Micro-Piezoelectric Head Technology of Color InkJet Printer

摘要

In recent years, the InkJet technology has made great strides in the print quality. By introducing fine droplets, deep and light color inks, optimized media, and advanced color and image processing, the latest inkjet printers can produce photo-quality prints. Of these many improvements, the most contributive one is that the innovative piezoelectric print head has reduced the ink droplet size by a factor of ten in the latest five years. This innovation has been accomplished by optimizing head dimensions and driving signals as well as improving the manufacturing and assembling process. The piezoelectric actuator driven by the signal, optimized for the particular print head model, can precisely control the unrestrained ink meniscus vibration at the nozzle openings to achieve multi-sized droplets ejection in a sequent manner as well as stabilized droplet ejection up to the extremely high ejection repetition frequency. This Variable-Sized Droplet Technology (VSDT) has made it possible to introduce the digital photo-printers to the market without trading off the throughput. This paper shows how the piezoelectric inkjet technology has been improved and how much flexibility it has for particular use in home, office and industry.