Method for providing particle-free ink jet printer components

(19)

(11)

EP 0 854 040 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	17.03.1999 Bulletin 1999/11

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	22.07.1998 Bulletin 1998/30

(21)	Application number: 98300078.7

(22)	Date of filing: 07.01.1998

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁶: B41J 2/16

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30)

Priority:

21.01.1997 US 786559

(71)	Applicant: Scitex Digital Printing, Inc.
	Dayton, Ohio 45420-4099 (US)

(72)	Inventor:
	Katerberg, James A. Kettering, Ohio 45429 (US)

(74)	Representative: Freed, Arthur Woolf et al
	Reginald W. Barker & Co., Chancery House, 53-64, Chancery Lane London, WC2A 1QU London, WC2A 1QU (GB)

(54)	Method for providing particle-free ink jet printer components

(57) A method is provided for improving the operation of ink jet components. The components are machined using known, conventional machining techniques. All of the machined surfaces are then treated using non-abrasive, intrinsically leveling polishing processes to eliminate particulate sources. The conventional machining may be any known technique, such as electro discharge machining. The polishing processes include, but are not limited to, electrochemical means such as electropolishing, electrochemical deburring, and electrochemical grinding. The polishing processes may further comprise vapor polishing, and laser treatment to reflow the machined surface.

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