From Application to Resolution

Abstract

In the ink-jet industry, we see more and more the trend adopted by printer vendors to implement higher resolutions in their printers, suggesting that this is what gives the prints a better quality. The authors address this issue in a methodological manner, suggesting a practical approach to defining the necessary printer resolution for a given application.Focusing on industrial applications, the article describes the decision process of choosing the right print resolution for the right application on the printing machine, using both theoretical and practical considerations. The proposed step by step process, guides the product architect to taking into consideration various factors and putting them all together as design guides for the ideal printer for any application. Human factors, such as eye visibility, alongside printer factors, such as dot placement accuracy, cost, throughput, data overload and ink consumption are all integrated into the methodological approach.In order to get the best cost performance ratio for an industrial printer, ink-jet print heads may be better optimized for a completely different working point than what current head vendors are actually offering. The challenge of meeting industrial high throughput demands at relatively low cost and with proper image quality has been shown to dictate a working point that calls for a dedicated head design matched for industrial printing applications. Such a print-head is under development and shown to meet the set of requirements dictated by the system design process.