The present invention relates to a printer system that incorporates an
electrically addressable array of micro electro-mechanical switches of
arbitrary width. In one embodiment, array of micro electro-mechanical
switches of arbitrary width that comprises an electrostatic array used to
attract fusible toner or electrically charged ink droplets from a hopper
or ink jet assembly to a piece of paper or other printable substrate. The
electrostatic array uses electrostatic latching to create the charged
environment to allow the toner or ink to be attracted from the hopper or
ink jet assembly toward the array. A piece of paper is interposed between
the array and the hopper or ink jet assembly. Additional micro
electro-mechanical switches control the release of the ink droplets from
the ink jet assembly. The micro electro-mechanical switches each comprise
a sealed cell that relies on pneumatic restoration forces to insure that
switch contacts can be successfully broken as desired.