Industrial inkjet printing solutions

Production marking, coding and traceability

Every product or batch leaves the line with the information that identifies it: date, batch, serial number, logo or a DataMatrix or QR code. We integrate the printer with the line control and the management system so that what is printed always matches what is produced.

• Date, batch and expiry coding
• Serialisation with 1D, DataMatrix and QR codes
• Machine vision verification of every mark
• Recording in MES and ERP for full traceability
• Automatic rejection of badly marked parts

• Marking
• Coding
• Serialisation
• Traceability
• DataMatrix · QR
• Machine vision

High-speed inkjet printing

Printing at production speed without losing registration or quality requires motion, data and firing to be perfectly synchronised.

• Encoder synchronisation and product detection
• Real-time data transfer to the printheads
• Waveforms for high firing frequency
• Registration between colours and passes
• Nozzle compensation for banding-free printing

• High firing frequency
• Registration
• Real time

Variable data and image printing

Every print can be different: a serial number, a batch, or a completely different model or design from one piece to the next, without stopping the line.

• Model or design change on every print
• Personalisation of each piece
• Real-time image generation from a database or the ERP
• Print queues and version control

• VDP
• Model change without stopping
• Personalisation

Printhead cleaning and recovery

A printhead with clogged or missing nozzles produces banding, streaks and rejects. Before replacing it, which is one of the most expensive parts of the printer, it can often be recovered. We follow four steps:

1. Diagnosis: nozzle test, dropwatcher inspection and review of the ink conditions.
2. Cleaning: with the solvent or cleaning fluid compatible with each ink: UV, water-based or solvent-based.
3. Verification: on the dropwatcher: drop volume, velocity, direction and satellites, and waveform tuning if needed.
4. Prevention: review of the cleaning station, recirculation and nozzle sensing so the problem does not come back.

We always follow the printhead manufacturer’s instructions. If a procedure could affect the warranty, we will tell you before we start.

• Clogged nozzles
• Missing nozzles
• Nozzle sensing
• Dropwatcher
• Automatic cleaning

Printhead and drive electronics integration

We choose the right printhead for each application and integrate it with its electronics, its mechanics and the machine control.

• Printhead selection by resolution, speed, ink and substrate
• Drive electronics and control boards
• Print bars, alignment and height control
• Printhead temperature control

• Piezo DOD
• Meteor Inkjet
• Aewa
• Encoder

Waveform and drop characterisation

The waveform is the electrical signal that ejects the drop. Tuning it for each ink makes the difference between a clean print and one with satellites, mist or failing nozzles.

• Dropwatcher measurement with stroboscopic lighting
• Drop volume in picolitres, velocity and angle
• Satellite elimination
• Greyscale through multi-pulse
• Stability tests at high frequency

• Waveform
• Dropwatcher
• Picolitres
• Greyscale

Ink systems

Ink must always reach the printhead at the same pressure, temperature and cleanliness.

• Ink recirculation
• Meniscus pressure control
• Temperature and viscosity
• Degassing and filtering
• Material compatibility with UV, water-based and solvent-based inks

• UV inks
• Water-based
• Solvent-based
• Recirculation
• Meniscus

UV curing and drying

The drop has to be fixed at the right moment: not so early that it cannot spread, not so late that it mixes with the next one.

• UV and UV LED curing
• Pinning between colours
• Final cure
• Drying of water-based and solvent-based inks
• Synchronisation with line speed

• UV · UV LED
• Pinning
• Curing
• Drying

Image pipeline

From the design file to the data each nozzle receives.

• RIP and colour management with ICC profiles
• Screening and linearisation
• Compensation for failing nozzles
• Channel separation for special inks

• RIP
• ICC
• Screening
• Nozzle compensation

Printheads and electronics

We work with industrial piezo printheads from the main manufacturers and their drive electronics.

The brands and models listed belong to their respective manufacturers. Eixam Technologies is independent and not affiliated with any of them.