Toshiba Tec (TTec) is about to launch two new piezoelectric inkjet printheads: the CF6/CF6R and the CX1.
New Piezoelectric Inkjet Printhead: CX1
The Toshiba CX1 is a new inkjet printhead designed for improved productivity, primarily targeting the large-format printing market. It is designed to compete in the 1200-nozzle market, competing with current mainstream printheads such as the Ricoh Gen5 and Konica Minolta KM1024i.
The Toshiba CX1 inkjet printhead measures 97x37x110 mm and has a print width of 54 mm. It features 1,280 nozzles arranged in four rows, with a single-channel resolution of 600 npi. Alternatively, it can be configured with two channels, in which case the resolution is 300 npi per color. It can handle both UV-curable and oil-based inks and features built-in water-cooling temperature control. It is a four-stage grayscale head with a minimum drop size of 6 pL and a maximum drop size of 16 pL at a frequency of 47 kHz.
It uses a similar architecture to other TTec printheads, but with a different drive mode. The CF series utilizes a three-cycle drive mode, where nozzles are fired in a specific sequence to avoid simultaneous firing of adjacent nozzles. This minimizes, but does not completely eliminate, fluid crosstalk between shared ink chamber walls.
For the CX1, TTec chose to use only every other nozzle so that each active ink chamber is isolated. This isolation wall structure allows Toshiba's new printhead to eject ink three times faster than a three-cycle model, making the new printhead significantly faster. Speed is crucial, but stability is also crucial in the industrial sector. Typically, increasing print speed can reduce droplet placement accuracy. However, TTec was able to raise the firing frequency from 20 kHz to 47 kHz with minimal variation. They noted that Toshiba’s printhead maintains excellent stability between droplet velocity and frequency.
TTec has identified its target market as roll-fed printers 3.2 meters and wider, as well as large flatbed printers used in the signage and display industry. The company highlights that the CX1 printhead’s high frequency allows for an ultra-fast print speed of 2 meters per second. This performance positions the CX1 as a strong competitor to the Ricoh Gen5 and Konica Minolta KM1024i. Both of these models currently lead the large-format printing market.
TTec uses a closed approach to waveform development by creating waveforms based on customer-supplied inks, rather than relying on OEMs to develop their own. These waveforms are optimized directly at Toshiba Tec’s factory. This process allows customers to see print quality results firsthand and benefit from Toshiba’s technical expertise. The goal is to deliver fully optimized, ready-to-use waveforms.
Currently, there are no third-party drive electronics available for the CX1. TTec will also provide its own electronics for sample testing. However, TTec encourages customers to either develop their own drive electronics or find a capable supplier before committing to production.
Toshiba Tek will showcase both printheads at drupa and will also be showcasing printers from OEM partners equipped with the CX1 printheads at its booth in Hall 5, B04.
New Piezoelectric Inkjet Printheads: CF6/CF6R
The new CF6 printhead builds on the design of the previous CF3 and features air cooling. It measures 96.7 x 29.3 x 100.7 mm. A water-cooled version, the CF6R, shares the same width and height but has a slightly thicker profile at 31.3 mm.
The CF6 and CF6R are 1.5 times faster than their CF3 counterparts. The primary differences between the CF3 and CF6 lie in drop volume and frequency. The CF6/CF6R produces a native droplet size of 6 pL but can eject up to three droplets at a 12 kHz frequency, producing drop volumes of 12 pL and 18 pL, respectively.
The new printhead can handle both UV-curable and oil-based inks. Like the CF3 series, it features full nozzle recirculation. Its 1,278 nozzles, arranged in two rows, deliver 600 npi resolution and a single-pass print width of 53.95 mm. However, it can also be configured with two channels, halving the nozzles and resolution, for a print width of 53.91 mm.
The CF6 printhead is designed as a direct replacement for the CF3/R, with identical dimensions, electrical connections, and plumbing. This ensures full compatibility with existing printer setups. Customers using printers built with the CF3 can easily upgrade to the CF6 without any modifications.
Meteor's control system products currently support Toshiba's CF6 and CF6R printheads.
These printheads are designed for diverse applications, including printing on glass, wood, and plastic surfaces. They also support direct-to-form and PCB production, as well as coding, marking, labeling, and corrugated packaging printing.
