Printing apparatus with modular printhead system

A printing apparatus with a modular printhead assembly, comprising:

• (a) a printer constructed to receive a printable substrate upon which a functional fluid may be dispensed;
• (b) a printing module mounted to said printer in suspended relation over said printable substrate, said printing module constituting a self-contained unit having its own single-source fluid supply, printhead drive electronics and printhead assembly;
• (c) said printing module being movable relative to said printer between a retracted position away from said printable substrate and a precise printing position over said printable substrate;
• (d) said printing module being readily removable from said printer as said self-contained unit when in said retracted position;
• (e) said printhead assembly forming at least a part of a movable subassembly within said printing module, said subassembly being movable within said printing module between said precise printing position and an idle non-printing position spaced from said printing position;
• and
• (f) said printing module carrying a printhead capping member which is pivotally movable between a capping station where an array of printheads of said printhead assembly is covered, and an open position which permits said array of printheads to dispense said functional fluid upon said substrate.

A printing apparatus with a modular printhead assembly, comprising:

• (a) a printer constructed to receive a printable substrate upon which a functional fluid may be dispensed;
• (b) a printing module mounted to said printer in suspended relation over said printable substrate, said printing module constituting a self-contained unit having its own fluid supply, printhead drive electronics and printhead assembly;
• (c) said printing module being movable between a retracted position laterally spaced from said printable substrate and a printing position over said printable substrate;
• (d) said printing module being swingable relative to said printer and readily removable from said printer as said self-contained unit when in said retracted position;
• (e) said printhead assembly forming at least a part of a movable subassembly within said printing module, said subassembly being movable within and relative to said printing module between said precise printing position and an idle non-printing position spaced from said printing position;
• and
• (f) said subassembly being supported within said printing module by a weight balancing mechanism which counterbalances at least a portion of the weight of said subassembly as said subassembly moves between said printing position and said idle non-printing position.

A printing apparatus with a modular printhead assembly, comprising:

• (a) a printer constructed to receive a printable substrate upon which a functional fluid may be dispensed;
• (b) a printing module mounted to said printer in suspended relation over said printable substrate, said printing module constituting a self-contained unit having its own fluid supply, printhead drive electronics and printhead assembly;
• (c) said printing module being movable between a retracted position laterally spaced from said printable substrate and a printing position over said printable substrate;
• (d) said printing module being swingable relative to said printer and readily removable from said printer as said self-contained unit when in said retracted position;
• and
• (e) said printhead assembly forming at least a part of a movable subassembly within said printing module, said subassembly being movable within said printing module between said precise printing position and an idle non-printing position spaced from said printing position;
• and
• (f) said printing module including a pivotal printhead capping member constructed to cover an array of printheads of said printhead assembly when not in use, said printhead capping member including a movable printhead cleaning device which is constructed to travel along said printhead capping member and clean said printheads.