Product category:
Inkjet, Laser, Digital, Thermal, Graphics, Wide Format Printing Systems
News Release from: Xaar | Subject: Inkjet printheads
Edited by the Printingtalk Editorial
Team on 09 November 2004
3D Inkjet Printing Possible With
Versatile Heads
California-based Solid Terrain Modelling (STM), manufacturer of 3D solid terrain models, is the first organisation to benefit from Xaar's new pressure-controlled Ink Supply System.
California-based Solid Terrain Modelling (STM), manufacturer of 3D solid terrain models, is the first organisation to benefit from Xaar's new pressure-controlled Ink Supply System Having used Xaar's printhead technology for almost five years since the company was launched in 2000, STM was selected by Xaar to beta test its new ink supply technology
This article was originally published on Printingtalk on 16 Apr 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Xaar specifically chose STM because of the challenges presented by its printing application, where X, Y and Z forces are exerted within a printhead.
The test is now complete and has been deemed a success said Xaar.
"From the inception of Solid Terrain Modelling, Xaar has been the difference between the possible and the impossible.
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Xaar has approved Fujifilm Sericol's Color+ XV ink for use with the company's XJ-128/40W and XJ-126/50 inkjet printheads.
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We run Xaar's printheads in our two printers, and from the outset we found working with Xaar inkjet printheads very straightforward.
Xaar's products have the quality and resilience we expected and as a result, we were more than willing to beta test Xaar's new pressure-controlled Ink Supply System, as our particular printing method presents a real challenge in this respect.
The solution has been successfully operated in our machines and we believe that this product is an effective solution to the often complex problem of ink control and supply," commented Lawrence Faulkner, president of Solid Terrain Modelling.
"Given the complexities of ink pressure regulation, STM presented Xaar with the opportunity to test our peripheral systems in a high pressure and technically demanding environment," said Keith Smith, Xaar's sales manager in the Americas.
"As a leader in inkjet printhead technology, we have been focusing our attention on developing a range of peripherals to meet the needs of our customers, some of which were introduced at Drupa 2004.
What we provide now is a 'one-stop shop' of solutions, speeding up time-to-market and reducing cost by removing whole phases of R and D, therefore streamlining the process of developing inkjet printing solutions," he added.
Lawrence Faulkner and Mark Fisher, co-founders of STM, first discovered Xaar when it became clear to them that inkjet was the only printing solution capable of applying ink onto the gradients of a 3D model, bringing valleys and minute crevices to life, as well as producing the rich, high-quality full colour photo-realistic imagery that STM had in mind.
As well as fulfilling those requirements, Xaar's printheads are able to manoeuvre in a 3D fashion over a substrate, as well as operating at variable speeds according to the density of detail on a terrain model, setting them apart from the competition claimed Xaar.
Faulkner commented: "In terms of comparing Xaar products to others - you can't, they are unique in their versatility.
We are already operating a lead-time of just 10 days, but with Xaar, the capabilities are deep enough to work even faster using existing technology.
The highly favourable feedback we have had from our customers relating to the quality of printed detail is testament to Xaar's inkjet technology.
In addition to providing our customers with models of the utmost accuracy and quality, we can assure them that because we use Xaar's durable oil-based pigmented inks, the detail will not fade in light or be diminished through day-to-day contact." Having worked closely with STM over a five-year period, Xaar knew that STM's printing method represented a complex challenge of controlling the ink pressure within a printhead that is rising and falling at a fast rate, rather than simply moving at one horizontal level.
That, along with its expert knowledge of electronics and printing made STM the perfect company to approach with a view to beta testing Xaar's Ink Supply System.
Lawrence Faulkner explained: "Ink pressure regulation is a difficult problem, made more difficult for us because the heads in our machines are raised and lowered, as well as moving in three dimensions, simulating horizontal and vertical g-forces.
Liquid pressure against the face of the plate will rise as the printhead rises, and then lower as the printhead is lowered.
If the pressure within a printhead is not maintained at a constant, ink will not be jetted accurately and clogging of the printhead can occur.
However, Xaar's Ink Supply System has been very successful, and we believe that this product will be invaluable to machine developers in the future." The Ink Supply System provides the path between the central reservoir of ink and the printheads.
A small header tank sits next to the printheads, controlling the ink pressure, maintaining it at the correct level to enable issue fee jetting said Xaar.
By providing controlled pressure purges to the printheads it can also be used as an aid to maintenance.
The Ink Supply System also operates as a stand-alone solution, and is suitable for a range of applications.
"We have endeavoured to build in the same level of flexibility into our peripheral solutions as we build into our printheads.
For example, we have designed the Ink Supply System to be integrated into a range of static and scanning head applications," said Keith Smith.
"What we now have with the introduction of our peripherals range is a portfolio of inkjet products, enabling us to further meet the needs of our customers going forward by providing them with a fully integrated range of high quality inkjet solutions, he added.
Faulkner summarised "Our collaboration with Xaar has made it possible for us to realise our vision.
Our business is flourishing, and we are actively pursuing new markets, such as the emergency response sector, and we have also licensed our technology to a company who produces models for the US government. Request a free brochure from Xaar ...
We are very happy with the quality products and support we have received from Xaar, and look forward to continuing our work with them into the future.".
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