Inkjet airbrush control system

摘要

A controller (70; 100) is provided for an inkjet airbrush system (20) which uses inkjet printing technology for color mixing in airbrush painting, and for other fluid application systems. The controller (70; 100) is used to select a desired fluid blend or custom color which is blown by the inkjet airbrush (30; 30') onto an object (26). Firing signals (38), generated in response to the controller input (58), cause a printhead (35) to eject a custom blend of colors (40) which are combined in a mixing chamber (46) and then atomized (25). The controller (70, 100) may be a remote device (70), or provided on-board (100) the inkjet airbrush unit, preferably as a joystick (74, 74') toggling device (72, 72'). The amount of colorant passing through the airbrush may be varied by varying the firing signal frequency in response to joystick motion or a separate adjustment mechanism. The inkjet airbrush system (20) provides fast color changes and faster clean-up than conventional airbrushes. A method of controlling an inkjet airbrush (30, 30') is also provided.