A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge unit and a contact detection unit. The liquid discharge unit has a liquid discharge port from which a liquid is discharged toward an object. The liquid discharge unit is movable along at least one of a first axis and a second axis intersecting the first axis and movable along a third axis intersecting the first axis and the second axis. The third axis is parallel to a direction in which the liquid is discharged from the liquid discharge port toward the object. The contact detection unit detects contact of the liquid discharge unit with the object. The contact detection unit is detachably attached to the liquid discharge unit.

A head lifting lowering device includes: a lifting lowering mechanism that moves a liquid ejecting head, which ejects a liquid, in a first direction in which the liquid ejecting head is lifted/lowered; a frame that supports the lifting lowering mechanism; and an adjusting member that moves the lifting lowering mechanism relative to the frame in a second direction different from the first direction.

An apparatus includes a gap adjuster that adjusts a gap in a vertical direction between a recording head and a supporting surface for supporting a medium. The gap adjuster adjusts the gap by engagement of a carriage, a slide member, and a cam member that is provided therebetween and has a stepped portion with an alternate-arrangement structure in a width direction. The gap adjuster includes a coil spring that urges the carriage with respect to the slide member in the direction that is the opposite of the transportation direction. A slide contact member is provided on an end of the coil spring.

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.

Provided herein is a printer comprising a printing assembly. The printing assembly comprises a printhead bracket fixedly attached to the printer, a printhead that defines a groove, the printhead aligned at a first alignment, an alignment adjuster fastened between the printhead bracket and the printhead, and a plurality of fasteners operatively engaged with the alignment adjuster. The alignment adjuster comprises a gear rack that is adjacent to the printhead bracket, and a protrusion that is received by the groove of the printhead. The plurality of fasteners comprises at least one selected from a group of a lateral adjustment fastener operatively engaged with the gear rack, and a rotational adjustment fastener operatively engaged with a transverse edge of the printhead. The lateral adjustment fastener is configured to provide lateral movement to the alignment adjuster and the printhead. The rotational adjustment fastener is configured to provide rotational movement to the printhead.

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.

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 head assembly includes a base member, a recording head, a coupling member, and a pressing member. The recording head ejects ink. The coupling member couples the recording head to the base member. The pressing member is in contact with a first surface of the recording head. The coupling member includes an urging member that urges a second surface of the recording head toward the first surface of the recording head. The second surface of the recording head is a surface of the recording head on an opposite side from the first surface.

A liquid discharge device includes a liquid discharge head to discharge a liquid, a head holder to hold the liquid discharge head, a sub-carriage to hold the head holder, a carriage to hold the sub-carriage and move in a main scanning direction, an adjuster supported by the sub-carriage, and a guide to guide the sub-carriage to be movable in a vertical direction. The carriage includes a reference shaft extending in the main scanning direction, the reference shaft supports the sub-carriage via the adjuster and positions the sub-carriage in the vertical direction, the adjuster adjusts an inclination of the sub-carriage with respect to the reference shaft, the sub-carriage includes a sub-reference shaft extending in parallel with the reference shaft, and the guide allows the sub-reference shaft to move in the vertical direction while restricting a movement of the sub-reference shaft in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction.

A device for use in organic vapor jet printing (OVJP) and similar arrangements includes a print head movable 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.