Megnajet Back-to-Basics – The role of an ink supply system

JetSource HV HFR Core

At Megnajet, we understand that the complexity of inkjet systems can be overwhelming. At its core, an ink supply system or fluid management system isn't about ‘supplying’ ink, despite what its name may suggest; it's all about controlling and conditioning the fluid. Therefore, it is the ink supply system’s job to regulate the fluid’s properties such as flow rate, temperature and pressure, helping to deliver the results demanded by many of today’s innovative uses of inkjet.

To use an analogy, the ink supply system is the ‘heart’ of the ecosystem which pumps, circulates, controls and conditions the fluid. Printheads require a reliable and consistent ink supply to be able to operate correctly or fulfil its purpose, so our systems stand at the centre of this inkjet network.

In this blog, we highlight the significance of ink supply systems and explain why they are the cornerstone of many exceptional inkjet applications.

Why are ink supply systems essential?

The role of an ink supply system can be broken down into three parts – to provide reliability, control and optimisation for every application.

Reliability

Every good inkjet system requires a high level of reliability, and a dependable ink supply system is a key part of achieving high quality jetting. Our systems achieve this with easy operation, low maintenance and all-important self monitoring control systems which allow the system to consistently maintain set-up parameters. These features ensure that every print maintains outstanding quality and that these processes are themselves repeatable.

Our products also feature fail-safe measures to increase overall reliability. These mechanisms act as safeguards and prevent situations such as fluid spills or ink overflow, or other unwanted situations, preserving the printing process's integrity. These features can ultimately save users the costly and timely task of cleaning up expensive fluids as well as avoiding system down time.

Control

Printheads are intricate machines, and they demand precise and consistent conditions to perform optimally. Without proper temperature and pressure control, fluid properties can deviate which ultimately affects print quality. The ink supply system maintains these crucial parameters enabling the printheads to consistently deliver accuracy.

In industrial inkjet applications such as in Additive Manufacturing and 3D printing, fluids are jetted layer upon layer. A small defect in one layer can potentially lead to a functional or structural failure in the final printed product. Therefore, ink supply systems are indispensable in additive manufacturing to achieve consistent and reliable printing results.

Optimisation

Every application has its own unique requirements. Often, choosing the appropriate system depends on factors such as the type of printhead, the number of printheads required and the specific pressure/volume needed for the application. At Megnajet, these specific requirements of our customers lead us to create our innovative solutions, and to tailor our systems to meet the ever-changing industry trends and demands.

We also understand that for many OEMs, optimising the efficiency of any workspace is crucial, and the compact nature of our systems has precisely this in mind. Opting for a compact ink supply solution allows seamless integration of the systems into your printing process line and enhances the overall productivity of the production cell.

In addition, we want to ensure that our systems are not only fit for purpose in their mechanical operation, but their software also meets our customers’ needs. By offering user-friendly software and direct communication options, we streamline the integration process and ensure a seamless transition into every existing printing setup.

In short, the role of an ink supply system is never to merely ‘supply ink’ - it manages, controls and conditions fluids to create the optimum environment for reliability, functionality and precision for its intended application.

So, next time you marvel at a perfect inkjet print or 3D jetted part – you’ll now know that a reliable ink supply system was likely an essential part of the process.

Want to find out more about how Megnajet fluid management systems can benefit your inkjet applications? Give us a call on +44 (0) 1536 523501 or take a look at our dedicated product pages.