CPC B41J 29/377 (2013.01) [B41J 3/407 (2013.01); B41J 11/001 (2013.01); B41J 11/0015 (2013.01); B41J 3/28 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. A method, comprising:
using a gas cushion substrate support to support a substrate, the gas cushion substrate support comprising a metal support surface and a plurality of holes formed through the metal support surface;
flowing a gas through a gas conduit and through the plurality of holes to form a gas cushion between the substrate and the metal support surface to support the substrate;
depositing a print material on the substrate while the substrate is supported by the gas cushion; and
thermally controlling the substrate by adjusting a flowrate of the gas, adjusting a temperature of the gas using a thermal control system coupled to the gas conduit, or both.
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12. A method, comprising:
using a gas cushion substrate support to support a substrate, the gas cushion substrate support comprising a metal support surface and a plurality of holes formed through the metal support surface;
flowing a gas through a gas conduit and through the plurality of holes to form a gas cushion between the substrate and the metal support surface to support the substrate;
exhausting gas from the gas cushion through a plurality of gas escape passages formed through the gas cushion substrate support;
depositing a print material on the substrate while the substrate is supported by the gas cushion; and
thermally controlling the substrate by adjusting a flowrate of the gas, adjusting a temperature of the gas using a thermal control system coupled to the gas conduit, or both.
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19. A method, comprising:
using a gas cushion substrate support to support a substrate, the gas cushion substrate support comprising a metal top member, a support plate, and a plurality of holes formed through the metal support member and the support plate;
flowing a gas through a gas conduit and through the plurality of holes to form a gas cushion between the substrate and the metal support surface to support the substrate;
exhausting gas from the gas cushion through a plurality of gas escape passages formed through the top member and the support plate;
depositing a print material on the substrate while the substrate is supported by the gas cushion;
controlling the gas cushion by controlling a flowrate of the gas; and
thermally controlling the substrate by adjusting a temperature of the gas using a thermal control system coupled to the gas conduit, the thermal control system comprising a thermal unit that circulates and controls a thermal medium and a heat exchanger that thermally couples the thermal medium with the gas.
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