels being aligned with the channels in the upper layer.

4. The module assembly of claim 1 , wherein the channels defined in the upper and lower layers are configured to each supply a different color ink to the IC, with one channel configured to supply compressed air to the IC.

5. The module assembly of claim 4 , which includes a nozzle guard which covers nozzles of the IC, the nozzle guard arranged in fluid communication with a compressed air source to supply compressed air to such nozzles.

6. The module assembly of claim 5 , including a compressed air supply for supplying air to the nozzle guard.

7. The module assembly of claim 1 , wherein the IC is approximately 1 mm in width and 21 mm in length.