Lars Erik Swartz

AirJet paper mover: an example of mesoscale MEMS

The motion of human scale objects requires MEMS-like device arrays capable of providing reasonable forces (

Integrated Parallel Printing Systems with Hypermodular Architecture

GTR mN) over human scale distances (10-100 cm). In principle batch fabricated values controlling air jets can satisfy these actuation requirements. By extending printed circuit board technology to include electromechanical actuation, analogous to the extension of VLSI to MEMS, the requirement of low system cost can be achieved through batch fabrication and integration of the transduction elements with computational and communication elements. In this paper we show that modulated air jets arrayed with position sensors can support and accelerate flexible media without physical contact. Precise motion control with three degrees of freedom parallel to the array, using high flow, low pressure air jet arrays is enabled using electrostatic valves having opening and closing times of approximately equals 1 ms. We present results of an exemplary platform based on printed circuit board technologies, having an array of 576 electrostatic flap valvves (1152 for double-sided actuation) and associated oriented jets, and an integrated array of 32,000 optical sensors for high resolution detection of paper edge positions. Under closed loop control edge positioning has a standard deviation of approximately equals 25 microns. Fabrication and control of the system is described.

Modular air jet array with coanda exhausting for module decoupling

We describe here a system consisting of multiple, relatively inexpensive marking engines. The marking engines are interconnected using highly reconfigurable paper paths. The paths are composed of hypermodules (bidirectional nip assemblies and sheet director assemblies) each of which has its own computation, sensing, actuation, and communications capabilities. Auto-identification is used to inform a system level controller of the potential paths through the system as well as module capabilities. Motion control of cut sheets, which of necessity reside physically within multiple hypermodules simultaneously, requires a new abstraction, namely a sheet controller which coordinates control of a given sheet as it moves through the system. Software/hardware co-design has provided a system architecture that is scalable without requiring user relearning. Here the capabilities are described of an exemplary system consisting of 160 modular entities and four marking engines. The throughput of the system is very nearly four times that of a single print engine.