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Ink
Printing
1960s
Continuous
inkjet printing with a steady stream of ink remains the
prevalent technology.
Impact printing becomes the most widely used process in
computer-related applications.
1970s
The
industry works to perfect methods of inkjet printing.
Piezoelectric drop-on-demand innovation enhances the desirability
of non-impact printing.
Drop-on-demand methods gain recognition. Although continuous
inkjet printing provides a high drop frequency, it is inefficient
overall compared to drop-on-demand methods in terms of ink
recirculation, reconstitution and drop deflection.
Competing drop-on-demand methods emerge, including electrostatic
and electrohydrodynamic processes.
1980s
Competition
intensifies between continuous inkjet and piezoelectric
drop-on-demand. By the end of the decade, thermal inkjet
emerges as the overwhelming leader in print technology.
Thermal inkjet innovations, driven primarily by HP and Canon,
generate widespread office acceptance of inkjet technology—a
feat never achieved by continuous or piezoelectric inkjet,
despite significant capital investments in both technologies.
1990s
More
technical resources are devoted to improvements and advances
in thermal inkjet technology, which quickly dominates patent
literature (80%).
Continuous inkjet, although scarce, is still found in a
few ultrahigh-speed, low-print-quality applications.
Piezoelectric technology returns in both commercial and
office systems, offering the potential for ink flexibility
at a higher cost on special media. For the most part, however,
thermal inkjet systems still provide better performance
and cost advantages.
Throughout the decade, more than 40 percent of thermal inkjet
patents involve ink and media technology.
Thermal
inkjet technology has been the preferred method of printing
since its market inception in the mid-1980s.
Thermal
inkjet technology has made rapid technological progress.
It is comparable in print quality to electrography for plain-paper
text and graphics.
It rivals silver halide for photographic printing.
It enables highest price/performance ratios for digital
printing across broad markets and applications.
Its low overall system cost enables expanding opportunities
for printing in the home, on the desktop and in professional
applications.
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