A MICROMACHINED SINGLE-CHIP INKJET PRINTHEAD

A new smart single-chip microsystem inkjet printhead, called the 'Back shooter', is presented in this paper. It combines micromechanics inclu ding heating actuators, temperature sensor, channels and nozzles with a smart CMOS circuit including signal processing along with bidirectio nal data transfer and 60 V power amplifiers in a single silicon chip. Prototypes with 50 nozzles and a system pitch down to 42 mu m (appropr iate for 600 dpi print resolution) will be demonstrated. The Backshoot er microsystem technology makes it possible to reduce the chip dimensi ons to 22 mm(2) (at 50 nozzles and 300 dpi), less than half of a stand ard layout. It enables a lower market price and a much better printhea d functionality to be achieved.