Printer chassis construction

摘要

A printer chassis (10) comprises three structural aluminium beams (15, 17, 18) extending between structural sideplates (13, 14). The printer carriage beam (17) is first attached to the sideplates by means of attachment points (75, 75<l>, 75<ll>, 76) arranged along a straight line to produce a hinge-type connection. The printing beam (18) and lower beam (15) are then attached and provide a vibration- and deformation-resistant chassis relative to which all the other printer components are referenced. Slider rods (31) are mounted on the printer carriage beam (17) by means of screws (32) which hold the rods against the beam to keep them straight. The screws (32) also pass through apertures (34, 36) in rod supports (37, 38), the apertures being sized to permit longitudinal thermal movements of the rods relative to the beam. The sideplates (13, 14) may support an ink supply station (40) and a printhead service station. Arc members (11, 12) are attached to the top of the sideplates and have an ink tube support member (16) extending therebetween, which serves to protect the print zone. <IMAGE>