The printhead is currently in beta testing with various OEM partners, with the first wide-format printers using the Xaar 501 expected to come to market this quarter.
It incorporates the same TF Technology ink recirculation system developed for the ceramics market in Xaar’s 1002 printhead, but with the addition of a new Pulsed mode aimed at the lower cost solvent market.
This means OEM partners will have the option of a standard gravity or vacuum-fed ink supply, or Xaar’s TF Technology in High Flow mode or the new Pulsed mode.
“Today most people in graphics use gravity or vacuum-fed ink supply so we’ve designed the 501 to work with both but also given the option of using the TF Technology,” said Alexander.
High Flow constantly recirculates the ink directly past the back of the printhead nozzles, preventing any sedimentation by carrying away air bubbles or unwanted particles.
Pulsed mode only recirculates the ink during non-printing periods (at the end of each swathe) and comes in at a much lower cost to the end user (a few hundred versus a few thousand) as it only requires a simple pump rather than a full ink recirculation system.
Xaar marketing director Mark Alexander said: “In Pulsed mode when the printhead reaches either end of the swathe it recirculates the ink and refreshes the nozzles.
“We see this as a very cost-effective way to get some automated head maintenance, rather than having to stop printing to purge and wipe the nozzles after each print.”
He added that for many wide-format printers, particularly lower-cost solvent devices, the cost of a full ink recirculating system may have previously outweighed the benefits of the TF Technology.
“We now have a version for that market that will give you many of the performance benefits at a much lower cost – or if you don’t want the TF Technology you can just run in standard mode,” said Alexander.
“This gives OEMs the potential to produce different models for different applications – for example, one for customers that want to run lots of white ink and may want to go for the TF Technology.”
In common with Xaar’s previous printheads, the printing face of the 501 GS8 features a ceramic substrate to which the piezoelectric material that makes up the walls of the ink channels is fixed.
However, whereas previous printheads have featured two rows of 500 nozzles, the 501 GS8 features a single row, meaning the ceramic component is half the width, making it more rigid along its length and eliminating flex in the middle of the printhead when actuating.
This is Xaar’s new PrecisionPlus architecture, which has enabled improved accuracy and uniformity in ink drop size, ejection velocity and drop placement (±8µm), resulting in “consistent colour, smooth tints, gradations and excellent edge definition”.
The Xaar 501 GS8 can print in binary mode at up to 1,440dpi with an 8pL drop, or with four grey levels at 360dpi to deliver high productivity and an effective resolution of over 600dpi. It is compatible with a range of solvent and UV inks.
The new printhead will get its first public showing at Shanghai International Ad & Sign Technology & Equipment Exhibition (Hall W3, Booth 109) from 3-6 July.
