Breaking Down the Technology Behind Industrial Inkjet Printers

Breaking Down the Technology Behind Industrial Inkjet Printers

Industrial inkjet printers are widely used across various industries such as packaging, textile, and automotive for their capability to print variable data, images, and coding in high resolution and high speed. Although we see the end result of the printed output, not many of us know what goes into making it happen. In this article, we will break down the technology behind industrial inkjet printers, how they work, and their benefits.

How Do Inkjet Printers Work?

Inkjet printers work by spraying ink through a nozzle onto the printing material. For industrial inkjet printers, there are two types: drop-on-demand (DOD) and continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers.

DOD printers create drops of ink only when required, and these drops can be created through either thermal or piezoelectric methods. Thermal DOD printers work by electronically heating up a small resistor to a temperature that causes the ink to vaporize and form a bubble. The bubble then expands, forcing a drop of ink out of the nozzle onto the printing material. In piezoelectric DOD printers, the ink is expelled from the nozzle through the use of a piezoelectric crystal that vibrates when an electrical charge is applied to it, creating pressure that forces the ink out.

CIJ printers, on the other hand, emit a continuous stream of ink droplets, which are then jetted through an electrostatic field. The charged droplets are then either deflected or allowed to pass through, depending on their charge, and then directed onto the printing material.

Components of an Industrial Inkjet Printer

Industrial inkjet printers have various components that assist in the printing process. These components include:

1. Ink Supply System: Industrial inkjet printers require high volumes of ink to function, and therefore, have an ink supply system that includes ink reservoirs and pumps to supply the ink to the printhead.

2. Printhead: The printhead is the part of the printer that emits ink droplets. It includes nozzles, ink channels, and element deflectors (for CIJ printers). The design of the printhead depends on the printing application, including the required resolution, ink type, and printing speed.

3. Software: The software includes a user interface that allows the user to control the printing process, set parameters, and upload artwork for printing.

4. Hardware: The hardware includes the mechanical components of the printer, such as the printing bed, conveyors, and sensors.

5. UV Curing System (optional): Some industrial inkjet printers come with UV curing systems that allow the wet ink to dry and cure quickly after printing.

Benefits of Industrial Inkjet Printers

Industrial inkjet printers offer numerous benefits over traditional printing methods, including:

1. High-Speed Printing: Industrial inkjet printers can print at high speeds, reducing production time and increasing output.

2. High-Quality Printing: The high-resolution capability of industrial inkjet printers makes it possible to print detailed graphics, texts, and barcodes.

3. Cost-Effective: Industrial inkjet printers eliminate the need for plates, screens, and other physical printing materials, reducing printing costs for high-volume printing runs.

4. Versatile: Industrial inkjet printers can print on a variety of materials, including paper, cardboard, plastic, and metal.

5. Environmentally Friendly: Inkjet technology produces less waste than traditional printing methods, reducing environmental impact.

Conclusion

Industrial inkjet printers have revolutionized the printing industry, providing a cost-effective, high-speed, and high-quality printing solution that is versatile and environmentally friendly. Understanding the technology behind industrial inkjet printers can help businesses make informed decisions when choosing a printing solution that meets their needs and requirements.