New piezo actuator and fluid channel design target painting, 3D printing, and advanced manufacturing
Kyocera Corporation is currently developing a new inkjet printhead for industrial use that can jet higher-viscosity materials, resulting in significantly larger droplets. The new printhead can work with materials that are thick, up to 80 mPa·s, and can spray out droplets as large as 280 pL through 1,584 nozzles, covering a print width of 111.69 mill Kyocera claims the device represents an industry first among printheads with more than 1,500 nozzles capable of jetting materials at 80 mPa·s or higher.
Explore the innovative Kyocera printhead designed for industrial use, capable of jetting high-viscosity materials and larger droplets.The printhead centers on a proprietary piezoelectric bend-mode actuator that Kyocera states increases jetting force. According to the company, the design supports materials with viscosities up to 16 times higher than those supported by its prior technology, enabling droplet volumes up to 20 times larger. The approach is aimed at processes that benefit from thicker fluids and larger deposition, including automotive painting, additive manufacturing, and certain electronics workflows.
Kyocera has reworked the fluid channel architecture for circulating high-viscosity materials, an area that has historically posed stability challenges. The company says its simulation-driven channel design improves reliable jetting during continuous operation, boosting throughput and print quality in production settings.
The printhead’s stated specifications include an effective width of 111.69 millimeters, 1,584 nozzles, 360 by 360 dpi resolution, support for materials at 80 mPa·s, and a 280 pL drop volume under Kyocera’s evaluation conditions. Kyocera did not provide the jetting frequency, compatible material classes (such as solvent-, UV-curable-, or particle-filled formulations), operating temperature ranges, durability metrics, or maintenance requirements. Pricing, sampling timelines, and commercial availability were not disclosed.
