Consumables

XAAR APPROVES CHIMIGRAF INKS FOR THE CERAMICS SECTOR

Wednesday 27. May 2009 - Xaar extends its ink partner relationship with one of its first ceramic ink partners, Chimigraf, with the approval of four new inks for use with the Xaar 1001 printhead.

These inks were developed in partnership with Chimigraf and Fritta S.L., who specialise in designing frits, glazes and ceramic colours to produce high-quality inks. These inks meet stringent quality control standards to ensure optimum performance and consistency.

Xaar Ink Product Manager Jill Woods commented: “We are pleased to add these four new inks to our approved ceramic inks portfolio. The blue, yellow, brown and black inks were specially developed to meet the high demands of the digital ceramic print market and can be used for a wide range of designs for digital ceramic printing. We are also working on Rose and Beige; this will extend the gamut even more.” Dr Woods adds: “The digital print market is growing rapidly and tile manufacturers are seeing the benefits that inkjet printing brings to the industry: Tile edge decoration, the ability to print on textured tiles; higher graphic variability and the drive for cost-effective short runs are just a few of the main drivers.”

The Xaar 1001 is the ideal printhead for the ceramic print sector. Designed for high-speed, single-pass applications, it delivers excellent drop formation and drop placement accuracy with outstanding operational durability. The head’s unique XaarDOT (Xaar Drop Optimisation Technology) allows variable-sized drops to be produced, giving users the ability to select drop size depending on the tile design. The Xaar 1001’s unique recirculating ink (‘through-flow’) system also means that ink flows past each nozzle, carrying air bubbles away, keeping the channels primed and fully operational at all times and minimising maintenance. This is especially important when printing with heavily pigmented inks, as the through-flow mechanism of the Xaar 1001 keeps the ink in constant agitation, avoiding settling that could potentially block nozzles, leading to printhead failure.

“We are delighted to have achieved the approved ink status for our inks,” concludes Daniel Miravete, Inkjet Product Manager, Chimigraf. “This partnership with Xaar underpins our promise to develop high standard inkjet inks for the ceramic tile industry. We have been hugely committed to producing these inks and are now looking forward to meeting the demands of this growing market.”