Testing a printhead

摘要

A system and method for testing printheads is disclosed. The system comprises an optical sensor mounted on a movable carriage. The optical sensor is moved past a nozzle to be tested on the printhead while the nozzle ejects ink. The output signal of the optical sensor can be used to determine when the trajectory of the ejected ink is improper.

主权项

1. A method of testing a printhead, comprising:
positioning an optical sensor on one side of at least one nozzle in the printhead such that a leading edge of a light beam from the optical sensor is spaced apart from the nozzle location; moving the optical sensor towards the at least one nozzle in a direction perpendicular with the light beam while the optical sensor is taking measurements; repeatedly ejecting ink drops from the at least one nozzle into the moving light beam; moving the optical sensor past the nozzle location while the optical sensor is taking measurements such that a trailing edge of the light beam is on the other side of the nozzle location and is spaced apart from the nozzle location; analyzing the optical sensor measurements to determine the ejected ink trajectory.