Konica Minolta has successfully developed a high-accuracy inkjet head capable of 1-picoliter drop size, the first for printed electronics applications. The new print head utlilizes the company's proprietary MEMS technologies for the first time. KM will start offering the new inkjet printhead (the KM128SNG-MB) in sample quantities by this spring.
The new print head is resistant to various inks required for industrial applications and suitable to use with low-viscosity inks. It can be used for all sorts of applications, including OLED display patterning and OLED lighting thin air coating.
The major features of the new printehead, according to Konica Minolta:
- Silicon MEMS technology used in semiconductor processing
- First printhead for printed electronics applications to achieve a 1 picoliter drop size
- High-accuracy printhead structure: 38mm wide; 128 nozzles in one row
- Stable, highly accurate operation with accuracy drive control on a per-nozzle basis
- High ink resistance and optimization for low viscosity inks for industrial applications
- Provides highly uniform thin layer coating (at the 100nm level)
- Optimized for display manufacturing technology, such as for OLED displays
- Proprietary DPN (Drive Per Nozzle) drive board and evaluation equipment available
KM and GE flexible OLED prototype
Konica Minolta is already offering OLED lighting panels under the symfos brand - but these are rigid panels made with vapor deposition technologies. The company is collaborating with GE towards printed, flexible OLED lighting panels - and this printhead marks an important step towards inkjet printing of OLED panels - for both displays and lighting applications.
