KYOCERA Develops World’s Fastest 1200×1200dpi KJ4B-Z Inkjet Printhead

The newly-developed KJ4B-Z Series 1200×1200dpi inkjet printhead achieves higher drive frequency by improved signal waveform that controls the piezo actuator which controls ink ejection; and by improving the ink flow channel structure, Kyocera has achieved the world’s fastest print speed of 80m/min. The KJ4B-Z Series printheads provide high-resolution printing due to the high-density arrangement of piezo actuators and ink nozzles through Kyocera’s proprietary design and simulation technologies. Furthermore, the world’s largest² effective print width of 108mm (4.25 inches) requires fewer printheads even for wide-format printing, which simplifies equipment design.

Development Background

Offset printing³, which provides high-quality printing of text, photographs and illustrations, is the commercial printing industry’s mainstream method for producing catalogs, brochures and various advertisements. However, printing small lot sizes presents challenges in terms of lowering cost and decreasing delivery time. There is increased demand in the industry to solve these challenges and support other needs including inventory reduction and variable print⁴ functionality. As manufacturers develop equipment to provide higher-speed and higher-resolution printing, advanced performance is also required for the printheads used therein.

By developing the world’s fastest, highest-resolution inkjet printhead, Kyocera strives to expand the application of on-demand commercial printing, reduce costs and shorten delivery time by contributing to the advancement of higher-speed and higher-resolution printing required in the commercial printing industry.

Product Features

1. World’s fastest high-resolution printing
Achieving the world’s fastest print speed of 80m/min. with 1200×1200dpi resolution, this printhead is capable of ejecting up to 64,000 drops of ink per second (at 64kHz drive frequency) from each ink nozzle, resulting in approximately 330 million drops per second from a head with 5,120 nozzles.
In addition, higher-resolution printing is made possible by the high-density design of piezo actuators and ink nozzles as well as by improving the ink flow channel structure to reduce the minimum ink drop volume to less than 2 picoliters*⁵.

2. Design functionality
Possessing the world’s most effective print width of 108mm (4.25 inches) for a piezoelectric printhead, the KJ4B-Z Series simplifies equipment design by requiring fewer printheads for wide-format printing. It also allows for micron-level printhead alignment, as well as easier ink tubing and wiring adjustments.

3. High reliability
Breaking the world's fastest print speed record, this product also provides the same drive durability performance (ink ejection frequency) as conventional products. Furthermore, employing an externally sealed structure ensures the high reliability required for commercial printing.

¹ The world’s fastest in single-pass inkjet printheads that print with a resolution of 1200×1200dpi, a width of 4.25 inches, and one head for feed direction. Based on research by Kyocera (as of April 1, 2012).
² For piezoelectric inkjet printheads with a resolution of 600dpi or higher. Based on research by Kyocera (as of April 1, 2012).
³ A method by which the ink is printed on the media through an intermediate transfer member. High-quality printing is a characteristic of this printing method.
⁴ Variable printing: A printing method by which individually unique data (e.g. personalized information) is printed on separate sheets.
⁵ A picoliter is equal to 10-12 liter (0,000000000001).

For more information about Kyocera Printing Devices: http://global.kyocera.com/prdct/tfc/index.html