HP HP PrintheadPrinthead Design Design

Benjamin A LylesBenjamin A Lyles

Clover Technologies GroupClover Technologies Group

OEM TechnologyOEM Technology

HP HP –– Thermal Thermal

Lexmark Lexmark –– Thermal Thermal

Canon Canon –– Thermal Thermal

Epson - Piezoelectric Epson - Piezoelectric

PrintheadPrinthead Evolution Evolution

ThermalThermal

Drop FormationDrop Formation

TIJ ElementsTIJ Elements

2 Primary Configurations2 Primary Configurations

HP45/15 DesignHP45/15 Design

INK

Lexmark DesignLexmark Design

- Center

Manifold

- Tubes feel

resistors

Cleaning MethodsCleaning Methods

Steam Steam

Water Water

Centrifuge Centrifuge

Cleaning Solution Cleaning Solution

UltrasonicsUltrasonics

Control SpecificationsControl Specifications Temperature Temperature

High temps can delaminate nozzle plate High temps can delaminate nozzle plate

Adhesives can be degraded Adhesives can be degraded

pH pH

Oxidize Oxidize printheadprinthead

Pressure Pressure

Can physically delaminate nozzle plate Can physically delaminate nozzle plate

Minerals Minerals

Can oxidize Can oxidize printheadprinthead or destabilize ink or destabilize ink

Cause AnalysisCause Analysis

White Lines White Lines

Clogged Nozzles Clogged Nozzles Cleaning Process Cleaning Process

Water Purity Water Purity

Effectiveness Effectiveness

Ink Purity Ink Purity

Adhesive from Tape or Pad Adhesive from Tape or Pad

Ink flow characteristics Ink flow characteristics

Loose Nozzle Plate Loose Nozzle Plate

Resistor Failure Resistor Failure

Stability TestsStability Tests

Latency Latency 2 weeks in printer 2 weeks in printer

1 week out of printer 1 week out of printer

Freeze/ThawFreeze/Thaw - 20 degrees C for 48 hours - 20 degrees C for 48 hours

Thaw 24 hours at STP Thaw 24 hours at STP

Long-Term Stability (Shelf Life)Long-Term Stability (Shelf Life) 40 degrees C for 4 weeks 40 degrees C for 4 weeks

STP (Room Conditions) for 3 months testing each month STP (Room Conditions) for 3 months testing each month

Test samples retains after 1 year Test samples retains after 1 year