The 5th annual Inkjet Conference (TheIJC) - the world’s leading platform for inkjet engineering and chemistry – is underway in Düsseldorf, Germany, with over 500 participants from 28 countries - including Australia - and 150 companies and academic institutes gathered to hear about latest research developments and product launches.
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| Global Inkjet Systems (GIS) will present “Direct to shape printing of complex objects.” |
“The growth of TheIJC reflects the expansion of inkjet into new areas, driven by fast changing technical innovation,” say organisers Peter Buttiens, ESMA (European Specialist Printing Manufacturers Association) and Steve Knight of Digital Direct Technologies.
Both conference days open with sessions dedicated to advances in printhead architecture. John Corrall from Industrial Inkjet will announce a new Konica Minolta product family, while Fujifilm Dimatix, Kodak, Kyocera, Ricoh and Xaar will talk about their latest breakthroughs.
Phil Collins of Global Inkjet Systems (GIS) will present “Direct to shape printing on complex objects.”
GIS, a leading technology provider to OEMs and system builders in the inkjet industry, has particular expertise in using inkjet for product decoration – now well-established for regular shapes such as cylindrical tubes and conical cups. The next step is to use robots to open up opportunities to decorate more complex, irregular shaped products such as industrial components (car interiors); retail products (motorcycle helmets); or even much larger structures.
Opening day includes a presentation by Jason Remnant of XAAR titled, Time to Stop with the Inkjet Evolution: Let’s get going with the real Revolution, which will look at new inkjet technology being developed to aid market transformations.
“The graphics and ceramics sector have both successfully converted, and there has long been speculation about the textiles or packaging sector following suit,” says Remnant. “But whilst adoption of inkjet is growing, it may not be happening as fast as we want. What will it really take to transform these markets? Many new inkjet printers today have evolved from modifications or developments of existing printing machinery using skills and hardware from adjacent markets such as graphics and ceramics. Many are based upon older printhead technologies. To kick-start the inkjet revolution we need new core technologies – and specifically a new generation of digital inkjet printheads.”
Daisuke Hamada (pictured, right) from Kao Collins will present a session titled “New water-based inkjet ink with polyester resin technology.” There have always been desires to substitute water-based printing solutions for solvent-based solutions and energy curable solutions because of its environmental friendliness. Water-based inkjet solutions for non-absorptive substrates, such as flexible packaging, have been intensively developed and are starting to be introduced. However, challenges remain in order to open up real industrial applications with a water-based solution.
One of the free workshops available to delegates on Monday, the day before the official opening, looked at issues surrounding titanium dioxide - a critical substance for the printing industry that is used as a white pigment.
Titanium Dioxide, the Classification Journey was chaired by Elaine Campling (Chemical Compliance Advisory Services) and Volker Schmitt (Kronos International). The substance has hit the print world headlines, due to supply issues and a new classification as a category 2 carcinogen, suspected of causing cancer by inhalation. Elaine Campling will discuss the regulatory process leading to the new classification for TiO2, the ongoing debate, the challenges it has presented to regulators and the current status of the substance. Volker Schmitt will present the producer’s point of view and outlined the impact on the coating and ink industry, starting with higher costs for safe handling and monitoring the product during production and processing, to extensive waste management and recycling of the end products. A CLP classification for TiO2 could have a domino effect for approx. 350 other powder-form substances including alternative pigments. Where does this start and where does it stop?
The 5th edition of TheIJC takes place on 16-17 October 2018 at Crowne Plaza Düsseldorf.
The full program can be found here: http://www.theijc.com/event-program
