Multipulsing method for operating an ink jet apparatus for printing at high transport speeds

A method for driving an ink jet head to eject ink droplets which combine to produce drops of ink on a print medium, said method comprising the steps of:

• producing and applying to said head a composite drive waveform having, for each drop, at least first, second and third electrical pulses with waveshapes, pulse widths, amplitudes and dead times therebetween for ejecting from said ink jet head respective first, second and third ink droplets having successively higher velocities upon exit from said head;
• and
• selecting said first pulse to have both a pulse width and pulse amplitude each less than the respective pulse width and pulse amplitude of said second pulse whereby said droplets merge in flight for producing an ultimate ink drop having a predetermined velocity V, thereby permitting printing at velocities in excess of 4.0 meters per second, with ink jet head transport speeds up to and exceeding 50 inches per second.