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Advanced DropWatcher Optics

For enhanced inkjet development

 

Analyse and improve print quality

Meteor’s advanced DropWatcher Optics enable more precise visualisation and measurement of ink droplets, enabling users to analyse and improve print quality with greater confidence and control.

Building on the proven synchronised strobe and long-exposure imaging approach of earlier Meteor DropWatchers, the new system introduces enhanced optical and timing technologies that capture sharper, more detailed images of individual droplets. This allows accurate measurement of drop volume and a deeper understanding of dynamic behaviours such as ligament breakup, meniscus oscillation, and mist generation. This advancement provides a new level of measurement precision and analytical capability.

High-Resolution Imaging

The system features a high-intensity strobe with addressable pulse outputs and a fixed objective camera lens, dramatically improving image quality and resolution. Enjoy precise control over both strobe and camera exposure timings. This enables the user to observe the formation of an inkjet drop and elements of its creation that affect print quality.

Single-Event Frame Capture

The system captures single-event frames, clearly revealing dynamic differences in drop and satellite formation that occur from nozzle to nozzle and cycle to cycle. These differences are critical for understanding the interaction between print frequency, nozzle duty, and ink formulation.

Femtolitre (fL) Visibility

The enhanced optics allow visualisation of the tiniest femtolitre drop sizes. This capability is key to precisely observing and reducing misting through refined waveform optimisation. By minimising misting, users can prevent nozzle plate wetting and obscuration, thereby eliminating print deviations and missing nozzle artifacts.

Idle-Period Analysis

The new optics are uniquely capable of analysing the first ejected drops after any idle period, whether it’s microseconds, minutes, or hours. By detecting issues like ink drying in the nozzle or poor ink refilling, users can implement a tickle pulse or pre-pulse strategy within their waveform. This optimisation dramatically reduces the need for maintenance and cleaning cycles, cutting down on substrate wastage and improving overall operation sustainability and cost-effectiveness.