WO2021006863A1

WO2021006863A1 - Wiping platforms

Info

Publication number: WO2021006863A1
Application number: PCT/US2019/040800
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jian Zhang; Cherng Linn Teo; Jui Hong LIM; Aik San NG
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2019-07-08
Filing date: 2019-07-08
Publication date: 2021-01-14

Abstract

In one example, a wiping platform can include a first wiper blade positioned at a first angle on the wiping platform, wherein the first angle is substantially parallel with respect to a pen surface of a print head surface, and a second wiper blade positioned at a second angle on the wiping platform, wherein the second angle is different than the first angle with respect to the pen surface of the print head surface.

Description

WIPING PLATFORMS

Background

[0001] Printing systems, such as scanning printers, page wide printers, copiers, etc., may generate text or images on to print media (e.g., paper, plastic, etc.). Printing systems can utilize a print substance that can be deposited on to the print media to generate the text or images on the print media. Printing systems can utilize a print head to deposit the print substance on to the print media. In some examples, the print substance can accumulate on a surface of the print head, which can be removed during a maintenance routine.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0002] Figure 1 is an example system for a wiping platform consistent with the present disclosure.

[0003] Figure 2 is an example system for a wiping platform consistent with the present disclosure.

[0004] Figure 3 is an example system for a wiping platform consistent with the present disclosure.

[0005] Figure 4 is an example wiper blade for a wiping platform consistent with the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

[0006] In some examples, printing devices can be devices or systems that are capable of generating images on a print medium. For example, a printing device can be an inkjet printing device that can utilize a print head to deposit a printing substance (e.g., ink, three-dimensional print substance, etc.) on to a substrate (e.g., paper, plastic, three-dimensional powder, etc.) to generate an image on the substrate. In some examples, the print head can include a print head surface with a pen surface. In some examples, the print head surface can be a surface of the print head that is parallel to a print medium during a print process. In some examples, the pen surface can be positioned on or within the print head surface.

[0007] As used herein, the pen surface can be an area of the print head surface that is capable of depositing a print substance. For example, the pen head surface of an inkjet print head can include an area that deposits ink on to a print medium, such as paper. In some examples, the pen surface can be utilized to deposit a three-dimensional print substance on to a bed or surface of three- dimensional print material particles. For example, the pen surface can deposit a three-dimensional print substance (e.g., ink, etc.) on to print material particles to generate a three-dimensional object from solidified print material particles. In this example, areas of deposited three-dimensional print substance can correspond to the solidified print material particles. In these examples, a wiping platform as described herein can remove the three-dimensional print substance from a pen surface of a three-dimensional print head.

[0008] In some examples, the pen surface can include a pen encapsulant portion that includes components utilized to deposit the print substance on to a print medium. For example, a pen surface can include a first pen encapsulant on a first edge of the pen surface and a second pen encapsulant on a second edge of the pen surface. In some examples, the pen encapsulant can include electrical and/or mechanical components that can be utilized by the printing device to deposit the print substance at specific locations on the print medium. In some examples, the pen encapsulant portion can protrude from the print head surface and/or the pen surface. For example, the pen encapsulant portion can extend a distance away from the print head surface and/or the pen surface.

[0009] In some examples, the print substance that is deposited on to the print medium can accumulate on the print head surface, pen surface, and/or pen encapsulant portion. In some examples, the accumulated print substance can cause damage to the print head and/or cause damage to the image being generated on the print medium. For example, the accumulated print substance can mix with a print substance to be deposited and this mixture can result in lower quality image and/or produce a different color on the image. Previous systems and methods utilized a wiper blade to remove the accumulated print substance from the pen surface. However, these previous systems were not able to remove accumulated print substance from portions of the print head surface and/or areas surrounding the encapsulant portions of the pen surface.

[0010] The present disclosure relates to wiping platforms that are capable of simultaneously wiping the pen surface, print head surface, and areas surrounding the encapsulate portion of the pen surface. In some examples, the wiping platforms can utilize a scan axis wipe across the surface the of the print head. As used herein, a scan axis wipe can include a wiping process that utilizes a movement of the print head in a scanning direction (e.g., printing direction, deposit direction, etc.). In some examples, the wiping platforms can include a first wiper blade positioned at a first angle that is substantially parallel with respect to a pen surface of a print head surface and a second wiper blade positioned at a second angle that is different than the first angle with respect to the pen surface of the print head surface. In other examples, the wiping platforms can include a first wiper blade with a first hardness and a second wiper blade with a second hardness such that the total resistance of the wiper blades with respect to the print head is within a particular range. In this way, the wiping platforms can be utilized to provide a more complete wipe of the print head while maintaining a particular resistance during the wiping process.

[0011] The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit corresponds to the drawing figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing. Elements shown in the various figures herein may be capable of being added, exchanged, and/or eliminated so as to provide a number of additional examples of the present disclosure. In addition, the proportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate the examples of the present disclosure and should not be taken in a limiting sense.

