closed the air valve molding 66 has a cam follower 70 extending from one end thereof which engages an air valve cam surface 71 on an end cap 74 of the platen 14 so as to selectively move the air valve molding longitudinally within the air duct 41 according to the rotational positional of the multi function platen 14 which may be rotated between printing capping and blotting positions depending on the operational status of the printer as will be described below in more detail with reference to fig2 to 24 when the platen 14 is in its rotational position for printing the cam holds the air valve in its open position to supply air to the print chip surface whereas when the platen is rotated to the non printing position in which it caps off the micro apertures of the nozzle guard the cam moves the air valve molding to the valve closed position with reference to fig2 to 24 the platen member 14 extends parallel to the printhead supported by a rotary shaft 73 mounted in bearing molding 18 and rotatable by means of gear 79 see fig3 the shaft is provided with a right hand end cap 74 and left hand end cap 75 at respective ends having cams 76 77 the platen member 14 has a platen surface 78 a capping portion 80 and an exposed blotting portion 81 extending along its length each separated by 120 u00b0 during printing the platen member is rotated so that the platen surface 78 is positioned opposite the printhead so that the platen surface acts as a support for that portion of the paper being printed at the time when the printer is not in use the platen member is rotated.