Inkjet Academy
Theory of inkjet technology
9-10 May 2022
Novotel Barcelona City Hotel, Barcelona, Spain
INTRODUCTION
The Inkjet Academy course covers the background to the inkjet technology used in today’s applications and gives your understanding of the industry an expert start.
The course introduces the key types of inkjet technology and how they operate. The course then describes how printheads operate, with an overview of the key models in use today. You will learn how inks are formulated, the important materials used, and how inkjet inks behave in a printhead. The course also covers ink supply systems, software, motion systems and the integration of these components into an inkjet system. Testing inks and systems is also covered, along with nozzle maintenance and print quality. The course then looks at some key applications from a market and technology point of view with instructive case studies, before looking at new and emerging areas.
Presented by Dr Mark Bale of DoDxAct and Dr Tim Phillips of Catenary Solutions and IMI Europe, the course provides an introduction to the technology for anyone entering the inkjet industry, while also being useful for those seeking a technology update. The course also provides an ideal first step for those wishing to study inkjet in greater detail at one of IMI Europe’s other courses.
Course Programme
MONDAY 9 May 2022
12:30 – 13:30 Registration
13:30 Course begins
Introduction to Inkjet
Course overview
Why use inkjet? Pros and cons
Types of inkjet technology
Continuous/drop on demand
Thermal and piezo inkjet
Ink technologies
Evolution of inkjet markets
Industrial Inkjet Printheads
Printhead selection
Continuous inkjet
Design and benefits
MEMS & Kodak Stream
Thermal inkjet heads
Design Features
Adaptability & saleability of MEMS
Benefits & limitations
Piezo inkjet heads
Design Differences
Benefits and features
Recirculation
MEMS and Thin Film
Other printheads
Printhead selection
17:30 Session ends
17:30 - 18:30 Reception
Join us for beers, wines and good company!
TUESDAY 10 May 2022
08:30 Session begins
Inkjet Inks
Inkjet ink design
Inkjet ink requirements
Drop formation
Reliability and testing
Dyes and pigments
Dispersing particles in an inkjet ink
Inkjet Systems & Components
Design for quality
System approach to integration
Importance of substrate
Control of droplet interaction
Ink supply
Key components & design
Printhead integration
Mechanical alignment / banding
Nozzle maintenance
Electronics & waveform
Drying & curing
Reliability
Latency effects
Minimising and mitigating mist
Missing nozzle detection & compensation
Measuring success
Print quality metrics
12:30 - 13:30 Lunch
13:30 Session begins
Industrial Inkjet Markets
Benefits of digital printing
Industrial inkjet business model
Barriers to entry and collaboration
Market penetration data
Instructive examples
Case Studies & Trends
Multi-pass
Graphics requirement
Textiles specific
Printed electronics
Challenges remaining
Single-Pass
Labels
Packaging
Décor
High Speed: demands & limitations
Coatings & Effects
Ceramics & digital lines
Finishing, 2.5D and haptic
3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing
High viscosity & exotic materials
17:30 Course ends
COURSE LEADERS
Dr Mark Bale, Director
DoDxAct, UK
Mark Bale is a PhD qualified Physicist who started DoDxAct Ltd in 2017 in order to provide practical support to those developing technology for the industrial inkjet printing industry based on independent laboratory facilities. Specialising in print heads, inks and the optimisation of print process, Mark is recognised by leading vendors of inks, heads, printers and components as someone who can enable their technology in the market and support their customers to success. DoDxAct's clients list comprises start-ups to globally-recognised brands, spanning 4 continents with the common goal of getting the most out of their inkjet products or application.
After starting his career in Oxford and Cambridge University Spin-off companies Opsys and CDT, Mark got into inkjet by helping develop the process to print OLED displays, including the print strategy & metrology to optimise the uniformity. Mark then worked with Sun Chemical for over 10 years, ultimately leading a team that supported the integration of cutting-edge inkjet ink developments of all types into OEM customers of their SunJet branded and private labelled products.
Dr Tim Phillips
Founder & Director, Catenary Solutions
Managing Director, IMI Europe
Tim Phillips has extensive experience in challenging inkjet integration projects, spending eight years working at Xennia Technology Ltd, the leading inkjet solutions company that was acquired by Sensient in 2015. This involved working with a wide range of companies developing technology for new applications including textiles, ceramics, packaging, décor and functional material deposition for printed electronics and biomedical uses. Tim founded Catenary Solutions in 2015 to bring this knowledge of digital solution development and marketing to a wider audience, working with numerous companies in the inkjet industry since then. Tim is an experienced presenter of IMI Europe courses including the Inkjet Academy, Inkjet Ink Manufacturing & Digital Textile Printing courses.
Tim graduated from the University of Cambridge with an MA Honours degree in Natural Sciences, and completed his PhD in liquid crystal physics and chemistry at the University of Bristol. He has also qualified as an Executive MBA with the University of Warwick.