Xaar has launched the new 501 GS8 printhead, the first to include the company’s PrecisionPlus architecture, designed to improve drop velocity, drop volume and drop placement profiles.
The 501 is compatible with a range of solvent and UV inks and combines PrecisionPlus architecture with the option of the company’s TF Technology to make it reliable in a high production environment.
This new printhead can print in binary mode at up to 1440 dpi with an 8 pL drop size or with 4 grey levels at 360 dpi to deliver high productivity with an effective resolution of over 600 dpi.
According to the company the new architecture, which builds on the Hybrid Side Shooter design, optimises actuator performance to deliver unprecedented drop velocity, drop volume and drop placement profiles for consistent colour across the print swathe.
‘The graphics sector is an important part of our business. The launch of our innovative new architecture, PrecisionPlus, and the Xaar 501 as the first in a range of printheads, ensures our customers remain at the leading edge of print performance,’ said Richard Barham, sales & marketing director. ‘The Xaar 501 combines new and proven technologies to deliver superb quality, industrial performance and flexibility – all very cost-effectively – to give manufacturers and their end users a significant competitive edge.’
The TF Technology is available in two modes – Pulsed mode and High Flow mode. High Flow mode ensures continuous ink flow at a high rate directly past the back of the printhead nozzles during drop ejection. This carries away any air bubbles or unwanted particles in the fluid and radically improves production reliability. Alternatively, Pulsed mode recirculates ink during non-printing periods only. This allows the reliability benefits to be delivered to customers with minimum cost and complexity.
Value-added effects such as printing on transparent or coloured substrates with white ink or adding varnishes are made easy using the 501. For those not requiring TF Technology, the printhead operates with standard wide format graphics ink supply systems.
The accurate mounting features on the 501 enable multiple printheads to be rapidly mounted together with minimal adjustment. Industry standard permanent ink connections and simple ink priming ensures that integration to inks systems is clean and easy.
