Apparatus for alignment of multiple page-wide array print heads

An apparatus for housing a plurality of page-wide arrays (PWAs) of print heads each comprising a linear array of print nozzles in a lateral direction, comprising:

• a plurality of support structures each adapted to house a PWA, the structures being stacked in a fixed vertical array and to be each attached to a wall structure at a closed lateral end, each structure having an opposite open end for lateral insertion and removal of the corresponding PWA, and an opening in a front face between the open and closed ends through which the array of nozzles in the corresponding PWA may operate while housed in the structure;
• an adjustable protrusion extending within each structure from the closed end whereby the lateral position of the corresponding PWA may be fixed relative to the closed end of the structure;
• and a locking mechanism at the open end of the structures whereby, when engaged, the PWA in each structure may be secured against the corresponding protrusion and prevented from moving in a lateral direction,
• whereby the lateral position of each PWA may be fixed in relation to the lateral position of each other and with respect to the wall structure.

A printing system comprising:

• a fixed printing area;
• feeding means for moving a medium to be printed at a predetermined rate across the printing area;
• a plurality of page-wide arrays (PWAs) of print heads, each comprising a linear array of print nozzles in a lateral direction,
• a plurality of support structures each housing a page-wide array (PWA) of print heads oriented so that their respective linear arrays of print nozzles extend in a direction transverse to the direction of motion of the medium to be printed,
• the structures being stacked in a fixed vertical array and to be each attached to a wall structure at a closed lateral end,
• each structure having an opposite open end for lateral insertion and removal of the corresponding PWA, and an opening in a front face between the open and closed ends through which the array of nozzles in the corresponding PWA may operate while housed in the structure,
• the array of structures being so oriented that the medium to be printed passes between the printing area and the front faces of the structures and parallel thereto;
• an adjustable protrusion extending within each structure from the closed end whereby the lateral position of the corresponding PWA may be fixed relative to the closed end of the structure;
• and
• a locking mechanism at the open end of the structures whereby, when engaged, the PWA in each structure may be secured against the corresponding protrusion and prevented from moving in a lateral direction,
• whereby the lateral position of each PWA may be fixed in relation to the lateral position of each other and with respect to the wall structure;
• and whereby the printed output on the medium to be printed may aligned in a direction transverse to the direction of motion of the medium to be printed.