Printhead

A continuous inkjet printer for printing onto an external substrate that moves past the printer, the printer comprising:

• a printhead, the printhead comprising:
• a droplet generator configured to generate and eject a stream of ink droplets for printing;
• at least one electrode configured to steer the stream of ink droplets;
• and
• a gutter configured to receive droplets of ink which are not used for printing;
• and
• an ink system configured to store ink and supply ink to the printhead;
• wherein:
• the printhead is releasably connectable to the ink system by a printhead connection interface, the printhead connection interface comprising a plurality of fluid connectors, a plurality of electrical connectors, and cooperating guide features configured to guide the printhead into a connected configuration from a disconnected configuration.

A printhead for a continuous inkjet printer, the printhead comprising:

• a droplet generator configured to generate and eject a stream of ink droplets for printing;
• at least one electrode configured to steer the stream of ink droplets;
• and
• a gutter configured to receive droplets of ink which are not used for printing;
• and
• wherein the printhead is releasably connectable to an ink system of a continuous inkjet system by a printhead connection interface, the printhead connection interface comprising a plurality of electrical connectors, a plurality of fluid connectors, and cooperating guide features configured to guide the printhead into a connected configuration from a disconnected configuration.

A method of operating a continuous inkjet printer for printing onto an external substrate that moves past the printer, the printer comprising a printhead and an ink system for storing ink and supplying ink to the printhead, wherein the printhead is releasably connectable to the ink system;

• the printhead comprising:
• a droplet generator configured to generate and eject a stream of ink droplets for printing;
• at least one electrode configured to steer the stream of ink droplets;
• and
• a gutter configured to receive droplets of ink which are not used for printing;
• wherein the printhead is releasably connectable to the ink system by a printhead connection interface, the printhead connection interface comprising a plurality of fluid connectors, a plurality of electrical connectors, and cooperating guide features configured to guide the printhead into a connected configuration from a disconnected configuration;
• the method comprising:
• aligning the cooperating guide features;
• connecting the plurality of fluid connectors to corresponding connections of the printer;
• and
• connecting the plurality of electrical connectors to corresponding connections of the printer.