Solid ink printer with magnetic ink mixing

摘要

A phase change inkjet printer is equipped with an agitator to prevent settling of metal particles in melted magnetic phase change ink. The agitator operates to agitate the melted magnetic phase change ink as the ink enters the printhead to maintain the metal particles in suspension within the melted ink.

主权项

1. A printer that ejects magnetic phase change ink comprising:
a printhead configured to eject drops of melted phase change ink having metal particles, the printhead including an inlet for receiving melted phase change ink, an onboard reservoir fluidly connected to the inlet to hold a quantity of melted phase change ink received through the inlet, and an outlet through which melted phase change ink exits the onboard reservoir and the printhead; and a pump having a first inlet fluidly connected to the outlet in the printhead, a second inlet fluidly connected to a source of melted phase change ink having metal particles, and an outlet fluidly connected to the inlet of the printhead, the pump being configured to produce turbulence in the melted phase change ink entering the inlet of the printhead to maintain the metal particles in suspension within the melted phase change ink as the melted phase change ink enters the printhead by mixing melted phase change ink received from the outlet of the printhead with melted phase change ink from the source of melted phase change ink and directing the mixed melted phase change ink into the inlet of the printhead.