[0012] Figure 1 is an example system 100 for a wiping platform 102 consistent with the present disclosure. In some examples, the system 100 can be a part of a printing device and/or utilized by a printing device. For example, the system 100 can be part of a print zone of a printing device. In this example, the system 100 can include a print head 110 that can be utilized deposit a print substance on a print medium. As described herein, the print head 110 can include a print head surface 112 that can be directed toward a print medium when depositing a print substance on the print medium. [0013] In some examples, the print head surface 112 can include a pen surface 114. As used herein, a pen surface 114 can include an area of the print head 110 utilized to deposit a print substance. For example, a pen surface 114 can include a plurality of apertures capable of depositing an ink or similar print substance at a particular location on a substrate such as paper to generate an image on the paper.

In some examples, the print head surface 112 can include a number of encapsulants 116-1 , 116-2. As used herein, the encapsulants 116-1 , 116-2 can include areas of the print head surface 112 utilized to contain components associated with the pen surface 114. For example, the encapsulants 116-1 , 116-2 can include a plurality of electrical connections coupled to corresponding apertures of the pen surface 114 to control when each of the apertures deposit the print substance.

[0014] In some examples, the encapsulants 116-1 , 116-2 can protrude from the print head surface 112. For example, the print head surface 112 can be a substantially flat surface and the encapsulants 116-1 , 116-2 can extend or protrude beyond the print head surface 112. The protrusions created by the encapsulants 116-1 , 116-2 can make it difficult to remove accumulated print substance on the print head surface 112 near or surrounding the encapsulants 116-1 , 116-2. For example, a single wiper blade that extends from a top side to a bottom side of the print head surface 112 as illustrated in Figure 1 can be raised over the protrusions created by the encapsulants 116-1 , 116-2. In this way, a single wiper blade can miss areas of the print head surface 112 surrounding the protrusions created by the encapsulants 116-1 , 116-2. In other previous systems, a single wiper blade that fits between the encapsulants 116-1, 116-2 can be utilized to more efficiently remove accumulated print substance from the pen surface 114. However, these previous systems may not be capable of removing accumulate print substance from the print head surface 112 outside the encapsulants 116-1, 116-2.

[0015] In some examples, the system 100 can include a wiping platform 102 that can include a first wiper blade 104 and a second wiper blade 106 to wipe accumulated print substance or other materials from a surface (e.g., print head surface 112, pen surface 114, etc.) of the print head 110. In some examples, the wiping platform 102 can be a physical platform device that is capable of coupling the first wiper blade 104 and/or the second wiper blade 106 in a fixed location on the platform. In some examples, the wiping platform 102 can be lowered to allow a print head 110 to move past the wiping platform 102 without interacting with the first wiper blade 104 and/or the second wiper blade 106. In these examples, the wiping platform 102 can be raised such that a surface of the print head 110 (e.g., print head surface 112, pen surface 114, combination of print head surface 112 and pen surface 114, etc.) can interact with a tip portion of the first wiper blade 104 and/or a tip portion of the second wiper blade 106.

[0016] For example, during a first state (e.g., printing state, etc.) the wiping platform 102 can be lowered to allow the print head 110 to move freely without interacting with the first wiper blade 104 or the second wiper blade 106. In this example, during a second state (e.g., maintenance routine, wiping state, etc.) the wiping platform 102 can be raised to allow the first wiper blade 104 and/or second wiper blade 106 to interact with the print head surface 112 and/or the pen surface 114 of the print head 110 as the print head 110 moves past the wiping platform 102.

[0017] As described herein, the encapsulants 116-1 , 116-2 can create protrusions that can make it difficult to remove accumulated print substance from the area surrounding the encapsulants 116-1 , 116-2. In some examples, the first wiper blade 104 and/or the second wiper blade 106 can be positioned to wipe areas surrounding the encapsulants 116-1, 116-2. In some examples, second wiper blade 106 can extend a distance that is equal to a distance of the pen surface 114 and/or a distance between the encapsulants 116-1 , 116-2. For example, the second wiper blade 106 can be a length that allows the second wiper blade 106 to fit between a first encapsulant 116-1 and a second encapsulant 116-2. In this way, the second wiper blade 106 can be utilized to remove accumulated print substance or other materials from an area between the encapsulants 116-1, 116-2.

