Case study: Printos novel heavy fabric printhead
Situation
Printos, a division of Videojet, developed new Print Head which could be used on novel applications such as printing on heavy fabrics. Their requirements were:-
- A completely new, highly flexible datapath system to use the new head technology effectively
- Scalable solution to drive one or multiple heads
- Easy to use
- Support all units from simple prototype through to commercial printer
- Reliable
- Low cost
Action
Cametrics successfully developed a complete datapath, including software, hardware and firmware. Key features include:
- A high speed and low cost datapath
- A flexible Encoder management system
- A full software RIP engine (screening and splitting)
- Novel architecture to achieve the diverse goals
- RIP engine runs on PC in real time
Benefits
The project exceeded the initial targets. Key benefits that were delivered include:
- PC based solution offers excellent value (cost per processor instruction) and great flexibility
- Supports real time RIP and control of multi-head systems
- Eliminates several electronics components compared to existing solutions
- Fully utilises a key feature of the printheads – variable drop volume
- Can be integrated with many stage types, including static systems, XY, etc.
- Complete control over printhead geometric configuration
- Resolution control from 25-150dpi
- Complete control over speed and image quality
Result: the customer is now selling printers for heavy fabric applications e.g. carpets, towels etc.
Pictures of ink jet printed carpet samples