Konica 1024a-UV printhead is one of the UV printheads in Konica Minolta's newly built series of printheads. The KM1024a series has made significant improvements in terms of jetting performance, grayscale printing, variable dot technology, and printhead durability. The KM1024a-UV printhead can use UV and solvent inks, and Konica Minolta launched the KM1024a-Q water-based printhead at the same time.
Konica 1024a Printheads: Basic Specifications
| Nozzle Numbers | 1024 |
| Resolution (npi) | 360 |
| Print Width (mm) | 72 |
| Ink Viscosity (mPa.s) | 10-12 |
| Compatible Ink | Eco-solvent, oil, UV, Water-based ink |
| Size | W131*D18*H98 |
| Internal heater | Available |
Comprehensively Improved Printing Performance
The biggest change in the KM1024a series printheads is the adoption of a new analog drive method, which greatly increases the firing frequency of the printheads, especially in grayscale printing mode. Compared with the firing frequency of the KM1024iSHE 6PL printhead in 3-level grayscale printing mode, the firing frequency of the KM1024a-UV printhead is greatly increased by 40% under the same ink volume (6-18PL grayscale mode).
In addition, the new driving method of the KM1024a series printheads allows the printheads to support more different types of waveform changes, greatly improving the flexibility of customers in different applications, thus giving the Konica 1024a printheads more room for practical application. Customers can change different waveform combinations according to different inks and applications, greatly improving the applicability of the printheads.
Variable Dot Printing Mode
The KM1024a series and KM1024i series use different drive modes. The KM1024a series uses more advanced analog drive technology. When the KM1024i series printhead uses the variable dot mode, the air chasing method used by KM1024i to combine different small dots into medium dots or large dots in the air after leaving the nozzle, so more flying ink will be generated. In addition, in the process of chasing dots (small dots are mixed into large dots), small ink dots are easily affected by external factors such as airflow, which affects the landing position of the ink dots.
The Konica 1024a printheads have redesigned the entire internal drive structure of the printhead for the variable dot technology. Now the KM1024a series is the most advanced printhead with variable dot technology among piezoelectric printheads. When the ink dots leave the nozzles during printing, the KM1024a series of printheads will immediately form ink dots of different sizes according to different wave settings, reducing the adverse effects of external factors on the formation of large or medium dots in the air, and avoiding the problem of ink dot shape deformation. The new variable dot technology of KM1024a-UV will improve the printhead's printing transition color, flying ink, dot accuracy and ink dot shape deformation to achieve high-quality printing accuracy, greatly improving the overall painting effect.
Konica 1024a Printheads: Jetting Frequency
KM1024a-UV supports a large ink volume printing mode of up to 6-26pl. This large ink volume printing mode is particularly suitable for printing needs that require a large amount of ink to meet. At the same time, the KM1024a-UV printhead supports a general printing mode of 6-18PL. When using the 6-18PL printing mode, the firing frequency of the KM1024a-UV is 30kHz or above. The general printing mode can basically meet most printing needs on the market.
The KM1024a-UV printhead also supports high-speed printing mode. When using the 6-12PL printing mode, the firing frequency of the KM1024a-UV printhead can be as high as 35kHz or above. This means that when printing at a resolution of 360dpi (horizontally), the carriage speed can reach 2.5 meters per second. Among the piezoelectric printheads currently on the market, the KM1024a-UV printhead has a very large advantage in both large ink volume printing mode and high-speed printing mode.
Printhead Durability
The KM1024a series printhead membrane will use the latest PI material, which has a scratch resistance 10 times stronger than the original KM1024i printhead series. In addition, the KM1024a series printhead uses the latest surface coating treatment technology on the printhead membrane. In addition to further improving scratch resistance, the surface coating effectively removes residual ink and flying ink left on the printhead surface during printing.
Time to Market
KM1024a-UV printheads have been officially launched on the market for UV equipment. Konica Minolta has selected several equipment manufacturers in China to promote UV flatbed and roll-to-roll machines, aiming to seize the UV market share in the next several years. In addition, it will actively promote other models of printheads in the KM1024a series in different fields.
