A device (1) is for guiding printer (20). The device (1) is utilized in a method for using a handheld electronic printer (20) with the device (1). The device (1) includes a base (2) having at least one guide (5), and a carriage (3) having at least two separate links (26, 27) engaged with the at least one guide (5). The at least one guide (5) has at least two linear sections (7, 8) being spaced apart and parallel. The at least one guide (5) includes at least two changeover sections (10, 11), each connecting two linear sections (7, 8). The changeover sections (10, 11) are arranged at different positions of the linear sections (7, 8) the changeover sections respectively connect.

An inkjet print module includes: a printhead having first and second rows of print chips, the printhead having 180 degree rotational symmetry about a print axis parallel to a direction of droplet ejection; a fixed printhead keying feature which is rotationally asymmetric about the print axis notwithstanding the rotational symmetry of the printhead; a cradle for removably receiving the printhead, the cradle having a key assembly for complementary engagement with the fixed printhead keying feature. The key assembly is selectively configurable in either one of first and second cradle configurations so as to receive the printhead either in a first printhead orientation or a second printhead orientation, the second printhead orientation being rotated 180 degrees about the print axis relative to the first printhead orientation.

A droplet deposition apparatus (1) comprising: a first head module (101A, 101B, 102A) and a second head module (101B, 102A, 102B) arranged in at least partially overlapping relationship, each head module having a plurality of nozzles in at least one nozzle array (A1, B1); and a storage (200) configured to store a table of determined best aligned nozzle pairs in an overlap region and corresponding skew angles (Θi) of at least one of the head modules relative to a datum of the droplet deposition apparatus and/or a corresponding positional offset of the second head module relative to the first head module; wherein, in the overlap region, nozzles of the first head module are arranged at a first nozzle pitch (P2) and nozzles of the second head module are arranged at a second nozzle itch (P3). Associated methods in respect of determining misalignment information in respect of such a droplet deposition apparatus, and determining one or more best aligned nozzle pairs in an overlap region between at least two head modules, are also provided.

A printer includes a platen, a head which ejects light-curable ink to a printing object placed on the platen, a lamp which irradiates the printing object, on which the light-curable ink ejected from the head is adhered, with light, a carriage which supports the head and the lamp and which moves the head and the lamp in a main scanning direction, an ink recovering mechanism which faces a predetermined position within a predetermined area where the head is movable with movement of the carriage and which recovers the light-curable ink ejected from the head, and a controller which controls the head, the lamp, the carriage, and the ink recovering mechanism.

A printer includes a head having a nozzle face which ejects ink toward an object, a driving mechanism which moves the head in a first direction and a second direction approximately orthogonal to the first direction, a nozzle cap movable between a first position where the nozzle face is capped and a second position where the nozzle face is uncapped, and a lock mechanism which regulates movement of the head in the first direction and the second direction in the state where the nozzle cap is in the first position.

An inkjet printer which is finely adjustable as to elevation above a printing medium includes an inkjet head and an adjustment module. The adjustment module includes a magnetic track, a platen, and two electromagnetic elements. The platen supports the printing medium and the two electromagnetic elements are coupled to a power source. The two electromagnetic elements can slide in the magnetic track, and are moveable relative to the magnetic track in a direction perpendicular to the printing medium, to adjust a distance between the inkjet head and the printing medium. A printing system is also provided.

In an image forming apparatus, a carriage mounts a recording head for discharging droplets, and moves in a main scan direction. A guide member slidably guides the carriage. An encoder scale is arranged along the main scan direction. An encoder sensor reads the encoder scale. The carriage includes a head mounting part for mounting the recording head, and a sensor attaching part for attaching the encoder sensor. The sensor attaching part is provided so as to be extended from the head mounting part. The encoder scale is arranged at a location which the encoder sensor can read. A partition member is provided to separate the head mounting part from the sensor attaching part in the carriage. The head mounting part is arranged in a first space, and the sensor attaching part and the encoder scale are arranged in a second space separated from the first space by the partition member.

An adjustment mechanism is structured to adjust and fix a liquid discharge head in position on a base plate. The adjustment mechanism includes a first plate, a second plate, a pivotable cam, and a first biasing unit. The first plate is changeable in position in a circumferential direction relative to the base plate. The first plate is fixed to the base plate. The second plate is mounted on the first plate movably relative to the first plate in a direction different from the circumferential direction. The liquid discharge head is fixed to the second plate. A first biasing unit biases the second plate toward the pivotable cam in a horizontal direction to prevent the second plate from lifting upward off the first plate. The pivotable cam is operable to move the second plate against an biasing force of the first biasing unit and to locate the second plate.

A carriage includes: a base plate; a liquid jet head including a support plate attached to the base plate; a first engagement portion formed on one end in a Y direction of the support plate; a fixing tool for positioning and fixing the support plate with respect to the base plate, the fixing tool being fixed to the base plate slidably in an X direction by screws and engaged with the first engagement portion; and a flat spring portion that presses the fixing tool toward the base plate. The fixing tool allows movement in the Y direction of the first engagement portion with respect to the fixing tool, and restricts movement in the X direction of the first engagement portion and movement in a thickness direction of the base plate of the first engagement portion with respect to the fixing tool.

A printing system includes a first member and a second member. The second member is positioned parallel to the first member. The system further includes a first extensible member and a second extensible member. The system further includes a first gripper and a second gripper. One end of the first extensible member is mounted to the first member and the other end of the first extensible member is mounted to the first gripper. One end of the second extensible member is mounted to the second member and the other end is mounted to the second gripper. A controller operates a first actuator operatively connected to the first and second extensible members.