Digital printing press having a modular and reliable ink delivery system

A print module for installation into a printing system having a media path for conveying media along a first direction, the print module comprising:

• a support structure defining a major axis and a minor lateral axis that are both perpendicular to a vertical axis;
• a printhead array coupled to the support structure and configured to span the media path when the print module is installed in the printing system;
• and
• a fluid regulator portion coupled to a first end of the support structure and positioned on the support structure to be outside of the media path when the print module is installed into the printing system, the fluid regulator portion extending below the printhead portion with respect to the vertical axis when the print module is installed in the printing system, the fluid regulator portion regulating fluid pressure of ink delivered to the printhead array;
• the print module being configured to be installed into the printing system as one integral unit.

A print module for installation into a printing system having a media path for conveying media along a first direction, the print module comprising:

• a support structure defining a major axis and a minor lateral axis that are both perpendicular to a vertical axis;
• a printhead array coupled to the support structure and configured to span the media path when the print module is installed in the printing system, the printhead array including an array of inkjet printheads each having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
• and
• a fluid regulator portion coupled to a first end of the support structure and positioned on the support structure to be outside of the media path when the print module is installed into the printing system, the fluid regulator portion including a first fluid regulator and a second fluid regulator regulating fluid pressure of ink delivered to the printhead array;
• the first and second fluid regulators each including a fluid weir structure in which the height of ink flowing over a fluid weir regulates the pressure of ink delivered to the inlet and outlet manifolds
• the print module further comprising a fluid inlet manifold extending along the major axis and fluidically coupling the first fluid regulator to each of the fluid inlets;
• and a second fluid inlet manifold extending along the major axis and fluidically coupling the second fluid regulator to each of the fluid outlets, and being configured to be installed into the printing system as one integral unit.

A printing system comprising:

• a media transport system for conveying a print media along a media path in a first direction, the media path having a width in a second direction;
• a plurality of print modules integrally removable from the printing system and each including:
• a support structure;
• a printhead array coupled to the support structure and spanning the media path along the second direction, the printhead array including a plurality of individual printheads each having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
• an inlet fluid manifold coupled to each of the fluid inlets;
• a fluid outlet manifold coupled to each of the fluid outlets;
• a first fluid regulator providing ink to the inlet manifold and a second fluid regulator providing ink to the outlet manifold each fluid regulator including a fluid weir over which ink flows from a fluid chamber to a fluid sump, the height of ink in the fluid chamber regulating a pressure of ink delivered to inkjet printheads.