System and method for offline print head alignment

US9132660B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• CIMPRESS SCHWEIZ GMBH · CH

Inventors

• Hung Viet Ngo · Harrisburg, US
• Harald Feistenauer · Winterthur, CH
• Patrick Stepanek · Zollikon, CH
• Jean-Michel Moreau · Grenoble, FR

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 19, 2012
• Grant date: Sep 15, 2015
• Expiry date: Dec 19, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B41J2202/20
• WIPO field: Textile and paper machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Systems and methods for pre-aligning print head(s) to alignment adapter(s) to increase print resolution of printed matter, and to reduce offline time of a printing system due to print head alignment, include the use of an alignment adapter to which a print head is pre-aligned and which includes precision alignment features which precisely engage cooperating precision alignment features on the print head carriage mounting plate of the print head carriage. Print head(s) can be pre-aligned and fine-tuned to alignment adapter(s) even while the printing system is still in print production. Pre-aligned print head/alignment adapter assemblies can then be quickly mounted on the print head carriage using the cooperating precision alignment features of the adapter and print head carriage mounting plate. Duplicate sets of print head mounting sockets can include print heads aligned at different relative offsets (e.g., half a pixel) to increase the print resolution.