METHOD FOR POSITIONING A CONTROL ELECTRODE ARRAY IN A DIRECT ELECTROSTATIC PRINTING DEVICE

摘要

An image recording apparatus includes at least one print station and an image receiving medium caused to move in relation to the print station. The print station includes a particle source for delivering charged particles in a position adjacent to a printhead structure interposed between the particle source and the image receiving medium. The printhead structure has a first surface facing the particle source, a second surface facing the image receiving medium, and a plurality of apertures arranged through the printhead structure. Aperture controllers are arranged in conjunction with the apertures to modulate streams of charged particles from the particle source through the apertures toward the image receiving medium. Depression areas are arranged on the first surface of the printhead structure in such a configuration that each aperture is arranged in a depression area. The part of the aperture facing the particle source is sunken with respect to the first surface of the printhead structure. The depression areas help maintain a uniformity in the thickness of a toner layer on the particle source.