Pulsed Air-Actuated Micro-Droplet On Demand Ink Jet

摘要

The present subject matter relates to a method and system for pulsed air-actuated micro-droplet on demand jetting, especially for jetting high viscosity liquids. A needle extends from a liquid chamber and terminates in a drop-forming orifice outlet from which micro-droplets are generated. At least two air jets direct a timed pulse of air at the drop-forming orifice outlet of the needle. The pulsed air is synchronized with the formation of a desired volume of liquid at the orifice outlet to extract and propel a micro-droplet at high velocity to a substrate. The air jets are turned on prior to the forming of the desired volume at the orifice outlet of the needle, and turned off after the micro-droplet had been produced.

主权项

1. A system for jetting liquid, comprising:
a liquid chamber for holding a supply of liquid; an actuator for pushing a volume of liquid out of the liquid chamber; a needle extending from the liquid chamber and terminating in a needle orifice; and at least two air jets situated on opposite sides of the needle orifice; wherein a desired volume of liquid is formed at the needle orifice in response to the actuator, and wherein the at least two air jets produce a timed pulse of air to create a micro-droplet from the desired volume and to accelerate the micro-droplet to high velocity.