RAPID Wire and Highspeed: The print head ventilation
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5
RAPID Wire and Highspeed: The print head ventilation
The RAPID Wire and the Rapid Highspeed printers are equipped with a print head ventilation. The
print head ventilation ensures longer cleaning intervals and reduces the risk of condensation
within the print head.
5.1
Basics about the functionality
The print head of the RAPID Wire and Highspeed printer has to be mounted at a distance
between nearly zero und 5 mm to the substrate. This close installation provides the shortest
trajectories for ink droplets. This is the basic requirement for a fast and precise print out.
However, it also bears the risk of contaminating the print head by bursting ink droplets.
With the head ventilation there is a constant air stream at the outlet of the print head that works
like a protective shield against the remains of ink droplets that burst on the surface of the
substrate.
Example: print head ventilation with the RAPID Wire
The print head of the RAPID Wire during the
printing process. The ink jet is illustrated as
a series of red droplets.
With the RAPID Wire the distance between
the substrate, normally a cable, and the print
head is nearly zero.
The illustration shows an enlargement of the
print head. The red ink droplets burst on the
surface of the substrate, causing smaller
droplets that are bouncing back in the direction
of the outlet of the print head.
The compressed air of the head ventilation is
illustrated as blue droplets. With the slight over
pressure in the print head, the compressed air
prevents the intrusion of ink droplets into the
print head.
