Cambridge, 27 April 2021, Xaar, one of the leading inkjet head manufacturers, has launched its latest Xaar Nitrox printhead meant for bulk fluids. Claimed to provide greater print speeds and uniformity the company’s press release says it works across a wide variety of print applications. The Nitrox is the next printhead to come from ImagineX which sets the roadmap for Xaar’s bulk inkjet innovations and printhead developments.
Speed is integral to the Nitrox, with firing frequencies of up to 48kHz enabling print at up to 100 metres per minute. Set-up time and installation are also fast, with drop-in printhead alignment, and Xaar’s AcuChp Technology allowing a more automated process.
With its ‘plug and print’ capability, printer uptime can be maximised, together with print uniformity. Xaar’s TF Technology recirculation minimizes temperature changes within the printhead, virtually eliminating print density variations and controlling viscosity to provide consistent printing across the swathe throughout each job.
Maintaining a constant flow of fluids directly past the back of the printhead nozzles enables instant priming of the Nitrox and avoids the need for costly and wasteful purging before printing can start. The very high flow rate also prevents sedimentation and nozzle blockages, particularly in heavily pigmented inks, radically improving reliability in even the harshest printing environment.
The Nitrox head supports a wide range of applications and handles a broad range of fluids. Its open printhead architecture and TF Technology facilitate printing in multiple orientations. Consequently, the Nitrox prints extremely reliably, whether in vertical or horizontal mode or even when being positioned by a robotic arm with accelerating and decelerating speeds.
Versatile heads
High Laydown Technology delivers very high volumes of ink in a single pass and combined with Xaar’s TF Technology allows fluids with higher particle loading and sizes, even those with viscosities of up to 100 centipoise, to be used. This enables the Xaar Nitrox to print an increased colour gamut and special effects for applications in the ceramic, glass and packaging sectors as well as jetting higher molecular weight materials for Advanced Manufacturing and 3D printing.
Backwards compatible with the Xaar 1003, the three variants of the Xaar Nitrox – Core, Pro and Elite – provide customer choice and flexibility for a range of print needs.
The Nitrox Core is designed for applications using oil-based inks, such as in ceramic tile decoration, while the Nitrox Pro can handle more demanding fluids including soluble salts and frit used for printing glass. The Nitrox Elite delivers printing at up to 48kHz and its exceptional drop placement and accuracy make it perfect for functional fluids and 3D applications, alongside more traditional display graphics and label printing solutions.
Graham Tweedale, general manager of Xaar’s printhead business unit says, “We are delighted to be launching the next printhead from our ImagineX platform. Whether using the latest highly viscous fluids for 3D printing or High Laydown for packaging and labels, the speed, performance and productivity of the Xaar Nitrox mean you can use it to print right the first time and every time.”
