03 Nov 2024

Leading Manufacturers Choose Xaar Inkjet for Digital Ceramic Tile Printers at Tecnargilla

 

 


  • CretaPrint, Kerajet, Projecta, Intesa and TecnoFerrari show latest inkjet printers featuring Xaar 1001 printheads
  • Ferro, Itaca, Chimigraf and Colorobbia present Xaar-approved inks for ceramic tiles
  • Xaar sponsors first Tecnargilla Design Award

 

Several leading manufacturers show innovative inkjet printers using Xaar printheads at Tecnargilla, Rimini, Italy (27th September – 1st October 2010). Xaar’s OEMs: CretaPrint, Kerajet, Projecta, Intesa and TecnoFerrari are all demonstrating the quality, flexibility and creative potential of their latest inkjet printers at the event. In addition Xaar’s ink partners, including Ferro, Esmalglass-Itaca, Chimigraf and Colorobbia, all present their range of inks certified for use with the Xaar 1001 printhead.

At Tecnargilla, Xaar’s OEM partners show the unique advantages of inkjet printed tiles and how the process significantly enhances creativity in tile design with the ability to produce life-like patterns across the whole surface, even the edges. Inkjet printing allows users to print smooth, uneven and textured tiles and borders, with the facility to print large images that eliminate any obvious repeat patterns in the final display. In addition, printers gain the freedom to produce variable and personalised images. As a non-contact process, inkjet printing also enables large and thin tiles to be printed without risk of breakage. Because the digital process has no set up time small batches can be printed quickly on request, time after time, with the confidence that the images will match. This allows companies to reduce their stocks and produce what they need, when they need it.

“The ceramics tile industry is experiencing a digital revolution,” says Mark Alexander, Director of Marketing at Xaar. “Ceramic tile producers are adopting innovative digital inkjet technology from Xaar to provide considerable benefits to their customers. Not only does the digital process open up new creative design opportunities, it also brings substantial commercial benefits in being able to produce small volumes of bespoke tiles, cost-effectively.”

The unique patented design of re-circulating ink through the printhead allows the Xaar 1001 to jet a variety of fluids. It can handle both traditional pigmented and ‘nanoparticle’ inks and, because the fluid is in constant movement sedimentation and build up of particles are eliminated. Designed for high-speed, single pass applications, the Xaar 1001 delivers excellent drop formation and drop placement accuracy with outstanding operational durability.

The Xaar 1001’s innovative XaarDOT™ features allow variable dots to be produced to give users the ability to select drop size depending upon the application. Fine drops give smooth tones, contrasting shades and sharp lines, while larger drops ensure good ink coverage at maximum print speed. The result is a stunning replication of natural materials such as stone and marble.