[0018] In some examples, the first wiper blade 104 can extend a distance that is substantially equal to a distance of the print head surface. As used herein, substantially equal to a distance can be a distance that is equal or a distance that is plus or minus 10 percent of the distance. In these examples, the first wiper blade 104 can extend a distance across the print head surface 112. In some examples, the first wiper blade 104 can extend a distance such that a tip portion of the first wiper blade 104 can interact with the entire print head surface 112. For example, the first wiper blade 104 can extend a distance that is substantially equal to a distance of the print head surface 112. In some examples, the first wiper blade 104 can extend a distance that is greater than the distance of the print head surface 112. [0019] In this way, the first wiper blade 104 can extend past the second wiper blade 106 on each side of the second wiper blade 106. Thus, the first wiper blade 104 can be utilized to remove accumulated print substance from areas outside or on the edges of the second wiper blade 106. For example, the first wiper blade 104 can be utilized to remove accumulated print substance from the print head surface 112 within the area of the pen surface 114 and/or outside the pen surface 114. In this example, the first wiper blade 104 can be utilized to remove accumulated print substance from a first edge (e.g., top edge as illustrated in Figure 1 , etc.) of the print head surface 112 to a first encapsulant 116-1 and/or a second edge (e.g., bottom edge as illustrated in Figure 1 , etc.) of the print head surface 112 to a second encapsulant 116-2.

[0020] In some examples, the system 100 can be utilized to perform a scan axis wipe on a print head 110 utilizing a wiping platform 102. As described herein, the wiping platform 102 can include a first wiper blade 104 and a second wiper blade 106 such that the print head surface 112 and/or pen surface 114 of the print head 110 can be wiped by the first wiper blade 104 and the second wiper blade 106 with a single pass in the direction of arrow 101. In some examples, the first wiper blade 104 can be utilized to remove accumulated print substance or other particles from the entire print head surface 112 and the second wiper blade 106 can be utilized to remove accumulated print substance or other particles from the pen surface 114 and a portion of the print head surface 112.

[0021] Figure 2 is an example system 200 for a wiping platform 202 consistent with the present disclosure. In some examples, the system 200 can include similar elements to system 100 as referenced in Figure 1. For example, the system 200 can include a wiping platform 202 that can include a first wiper blade 204 and a second wiper blade 206. As described herein, the wiping platform 202 can be positioned between a print substance deposition area and a pen capping end of a print zone.

[0022] As used herein, a print substance deposition area can include an area of a print zone where the print substance is deposited on to a print medium. As used herein, a pen capping end of the print zone can include a number of pen capping devices to cap or seal a pen surface (e.g., pen surface 214-1 , pen surface 214-2, etc.) of a print head (e.g., print head 210-1 , print head 210-2, etc.). In some examples, the pen capping end can be utilized when the printing device is not performing a printing process. [0023] In some examples, the system 200 can include a first print head 210-1 and a second print head 210-2. In some examples, the first print head 210-1 can be a first type of print head and the second print head 210-2 can be a second type of print head. For example, the first print head 210-1 can be a monochromatic or black print head and the second print head 210-2 can be a multi-color or color print head.

In some examples, the first print head 210-1 can utilize a first print head surface 212- 1 with a first pen surface 214-1 and the second print head 210-1 can utilize a second print head surface 212-2 with a second pen surface 214-2. In some examples, the first pen surface 214-1 can be a first type and/or a first size and the second pen surface 214-2 can be a second type and/or a second size. For example, the first pen surface 214-1 can be a first length 221-1 and the second pen surface 214-2 can be a second length 221-2. In some examples, the first length 221-1 can be longer than the second length 221-2.

[0024] As described herein, the wiping platform 202 can include a first wiper blade 204 with a first length 225 and a second wiper blade 206 with a second length 223. In addition, the first wiper blade 204 can be positioned at a first angle (e.g., angle 228, etc.) on the wiping platform 202. In some examples, the first angle can be angle 228 between line 224-3 and a surface of the first wiper blade 204. In some examples, angle 228 can be approximately 90 degrees. For example, the angle 228 can be between 85 and 95 degrees. In these examples, the first angle can be substantially parallel with respect to the first pen surface 214-1 and/or the second pen surface 214-2. As used herein, substantially parallel includes elements that are more parallel than perpendicular. In some examples, substantially parallel can include elements that are within five degrees of being parallel.

[0025] In some examples, the first length 225 can be the same or substantially the same distance as a length of the first print head surface 212-1 and/or a length of the second print head surface 212-2. Substantially the same distance can include a difference of five percent between the first length 225 of the first wiper blade 204 and a distance of the first print head surface 212-1 and/or the second print head surface 212-2. In this way, the first wiper blade 204 can extend to interact with the entire surface of the first print head surface 212-1 and/or the second print head surface 212-2. As described herein, the first wiper blade 204 can be utilized to wipe or remove accumulated print substance from the entire surface of the first print head surface 212-1 and/or the second print head surface 212-2. [0026] In some examples, the first wiper blade 204 can extend past the first print head surface 212-1 and/or the second print head surface 212-2. For example, a first portion of the first wiper blade 204 can extend above a top surface of the first print head surface 212-1 and/or the second print head surface 212-2 as illustrated in Figure 1. In this example, a second portion of the first wiper blade 204 can extend below a bottom surface of the first print head surface 212-1 and/or the second print head surface 212-2 as illustrated in Figure 1. In this way, the first wiper blade 204 can be utilized to perform a scan axis wipe of the first print head surface 212-1 and/or the second print head surface 212-2 when the first print head surface 212-1 and/or the second print head surface 212-2 move in the scan axis direction of arrow 201.

