A printing unit including: a unit chassis; and first and second inkjet modules mounted on the unit chassis, each inkjet module having a respective printhead nest assembly, each printhead nest assembly including a replaceable printhead nestably secured within a respective nest with each nest enveloping its respective printhead about all sides. The nest includes: a cantilever spring engaged with its respective printhead, the cantilever spring being biased away from the printhead; and a screw adjuster in butting engagement with the cantilever spring for urging the cantilever spring towards and away from the printhead. In use, a skew of one printhead is mechanically adjustable relative to the other printhead via rotational movement of the screw adjuster.

A printing unit including: a unit chassis; and first and second inkjet modules mounted on the unit chassis, each inkjet module having a respective printhead nest assembly, each printhead nest assembly including a replaceable printhead nestably secured within a respective nest with each nest enveloping its respective printhead about all sides. The nest includes: a cantilever spring engaged with its respective printhead, the cantilever spring being biased away from the printhead; and a screw adjuster in butting engagement with the cantilever spring for urging the cantilever spring towards and away from the printhead. In use, a skew of one printhead is mechanically adjustable relative to the other printhead via rotational movement of the screw adjuster.

An inkjet print head assembly and a method of using the assembly is disclosed for applying images on the exterior of an axially symmetrical media object that has a varying exterior surface, such as occurs on curved wine bottles and sports equipment like bats. The printing assembly includes a backing plate, a pair of independently extendable extension columns, and a print head on a platform depending downward from said columns. The assembly is supported by the frame of the printer and a movable carriage moves the media object from a loading area into a printing area near the printing assemblies where the assemblies may apply ink to the exterior of the media object. Each print head is movable in 3-dimensions such that as the media object moves under each head the print head tilts to match to local slope of the contoured surface underneath the ink jetting nozzles.

A device for use in organic vapor jet printing (OVJP) and similar arrangements includes a print head moveable in more than one degree of freedom with sufficient thermal insulation that there is little to no movement in the Z direction. One or more sensors may be used to monitor and adjust the distance between the substrate and the print head.

A device for use in organic vapor jet printing (OVJP) and similar arrangements includes a print head moveable in more than one degree of freedom with sufficient thermal insulation that there is little to no movement in the Z direction. One or more sensors may be used to monitor and adjust the distance between the substrate and the print head.

A printer comprising a printhead configured to selectively cause a mark to be created on a substrate. The printer comprises a stepper motor having an output shaft coupled to the printhead, the stepper motor being arranged to vary the position of the printhead relative to a printing surface against which printing is carried out, and to control the pressure exerted by the printhead on the printing surface. The printer further comprises a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angular position of the output shaft of the stepper motor. The printer further comprises a controller arranged to generate control signals for the stepper motor so as to cause a predetermined torque to be generated by the stepper motor; said control signals being at least partially based upon an output of said sensor.

A printer comprising a printhead configured to selectively cause a mark to be created on a substrate. The printer comprises a stepper motor having an output shaft coupled to the printhead, the stepper motor being arranged to vary the position of the printhead relative to a printing surface against which printing is carried out, and to control the pressure exerted by the printhead on the printing surface. The printer further comprises a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angular position of the output shaft of the stepper motor. The printer further comprises a controller arranged to generate control signals for the stepper motor so as to cause a predetermined torque to be generated by the stepper motor; said control signals being at least partially based upon an output of said sensor.

Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide a print bar for organic vapor jet (OVJP) deposition is provided that includes a plurality of n print head segments, where each of the plurality of print head segments may have an OVJP print head. The print bar may include a plurality of distance sensors, where each of the plurality of distance sensors may be configured to measure a distance between a substrate disposed below the print bar and a portion of at least one of the print head segments. The print bar may include a plurality of not more than n+1 actuators configured to adjust at least one of a position and an orientation of one or more of the plurality of print head segments based upon one or more distances between the substrate and the print bar measured by one or more of the plurality of distance sensors.

Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide a print bar for organic vapor jet (OVJP) deposition is provided that includes a plurality of n print head segments, where each of the plurality of print head segments may have an OVJP print head. The print bar may include a plurality of distance sensors, where each of the plurality of distance sensors may be configured to measure a distance between a substrate disposed below the print bar and a portion of at least one of the print head segments. The print bar may include a plurality of not more than n+1 actuators configured to adjust at least one of a position and an orientation of one or more of the plurality of print head segments based upon one or more distances between the substrate and the print bar measured by one or more of the plurality of distance sensors.

A printer comprising a printhead configured to selectively cause a mark to be created on a substrate, a stepper motor having an output shaft coupled to the printhead, the stepper motor being arranged to vary the position of the printhead, a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angular position of the output shaft of the stepper motor, and a controller arranged to generate control signals for the stepper motor. Said control signals being at least partially based upon an output of said sensor and at least partially based upon a target position. Said control signals for the stepper motor are arranged to cause a magnetic field to be generated by windings of the stepper motor. A field angle being defined between an angular position of the output shaft of the stepper motor, and an orientation of the generated magnetic field. Said control signals comprise a first control signal configured to cause said field angle to have a predetermined value, and a second control signal configured to cause said magnetic field to have a predetermined magnitude, and said controller is configured to vary said first and second control signals based upon said target position and said output of said sensor.