The development uses Epson’s micro piezo technology and has created a piezo element with the highest degree of distortion through film thickness reduction and material development.

It means that the nozzle has a density of 360dpi – the highest in the world for an inkjet printhead, according to Epson. A conventional micro piezo printhead has a native density of 180dpi.

Electrical signals are used to change the shape of the piezo elements before firing ink droplets “according to the physical force generated by the change in shape of these elements”.

The firm added that it had also raised density levels by developing “thin film” processing. Production of the next generation printheads starts this month.

Epson said its micro piezo technology is already used in digital, photo lab and textile printing and colour filter manufacturing.

The firm added: “In the future, Epson plans to focus on micro piezo as one of its core technologies. By continuing to develop it, Epson will be able to expand its usage potential beyond customer applications to encompass other areas such as business and industry.”

Characteristics of the printhead include ‘meniscus control’, which limits vibration on the surface of the liquid for “improved graduation and faster print speeds”.

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NEXT GENERATION MICRO PIEZO
• Uses electrical signals to change the shape of the piezo elements
• Allows each nozzle to print at a density of 360dpi
• Faster print speeds achieved through limiting the vibration on the surface of the liquid in the nozzle