[0027] In some examples, the first wiper blade 204 can include a number of slots 208-1, 208-2. In some examples, the first wiper blade 204 can include a first slot 208-1 that corresponds to a first encapsulant 216-1 of the pen surface 214 and a second slot 208-2 that corresponds to a second encapsulant 216-2 of the pen surface 214-1 when the first print head 210-1 is positioned over the first wiper blade 204. In some examples, the first wiper blade 204 can comprise a first slot 208-1 with a distance that corresponds to a distance of a first pen encapsulant 216-1 of the first print head 210-1 and a second slot 208-2 with a distance that corresponds to a distance of a second pen encapsulant 216-2 of the first print head 210-1. That is, when the first wiper blade 204 is the substantially the same distance as the first print head surface 212-1, the distance from a first edge of the first print head surface 212- 1 to a first encapsulant 216-1 can be substantially equal to the distance from a first edge of the first wiper blade 204 to a first slot 208-1. In a similar way, the distance from a second edge of the first print head surface 212-1 to a second encapsulant 216-2 can be substantially equal to the distance from a second edge of the first wiper blade 204 to a second slot 208-2.

[0028] As used herein, the number of slots 208-1 , 208-2 can include portions of a wiper blade (e.g., first wiper blade 204, second wiper blade 206, etc.) that are removed to generate a space. In some examples, the number of slots 208-1 , 208-2 can be spaces to accommodate a corresponding encapsulant (e.g., encapsulants 216-1 , 216-2, 216-3, etc.). In some examples, the number of slots 208-1, 208-2 can be spaces to allow the corresponding encapsulant to pass through with relatively low resistance and allow the remaining portions of the first wiper blade 204 to remove accumulated print substance surrounding the encapsulants 216-1 , 216-2 of the first print head 210-1 and/or encapsulant 216-3 of the second print head 210-2. For example, the slot 208-1 can be positioned such that a first encapsulant 216-1 can pass through the slot 208-1 when the first print head 210 passes by the wiping platform 202. In this example, the slot 208-2 can be positioned such that a second encapsulant 216-2 can pass through the slot 208-2 when the first print head 210-1 passes by the wiping platform 202.

[0029] In some examples, the first wiper blade 204 can include a first portion

205-1 next to or adjacent to a first side of the slot 208-1 and a second portion 205-2 next to or adjacent to a second side of the slot 208-1. In some examples, the first portion 205-1 and the second portion 205-2 can remove accumulated print substance surrounding the first encapsulant 216-1 by contacting the first print head surface 212-1 adjacent to the first encapsulant 216-1 and/or the first pen surface 214-1 adjacent to the first encapsulant 216-1. For example, the first portion 205-1 can be utilized to wipe a portion above the first encapsulant 216-1 as illustrated in Figure 2. In this way, the portion between an edge of the first print head surface 212- 1 and the first encapsulant 216-1 can be wiped by the first portion 205-1 of the first wiper blade 204 as the first print head 210 moves across the wiping platform 202 in the direction of arrow 201. In this example, the second portion 205-2 can be utilized to wipe a portion below the first encapsulant 216-1 as illustrated in Figure 2. In this way, the portion between the first encapsulant 216-1 and the encapsulant 216-2 can be wiped by the second portion 205-2 of the first wiper blade 204 as the first print head 210-1 moves across the wiping platform 202 in the direction of arrow 201. In a similar way, the second slot 208-2 include a third portion 205-3 and a fourth portion 205-4 that can be utilized to wipe an area surrounding the second encapsulant 216-

2.

[0030] In some examples, the first wiper blade 204 can include a portion 207 that can be between the first slot 208-1 and the second slot 208-2. In some examples, the portion 207 can be removed from the first wiper blade 204. In these examples, the first portion 205-1 and the fourth portion 205-4 can remain without the first slot 208-1 and/or the second slot 208-2 to wipe a portion above the first encapsulant 216-1 and a portion below the second encapsulant 216-2 as illustrated in Figure 2. For example, the portion 207 of the first wiper blade 204 can be a space between the first portion 205-1 and the fourth portion 205-4. The removal of portion 207 can lower the resistance of the first wiper blade 204 during a wipe of the first print head surface 212-1. In these examples, the second wiper blade 206 can be utilized to wipe or remove accumulated print substance from the first pen surface 214-1 while the first portion 205-1 wipes a portion of the first print head surface 212- 1 above the first encapsulant 216-1 and while the fourth portion 205-4 wipes a portion of the first print head surface 212-1 below the second encapsulant 216-2 as illustrated in Figure 2.

