Kyocera says its second generation of inkjet printheads, designed for textiles, packaging, graphics and industrial markets, are the world’s fastest inkjet technology. “By increasing the volume of each drop of ink ejected from the printheads and enhancing droplet-ejection consistency, the new series allows high-resolution printing on a wider variety of media.” A 600-dpi model, the KJ4B-EX 600, will be available in April 2020, with others to follow.
“The new printheads are specially designed to deliver high-speed, high-quality printing on paper, cardboard, plastic, fabric, and other building materials,” says a Kyocera press release:
Digital printing technology has won a growing share of the commercial printing market — especially where high-quality text and graphics must be printed onto clothing, packaging, tile, plastic or building materials, in addition to conventional paper. Digital technology has created a new market for short-run printing through its advantages in speed, customization and cost. Additionally, digital printing reduces environmental impact by eliminating certain consumable materials and plate-cleaning chemicals. As a result, the commercial equipment market now demands printheads that can deliver unprecedented speed, image quality, and durability.
Kyocera has been at the forefront of the digital revolution in commercial printing globally since 2007, when it first applied its proprietary fine ceramic technology to create ultra-high-speed piezo actuators for its world-record-setting KJ4 series inkjet printheads.
The new KJ4 EX series builds on this legacy with a large, integrated piezo actuator and streamlined structure. By increasing the volume of each drop of ink ejected from the printheads and enhancing droplet-ejection consistency, the new series allows high-resolution printing on a wider variety of media. At the same time, the printhead’s durability is enhanced by improving its structural strength and rigidity.
Features of the KJ4 EX Series:
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| Original KJ4B-QA06 compared to next generation KJ4B-EX 600 |
1. New integrated piezo actuator enhances image quality
As a new development, Kyocera’s large, integrated piezo actuator replaces multiple smaller actuators to enable more consistent image quality. The new larger actuator was created using the company’s unique material design technology for dense polycrystalline ceramic actuators, combined with its thin piezoelectric ceramic substrate manufacturing processes.
2. Optimized ink channels and ejection consistency allow for a wider range of applications
With its optimized ink channel design and revised structure, KJ4 EX maximizes the volume of an ink drop ejected and improves ink-ejection consistency. This allows the printheads and media to be separated by a greater distance without affecting droplet accuracy, ensuring high-resolution printing on a wider variety of materials, including unconventional print media.
3. Improved durability
Integrating the piezo actuator allows greater freedom in design, resulting in a simple and robust structure. As a result, the overall durability, strength, and stability of the structure have been improved.
Kyocera Corporation is a Japanese multinational ceramics and electronics manufacturer headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, offering a complete range of printers, multifunction devices and other document management solutions.
Kyocera Document Solutions last year celebrated 30 years in the Australian market and has offices in Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Auckland, employing over 200 people.
