Method and apparatus to provide variable drop size ejection with low tail mass drops

An apparatus, comprising:

• an actuator to eject a drop of a fluid from a pumping chamber;
• and
• drive electronics coupled to the actuator, wherein during operation the drive electronics drive the actuator with a multi-pulse waveform having at least one drive pulse and break off pulse to build a drop of a fluid with the at least one drive pulse and to accelerate the break off of the drop forming at the nozzle using the break off pulse without the break off pulse causing formation of a sub-drop.

A printhead, comprising:

• an ink jet module that comprises,
• an actuator to eject a drop of a fluid from a pumping chamber;
• and drive electronics coupled to the actuator, wherein during operation the drive electronics drive the actuator with a multi-pulse waveform having at least two drive pulses and a break off pulse to build a drop of a fluid and to accelerate the break off of the drop forming at a nozzle using the break off pulse without the break off pulse causing formation of a sub-drop.