[0031] As described herein, the portion 207 can be removed to utilize a first portion 205-1 and a fourth portion 205-4 with or without the first slot 208-1 and/or the second slot 208-2 to wipe or remove accumulated print substance in areas not reached by the second wiper blade 206. In some examples, the first portion 205-1 can extend a distance that covers an area from a top portion of the first print head surface 212-1 to a bottom portion of the first encapsulant 216-1. That is, the first portion 205-1 can extend to wipe or remove accumulated print substance that is not removed by the second wiper blade 206 when the second wiper blade 206 fits between the first encapsulant 216-1 and the second encapsulant 216-2. In a similar way, the fourth portion 205-4 can extend a distance that covers an area from a bottom portion of the first print head surface 212 to a top portion of the second encapsulant 216-2. In this way, the first portion 205-1 can be utilized to wipe an area of the first print head surface 212-1 that is above the second wiper blade 206 and the fourth portion 205-4 can be utilized to wipe an area of the first print head surface 212-1 that is below the second wiper blade 206 as illustrated in Figure 2.

[0032] In some examples, the slots 208-1 , 208-2 can include a portion of removed material from the first wiper blade 204 that is a distance 217 that corresponds to a corresponding encapsulant (e.g., first encapsulant 216-1 , etc.). In some examples, a width or distance 215 of the first encapsulant 216-1 can be utilized to determine the distance 217 or width of the slot 208-1. In some examples, the distance 217 can be the same or substantially the same as distance 215. In this way, the slot 208-1 can allow the first encapsulant 216-1 to move past the first wiper blade 204 with relatively low resistance. In other examples, the distance 217 can be relatively smaller than the distance 215 to allow the portions 205-1 , 205-2 to interact with corresponding edges of the first encapsulant 216-1.

[0033] In some examples, the portions 205-1 , 205-2 can interact with a portion of the first encapsulant 216-1 as the first print head 210-1 moves across the wiping platform 202 in the direction of arrow 201 when the distance 217 is relatively smaller than the distance 215. In these examples, the portions 205-1 , 205-2 can be moved by the first encapsulant 216-1 and return to an original position once the first encapsulant 216-1 has moved past the first wiper blade 204 in the direction of arrow 201. In these examples, the portions 205-1 , 205-2 can be utilized to wipe area 219 on the left side of the first encapsulant 216-1 as illustrated in Figure 2. In addition, the portions 205-1 , 205-2 can be utilized to wipe an area on the right side of the first encapsulant 216-1 opposite to the area 219 as illustrated in Figure 2.

[0034] In some examples, the wiping platform 202 can include a second wiper blade 206. In some examples, the second wiper blade 206 can be positioned at a second angle (e.g., angle 226, etc.) on the wiping platform 202. In some examples, the second angle is different than the first angle (e.g., angle 228, etc.) with respect to the first pen surface 214-1 and/or second pen surface 214-2. In some examples, the second angle of the second wiper blade 206 can be angle 226 that can be between line 224-3 and a surface of the second wiper blade 206. In some examples, the angle 226 can be approximately 100 degrees. For example, the angle 226 can be an angle between 95 and 105 degrees. In some examples, the first wiper blade 204 can be positioned on the wiping platform 202 in a non-parallel location to the second wiper blade 206. As used herein, a non-parallel location can be a location where the first wiper blade 204 is not parallel with the second wiper blade 206.

[0035] As described herein, the second wiper blade 206 can be a second length 223 such that the second wiper blade 206 can fit between a first encapsulant 216-1 and a second encapsulant 216-2 to wipe or remove accumulated print substance from the pen surface 214-1. In some examples, the second wiper blade 206 can extend a distance 223 that is equal to a distance of the pen surface 214-1 at the second angle (e.g., angle 226, etc.). In some examples, the second wiper blade 206 can include a slot 222. In some examples, the slot 222 can be the same or similar type of slot as slot 108-1 or slot 108-2 as referenced in Figure 1. For example, the slot 222 can be a portion of removed material from the second wiper blade 206 to allow an encapsulant (e.g., encapsulant 216-4, etc.) to move within the slot 222 and reduce resistance. For example, the slot 222 can be utilized to provide better compliance with the protrusion created by the encapsulant 216-4 which can provide more effective wiping of the area surrounding the encapsulant 216-4. In some examples, the slot 222 can be aligned with encapsulant 216-4 such that the slot 222 passes over or around the encapsulant 216-4 when the print head 210-2 moves past the wiping platform 202 in the direction of arrow 201. In this way, the second wiper blade 206 can be utilized to remove material between encapsulant 216-3 and encapsulant 216-4.

[0036] Although not illustrated in Figure 2, the first wiper blade 204 can also include a number of slots (e.g., slot 108-1 , slot 108-2 as referenced in Figure 1 , etc.) that are aligned with the encapsulants 216-1 , 216-2, 216-3, 216-4 of the first print head 210-1 and/or the second print head 210-2. In this way, the first wiper blade 204 can move across the first print head surface 212-1 and/or the second print head surface 212-2 with relatively less resistance as described herein. Thus, in some examples, the first wiper blade 204 and the second wiper blade 206 can include slots to pass around the encapsulants 216-1, 216-2, 216-3, 216-4 of the first print head 210-1 and/or the second print head 210-2.

