Domino Printing is undertaking ground-breaking research with Cambridge University Institute For Manufacturing (IfM) to examine the jetting process in continuous inkjet printers, how the chemicals in inks behave in different conditions and the potential impact on performance.
This research is key to ensure consistent and reliable print quality in coding and marking and is leading to Domino developing new formulations which will optimise inks for different production environments.
Achieving a clean, crisp code on a beverage canning line requires a very different type of ink to that used for harsh industrial applications, like printing on cables or cement bags.
Dr Josie Harries, Group Programme Director, at Domino says: “We are constantly seeking new ways to advance our products, solutions, and services to deliver the best performance and value for our customers.
“Part of our research includes an ongoing project to better understand the jetting process in continuous inkjet printers. We are looking to examine how inkjet formulations behave in every type of atmosphere from hot to icy cold, from sticky to dusty, to reflect all the variables likely in our customers’ plants, so that we can identify which formulations make reliable inks.”
Another specific area that is being examined closely is particle build-up, where small ink deposits accumulate within a printhead, meaning more frequent cleaning and potential downtime for the customer.
Domino says that the benefit of this research project is two-fold: it helps the industry to better understand how to design printers that offer better uptime; and it informs the ink formulation process so that R&D teams can develop inks which will function reliably within specific printers, and in specific production environments, helping to reduce downtime and waste.
Dr Josie Harries concludes: “collaboration, whether with the IfM, our colleagues, or external partners, is key to our R&D efforts in this area – it is also one of our core business values, and a central part of how we are working to build expertise within Domino. An issue, or idea, studied in isolation will only progress so far, restricted by the knowledge, experience, and technical capabilities of one entity. By working with the IfM we are not only able to extend our existing testing capabilities, but also benefit from a broader knowledge base.”