Multiple Monochromatic Print Cartridge Printing System

1 . A colour ink printing system, comprising:

a plurality of print head cartridges, each extending across a direction of print media propagation and spaced apart along the direction of print media propagation;

a print head chassis for supporting the plurality of print head cartridges, the print head chassis actuable between a printing position, a transition position, and a maintenance position; and

a maintenance chassis for supporting a plurality of maintenance cradles, the maintenance chassis actuable between a storage position and an operational position, each maintenance cradle including a capper and a cleaner, wherein

each of the plurality of print head cartridges is held stationary with respect to a platen on which print media is propagated to effect printing on the print media, and

each of the plurality of print head cartridges is a monochrome print head cartridge ejecting a fluid different to the remaining plurality of print head cartridges.

2 . A colour ink printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the maintenance chassis includes a sub-frame on which the plurality of maintenance cradles are supported, and the maintenance chassis further includes a motor attached to the sub-frame, the motor operable to linearly translate the sub-frame within the maintenance chassis.

3 . A colour ink printing system according to claim 2 , wherein the sub-frame is linearly translated within the maintenance chassis to align one of the capper or the cleaner with respective print head cartridges.

4 . A colour ink printing system according to claim 3 , wherein the capper is provided adjacent to the cleaner, in the direction of print media propagation, and the sub-frame is linearly translated in the direction of print media propagation to align one of the capper or the cleaner with respective print head cartridges.

5 . A colour ink printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the cleaner includes a first roller of a fluid absorptive material, the first roller for wiping a print head of a respective print head cartridge.

6 . A colour ink printing system according to claim 5 , wherein the cleaner includes a second roller of a hard material, the second roller for pressing against the first roller to squeeze out ink absorbed into the first roller.

7 . A colour ink printing system according to claim 6 , wherein the cleaner includes a wiper blade for scraping the second roller of ink squeezed from the first roller.

8 . A colour ink printing system according to claim 1 , wherein each maintenance cradle includes a sump into which the cleaner and capper drain.

9 . A colour ink printing system according to claim 8 , wherein the sump has a sloping floor.

10 . A colour ink printing system according to claim 9 , wherein the sump includes a drain hole at a lower end of the sloping floor.

11 . A colour ink printing system according to claim 10 , wherein the maintenance chassis defines an ink collection channel along one side thereof, the ink collection channel for receiving ink from each of the drain holes of the plurality of maintenance cradles.

12 . A colour ink printing system according to claim 10 , further comprising a waste ink collector into which the ink collection channel of the maintenance chassis drains, via a channel outlet provided at an end of the ink collection channel.

13 . A colour ink printing system according to claim 12 , wherein the waste ink collector is a flat tray.

14 . A colour ink printing system according to claim 13 , wherein the flat tray has a footprint covering at least the locus of movement of the channel outlet as the maintenance chassis is actuated between the storage position and the operational position.

15 . A colour ink printing system according to claim 13 , wherein the flat tray has a thickness, and is positioned, such that a bottom of the flat tray is not lower than a print head of the print head cartridges when in the printing position.

16 . A colour ink printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the printing position of the print head chassis is lower than the maintenance position of the print head chassis.

17 . A colour ink printing system according to claim 16 , wherein the maintenance position of the print head chassis is lower than the transition position of the print head chassis.

18 . A colour ink printing system according to claim 17 , further comprising:

a scissor guide for attaching the print head chassis to a main body of the printing system; and

a lift mechanism mechanically engaged with the scissor guide, wherein

the scissor guide and lift mechanism effect linear movement of the print head chassis between the printing position, maintenance position, and transition position.

19 . A colour ink printing system according to claim 1 , wherein each print head cartridge includes a modular printhead made up of a plurality of print head tiles arranged end to end.

20 . A colour ink printing system according to claim 19 , wherein each print head tile defines plural rows of ink ejection nozzles, whereby the print head made up of a plurality of the print head tiles defines plural rows of ink ejection nozzles.

21 . A colour ink printing system according to claim 20 , wherein the plural rows of ink ejection nozzles of each print head cartridge all eject ink of the same colour.

22 . A colour ink printing system according to claim 21 , wherein the plural rows of ink ejection nozzles of one print head cartridges eject ink of a first colour that is different to a colour of ink ejected by the plural rows of ink ejection nozzles of another print head cartridge.