[0037] Figure 3 is an example system 300 for a wiping platform 302 consistent with the present disclosure. In some examples, the system 300 can illustrate a print zone of a printing device. For example, the system 300 can include a print head track 334 that can be utilized to mechanically move a first print head 310-1 and/or a second print head 310-2 along the direction of double arrow 301. In some examples, the print head track 334 can move the first print head 310-1 and/or the second print head 310-2 from a print substance deposition area 336 to a wiping area 338, and/or capping area 339. As used herein, the print substance deposition area 336 can be an area of the system 300 where a print substance is deposited on to a print medium. As used herein, the wiping area 338 can be an area of the system 300 where a wiping platform 302 can wipe or remove accumulated print substance from the first print head 310-1 and/or the second print head 310-2 as described herein.

[0038] In some examples, the capping area 339 can include a first cap 332-1 to store or cap the first print head 310-1 and a second cap 332-2 to store or cap the second print head 310-2. As used herein a cap, such as the first cap 332-1 and/or the second cap 332-2, can be utilized to seal a corresponding pen surface (e.g., a first pen surface 314-1 , a second pen surface, 314-2, etc.) to prevent coagulation or solidification of the print substance on the corresponding pen surface, which could damage the corresponding pen surface.

[0039] As described herein, the system 300 can include a first print head 310- 1 that includes a first print head surface 312-1 and a first pen surface 314-1. In addition, the first print head 310-1 can include a first encapsulant 316-1 on a first side of the first pen surface 314-1 and a second encapsulant 316-2 on a second side of the first pen surface 314-1. Furthermore, the system 300 can include a second print head 310-2 that includes a second print head surface 312-2 and a second pen surface 314-2. In addition, the second print head 310-2 can include a third encapsulant 316-3 on a first side of the second pen surface 314-2 and a fourth encapsulant 316-4 on a second side of the second pen surface 314-2.

[0040] In some examples, the wiping area 338 can be positioned between the deposition area 336 and the capping area 339. In some examples, the wiping area 338 can include a wiping platform 302 that is capable of changing between an active position and a deactivated position. As used herein, an active position can be a raised position to allow a first wiper blade 304 and/or a second wiper blade 306 to interact with a surface (e.g., first print head surface 312-1 , second print head surface 312-2, etc.) of the first print head 310-1 and/or the second print head 310-2. For example, the wiping platform 302 can be activated by raising a level of the wiping platform 302 to a level that allows the first wiper blade 304 and/or a second wiper blade 306 to interact with a surface of the first print head 310-1 and/or the second print head 310-2.

[0041] As used herein, a deactivated position can be a lowered position of the wiping platform 302 to allow the first print head 310-1 and/or the second print head 310-2 to move past the wiping area 338 without contacting the first wiper blade 304 and/or the second wiper blade 306. Thus, the wiping platform 302 can be lowered such that the first wiper blade 304 and/or the second wiper blade 306 are not capable of physically interacting with a surface of the first print head 310-1 and/or the second print head 310-2.

[0042] In some examples, the first wiper blade 304 can be substantially perpendicular to a scan-axis of the print head track 334 and the second wiper blade 306 can be at an angle to the scan-axis of the print head track 334. As used herein, the scan-axis of the print head track 334 can be an axis along the double arrow 301. For example, the scan-axis of the print head track 334 can include a plane or axis of movement of the first print head 310-1 and/or the second print head 310-2 defined by the print head track 334.

[0043] In some examples, the wiping platform 302 can be parallel or substantially parallel to the print head track 334. For example, the print head track 334 can extend from the print substance deposition area 336 to the capping area 339. In this example, a surface of the wiping platform 302 can be substantially parallel with the scan-axis of the print head track 334. In this example, the wiping platform 302 can be positioned below the print head track 334 such that the surface of the wiping platform 302 is aligned with the print head track 334.

[0044] In some examples, the first wiper blade 304 can comprise a material with a first quantity of an additive and the second wiper blade 306 can comprise the material with a second quantity of the additive. As described further herein with reference to Figure 4, the additive can be an oil material, black carbon material, and/or other type of reinforcement material to alter a hardness of the material of a particular wiper blade. In these examples, the first quantity of the additive can produce a material with a first hardness and the second quantity of the additive can produce a material with a second hardness. For example, the additive can be a reinforcement material to increase a hardness of a material such as rubber. In this example, a greater quantity of the additive can result in a relatively harder material.

In some examples, the hardness of the material used for a particular wiper blade can be based on a level of resistance that is acceptable for applying on the first print head 310-1 and/or the second print head 310-2 during a wipe. As described herein, the hardness level of the material can be based on a resistance threshold for the first print head 310-1 and/or the second print head 310-2 during a wiping process utilizing the first wiper blade 304 and/or the second wiper blade 306.

