Printing device and method

A method, comprising:

• generating a continuous ink jet from a nozzle, wherein the continuous ink jet carries a net electrostatic charge;
• printing a test motif according to a predefined design, comprising:
• periodically deflecting the continuous ink jet from a default trajectory by modifying an electrostatic field generated around the continuous ink jet by applying a first periodically repeating jet deflection signal to one or more jet deflection electrodes;
• collecting the deflected continuous ink jet on a substrate to form a first continuous fiber on the substrate,
• wherein the test motif is formed by the first continuous fiber during a period of the first periodically repeating jet deflecting signal;
• measuring a difference between the test motif and the predefined design, wherein the difference represents a deformation of the test motif relative to the predefined design caused by an asymmetry in the electrostatic field due to the application of the first periodically repeating jet deflection signal to the one or more jet deflection electrodes;
• generating a second periodically repeating jet deflection signal by modifying the first periodically repeating jet deflection signal based on the measured difference;
• and
• printing an object according to the predefined design, comprising:
• periodically deflecting the continuous ink jet from the default trajectory by modifying the electrostatic field generated around the continuous ink jet by applying the second periodically repeating jet deflection signal to the one or more jet deflection electrodes;
• and
• collecting the deflected continuous ink jet on the substrate to form a second continuous fiber on the substrate,
• wherein the object is formed by the second continuous fiber during a period of the second periodically repeating jet deflection signal, wherein the object matches the predefined design.