Xaar launches water-based textile print head

Sponsored by Xaar

Xaar’s revolutionary new print head – Xaar Aquinox – is enabling textile printers to fully embrace water-based digital inkjet printing through reliable, creative and sustainable jetting of both dye based and pigmented aqueous fluids. This is all driven by its aQ Power Technology, the company says.

Inkjet technology only accounts for around 10% of all printed textiles globally but offers significant advantages to printers. These include reduced production costs, more efficient use of consumables, increased productivity and a faster response, all of which are driving predicted growth throughout the decade.

In addition, the switch to pigment inks enables a simpler print process, offering immediate final colour control, just-in-time print quality and superior lightfastness. With fewer process steps pigment solutions are also more sustainable as they reduce both water and energy consumption.

Having worked with leading developers and manufacturers of aqueous inkjet inks to rigorously assess and improve performance, Xaar Aquinox is capable of handling both dye based and pigmented fluids for use on a wide range of textile applications, says the company.

Xaar adds its technology is creating the opportunity for ink manufacturers to reformulate their inks and fluids to deliver richer, more vibrant colours as well as deliver greater functionality. Having the ability to jet fluids with much higher viscosity – up to 100cP – will ensure inkjet printing delivers the reliability, performance, creativity and sustainability that textile businesses and consumers now demand. The company adds, it will accelerate the water-based inkjet textile printing revolution.

Revolutionising reliability

Xaar has been innovating inkjet technology for over 30 years, leading several major industry transformations, according to the company. In 2020, the business launched its ImagineX platform to power the next generation of products. But the next leap forward in aqueous printing is its most significant print head launch yet: Xaar Aquinox.

When developing its aqueous technology, the market need was clear – deliver a truly reliable, robust print head that can print a much wider range of aqueous fluids including high viscosity and high pigment loading. And that, Xaar claims, is what it has done.

The revolutionary Xaar Aquinox and its aQ Power Technology provides a radically innovative approach to how water-based fluids are jetted, delivering a truly transformational industrial print head for textiles, the company says.

The combination of an updated internal architecture, new advanced material and a novel technique for ejecting the ink droplets ensures Xaar Aquinox is a print head that users can rely on for trouble-free aqueous operation. This is even with extended high viscosity and pigment loading requirements.

Highly compatible with a wide range of fluids for increased robustness and lifespan - even acidic inks - Xaar Aquinox is a ground-breaking aqueous print head, the company continues. Xaar’s unique TF Technology ink recirculation and Sure Flow self-cleaning ensure continuous print quality. Moreover, Xaar Aquinox’s high throw distance avoids issues with variations or creases in the textile media, as well as eliminating fibre contamination and other print issues.

Revolutionising production

The changing landscape of the textile market makes the Xaar Aquinox print head ideal for a variety of applications. Simplified processes, exceptional print speeds and a wide array of customisation options place Xaar Aquinox at the forefront of efficiency and versatility. Speeds of over 100m/min can be achieved, and a high native resolution of 720dpi - and firing frequency of up to 48kHz - enable high fluid laydown for maximum productivity.

Super-fast setup and installation times with plug and print capability, alongside drop-in print head alignment, all ensure that Xaar Aquinox is ready to print from the get-go. Also, due to the ability to use a variety of fluids and inks, the Xaar Aquinox can manage multiple processes with different drop size capabilities, simplifying processes within print operations and enabling consolidation of machines on the factory floor, says the company.

Revolutionising creativity

Xaar Aquinox allows users to print bolder and brighter, says the company, offering improved precision and versatility across textile print applications through the ability to jet highly pigmented and viscous inks.

High Laydown Technology increases the print head’s jettable drop size. This is especially useful for printing textiles, highly absorbent substrates, or thick film coatings.

The head is also compatible with a broad range of aqueous fluids and viscosities to simplify processes and reduce a machine’s environmental footprint.

Combined with Xaar’s Ultra High Viscosity Technology, the Aquinox print head can also add more creativity to these wider substrate applications, allowing for brighter, bolder and more creative finishes. It does this, according to Xaar, by extending the range of fluids and colour gamut available using larger particles and heavier pigment loading.

Whereas the inkjet printing of white inks has traditionally caused blockages and nozzle outs, the Xaar Aquinox with TF Technology has delivered improvements when dealing with whites and heavily pigmented inks. This reduces maintenance needs thus improving up-time and reliability. These features determine the vibrancy and results required for textile printing, particularly on dark substrates.

Revolutionising sustainability

Key among the new Xaar Aquinox print head’s advantages is the contribution it can provide for businesses in the delivery of more environmentally friendly print and production. With reduced energy consumption and water usage (both in production and drying times), and especially in textile printing, this can equate to as much as a 60% saving in energy and water over similar analogue printing processes, says Xaar.

Traditionally, during periods of non-printing many print heads have required high humidity and need to be continuously jetting to ensure print quality. Xaar’s TF Technology ink recirculation gives improved open time and latency, reducing maintenance and unnecessarily wasted ink, saving energy and resources, thus maximising the total cost of ownership.

Similarly, the improved robustness of Xaar Aquinox extends print life and avoids costly replacement. Which is a further example of how the technology minimises waste and protects the environment.

The Xaar Aquinox – a revolution in textile printing

Xaar Aquinox is supported by the reliable and proven Hydra ink supply system and drive electronics, with its “plug and print” capability maximising printer uptime and print uniformity.

An easy-to-use, intuitive user interface facilitates integration of each print head and ensures the seamless combination of all Xaar’s proven technologies and innovations into the “truly transformational” Xaar Aquinox, providing progress in both technology, quality and sustainability for printing textiles, the company adds.

Xaar Aquinox breaks new ground, opening-up new water-based print applications previously not possible with inkjet. It will revolutionise textile printing, helping to deliver a world where you can truly print anything you imagine, concludes Xaar.

To find out more about the Xaar Aquinox, click here.

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