[0045] Figure 4 is an example wiper blade 406 for a wiping platform consistent with the present disclosure. In some examples, the wiper blade 406 can be the same or similar wiper blade as wiper blade 104 or wiper blade 106 as referenced in Figure 1. In other examples, the wiper blade 406 can be the same or similar wiper blade as wiper blade 204 or wiper blade 206 as referenced in Figure 2. Furthermore, in some examples, the wiper blade 406 can be the same or similar wiper blade as wiper blade 304 or wiper blade 306 as referenced in Figure 3.

[0046] In some examples, the wiper blade 406 can be coupled to a wiping platform (e.g., wiping platform 102 as referenced in Figure 1, wiping platform 202 as referenced in Figure 2, wiping blade 302 as referenced in Figure 3, etc.). As described herein, the wiper blade 406 can include a slot 422. Even though a single slot 422 is illustrated in Figure 4, the wiper blade 406 can include a plurality of slots or may include no slots. In some examples, the quantity of slots can correspond to a quantity of encapsulants that the wiper blade 406 may contact or pass over during a wiping process. For example, the wiper blade 406 can include the slot 422 when the wiper blade 406 passes over a single corresponding encapsulant. In some examples, as illustrated in Figure 2, the wiper blade 406 may include a length 456 that corresponds to a length between a first encapsulant and a second encapsulant of a first pen surface of a first print head. In these examples, the slot 422 may be aligned with an encapsulant of a second pen surface of a second print head when the encapsulant is aligned within the first pen surface of the first print head.

[0047] In some examples, the wiper blade 406 can include a base portion 452. In some examples, the base portion 452 can be utilized to couple the wiper blade 406 to a wiping platform (e.g., wiping platform 102 as referenced in Figure 1 , etc.). In some examples, the wiper blade 406 can be coupled to the wiping platform utilizing an adhesive material and/or mechanical features. For example, the base portion 452 of the wiper blade 406 can be coupled to the wiping platform with a screw type or bolt type mechanism. In this example, a screw or bolt can be positioned through the wiping platform and through the base portion 452 to couple the base portion 452 to the surface of the wiping platform. In some examples, the wiper blade 406 can be over molded on the wiping platform and/or a protrusion (e.g., wiper holder, etc.) of the wiping platform. In some examples, the base portion 452 can include a locking mechanism, such as a snap fit locking mechanism. In these examples, the locking mechanism can be snapped into a receiving position of the wiping platform. As used herein, a snap fit locking mechanism can include flexible parts that can form a locked product by pushing interlocking components together. In some examples, the snap fit locking mechanism can include cantilevers, torsional, and/or annular components that can be coupled together.

[0048] In some examples, the wiper blade 406 can include a tip portion 454. In some examples, the tip portion 454 can be a portion of the wiper blade 406 that interacts with a surface of a print head to wipe or remove accumulated print substance from the surface. In some examples, the tip portion 454 can be relatively thinner than the base portion 452. For example, the base portion 452 can include a first width 458 and the tip portion 454 can include a second width 460. In this example, the first width 458 can be greater than the second width. In some examples, a relatively thinner tip portion can reduce resistance during an interaction between the wiper blade 406 and the surface of a print head while maintaining rigidity of the base portion 452.

[0049] In some examples, the wiper blade 406 can include a polymer or rubber material. In some examples, the wiper blade 406 can include a particular hardness level. As used herein, a hardness level can represent a materials resistance to indentation. For example, a material with a relatively higher hardness can have a greater resistance to indentation or flexing while a material with a relatively lower hardness can have a lower resistance to indentation or flexing.

[0050] In some examples, hardness level of the wiper blade 406 can be affected by a plurality of features of the wiper blade 406. For example, the hardness level of the wiper blade 406 can be affected by dimensions of the wiper blade 406 and/or shore hardness of the material of the wiper blade 406. For example, the hardness level of the wiper blade 406 can be altered by altering the length 456 of the base portion 452, height 462 of the tip portion 454, width 458 of the base portion 452, and/or width 460 of the tip portion 454. In this example, an increase in the length 456, width 458, and/or width 460 can result in an increased hardness level and a decrease in the length 456, width 458, and/or width 460 can result in a decreased hardness level. In some examples, an increase in the height 462 can result in a decreased hardness level and a decrease in the height 462 can result in an increased hardness level.

