The document discusses scanning inkjet printing solutions provided by Meteor Inkjet Ltd. Scanning printing has advantages over single pass printing like lower cost, tighter jetting tolerances, and higher ink coverage. Meteor provides scanning software, digital front ends, and printhead electronics to support industrial inkjet applications across various markets like ceramics, textiles, packaging, and more. Their solutions are customizable, scalable, and help customers accelerate time to market.

1. Meteor Inkjet Ltd
Scanning Solutions
David Heath, Technical Sales Manager

2. Ceramic Tiles
Product
Decoration
Textiles Packaging Functional &
3D
Labelling
Signs, Displays
& Decor
Industrial inkjet systems cover a wide range of markets

3. Here are 7 leading industrial inkjet printhead
manufacturers.

4. Why Choose
Scanning Over
Single Pass?

5. Scanning
Scanning can be the chosen method of printing for a number of
reasons,
• Low cost,
• Tight jetting tolerances (meaning fewer missing nozzles present),
• High volume of ink coverage
just to name a few.
H1
H2
H3
H4
H1 Xoffset
H3 Xoffset
H4 Xoffset
H1
H2
H3
H4
H1 Xoffset
H3 Xoffset
H4 Xoffset
ABCD
Image Xstart (FORWARD SCAN) ImageY
Image Xstart (REVERSE SCAN)
CarriageX-Position
DATUM(‘Home’Position)
Increasing X
H2 Xoffset
H2 Xoffset
H1Yoffset
H2Yoffset
H3Yoffset
H4Yoffset
H1Yoffset
H2Yoffset
H3Yoffset
H4Yoffset
FORWARD SCAN REVERSE SCAN

6. Scanning in
2D
X
Y
Media
Head motion
Mediamotion
Print swathe
‘Documents’Head
carriage
Media
transport
‘Job’
Yang L. et al. (2017) Introduction to Additive Manufacturing. In: Additive
Manufacturing of Metals: The Technology, Materials, Design and Production.
Springer Series in Advanced Manufacturing. Springer, Cham
Scanning in
3D

7. Swath
• Scanning builds up an image using
swaths of image data
• A swath height can be performed using
multiple printheads, a single printhead or
a portion of a printhead
Stitch
Stitch
Stitch
• In order to hide more swath artefacts a
mask can be applied to the whole swath
however this requires over printing of the
same area and will result in additional
swaths to build up the image but the
result is then expected to be a flawless
print at the cost of throughput.
• To create a seamless look on each swath
at the edge of the swath its advised to
utilise a stitch image to ensure the
regions between the edges go unnoticed
in the final print result

8. Swath
• To achieve a higher DPI interlacing
techniques can be implemented.
Interlacing could be in the X axis, in the Y
axis or in both. Interlacing of the data is
then achieved in double or multiple
passes.
• Overprinting is a feature where the same
area of image is printed again but can
also be performed using a different
portion of the printhead jetting assembly.
This can eliminate the appearance of a
missing nozzles just by using the different
regions of the same printhead.

9. Swath
• This is an example of interlacing with both
the X axis, and the Y axis in four passes
• This is an example of utilising a mask
with both the X axis, and the Y axis also
using interlacing.

10. Scanning Software Requirements
• Ready to use application software (no waiting
around for a licence key)
• Apply control methods for hiding the print
defects
• Customisable user interfaces for industries
such as textiles, Packaging, Product
Decoration, Signs, Displays & Décor, 3D
printing and more
• Software Development Kits available to quickly
build a scanning printer from the ground up
• Access to full printhead functionality and
waveform development capability

11. • A DFE should accelerate a
customers time to market
Example of a DFE (MetScan)
• Allow for personalisation of the user
interface as well as adding required
extensions such as UV lamp
temperatures and control
• Have a selectable mosaic function
in order to reduce media waste
• Display selected product image
properties
• Manage a print queue to ensure the
production process flows from one
job to another without the need for
an operator

12. Printhead Electronics Data Path
• Modular architecture for scalable implementation
from prototype through to production
• Any number of printheads, any number of fluids
• Off-the-shelf, production-ready components
• Access full printhead functionality
• Capable of supporting the performance
requirements of demanding applications

13. We offer regional sales and support.

14. Meteor designs, manufactures and
supplies electronics, software and
components for industrial inkjet systems
Meteor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Global Graphics PLC (Euronext:
GLOG)

15. Why choose Meteor?
Flexible, scalable, customisable solutions for any application
Reliable, robust, production-ready products
Long-term, proven product supply
Established relationships with printhead manufacturers
World-wide, responsive sales and technical support
Low risk integration and speed to market

16. enquiries@meteorinkjet.com
+44 34 5844 0012
www.meteorinkjet.com
www.linkedin.com/company/meteor-inkjet
@Meteor_Inkjet