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Want to increase your Bubble Jet IQ ? Come on over >>
MicroFine Droplet Technology for
the Ultimate in Photo Quality
Canon's MicroFine Droplet Technology lies at the heart of the Bubble Jet printing
method and is the core technology of Bubble Jet printers. We use a stepper (semiconductor
production device) to make ultrahigh-density heads that eject as little as 4 picoliters
(pl)* of ink quickly, reliably and precisely. This technology has led to dramatic
improvements in all aspects of high-quality inkjet color reproduction. In addition
to reducing the amount of ink needed, the technology increases resolution and the
number of color gradations possible, realizing the ultimate in photo-quality images.
(*1 pl: one -trillionth of a liter)
Semiconductor Production Technologies Achieve 4-Picoliter
Ink Droplets
To faithfully render detailed images using ink-jet printers, the volume of ink ejected
must be minimized to draw extremely small dots. With conventional heads, the alignment
between the nozzle and heater caused some inconsistency in the volume of ink ejected
and the shape of droplets depending on temperature and ink viscosity at the point
of ejection. In most ink-jet printing environments, this inconsistency is not problematic.
However, when ink volumes shrink as small as 4 picoliters, discrepancies in ink volume
and discharge points cause deterioration in image quality. To solve this problem,
Canon placed the heater in the ideal position close to the nozzle opening, so that
all ink forward of the heater is discharged. As a result, even ultrasmall volumes
of 4 picoliters can be discharged effectively.
Moreover, since the physical shape of the interior nozzle determines ink volume,
only a set amount of ink can be ejected. Owing to the absence of liquid separation
control and bubble antifoaming processes, our Bubble Jet printers achieve a strong
discharge with excellent energytransfer efficiency, allowing ultrafine volumes of
ink to be ejected at high speed and in a straight line. Reliable printing quality
is assured, as perfectly round dots of uniform density and shape are created.
Canon applied its world-renowned photolithographic expertise to develop this ink
head. Conventional heads, in which the nozzle and heater are fused together, have
limited ability to perform high-precision processes. By employing a stepper, we have
succeeded in making not only the heater but also the nozzle.
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