[0051] In some examples, the material of the wiper blade 406 can be altered to alter a hardness level of the wiper blade 406. For example, additives can be added to the material of the wiper blade 406 to alter the hardness. As used herein, an additive is a substance added to a material to alter the physical properties of the material. In some examples, additives can include oils, carbon, carbon black that are added during a manufacturing process of the material. For example, a first rubber material can be manufactured with a first quantity of carbon black that results in the first rubber material having a first hardness level. In this example, a second rubber material can be manufactured with a second quantity of carbon black that results in the second rubber material having a second hardness level. In this example, the first quantity of carbon black and the second quantity of carbon black can be the difference between the first rubber material and the second rubber material. In this example, the first rubber material can be relatively harder than the second rubber material when the first quantity of carbon black is greater than the second quantity of carbon black. In these examples, the relatively harder material can be utilized by a wiper blade 106 as referenced in Figure 1 and the relatively softer material can be utilized by wiper blade 104 as illustrated in Figure 1. That is, a wiper blade utilized to remove accumulated print substance from a pen surface (e.g., pen surface 114 as illustrated in Figure 1, etc.) can be relatively harder than a wiper blade utilized to remove accumulated print substance from the print head surface (e.g., print head surface 112 as illustrated in Figure 1 , etc.).

[0052] As described herein, a wiping platform can include a first wiper blade that comprises a first hardness and a second wiper blade that comprises a second hardness. In some examples, the first hardness can be less than the second hardness when the first wiper blade is relatively longer than the second wiper blade. For example, the first wiper blade can be longer and result in a relatively lower resistance when interacting with a print head surface compared to a second wiper blade that is relatively shorter since the first hardness is less than the second hardness. In this example, the first wiper blade can include a material that has a relatively higher hardness level to lower a resistance of the first wiper blade. In this example, the second wiper blade can be relatively shorter than the first wiper blade and include a material that has a relatively higher hardness level. In this way, the resistance of the first wiper blade and the second wiper blade can be the same or similar.

[0053] In some examples, a resistance between wiper blades of a wiping platform can be altered by altering the dimensions, hardness level, and/or level of interaction between the tip portion 454 of a wiper blade 406 and a print head surface. In some examples, the resistance created by the wiper blades of the wiping platform can be utilized to remove the accumulated print substance or other materials from the print head surface and/or pen surface of the print head. However, the resistance created by the wiper blades may damage the print heads, print head track, or other devices associated with the print zone if the resistance exceeds a threshold resistance. Thus, altering the resistance of the wiper blades such as wiper blade 406 can increase the wiping capability without damaging the devices of the print zone.

[0054] The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the method and applications and use of the system and method of the present disclosure. Since many examples can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the system and method of the present disclosure, this specification merely sets forth some of the many possible example configurations and implementations.

Claims

What is claimed:

1. A wiping platform, comprising:

a first wiper blade positioned at a first angle on the wiping platform, wherein the first angle is substantially parallel with respect to a pen surface of a print head surface; and

a second wiper blade positioned at a second angle on the wiping platform, wherein the second angle is different than the first angle with respect to the pen surface of the print head surface.

2. The wiping platform of claim 1 , wherein the first wiper blade extends a distance that is substantially equal to a distance of the print head surface.

3. The wiping platform of claim 1 , wherein the first wiper blade includes a first slot that corresponds to a first encapsulant of the pen surface and a second slot that corresponds to a second encapsulant of the pen surface when the print head is positioned over the first wiper blade.

4. The wiping platform of claim 1 , wherein the second wiper blade extends a distance that is equal to a distance of the pen surface at the second angle.

5. The wiping platform of claim 1 , wherein the first wiper blade and the second wiper blade are positioned between a print substance deposition area and a pen capping area to provide a scan axis wipe of the print head surface.

6. A system, comprising:

a print head track to move a print head from a first end to a second end of a print zone;

a wiping platform positioned between the first end and the second end of the print zone;

a first wiper blade positioned on the wiping platform, wherein the first wiper blade comprises a first hardness; and a second wiper blade positioned on the wiping platform, wherein the second wiper blade comprises a second hardness that is different than the first hardness.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first hardness is lower than the second hardness.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the first wiper blade is substantially perpendicular to a scan-axis of the print head track and the second wiper blade is at an angle to the scan-axis of the print head track.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the wiping platform is parallel to the print head track.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the first wiper blade comprises a material with a first quantity of an additive and the second wiper blade comprises the material with a second quantity of the additive.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first quantity of the additive produces the material with the first hardness and the second quantity of the additive produces the material with the second hardness.

12. The system of claim 6, wherein the first wiper blade comprises a first slot with a distance that corresponds to a distance of a first pen encapsulant of the print head and a second slot with a distance that corresponds to a distance of a second pen encapsulant of the print head.

13. A print zone, comprising:

a wiping platform positioned between a print substance deposit end and a pen capping end of the print zone;

a first wiper blade positioned on the wiping platform at a first angle that is substantially parallel with respect to a pen surface of a print head, wherein the first wiper blade comprises a first shore hardness; and a second wiper blade positioned on the wiping platform at a second angle that is angled with respect to the pen surface of the print head, wherein the second wiper blade comprises a second shore hardness that is different than the first shore hardness.

14. The print zone of claim 13, wherein the first wiper blade is positioned on the wiping platform in a non-parallel location to the second wiper blade.

15. The print zone of claim 13, wherein the first wiper blade and the second wiper blade are positioned on the wiping platform to provide a scan axis wipe of the print head.