Basic Knowledge On Inkjet Printers [article from Articleranks]

Basic Knowledge On Inkjet Printers

Computers use inkjet printers to create printed work executed by command by contact of tiny ink droplets on paper. It is the most widely use printer and comes in a variation of sizes with a range of prices for whichever work its intended for. It has been around for a long time and its performing ability has been made better making the purchasers range even wider.

The technology behind this printer is in two ways. First we have continuous inkjet and the idea behind this is charged droplets entering an electrostatic field at high speed, a huge amount of this ink is recycled therefore a small amount is actually used in printing. Printing by this technology is quite fast thus printing speed cannot be a problem.

There is also the drop on demand technology which is further divide into two, thermal and piezoelectric. Thermal inkjet printers technology employs passing of a current pulse through a heating element which results in quick vaporization of ink to a bubble, increasing pressure and thereby propelling an ink droplet on the paper. Its ink is normally aqueous as it easily forms vapor bubbles. It is worth noting that the technology behind this printer is different from thermal printers.

Piezoelectric inkjet uses piezoelectric material unlike the other which uses a heating element. It is flexible for a variety of ink as it does not require volatile component.

Ink used on these printers is water soluble and not expensive to manufacture the problem with it though is that it is not easy to control it on media surfaces. This type of ink is used on thermal heads since they require water to work. There are several ink types available, soluble, hard soluble, mild soluble, inks curable by UV and those that sublime with dye. The print outcome of these inks varies by different standards in quality and duration.

Inkjet head are in two main designs. There is the fixed head which is an in built head and should last as long as the printer does. Obtaining a replacement head if it gets damaged can be expensive though some cannot be replaced and this means replacing the printer itself. There is also a disposable head which comes as part of ink cartridge that is replaceable. When this ink is exhausted the entire print head and cartridge will be replaced this deals with the issue of damaged print head.

Cleaning is required when ink dries up clogging the nozzles of the print head. Some printers have a manual cleaning mode so the operator can clean it manually. When a nozzle is clogged it can also be soaked in a little amount of water so it can unclog.

Earlier types of printers in comparison to inkjet printers made a lot of noise and their print detail is not fine. More expensive types of printers take a long warm up time as compared to this type of printers the printing costs per page are also higher except as compared to laser printers. Its problem of high priced ink and high priced cartridge has been dealt with by third party manufacturers of the same products but at cheaper pricing.

I have more reviews and information about monochrome printers at my Web site. You may also be interested in reading my article on PIXMA all in one printers.

tags:inkjet printers,inkjet printing,computer printers,printers