Inkjet & Digital Printing
Inkjet advance in LCD screen manufacturing
Monday 20. October 2008 - Xaar plc ("Xaar"), the inkjet printing technology group headquartered in Cambridge, announces that its Japanese customer, Nakan Corporation ("Nakan") is to launch a new printing machine incorporating Xaar 1001 printheads for use in LCD screen manufacturing.
Nakan, a world leader in the manufacture of LCD-TFT process technology and equipment, will announce a new G8 Inkjet Printer at the FPD International convention at Yokohama Pacifico on 29th to 31st October. Building on earlier experience with inkjet, Nakans new inkjet printer uses the very latest inkjet technology to print the polyimide (PI) alignment-layer in the processing of glass sheets up to 2,200 mm by 2,500 mm. The printing of the PI alignment layer is a key process in the production of all LCD displays.
The new printer incorporates an array of 42 advanced Xaar 1001 printheads which deliver high speed multi-pass printing with precision and control. The combination of Xaars radically new side-shooter design with TF Technology ink circulation and XaarDOT multi-pulse inkjet technology achieves excellent drop placement and volume control with high reliability.
Xaars Advanced Manufacturing Team has worked closely with Nakan over several years to develop inkjet for the printing of PI fluid. The first G5.5 Inkjet Printer was announced in 2007 based on the Xaar 760 printhead. The Xaar 1001 adds significant improvements in both performance and reliability, creating thin, highly uniform coatings with sharply defined edges and a corresponding reduction in materials usage and scrap for the manufacturer. Xaar and Nakan will continue to work closely together to further enhance the benefits of inkjet printing in the manufacture of displays.
Ian Dinwoodie, Xaars Chief Executive, commented: “This new printer demonstrates the advanced capability of the Xaar 1001 printhead for non-graphic applications at an important time when high volume manufacturers are looking for new digital fluid deposition technologies to bring down costs.”