Methods and apparatus for aligning print heads

US7556334B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Applied Materials, Inc. · US

Inventors

• John M. White · Hayward, US
• Fan-Cheung Sze · San Jose, US
• Quanyuan Shang · Saratoga, US
• Shinichi Kurita · San Jose, US
• Hongbin Ji · San Jose, US
• Janusz Jozwiak · San Ramon, US
• Inchen Huang · Fremont, US
• Emanual Beer · San Jose, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 22, 2004
• Grant date: Jul 7, 2009
• Expiry date: Apr 2, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B41J29/393
• WIPO field: Textile and paper machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

In a first aspect, a system is provided. The system includes (1) a stage adapted to move a substrate relative to print heads during printing; (2) at least one print head suspended from a support above the stage and adapted to be moveable in a plane above the stage; (3) a controller operable to rotate the print head about a center of the print head; and (4) an imaging system adapted to capture an image of the print head and to determine a center point of the print head based upon images of the print head captured as the print head is rotated. Numerous other aspects are provided.