Nozzles and methods of and apparatus for forming nozzles

摘要

Nozzles for an ink jet printer are formed by laser ablation in a nozzle plate which has previously been bonded to the body of the printer. The laser beam is caused to converge at a point in front of the nozzle plate so that a nozzle is formed which tapers toward the outlet. First and second beam masks are established in front of a focussing lens with the masks being respectively conjugate in the lens with the nozzle inlet and outlet, which are of different shape. The nozzle has a central land which controls the ink meniscus and avoids the ejected drop receiving a sideways kick from the nozzle wall.