Methods and apparatus for aligning print heads
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system comprising:
- a stage for moving a substrate relative to print heads during printing;
at least one print head suspended from a support above the stage, the at least one print head being moveable in a plane above the stage;
a controller operable to rotate the print head about a center of the print head; and
an imaging system for capturing an image of the print head, and wherein the imaging system uses one or more controllers for determining a center point of the print head based upon images of the print head captured as the print head is rotated.
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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.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a stage for moving a substrate relative to print heads during printing; at least one print head suspended from a support above the stage, the at least one print head being moveable in a plane above the stage; a controller operable to rotate the print head about a center of the print head; and an imaging system for capturing an image of the print head, and wherein the imaging system uses one or more controllers for determining a center point of the print head based upon images of the print head captured as the print head is rotated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus comprising:
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a camera for capturing images of a print head; a processor coupled to the camera and operable to store images of the print head from the camera; and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores processor instructions for capturing an image of the print head and for determining a center point of the print head based upon images of the print head captured as the print head is rotated. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus comprising:
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a camera for capturing images of a print head; a processor coupled to the camera and operable to store images of the print head from the camera; and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores processor instructions to; transmit a print head rotation request to a print head drive mechanism; identify at least two nozzles on the print head that trace substantially similar circular paths phase shifted by 180°
on a horizontal plane above the camera as the print head is rotated;determine a center point of the print head based upon the two nozzles; and calibrate the print head drive mechanism based on the determined center point.
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14. A method comprising:
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transmitting a print head rotation request to a print head drive mechanism; capturing images of the print head as the print head is rotated; and determining a center point of the print head based upon the images. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification