Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080211847 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING AND TESTING JETTING STABILITY IN INKJET PRINT HEADS - The present invention provides systems, methods, and apparatus for monitoring and controlling a slew rate of a voltage signal provided to a PZT capacitor of a print head. The system includes a digital driver circuit adapted to generate a signal indicating a nominal slew rate, a probe circuit for measuring a firing pulse voltage signal provided to the capacitor, a comparator coupled to the digital driver and the probe circuit comparing a measured slew rate with the nominal slew rate generating a signal indicating a difference between the measured slew rate and the nominal slew rate, an analog driver circuit coupled to the comparator adapted to adjust the slew rate of the voltage signal in response to the difference signal, and an analog/digital converter adapted to sample the voltage signal output from the probe circuit and to provide an output for diagnostic purposes. Numerous other features and aspects are disclosed. | 09-04-2008 |
20080309715 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DEPOSITING INK ONTO SUBSTRATES - Embodiments of an ink jet printing system include a motion stage adapted to move a substrate having a display object in a printing direction and a first printing assembly mounted over the motion stage including a set of print heads aligned and arranged consecutively in the printing direction such that the display object moves under the print heads sequentially. Embodiments of a method of ink jet printing include moving a substrate under the print heads of printing assembly sequentially in a printing direction, activating alternate ink jetting channels within each print head of the first printing assembly, activating corresponding channels within adjacent print heads in the first printing assembly alternately, and depositing ink in alternating sub-pixels within one or more pixels on the substrate. | 12-18-2008 |
20090058918 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RELIABILITY TESTING AND TROUBLESHOOTING INKJET PRINTERS - Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for reliability testing an inkjet printing system. The invention includes a testing interface, a print head coupled to the testing interface, printer control electronics coupled to the testing interface and coupled to the print head via the testing interface, the printer control electronics adapted to transmit a firing voltage signal through the testing interface to the print head, and a measurement apparatus coupled to the testing interface. The testing interface includes an input path for receiving the firing voltage signal from the printer control electronics, the input path splitting into a first path coupled to the print head and a second path coupled to the measurement apparatus. Numerous other aspects are disclosed. | 03-05-2009 |
20090255911 | LASER SCRIBING PLATFORM AND HYBRID WRITING STRATEGY - Laser scribing can be performed on a workpiece ( | 10-15-2009 |
20090314751 | LASER SCRIBE INSPECTION METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Methods and systems for use during laser-scribing of a workpiece are provided. Some of the methods and systems provided use an imaging device to control the formation of a laser-scribed feature so as to more closely align with a previously-formed feature. Some of the methods and systems provided use an imaging device for inspection of a laser-scribed feature and/or process control. Some of the methods and systems provided use an imaging device to detect and avoid a workpiece defect during the formation of a laser-scribed feature. | 12-24-2009 |
20090321397 | LASER-SCRIBING PLATFORM - Laser-scribing systems and translation stages operable to support a workpiece during laser scribing are provided. A laser-scribing system includes a base section, a bed supported by the base section, a laser, a first driving mechanism operable to move a workpiece longitudinally along the bed, and a second driving mechanism. The bed comprises a movable section configured to translate with respect to the base section. The movable section comprises a gap to allow a laser beam to pass through. The laser is positioned to direct the laser beam through the gap. The second driving mechanism is operable to laterally translate the laser and the movable section in order to scribe a pattern on the workpiece. | 12-31-2009 |
20090321399 | DYNAMIC SCRIBE ALIGNMENT FOR LASER SCRIBING, WELDING OR ANY PATTERNING SYSTEM - Methods and systems for improving the alignment between a previously formed feature and a subsequently formed feature are provided. An exemplary method can include laser scribing a workpiece ( | 12-31-2009 |
20100155379 | ILLUMINATION METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR LASER SCRIBE DETECTION AND ALIGNMENT IN THIN FILM SOLAR CELL FABRICATION - Combined illumination is used to detect the positions of features such as scribe lines in different layers of a workpiece. Because combinations of layers of different material can scatter, reflect, scatter, and/or transmit light in different ways, combining and adjusting such illumination can allow positions of multiple features to be detected concurrently, such that the position of a feature being formed in one layer can be adjusted to a relative position with respect to a feature in another layer, even where those layers are of different materials with different optical properties. | 06-24-2010 |
20100314367 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR LASER-SCRIBED LINE ALIGNMENT - Methods and systems for laser-scribing lines within a controlled separation from previously-formed lines are provided. A laser-scribing method includes providing a workpiece having a plurality of previously-scribed lines, forming a first adjacent scribed line adjacent to a first previously-scribed line, using an imaging device to measure a position of a previously-scribed line, using the imaging device to measure a position of the first adjacent scribed line, and using the measured positions to control the formation of a second adjacent scribed line adjacent to a second previously-scribed line. | 12-16-2010 |
20110132884 | LASER MODULES AND PROCESSES FOR THIN FILM SOLAR PANEL LASER SCRIBING - Laser systems for laser scribing are provided. The systems include a remote module coupled to a laser module through a cable. The remote module includes a controller and a chiller. The laser module has at least a laser source and a cooling plate. The laser module is operable to remove material from at least a portion of a workpiece. The systems also include a plurality of termination modules coupled to the laser module through a plurality of optical fibers. Each of the termination modules includes a mechanical interface. The mechanical interface is coupled to a respective optical fiber. The systems further include a plurality of scanning devices operable to control a position of the output from the laser. Each of the scanning devices is coupled to a respective mechanical interface. | 06-09-2011 |
20110198322 | IN-LINE METROLOGY METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SOLAR CELL FABRICATION - In-line metrology methods and systems for use with laser-scribing systems used in solar-cell fabrication are disclosed. Such methods and systems can involve a variety of components, for example, a device for measuring the amount of power input to a laser, a power meter for measuring laser output power, a beam viewer for measuring aspects of a laser beam, a height sensor for measuring a workpiece height, a microscope for measuring workpiece features formed by the laser-scribing system, and a system for monitoring a laser-scribing system and annunciating a warning(s) and/or an error message(s) when operational limits are exceeded. In-line metrology methods can also include the processing of output beam reflections so as to track beam drift over time and/or provide for focusing of an imaging device. | 08-18-2011 |