APPARATUS FOR ASSISTING PRINTING HAVING WICK

1 . A method of maintaining a printhead, the method comprising:

when printing with the printhead, translating a modular sled relative to the printhead so as to align a media platen module supported by the sled with the printhead;

after printing with the printing, translating the sled relative to the printhead so as to align a wiper module supported by the sled with the printhead and operating a wiper roller of the wiper module so as to wipe a printing face of the printhead; and

after said wiping and prior to commencement of printing with the printhead, translating the sled relative to the printhead so as to align a capper module supported by the sled with the printhead so as to cap the printing face of the printhead.

2 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the printhead is a media width printhead and the platen, capper and wiper modules each have a length corresponding to the media width.

3 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the sled is translated by operation of a pinion gear on a rack of the sled.

4 . A method according to claim 3 , wherein the sled comprises a rack on each end of the sled corresponding to each end of the platen, capper and wiper modules, and a pinion gear on each end of a shaft so as to each couple with a corresponding one of the racks and a motor.

5 . A method according to claim 4 , further comprising sensing with a sensor a position of the platen, capper and wiper modules relative to the printhead.

6 . A method according to claim 1 , further comprising displacing each aligned module relative to the sled to place the aligned module in proximity of the printhead.