The invention provides a system and method for producing large format print products having three-dimensional features. The system incorporates at least one micro-dispensing jet valve and optionally a cutting apparatus to provide an integrated, efficient printing system capable of producing large format print products having dramatic three-dimensional features.

A marking system includes a valve body including an orifice plate including multiple orifices and multiple micro-valves. Each micro-valve includes an actuating beam movable from a closed position in which a corresponding one of the orifices is sealed by a portion of the actuating beam such that the micro-valve is closed, into a peak position in response to application of a control signal. A controller is configured to generate a control signal for each of the actuating beams, each control signal including a drive pulse having a predetermined voltage such that the actuating beam moves from the closed position into the peak position in which the corresponding orifice is open and returns to the closed position in a characteristic period, wherein the drive pulse has a duration that substantially corresponds to the characteristic period such that the actuating beam is in the closed position after the drive pulse is complete.

A liquid discharge head for controlling discharging of liquid, the liquid discharge head including a valve body configured to be movable, and to be pressed towards a discharge port from which the liquid is discharged; and a recessed portion provided in the valve body at a position facing the discharge port.

A non-contact deposition system comprises a jetting assembly including at least one micro-valve. The micro-valve includes an orifice plate defining an orifice therethrough. An actuating beam disposed in a spaced relationship to the orifice plate. The actuating beam including a base portion and a cantilevered portion extending from the base portion towards the orifice and is movable between a closed position and an open position. A sealing structure comprising a sealing member is disposed at the overlapping portion of the cantilevered portion. A fluid manifold is coupled to the micro-valve and defines a fluid reservoir containing a pressurized fluid. When the actuating beam is in the closed position, the cantilevered portion is positioned such that the sealing structure seals the orifice so as to close the micro-valve, and in the open position, the fluid is dispensed from the orifice towards a substrate and deposited thereon.

In some examples, a printhead can include a main printer fluid line, a firing chamber in fluid communication with the main printer fluid line to receive printer fluid from the main printer fluid line, and a resistor positioned in the firing chamber. The resistor can, for example, receive an electronic current to cause the resistor to heat up and eject printer fluid droplets from the printhead. The printhead can further include a photolithographically fabricated check valve positioned in the firing chamber. The check valve can, for example, be openable to allow filling of the firing chamber with printer fluid and closeable to at least partially seal the main printer fluid line from printer fluid blowback caused by the resistor.

A printing unit includes: a sleeve and a print module received in the sleeve, the print module being slidably removable, in a first direction, from the sleeve. The print module includes a supply module and a replaceable printhead. The printhead is slidably removable, in a second direction, from the supply module, the first and second directions being non-parallel.

The head (1) for the three-dimensional printing of molten metal comprises a hollow body (2) comprising: a first chamber (3) adapted to contain a molten metal (4) in which a dispensing opening (5) is formed for the dispensing of the molten metal (4); a second chamber (9) adapted to contain an operating fluid (10) and connected to pressure variation means (11) adapted to define a pressure difference between the first chamber (3) and the second chamber (9); and a dispensing assembly (12, 13) comprising a flexible laminar element (12) separating the first chamber (3) and the second chamber (9), the laminar element (12) being deformable by means of a pressure variation in the second chamber (9) and the deformation of the laminar element (12) determining the outflow of the molten metal (4) from the dispensing opening (5).

An displacement amplifying mechanism that enlarges an amount of displacement of an actuator includes an accommodation chamber in which a liquid is sealed, a first wall portion that forms a wall surface of the accommodation chamber and applies a pressure to the liquid in accordance with displacement of the actuator, and a second wall portion that forms the wall surface of the accommodation chamber and is displaced in a first direction which is a direction away from the accommodation chamber in a state where an elastic force acting in a second direction approaching the accommodation chamber is generated by a pressure of the liquid when the first wall portion applies the pressure to the liquid, in which an area of the second wall portion in contact with the liquid is smaller than an area of the first wall portion in contact with the liquid.

A liquid material discharge device includes a discharge member made of a rod-shaped body, a liquid chamber which is wider than the discharge member and in which a tip portion of the discharge member is disposed, a discharge port in communication with the liquid chamber, a liquid feed path establishing communication between the liquid chamber and a liquid material storage container, a drive device driving the discharge member, and a main body. The liquid material discharge device further includes an elongate insert member that is removably inserted into the liquid feed path without cutting the communication between the liquid chamber and the liquid material storage container.

A device includes a nozzle including a discharge end for discharging a fluid, a shutter plate including an aperture, the shutter plate positioned at the discharge end of the nozzle, a plurality of tethers coupled to the shutter plate, and a plurality of electrostatic actuators. Each of the plurality of electrostatic actuators are coupled to one or more of the plurality of tethers. The plurality of electrostatic actuators are configured to move the shutter plate between an open position and a closed position relative the discharge end of the nozzle. In the open position, the aperture is in fluid communication with the discharge end of the nozzle to permit fluid from the discharge end of the nozzle to flow through the aperture. In the closed position, at least a portion of the shutter plate inhibits fluid from the discharge end of the nozzle from flowing through the aperture.