Printer having a printhead assembly with module alignment fiducials
View Patent ↗Provided is a printer having a printhead assembly which includes an elongate support beam. The support beam includes a silicon core, an intermediate elastomeric layer mounted to the core and an outer support structure mounted to the elastomeric layer, as well as a plurality of printhead modules mounted to the support beam. The printhead modules and support beam are configured so that the printhead modules are misaligned when the printhead assembly is at a room temperature and move into alignment when the printhead assembly heats up to an operating temperature of the printhead. The printhead assembly also includes a number of fiducials located on the respective printhead modules to allow visual verification of such alignment.
1. A printer having a printhead assembly which comprises:
an elongate support beam comprising a silicon core, an intermediate elastomeric layer mounted to the core and an outer support structure mounted to the elastomeric layer;
a plurality of printhead modules mounted to the support beam, the printhead modules and support beam being configured so that the printhead modules are misaligned when the printhead assembly is at a room temperature and move into alignment when the printhead assembly heats up to an operating temperature of the printhead; and
fiducials located on the respective printhead modules to allow visual verification of such alignment.
2. The printer as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the operating temperature of the printhead assembly is between 50° C. and 90° C.
3. The printer as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the printhead modules are mounted to the silicon core.
4. The printer as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the silicon core includes mounting points for the printhead modules.
5. The printer as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the printhead modules are mounted to the silicon core at a predetermined production temperature.