Printheads
Depending on model, the 5400 uses four, six, eight, or twelve piezoelectric printheads,
with one or two printheads per color. Each printhead has 192 jets. The printhead con-
sists of two parts, the piezoelectric mechanism or “jetpack” and an engineered-compos-
ite material reservoir.
Onboard digital imaging sensor
All printers are equipped with a digital image sensor that performs several functions.
First, it automatically measures the width of the media when a new media is installed on
the printer. On rigid media, it also finds the leading edge and can detect if the media has
been loaded with any skew. Second, it can perform several of the calibrations necessary
to prepare the system for printing.
Onboard color sensor
In addition to the image sensor, the printer is equipped with a color sensor, also known
as the photodiode or spectrophotometer, for the purpose of linearizing, or color calibrat-
ing, the printer. The linearization function is available for many, though not all, media
substrates. Substrates such as backlit film or other transmissive media require an exter-
nal, transmissive input device for color calibration. The color sensor can also be used to
create custom ink & media color profiles. Both linearization and profile creation using the
color sensor depend on support from the attached print server.
Jet Replacement
By using either the image sensor for automated calibration or operator input for manual
calibration, the printer can identify individual jets on any printhead that are not perform-
ing satisfactorily, and then re-map the functions of that bad jet to a different jet. This
feature is also known as Jet Mapping. Depending on the print mode configuration (see
section IV), the number of jets available as replacement for any one other jet varies. It
is possible to have a large number of jets not working on a printhead and still be able to
map in replacements so that no jets are missing during printing. If a jet that was previ-
ously identified as “bad” begins to work again, that jet can be cleared from the list and
re-enabled for printing.
Adjustable head height
The “head height” of the carriage is the distance from the printhead orifice plate, or jets,
to the surface of the media. This distance typically remains constant regardless of the
Reservoir
Piezo Inkjet
Mechanism
Printhead
Assembly
5400 Technical Training Manual
MacDermid ColorSpan Confidential
Page 4 of 39
MacDermid, Inc. 11311 K-Tel Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55343
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