Epson 2007 Annual Report Download - page 16

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14 Seiko Epson Corporation
Developing Inkjet Printers for Business and Industry
In addition to focusing on its mainstay inkjet printers for
the home, Epson is now intensifying its efforts in new
business and industry domains. Micro Piezo technology
is the key element of Epson’s inkjet printers.
Low
flexibility in
selection
of ink
Hard to
control
Low
durability
due to alternating
heating and
cooling
Easy to
control
Flexible
selection
of ink
High
durability
Thermal MethodThermal Method
Piezo MethodPiezo Method
Air bubbles propel ink
Pressure propels ink
Micro Piezo Technology
Compatibility with a wide variety of inks High durability
Precise control of ink droplets
Micro Piezo print head
Epson’s proprietary Micro Piezo
technology maximizes the positive
aspects of the piezo method.
Micro Piezo print heads
incorporating this technology offer:
Can be used in a wide
range of applications
from consumer
(general home use)
to industrial
Micro Piezo Technology Features
Inkjet printers print by firing miniscule droplets of ink onto paper and other print media.
Methods for firing ink droplets can be broadly divided into two categories. In the piezo
method, ink droplets are propelled by the force generated by the change in the shape
of the piezo element. In the thermal method, a heater boils the ink, which is then
propelled by the force of the bubbles of air thus generated. Epson has adopted the
piezo method.
The critical difference between Epson’s inkjet printers and those of competitors is
that Epson’s inkjet print head (hereinafter, Micro Piezo print head) incorporates the
Company’s proprietary Micro Piezo technology, which maximizes the positive aspects
of the piezo method. The Micro Piezo print head offers the following features:
Precise control of ink droplets
Because the technology allows for the precise control of ink droplet size and where the
ink droplet lands, it enables both high-resolution and high-speed printing while using
fewer nozzles than thermal and other methods.
Compatibility with a wide variety of inks
Because the ink is fired by the generation of pressure, it is not burdened by the
extensive restrictions on ink composition that hamper the heat-based thermal method.
Micro Piezo technology makes it possible to control not only Epson’s proprietary
water-based pigment ink, which features superior water and weather resistance, but
also a wide variety of other inks.
High durability
Because no heat is used, the Micro Piezo print head is highly durable.
Because of these features, Micro Piezo technology opens the door to applications
beyond home photo printing and into the arts, business, and industry.