METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING INKJET HEAD

Abstract

A method for manufacturing an inkjet head having a pressure chamber that stores ink, a nozzle that is provided at the pressure chamber and ejects the ink, and an actuator that changes an internal pressure of the pressure chamber to eject the ink in the pressure chamber through the nozzle is provided. The method includes the steps of: forming the actuator on a substrate by using one of a liquid phase method and a vapor phase method to fabricate an upper structure; separating the upper structure from the substrate; forming a lower structure having the pressure chamber, independently of the substrate; and joining the upper structure and the lower structure together.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view in part of an inkjet head in accordance with in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a bottom side of the inkjet head shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A-3D are views showing steps of manufacturing the inkjet head shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4A-4D are views showing steps of manufacturing the inkjet head shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a silicon substrate, for describing a manufacturing process.

FIGS. 6A-6C are views showing steps of manufacturing the inkjet head shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 7A-7C are views showing steps of manufacturing the inkjet head shown in FIG. 1.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an inkjet head having a pressure chamber that stores ink, a nozzle that is provided at the pressure chamber and ejects the ink, and an actuator that changes an internal pressure of the pressure chamber to eject the ink in the pressure chamber through the nozzle, the method comprising the steps of: forming the actuator on a substrate by using one of a liquid phase method and a vapor phase method to fabricate an upper structure;separating the upper structure from the substrate;forming a lower structure having the pressure chamber, independently of the substrate; andjoining the upper structure and the lower structure together.

2. A method for manufacturing an inkjet head according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is formed from a piezoelectric element.

3. A method for manufacturing an inkjet head according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is a silicon substrate.

4. A method for manufacturing an inkjet head according to claim 1, wherein the lower structure is formed by an electroforming method.

5. A method for manufacturing an inkjet head according to claim 1, wherein the lower structure is composed of one of Ni and Ni alloy.

6. A method for manufacturing an inkjet head according to claim 1, wherein the step of separating the upper structure from the substrate includes polishing the substrate by a chemical mechanical polishing method to thereby remove the substrate from the upper structure.