Features
Piezo Technology
Piezo
technology can be compared to an old-fashioned oil can. The piezoelectric
crystal, when stimulated by electrical current, changes shape and
creates a bulge (like pressing on the bottom of an old-fashioned
oil can), forcing the ink out the nozzle and onto the paper to form
a dot.
There
are several advantages of piezo technology over thermal. PiezoPrint
heads can use a wider range of inks, either pigmented or dyes (some
manufacturers use waxy crayon-like ink "pucks" which are
melted prior to printing; this is called "phase change"
technology. Ink suppliers can formulate higher concentrations of
inks in non-aqueous suspensions, which dye more quickly. This gives
printer manufacturers the ability to increase print speed. Anecdotal
data and Raster Graphics' testing puts technology from 8 to 10 times
the speed of thermal inkjet technology.
Because
the ink is not heated with piezo technology, there is much less
residue buildup. In addition, piezo technology requires much less
energy because there is no heating element, which, according to
Mark Hanley of IT Strategies (a Massachusetts-based consulting firm
which follows the large-format digital printing market), is a long-term
consideration as energy consumption relates to head life and the
size of head a manufacturer can produce.
Piezo
technology is used by Raster Graphics' PiezoPrint™ 1000, PiezoPrint™
5000 and Arizona Digital Screen Press™
ColorSpan's DisplayMaker Express; Roland Digital Group's CAMMJet;
and others.
Materials
There are many media/materials available to best suite your application. Some of these include:
- Synthetic Paper - general purpose, bright white paper
- Pet Gloss - the best material for indoor use; photographic quality resolution
- Satin Paper - same as Pet Gloss, but with satin finish
- Water Proof Vinyl - adhesive back, durable and suited for graphics both indoor and outdoor
- Tyvek™ Banner Material - non-tear, very durable material, great for outdoor use
- Fine Art Canvas - 10 oz. canvas gives the look & feel of a real painting; great for photos and artwork reproduction.
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