Generalized pulse jet ejection head control model
First Claim
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1. A method for preparing a biopolymer array production system for operation, the method comprising:
- providing a biopolymer array production system comprising;
a substrate station configured to retain a biopolymer array substrate;
a movable printhead system comprising a first printhead assembly; and
a computer processor configured to control said movable printhead system to form a biopolymer array on a substrate retained in said substrate station;
replacing said first printhead assembly with a second printhead assembly, wherein said first and second printhead assemblies are different and wherein said second printhead assembly comprises multiple printheads, wherein each of said printheads comprises a nozzle plate, one or more wells, wherein each of said one or more wells comprises one or more nozzle regions, wherein each of said one or more nozzle regions comprises one or more nozzle rows and wherein each of said one or more nozzle rows comprises multiple nozzle orifices;
entering, by an operator using an operator input device or electronically reading from electronic media, printhead-related data into said computer processor, wherein printhead-related data includes one or more of;
the type of each of said printheads, number of said printheads of said printhead assembly, type of nozzle plate on each of said printheads, alignment method of said nozzle plate, number of wells per each of said printheads, number of nozzle orifices per well, number of nozzle rows per each of said printheads, spacing between said nozzle orifices, and spacing between said nozzle rows,wherein said type of each of said printheads is selected from a piezo-based printhead, a thermal-based printhead or a resistance-based printhead; and
configuring, with said computer processor, a printhead control routine based on said entered data, in order to control printhead function.
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Abstract
A generalized printhead control model is provided herein as a basis for configuring printhead control software that will operate any selected printhead or group of printheads. The subject model covers a hierarchy of classes for the attributes of software that controls the printheads in a system, such as for producing a biopolymer array.
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22 Claims
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1. A method for preparing a biopolymer array production system for operation, the method comprising:
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providing a biopolymer array production system comprising; a substrate station configured to retain a biopolymer array substrate; a movable printhead system comprising a first printhead assembly; and a computer processor configured to control said movable printhead system to form a biopolymer array on a substrate retained in said substrate station; replacing said first printhead assembly with a second printhead assembly, wherein said first and second printhead assemblies are different and wherein said second printhead assembly comprises multiple printheads, wherein each of said printheads comprises a nozzle plate, one or more wells, wherein each of said one or more wells comprises one or more nozzle regions, wherein each of said one or more nozzle regions comprises one or more nozzle rows and wherein each of said one or more nozzle rows comprises multiple nozzle orifices; entering, by an operator using an operator input device or electronically reading from electronic media, printhead-related data into said computer processor, wherein printhead-related data includes one or more of;
the type of each of said printheads, number of said printheads of said printhead assembly, type of nozzle plate on each of said printheads, alignment method of said nozzle plate, number of wells per each of said printheads, number of nozzle orifices per well, number of nozzle rows per each of said printheads, spacing between said nozzle orifices, and spacing between said nozzle rows,wherein said type of each of said printheads is selected from a piezo-based printhead, a thermal-based printhead or a resistance-based printhead; and configuring, with said computer processor, a printhead control routine based on said entered data, in order to control printhead function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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6. A method for preparing a biopolymer array production system for operation, the method comprising:
providing a biopolymer array production system comprising; a substrate station configured to retain a biopolymer array substrate; a movable printhead system comprising a first printhead assembly; and a computer processor configured to control said movable printhead system to form a biopolymer array on a substrate retained in said substrate station; replacing said first printhead assembly with a second printhead assembly, wherein said first and second printhead assemblies are different and wherein said second printhead assembly comprises multiple printheads, wherein each of said printheads comprises a nozzle plate, one or more wells, wherein each of said one or more wells comprises one or more nozzle regions, wherein each of said one or more nozzle regions comprises one or more nozzle rows and wherein each of said one or more nozzle rows comprises multiple nozzle orifices; providing printhead-related data into said computer processor, wherein said printhead-related data includes Printhead Assembly Object criteria and Printhead Group Object criteria, said Printhead Assembly Object criteria selected from the type of each of said printheads, number of said printheads of said printhead assembly, type of nozzle plate on each of said printheads and alignment method of said nozzle plate, said Printhead Group Object criteria selected from a number of wells per each of said printheads, number of nozzle orifices per well, number of nozzle rows per each of said printheads, spacing between said nozzle orifices and spacing between said nozzle rows, wherein said type of each of said printheads is selected from a piezo-based printhead, a thermal-based printhead or a resistance-based printhead; and configuring, with said computer processor, a printhead control routine based on said data by first producing a portion of said control routine based on said Printhead Assembly Objects, then producing another portion of said routine based on said Printhead Group Objects in relation to said Printhead Assembly Objects. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
Specification