A capping system has a cap for capping an ink jet print head, and a supporting structure for mechanically engaging and disengaging the cap with the ink jet print head. The cap has a vent. When the supporting structure engages the cap with the ink jet print head, the cap covers the ink jet print head to cap the ink jet print head. The vent in the cap ensures that the pressure inside the volume of the cap equalizes with the pressure outside the volume of the cap. This prevents overpressure within the cap.

A service station for use in servicing one or more inkjet print cartridges includes a service station sled assembly movably attached to a service station chassis. The sled assembly includes at least one wiper and at least one cap. In one embodiment, the service station includes a cam and cam follower that interact to move the sled assembly. The cam is shaped so that movement of the cam to a first position causes each cap to contact a printhead of a corresponding inkjet print cartridge. Movement of the cam to a second position causes the cap to move away from the printhead and moves the wiper into a wiping position. In another embodiment, a service station according to the invention for use with a facsimile machine including inkjet printing apparatus includes a motor that is positioned so as to minimize the footprint of the service station. A method according to the invention includes the steps of positioning a print carriage adjacent to a service station including a sled assembly, and rotating a cam of the service station such that a cam follower of the sled assembly interacts with the cam to cause movement of the sled assembly.

A maintenance apparatus simplifies the cam mechanism for moving a capping mechanism and wiper mechanism, thereby making the printer smaller. A maintenance apparatus 30 has a capping mechanism 40 for covering or sealing the nozzle surface 15 of a print head 12 having nozzles for discharging ink droplets, a wiper mechanism 50 for wiping the nozzle surface 15 of the print head 12, and a cam 60. The cam 60 is rotatably disposed solid of revolution having on the side thereof a first cam channel 61 for moving the capping mechanism 40 and a cam channel 62 for moving the wiper mechanism 50.

An imaging apparatus includes a frame and a maintenance sled movably coupled to the frame. The maintenance sled includes a carrier engagement member. A printhead carrier is coupled to the frame. A carrier motor is drivably coupled to the printhead carrier. A controller is coupled to the carrier motor. The controller controls the carrier motor to drive the printhead carrier at a first velocity and at a second velocity. The second velocity is lower than the first velocity. The printhead carrier is controlled to move at the first velocity toward the maintenance sled, wherein prior to the printhead carrier contacting the carrier engagement member of the maintenance sled, the printhead carrier is decelerated from the first velocity to the second velocity.