EPSON Technical Seminar Sharing — How to Improve Printing Stability
Ink must remain smooth, stable, and free from interruption in order to produce high-quality print output. Below is an analysis of several causes that affect ink stability and lead to nozzle dropouts (broken lines): Waveform and Ink Mismatch In digital inkjet printing, mismatch between waveform and ink is one of the core causes of nozzle dropouts. It is mainly caused by resonance abnormalities resulting from incompatibility between the physical properties of the ink (such as sound velocity and specific gravity) and the printhead driving waveform, which affects ink ejection stability. Cause Analysis Conflict Between Sound Velocity and Waveform: The sound velocity of ink varies significantly in different media (gas, liquid, solid). High sound velocity inks (such as water-based inks) cause resonance waves to reach the printhead prematurely. If the driving waveform is not properly adapted, ink ejection becomes chaotic, forming dropouts or banding. Mismatch of Ink Physical and Chemical Properties: Ink density and temperature response (such as accelerated ink residue at high temperatures) may be incompatible with waveform design, resulting in uneven ink flow or localized clogging, especially aggravating dropouts during continuous printing. Additional Environmental Factors: Failure to update drivers for extended periods or changes in environmental humidity may amplify waveform-ink mismatch, leading to unstable ink supply (though this is not the primary cause). Solutions Adjust Printhead Driving Waveform: Optimize waveform parameters (such as pulse width and frequency) according to the measured sound velocity of the ink using professional calibration tools to ensure compatibility with ink density and temperature characteristics.
