Epson develops inkjet print head using original thin-film piezo element

Seiko Epson Corporation (Epson) has succeeded in developing a thin-film piezo element ‘that boasts the world's highest degree of distortion’, according to a statement. Volume production of Micro Piezo print heads that feature these elements as actuators will be launched in April 2007.

The Micro Piezo print head is an inkjet print head which utilizes Epson's original Micro Piezo technology. This technology uses electrical signals to change the shape of piezo elements and then fires ink droplets according to the physical force generated by the change in shape of these elements. Epson's Stylus Photo and Stylus Pro inkjet printers, which utilize Micro Piezo print head technology, are photo-quality printers that have consistently played leading roles in the Japanese inkjet printer market and earned high approval and trust from customers.

Inkjet systems are currently attracting a great deal of attention as they are being put to use more and more frequently in printing and manufacturing processes. Inkjet systems ‘have the advantages of being ideally suited to small print loads and of being gentler on the environment’. Compared to other inkjet systems, Micro Piezo technology offers ‘superior ink ejection performance, compatibility with a wide variety of inks, and durability’. As a result, this technology is already being utilized effectively in various commercial and industrial fields such as photo lab printing, digital printing, textile printing, and color filter manufacturing. The Micro Piezo print head is not only suitable for functions ranging from consumer applications to commercial and industrial applications, but it also offers ‘outstanding cost effectiveness due to its high degree of reliability and production volume efficiency’.

Epson is currently focusing its development efforts on creating a next-generation Micro Piezo print head to support expansion of the inkjet field beyond consumer printers and to strengthen its applications for business and industry. Through these efforts, Epson claims to have achieved the following:

1. Created a piezo element with the world's highest degree of distortion through film thickness reduction and materials development.
2. Raised density levels by developing and utilizing innovative thin-film processing techniques.
3. Designed a high-density ink reservoir through independent MEMS technology development.

As a result, Epson has managed to develop a nozzle with a density of 360 dpi – claimed to be the world's highest for an inkjet print head using piezoelectric technology – while at the same time maintaining the advantages of conventional Micro Piezo print heads. Epson has also managed to establish a completely independent manufacturing process by producing the piezoelectric materials in-house. The installation of these Micro Piezo print heads in printers and other devices will make it possible to design speedier and more compact inkjet equipment than ever before.

In the future, Epson plans to focus on Micro Piezo technology as one of its core technologies. By continuing to develop Micro Piezo technology, Epson will be able to expand its usage potential beyond consumer applications to encompass other areas such as business and industry.