100th Unit The First 100 single-pass DTO systems are shipped. Six lessons from the first 100 — and what they mean for the next 100. Read the lessons →
Perspectives

Custom Industrial Inkjet Printers — Behind the Build

Interview with Kevin Metcalfe, EPS Applications Engineer. How a custom inkjet build comes together from sample to FAT.

The custom inkjet solution-design process begins when customers submit specific requirements and product samples. These samples are tested at the EPS facility, printed, and returned for customer review. This collaborative approach transforms the relationship into a partnership where ideas are exchanged and technical boundaries are explored.

Pretreatment is the make-or-break step

Substrate pretreatment is critical for meeting adhesion requirements. The company employs various methods including corona treatment, atmospheric plasma, flame, and primer applications. Some substrates like polystyrene require minimal pretreatment with UV inks, while others such as polypropylene demand extensive process development.

“It is a series of stages that is prudent to follow. If you haven’t dotted your I’s and crossed your T’s with regard to the process, you can find yourself in a position where you have built a machine that does not yet meet customer requirements.”

— Kevin Metcalfe, Applications Engineer, EPS

From monochrome to multi-color, all custom

EPS manufactures machines ranging from basic monochromatic units to complex multi-color systems. Single-pass inkjet technology provides significant throughput advantages while maintaining quality standards and meeting customer specifications through UV-curable inks.