THE IMPORTANCE OF FLUID-MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN INKJET PRINTING

The unique printing demands in these sectors means that a high level of precise fluid control and conditioning is paramount. The importance cannot be understated. A reliable fluid-management system can mitigate risks, meet industry requirements and help contribute to innovation. 

The complexity of inkjet systems can be overwhelming. However, at its core, a fluid-management system does not just ‘supply’ ink, despite its name. It also controls and conditions the fluid. Therefore, it is the system’s job to regulate the fluid – including its flow rate, temperature and pressure. This helps to deliver the required results for many of today’s innovative uses of inkjet.

The ink-supply system is the ‘heart’ of the ecosystem – it pumps, circulates, controls and conditions the fluid. Printheads require a reliable and consistent ink supply to be able to fulfil their purpose. Megnajet’s systems stand at the centre of this inkjet network, enabling the best possible output from industrial printheads.

The role of an ink-supply system can be broken down into four categories for each application – reliability, control, optimisation and versatility.

Reliability

Every good inkjet printer requires a high level of reliability. A dependable ink-supply system is a key part of achieving high-quality jetting. Good fluid-management systems achieve this with easy operation, low maintenance and all-important self-monitoring control. This allows systems to consistently maintain set parameters. These features ensure that every print keeps outstanding quality and that these processes are repeatable.

Megnajet’s systems are built with high quality components and include fail-safe measures to increase overall reliability. These mechanisms act as safeguards and prevent situations such as fluid spills or ink overflow, preserving the printing process’s integrity. These features can ultimately save users the costly and timely task of cleaning up expensive fluids, as well as avoiding system downtime.

Control

Printheads are intricate machines that demand precise and consistent conditions to perform optimally. Without proper temperature and pressure control, fluid properties can deviate, which ultimately affects print quality. The ink-supply system maintains these crucial parameters and enables the printheads to consistently deliver to the highest performance.

When carefully conditioning fluid to the appropriate pressure and temperature, a reliable fluid-management system can prevent blockages in printhead nozzles and avoid foaming of the fluids. With this in mind, the system can be fitted with a Megnajet de-gassing pump which is designed to be combined with the customer’s matrices. This ensures consistent print quality by removing any dissolved gasses.

Printheads are intricate machines that demand precise and consistent conditions

By heating fluids to the correct temperature, a fluid-supply system’s internal heater can adjust and control the viscosity of the fluid for its intended application. Cooler temperatures often mean that the ink remains thicker, which, if too cold, can prevent jetting properly.

Innovative, high viscosity, inkjet applications are on the rise. Uniform heating and recirculation technology make a reliable fluid-management system all the more important for handling these challenging higher-viscosity fluids, even when cold.

At its core, a fluid-management system does not just ‘supply’ ink

Another critical aspect of a fluid-management system is its versatility”

Optimisation

Every application has its own unique requirements. Often, choosing the appropriate system depends on factors such as the type of printhead, the number of printheads required and the nature of the printing application. For Megnajet, these specific customer requirements are what drives the innovation of new solutions. The company can tailor systems to meet the ever-changing industry trends and demands.

For many OEMs, optimising workspace efficiency is crucial. Megnajet’s compact fluid-management systems are designed with this in mind. Choosing a compact ink-supply solution not only minimises the machine’s footprint, but also provides the benefit of easier integration and enhances overall production productivity.

Versatility

Another critical aspect of a fluid-management system is its versatility. The world of inkjet printing includes a wide range of printhead technologies, types and applications. Therefore, systems should be able to support a wide range of printheads to meet these industry demands. 

In addition, ink-supply systems should not only be fit for purpose in their mechanical operation, but their software must also meet the needs of the customer. By offering user-friendly software and direct communication options, Megnajet streamlines the integration process and ensures a seamless transition into every existing printing setup.

In short, the role of an ink-supply system is never to merely ‘supply ink’. It is designed to manage, control and condition fluids to create the optimum environment for reliability, functionality and precision. A reliable ink-supply system is an essential part of the process for making a perfect inkjet print.