Re: LaserJet 4L

[mjmahon@aol.com (Michael J. Mahon)]

Jeff Blakeney wrote:

>For many years now I have wanted to get a Canon bubblejet printer and
>still haven't.  If I ever do get a colour printer, I will definitely
>check into bubblejets again.  However, I have heard that some of the
>new inkjet printers now replace the print heads when you change the
>ink cartridge as well so Canon's advantage here may no longer exist.

HP and Canon both independently developed thermal inkjet technology,
and, when they discovered this in the early 80s, they reached a limited
licensing agreement.

HP's original idea was to use silicon photolithography processes to
fabricate the head/jet assembly, and that is the process they have
always used.  Canon adopted a similar technology.

Both types of cartridges have always had an integral head/jets,
and so was replaced anytime the cartridge was replaced.

Epson uses a piezoelectric drop generator that has a higher
fabrication cost, and has generally chosen to replace the ink
cartridge independently of the print head/jets.

Most later entrants have opted for thermal inkjet technology
because of its lower complexity and convenient head replacement.

-michael

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