What is thermal inkjet (TIJ) technology

Thermal Inkjet, or TIJ, is a non-contact form of applying ink onto almost any surface. Unlike CIJ Printers, TIJ uses ink cartridges in the system meaning there is no need for bottles of inks or solvents.

For this reason, TIJ printers are often a cost-effective and clean solution for printing. The use of ink cartridges in thermal inkjet printers means that changing the colour of ink for the printer is a straightforward process.

TIJ printers use standard ink cartridge systems and do not require any bottles of inks or solvent, making TIJ printers clean and simple to use. Thermal inkjet printers use a drop ejection process, storing ink in a cartridge that regulates the pressure of the fluid.

Which Industries Utilise TIJ Technology?

The low running costs and portability of TIJ printers make them a perfect solution for coding and marking in a number of industries, such as:

• Printing codes onto large pieces of industrial wood
• Printing codes onto other building materials
• Printing codes and serial numbers onto manufactured parts such as automotive parts
• Printing batch codes and dates onto food packaging 
• Pharmaceutical packaging

What are the Advantages of TIJ Technology?

TIJ, by comparison, is low maintenance and cost-effective method for producing high-resolution codes on a variety of surfaces. TIJ technology is also highly dependable, being a newer and much simpler technology than other printing methods such as CIJ; the only ongoing cost of TIJ printers is replacement cartridges.

In addition to reduced upkeep costs, the simplicity of TIJ technology allows for the machines to be compact and easily mobile compared to other printer types. The portability of TIJ printers makes them a fantastic solution for applications where there is a requirement to fit into tighter spaces or production processes with bulky materials which are difficult to move, such as lumber production, construction material production and automotive/aerospace part manufacturing.

How does TIJ Technology work?

The Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) process utilises ink cartridges as opposed to the replenishable tanks used by CIJ printers. Through a process of 'drop ejection', TIJ printers propel ink droplets using heat. The ink is heated to a temperature of 340°C which generates a bubble. As this bubble expands, it propels the ink to the surface of the material being printed. Once the ink droplet leaves the ink nozzle, the bubble collapses and creates a vacuum for the process to repeat.

TIJ, by comparison, is low maintenance and a cost-effective method for producing high-resolution codes on a variety of surfaces. TIJ technology is also highly dependable, being a newer and much simpler technology than other printing methods such as CIJ; the only ongoing cost of TIJ printers is replacement cartridges.

In addition to reduced upkeep costs, the simplicity of TIJ technology allows for the machines to be compact and easily mobile compared to other printer types. The portability of TIJ printers makes them a fantastic solution for applications where there is a requirement to fit into tighter spaces or production processes with bulky materials which are difficult to move, such as lumber production, construction material production and automotive/aerospace part manufacturing.

Call: +44(0)1948 662629
Email: enquiries@needham-ink.com