Print heads drop volume

State-of-the-art piezo-based drop-on-demand printers are produced by companies such as Xaar (UK), Konica Minolta (Japan), and Fujifilm Dimatix (US). These print heads have around 180 to 360 nozzles per inch and are designed to print at basic resolutions of up to 360 dpi with drop volumes down to about 40 pi (picoliter). This type of print resolution gives features equivalent to approximately 100 /xm track width on PET or PI substrates. However, Xaar s new generation "gray scale" heads allow variable drop volumes down to around 3 pi to give printed features of around 50 /xm or less. 

Jettability. Dye is often also concentrated as smaller volumes are graierally applied in ink jet printing. This can determine the color and long-term wear qualities of the ink drops forming the print. Active ingredients must also not corrode the delicate machinery of the print head and nozzle. Above all, the viscosity of the ink must allow it to pass through the nozzle or jet. 

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