Categories: Print Heads
CE4
Toshiba TEC's inkjet head is bought by RISO TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION.
The Rebranded Print head CE4M (and related models like the CE4W1/N) is an industrial-grade, multi-drop grayscale piezoelectric printhead designed for robust performance in scanning and single-pass applications. It is widely used in UV flatbed printers and is noted for its ability to handle highly viscous oil-based and UV-curable inks with high reliability and integrated temperature control.
The CE4 series printheads are known for their sturdy construction and suitability for industrial environments where durability and specific ink compatibility (UV and oil-based) are critical.
- Technology: Uses multi-drop grayscale micro-piezoelectric technology.
- Nozzle Configuration: It has 636 active nozzles with a native resolution of 150 d- 300 dpi depending on configuration/model.
- Drop Volume: The variable drop volume ranges from 5 picoliters up to 35 -90 pL, allowing significant control over ink coverage and detail.
- Temperature Control: A key feature is the sealed, integrated water channel within the chassis, which provides robust temperature control and stability for highly viscous inks.
0 Reviews
Categories: Print Heads
XP600
The Epson XP600 printhead is a compact, cost-effective micro-piezoelectric printhead initially designed for consumer desktop printers, but it has gained significant popularity in the entry-level industrial market. It is widely used in eco-solvent and UV-based large-format and DTF (Direct-to-Film) printers as a budget-friendly alternative to more expensive heads like the I3200.
The XP600 is valued for its low cost and surprising compatibility with various ink types, which is its main "versatility benefit" in the commercial sphere, despite its shorter lifespan.
- Nozzle Count: The printhead has a total of 1080 nozzles arranged in 6 rows (180 nozzles for CMYK, 360 for light cyan/light magenta).
- Lifespan: The XP600 is fundamentally a consumer-grade, "disposable" printhead not built for continuous industrial use. Its typical lifespan in a commercial setting is relatively short, often cited as 3 to 6 months with proper maintenance.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Its primary appeal is its low replacement cost compared to dedicated industrial heads like the Ricoh Gen5 or Epson I3200 series.
- Lack of Industrial Features: It lacks industrial features like integrated ink recirculation to the nozzle plate or heavy-duty build quality, requiring more frequent maintenance and careful handling compared to the T3200 or StarFire heads.
0 Reviews
Categories: Print Heads
DX5
The Epson DX5 printhead is a popular, durable component in large-format inkjet printers that uses Micro-Piezo technology to deliver high-resolution, quality prints. It is known for its versatility, with versions compatible with water-based, eco-solvent, and mild solvent inks, and features a dual-channel design for faster speeds. The DX5's native resolution is 1440 dpi, with 8 rows of 180 nozzles for a total of 1,440 nozzles, producing fine droplets for clear images and smooth gradients.
0 Reviews
Categories: Print Heads
I3200
The Epson I3200 print head is a high-performance, industrial-grade print head that utilizes PrecisionCore MicroTFP technology and features 3,200 nozzles for high-resolution and high-speed printing. Its versatility is primarily driven by its compatibility with a wide array of ink types and its ability to produce variable droplet sizes.
It uses a PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead that uses Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and thin-film piezo technology to achieve a high-density nozzle arrangement of 3,200 nozzles (8 rows of 400 nozzles).
Drop Volume: It typically jets a droplet size of (3.8 picoliters) which delivers the absolute finest detail possible.
The I3200 is widely considered the current standard in affordable, industrial-grade printheads, replacing older, less efficient models in many commercial printers.
0 Reviews
Categories: Print Heads
Gen5
The Ricoh MH5420/5421 (commonly known as the "Gen5") is a robust, industrial-grade printhead renowned for its ruggedness, high jetting frequency, and ability to handle highly viscous inks, especially UV formulations. It is a workhorse in industrial flatbed and roll-to-roll printers globally.
- Technology Foundation: The Gen5 uses Piezoelectric (PZT) technology, but it is a more traditional, robust design compared to Epson's MicroTFP MEMS approach.
- Ruggedness and Lifespan: The Gen5 is famous for its durability. Its robust industrial design often translates to a longer lifespan in harsh operational environments compared to more delicate heads.
- Heater and Thermistor: The printhead includes integrated heaters and temperature sensors, allowing precise control over ink viscosity during jetting, which is vital for specialty inks like white and varnish.
- Drop Volume: It typically jets a larger minimum droplet size (around 7 picoliters) compared to the I3200 (3.8 picoliters), which contributes to its robust jetting performance but can slightly limit the absolute finest detail possible.
- Configuration: It is a dual-channel printhead with 1,280 nozzles (4 rows of 320 nozzles each) configured in two separate ink channels.
0 Reviews
Categories: Print Heads
Gen6
The Ricoh MH5440/5441 (commonly known as the "Gen6") is the successor to the Gen5, offering significant advancements in firing frequency and ink compatibility. It maintains the industrial-grade ruggedness of its predecessor while providing higher productivity and improved grayscale performance, especially optimized for the demands of the latest UV and Solvcnt inks.
- Technology Foundation: Uses advanced Piezoelectric technology, building upon the proven reliability of the Gen5 design with internal enhancements.
- Nozzle Configuration: Like the Gen5, it has 1,280 nozzles arranged in 4 rows, delivering 600 npi resolution.
- Key Upgrade: The primary difference from the Gen5 is the jump in firing frequency and the reduction in minimum drop size, directly translating to faster print speeds and higher apparent resolution.
- Robust Temperature Control: Features integrated heaters and thermistors for highly accurate temperature control, essential for reliable jetting of specialty, highly viscous inks like white and metallic formulas.
0 Reviews
Categories: Print Heads
StarFire 1024
The StarFire 1024 series is a established line of industrial piezoelectric printheads manufactured by FUJIFILM Dimatix (previously Spectra).
It is known for its high nozzle count (1024) and is widely used in high-performance scanning and single-pass industrial printing systems due to its robust design and repairable construction that allows for a long service life and high-speed industrial output.
- Continuous Ink Recirculation: The StarFire 1024 features RediJet™ continuous ink recirculation right at the nozzle plate level, which helps eliminate bubbles and foreign objects in the ink, ensuring stable ink supply and reliable firing performance.
- Drop Size: Available in various drop sizes (e.g., 10 pL, 25 pL, 80 pL) to suit different application needs, from fine detail to high-coverage printing.
- Long Lifespan: The robust industrial design and repairable nature contribute to an average lifespan of 3 to 5 years, which is significantly longer than many non-industrial printheads.
0 Reviews