6 Printer systems
Printer systems
SOL Spectrophotometer
The SOL is a color sensor located on the left side of the Carriage. A metal sheet is protects the SOL from
the high temperatures produced by the Dryer Assembly. The main function of SOL is to measure color
samples that have been printed on the loaded media and then are placed on the print platen zone.
Before taking any color measurement, the SOL must be initialized. The SOL initialization process takes
approximately 7min. This process consists of three steps:
• Sensor switch on
• Sensor warm up
• Sensor calibration.
When the initialization process has finished, the shutter opens automatically and the Carriage is moved
along the Scan Axis to place the SOL on top of each sample to take a color measurement. After the
measurements, the shutter is closed again and the sensor is switched off.
Tetris
Tetris is used to align the printheads as well as to locate and measure a media size and edges. The
alignment procedure consists of a series of patterns first being printed, then scanned using the Tetris, and
finally an internal process is used to correct the timing of when and where the nozzles of the Printheads
fire, and detect any possible nozzle-out issues.
Scan axis encoder
The line encoder is located on the Carriage and this measures and counts the movements of the Scan Axis.
An optical, infrared wavelength encoder is used, this is the same type of encoder used in most of the HP
large format printers. The Encoder signal is converted to LVDS logic levels and directly routed through the
Data TC.
Pen Flex
To connect the Carriage to the Printheads, a delicate flexible circuit with small golden dimples is used.
Printheads are inserted into unique slots and a spring loaded mechanism pushes the electrical contacts of
the Printheads into the Printhead flex, which subsequently connects the Printhead to the Carriage
electronics. Printheads Flexes are the most delicate and sensitive part of the Carriage. If the Printheads
are inserted with too much force or they are misaligned, the insertion can easily damage them.
Ink Supply Station (ISS) Electronics
Description
The ISS electronics is powered from a +12V line coming from the PrintMech, and a linear regulator on
the ISS PCAs generates the +5V used to power all the devices on the board.
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