Printing system exposure module alignment method and apparatus of manufacture
First Claim
1. The method of aligning a light modulation device in a reproduction exposure module unit comprising the steps of:
- prealigning the optic elements contained within said exposure module to form a path extending from a source of light to a position representative of where a reproductive surface would reside in an operational printing system;
positioning a light modulation device within said prealigned exposure module along said path;
sending light from said light source through said aligned optics to said representative position;
substituting at said representative position at least one light sensitive detector for said reproduction surface; and
adjusting the rotational and translational position of said light modulation device with respect to said unit in accordance with outputs from said detector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
There is disclosed a manufacturing method and apparatus which allows for the efficient assembly of the exposure module of a xerographic reproduction system. The system uses an array of deformable mirrors fabricated in one embodiment, on a monolithic silicon substrate as a light modulation element. The substrate package is positioned with respect to a set of molded support brackets such that a multi-axis adjustment of this single element allows for the alignment of the entire optical set. A system of cameras is used, in conjunction with a computer, to control the substrate positioning and to determine optimum efficiency of the system. The computer adjusts the package around the various rotational axis in sequential fashion.
103 Citations
30 Claims
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1. The method of aligning a light modulation device in a reproduction exposure module unit comprising the steps of:
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prealigning the optic elements contained within said exposure module to form a path extending from a source of light to a position representative of where a reproductive surface would reside in an operational printing system; positioning a light modulation device within said prealigned exposure module along said path; sending light from said light source through said aligned optics to said representative position; substituting at said representative position at least one light sensitive detector for said reproduction surface; and adjusting the rotational and translational position of said light modulation device with respect to said unit in accordance with outputs from said detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for aligning a light modulation device in a xerographic reproduction exposure module unit comprising:
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an aligning mechanism for aligning the optics into a line extending from a source of light to a position representative of where a reproductive surface would reside in an operational system;
positioning circuitry for positioning within said aligned optics a light modulation device;sending circuitry for sending light from said light source through said aligned optics to said representative position; a light sensitive receptor adapted for substituting at said representative position for said reproductive surface; and adjusting circuitry for precisely adjusting the relative position of said light modulation device with respect to said unit in accordance with outputs from said receptor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A computer system for positioning a light modulation device in an exposure unit of a reproductive system, said exposure unit having a light source, an optic path, including mirrors, and an imaging lens within said optic path for focusing light modulated by said modulation device, said system comprising:
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a positioning device for holding and positioning said light modulation device with respect to said optical path; circuitry for controlling said positioned modulation device to produce selected modulated light output along said optical path, said modulated light being reflected from said light modulation device; and a computer for driving said positioning device through a plurality of rotational and translational axes in response to said modulated light signals. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. The method of checking optic path alignment in an optic modulation unit of a xerographic reproduction system, said method comprising the steps of:
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positioning an optic receptor at a position corresponding to a light source in said modulation unit; positioning a source of light at a position corresponding to a plane at which modulated light from said modulated unit would fall upon a reproductive surface of the xerographic process if said modulated light were following said optic path; and inserting a reflective surface in said modulation unit at a location therein corresponding to the location where a modulation element would be located so that light from said light source would pass along said optic path and impact upon said positioned optic receptor as an indication that said optic path is properly aligned. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification