Printer calibration module
An inkjet printer is disclosed that has a substrate support; a calibration module disposed adjacent to the substrate support and comprising a stage member; and a print assembly disposed across the substrate support, the print assembly comprising a printhead and a calibration imaging device positionable to face the stage member.
1. An inkjet printer, comprising:
a substrate support;
a calibration module disposed adjacent to the substrate support and comprising a stage member with a vacuum extension that provides a chucking force for a test substrate that is greater at peripheral areas than central areas the vacuum extension comprising a vacuum surface, an internal plenum, and openings in the vacuum surface that provide fluid flow from the surface to the internal plenum; and
a print assembly disposed across the substrate support, the print assembly comprising a printhead and a calibration imaging device positionable to face the stage member.
2. The inkjet printer of claim 1 , wherein the vacuum extension comprises a porous body.
3. The inkjet printer of claim 1 , wherein the calibration module further comprises a tensioner that comprises a metal strip.
4. The inkjet printer of claim 1 , wherein the calibration module further comprises a linear positioner.
5. The inkjet printer of claim 1 , wherein the vacuum extension comprises holes and slots.
6. The inkjet printer of claim 1 , wherein the vacuum extension has a vacuum surface that is flat.
7. The inkjet printer of claim 1 , wherein the vacuum extension engages with a test substrate to provide a deviation from flatness of the substrate surface that is less than about 5 μm.
8. The inkjet printer of claim 1 , wherein the vacuum extension comprises a holder and a porous body embedded in the holder.
9. An inkjet printer, comprising:
a substrate support;
a calibration module disposed adjacent to the substrate support and comprising a stage member with a vacuum extension that provides a chucking force for a test substrate that is greater at peripheral areas than central areas the vacuum extension comprising a vacuum surface in fluid communication with an internal plenum; and
a print assembly disposed across the substrate support, the print assembly comprising a printhead and a calibration imaging device movable independently from the printhead and positionable to face the stage member.
10. The inkjet printer of claim 9 , wherein the vacuum surface has a plurality of openings arranged symmetrically across the surface.
11. The inkjet printer of claim 9 , wherein the calibration module further comprises a tensioner that comprises a metal strip.
12. The inkjet printer of claim 9 , wherein the calibration module further comprises a linear positioner.
13. The inkjet printer of claim 9 , wherein the vacuum surface comprises a ceramic porous body.
14. The inkjet printer of claim 13 , wherein the vacuum extension further comprises a holder for the ceramic porous body.
15. The inkjet printer of claim 9 , wherein the vacuum surface has slots.
16. The inkjet printer of claim 15 , wherein the slots comprise short slots and long slots.
17. The inkjet printer of claim 9 , wherein the vacuum surface has holes arranged in rows.
18. An inkjet printer, comprising:
a substrate support;
a calibration module disposed adjacent to the substrate support and comprising a stage member with a vacuum extension having a flat vacuum surface that provides a chucking force for a test substrate that is greater at peripheral areas than central areas, wherein the flat vacuum surface engages with a test substrate to provide a deviation from flatness of the substrate surface that is less than about 5 μm; and
a print assembly disposed across the substrate support, the print assembly comprising a printhead and a calibration imaging device movable independently from the printhead and positionable to face the stage member.