Patent attributes
A method and system for detecting the alignment of print heads relative to one another in an ink jet printer having a plurality of print heads arranged side-by-side in a first direction (Y) on a carriage, each print head having a conductive nozzle plate which defines an edge that extends in said first direction (Y), wherein a sensor is used for determining the position of a reference mark formed on the print head, the sensor being used to measure the capacitance between the nozzle plate, serving as the reference mark, and the sensor, said alignment detection including the steps of moving the carriage) relative to the sensor in said first direction (Y) into a first position (“b”) where said sensor) extends across the edge of one print head and a second position (“d”) where the sensor extends across the edge) of another print head, measuring the capacitances in said first and second positions, and comparing the measured capacitances, thereby determining the relative position of said print heads in a second direction (X) orthogonal to said first direction (Y).
