The system, Tonejet, is an electrostatic drop-on-demand deposition technology. Cambridge-based TTP developed the hardware, which doesn’t incorporate nozzles, but applies a very fine jet of concentrated ink.
According to TTP manager of printing technology, Guy Newcomb, the technology was developed with packaging printers across the world. Although he declined to reveal the identity of the partners, he did say that the tests had allowed Tonejet to print onto almost any substrate, including paper, coated card, glass, metal and plastic film.
“We are able to offer comparable or even better quality to conventional offset,” he said. “The system allows you to control the dot size and to print at 1m per second.”
Inks for the product have been specially formulated and are runny, as opposed to the traditional sticky inks used that are in conventional inkjet printing.
Newcomb added that the cost of the ink had been kept low and the Tonejet could be used on any type of absorbing or non-absorbing substrate.
The product has been in development for 10 years.
Newcomb said: “We can print something that is improved in quality – packaging companies can have images of photographic quality on their product.”
TTP is also looking at developing the technology for the book printing market.
Before Tonejet is piloted, machines will be built at the sites of all the partners who will test the product.
TTP is an independent technology development and licensing organisation. The company was founded in 1987 and, in 2003, it linked up with Xaar to develop a range of peripherals for inkjet print heads.
TONEJET
• Developed by TTP
• Targets packaging and book printing sectors
• Incorporates electrostatic drop-on-demand deposition technology
• Can print onto almost any substrate including paper, coated card, glass, metal and plastic film
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