FlatJet Dispensing & Printing Technology Copyright, 2004 © Multimedia Studio Budapest- HUNGARY

FlatJet Liquid dispensing High Throughput Printing

Objective The development of the technology is motivated by the gap between production rate of a conventional offset and the digital systems.The development of the technology is motivated by the gap between production rate of a conventional offset and the digital systems. Other ink-jet developers are searching solutions to reduce the ejected ink quantity – our aiming was opposite – the high flow rate.Other ink-jet developers are searching solutions to reduce the ejected ink quantity – our aiming was opposite – the high flow rate.

The aimed resolution The theoretical limit of the human eyes resolution is 1 angle – it means that from 3 meter viewing distance, 1 mm size details can hardly be distinguished.The theoretical limit of the human eyes resolution is 1 angle – it means that from 3 meter viewing distance, 1 mm size details can hardly be distinguished. Our basic objective was to find solution to produce images for large distance observation with as high throughput as possible.Our basic objective was to find solution to produce images for large distance observation with as high throughput as possible.

Human eyes resolution 3 mm = 1 mm = 0,1mm !?

The result simple robust construction, possibility of low production costssimple robust construction, possibility of low production costs very low & extremely high liquid flowvery low & extremely high liquid flow Possibility of media-wide operating large-format digital systemsPossibility of media-wide operating large-format digital systems Individually replaceable printing elementsIndividually replaceable printing elements

Simple and easy to manufacture FlatJet is assembled of a metal plate and tube, and a piezo-ceramic discFlatJet is assembled of a metal plate and tube, and a piezo-ceramic disc Simple and relatively robust mechanical constructionSimple and relatively robust mechanical construction Conventional materials and manufacturingConventional materials and manufacturing

The head

The liquid transfer From pico-liter range ejection up to 50 microliters/s continuous flowFrom pico-liter range ejection up to 50 microliters/s continuous flow

The FlatJet method ink

Ink droplet Principle Ink conducting tube Cylinder Piston Ink A

Principle Ink droplets Ink

Principle X=0 Y=0 y=-a x=a x=-a y=a Piezoceramic transducer (static deformation)

Principle Plate resonator with piezoceramic transducer Piezoceramic transducer (vibrating deformation)

Principle Ink conducting and plate resonator Ink FlatJet head

Principle Tube length Variation of the vibrating amplitude D i s p l a c e m e n t Overture Resonance V i b r a t i n g m a s s

Principle One droplet creating cycle Multiplie droplet creating cycle Vibrating amplitude break-away threshold of droplets Exciting Max % Min %

Ejected ink beam

Ejection process Microscopic shot with high speed camera, with shifted exposure phases

Ejection process

Extent of deformation at the tip Microscopic shot with stroboscopic backight, shifted phase

Local speed and acceleration at the tip At 200 kHz frequency the periodical speed of the tip surface is about 6 m/sAt 200 kHz frequency the periodical speed of the tip surface is about 6 m/s The acceleration at the dead point exceeds the gThe acceleration at the dead point exceeds the g

Ejected volume versus driving frequency

Ejected volume versus activating time

Pixel structure

Color mode FlatJetRaster color

Pixels Size Nozle Ink Spray Media m w

Principle Ink conducting tube Plate resonator Ink nozzle J piezoceramic Side View Front View ink spray

64 head test printing bar

Planed media-wide printer

Application fields Printing on ordinary materialsPrinting on ordinary materials Printing on special materialsPrinting on special materials Different applicationsDifferent applications –Chemical, Pharmaceutical or Microbiological dispensers –Moisturizers

Printing on ordinary materials Industrial media-wide large-format ink-jet printingIndustrial media-wide large-format ink-jet printing Low cost media, low cost inks & low operating costsLow cost media, low cost inks & low operating costs Wide variety of media & inksWide variety of media & inks Computer to print technologyComputer to print technology

Printing on special materials CeramicsCeramics GlassGlass WoodWood LeatherLeather ConcreteConcrete WallpaperWallpaper Corrugated paperCorrugated paper PlasticsPlastics MetalsMetals …etc.…etc.

First Industrial Application Zimmer GmbH (A) Chromotex Textile PrinterZimmer GmbH (A) Chromotex Textile Printer

First Industrial Application Zimmer GmbH (A) Chromotex Textile PrinterZimmer GmbH (A) Chromotex Textile Printer

Patents (WO)(US)(EU)(DE)(GB)(FR)(AT)(IT)(BE)(NL)(ES)(CH)(CA)(AU)(JP)(CN)(EA)…

Hopes and Expectations A NEW TECHNOLOGY CAN SUCCEED IF IT IS QUICKER OR BETTER OR CHEAPERA NEW TECHNOLOGY CAN SUCCEED IF IT IS QUICKER OR BETTER OR CHEAPER THE FLATJET CAN BE QUICKER & BETTER & CHEAPERTHE FLATJET CAN BE QUICKER & BETTER & CHEAPER

QUICKER Possible 1 sq. meter per second printing speedPossible 1 sq. meter per second printing speed The printing width can be increased without limitsThe printing width can be increased without limits

BETTER High tone / color resolution (possibly 256 shade in a pixel)High tone / color resolution (possibly 256 shade in a pixel) High color saturation pigmented inksHigh color saturation pigmented inks Environmentally friendly water based inksEnvironmentally friendly water based inks High tolerance in ink parameters (viscosity up to 15 mPas)High tolerance in ink parameters (viscosity up to 15 mPas)

CHEAPER Low cost mediaLow cost media Low cost inksLow cost inks Low operating costsLow operating costs Quick return of investmentQuick return of investment