The exclusive deal means that Xaar will manufacture Quantica’s NovoJet printhead at its Huntingdon facility.

Up until now Quantica had been making the heads itself but on a prototype basis.

The partnership also give Xaar access to Quantica’s intellectual property for jetting viscous materials up to 400cP (cP is the unit of viscosity).

By comparison, Xaar’s existing heads and new ImagineX range can jet up to 100cP which is already very high for graphic arts applications.

“The two companies are bringing together very unique capabilities and each one is bringing specific assets to the partnership,” explained Quantica CTO Ramon Borrell.

“Xaar have phenomenal manufacturing facilities and know-how and in the case of Quantica we bring the development of the IP and the know-how about the best use of the technology.”

He said both parties would also “save a lot of money” by removing duplication of investments and developments, “so it’s a very good match”.

Quantica’s focus is on 3D printing systems for applications including dental, medical and electronics.

Xaar COO Graham Tweedale said: “There’s a really good synergy with our manufacturing capability so it fits well in our factory. We’re well invested so we have the capacity to support it without needing further investment, and it’s really complementary to our ImagineX platform.

“We are looking at areas such as industrial coatings where they’re using really viscous fluids and can’t currently exploit the benefits of digital – this technology allows you to do that,” he explained.

“Things like adhesives, coatings in PCB manufacture, and solar panels. Industrial coatings is where we’re exploring the full range of applications that could benefit from this additional capability.”

Tweedale added: ”There are some areas of ceramics manufacture that are still currently using analogue processes typically, like glazing, that have an opportunity with this technology. It’s anywhere where you’re trying to put a lot of viscous fluid down, very quickly.

“For example, think of a general assembly line at at a large manufacturer, they might be having to dispense glues in lots of different ways with different patterns, that are extremely viscous. But if you could have a common inkjet solution to that you could run several different products through the same line potentially.”

The first Quantica 3D printers with NovoJet printheads made by Xaar are likely to ship at the end of the year.