For the newest version of our Print Module, we developed a combined circuit board for all electronic components of the Print Module. With this step we made another big advancement in functionality and versatility of our Print Modules. New features and benefits were added and are part of the upgrade to our most recent version of the Print Module: Version 2.75
A look back
The Print Module 2.5 was housing different boards for the print head controller, the control of the ink supply and additional electronics for the data and control of the Print Module – all of them needed individual servicing and quality assurance procedures and caused more complicated wiring for their interfacing inside the Print Module. The connections necessary to join these boards and the boards themselves were taking up a large part of the available space inside of our Print Module and we were hitting a wall of how many new functionalities we could integrate. For example: a recirculating ink supply and additional sensors were not possible to integrate without compromising the compact size of our Print Module.
It was (and will remain) important that new versions of Print Modules stay compatible with the print systems/printers we already installed in the field. For any upgrade it is therefore a priority that our customers can add the most current version of the Print Modules to their production and benefit from our advancements.
Top benefits of the Print Module 2.75
Decrease of the recurring service costs by 75 %
There are less spare and wear parts that need regular replacement. This decreased the costs for service contracts and appointments.
Decreased support costs through easier troubleshooting and quicker access
By developing one joined board, connections were removed, and the accessibility of service parts was improved.
Additional sensors for self-analysis
More extensive monitoring of temperature and the option of optical analysis have extended the possibilities for production monitoring and automated troubleshooting and made the Print Module suitable for remote support and remote commissionings.
Improved performance for real time corrections
The new electronics are faster and make it possible to detect distortions, decreased quality or errors in the printed picture and change the print data to compensate and correct the output of the print head .
Integration of a re-circulating ink supply
The gained space also made it possible to integrate a re-circulating ink supply inside the Print Module to match the demands of more challenging print fluids.
Heated ink supply inside the Print Module
The ink supply is fully heated. The print fluid temperature is kept consistent during the complete flow – from the bottle to the substrate.
Control of the Print Module via a REST API and MQTT
The electronics also offer a completely new software to control the print Modules. A REST API makes communication with the Print Modules even easier and with MQTT the Print Modules can be seamlessly integrated into any production environment or printer.
The decreased service costs, added sensory and improved ink supply, make our Print Modules even more versatile and offer our existing customers additional benefits. Due to the dimensions that remained the same over the generations of the Print Modules, the changes required to upgrade an existing print system are minimal. With our new Software we were able to add a better queue management, more convenient workflows and the possibilities for a more extensive remote supportability.
The right timing for a new and better version
Our recent advancement in functionality are an advantage for remote commissioning and support. The new electronics provide much more information on the performance of the Print Modules; the added sensors give a clear picture of the performance even when we are not able to have an eye on our hardware. These new insights into the technology offer the possibility to add fully automated procedures for behaviour analysis and troubleshooting. All these factors make it feel like our service technicians are with the customer during the installation – even when they aren’t. The setup of our Print Modules is easier than ever, and we experienced hassle free commissioning and support sessions via remote during the last two years.
The substantial design changes were proven over the last years under industrial conditions and made clear to us: Our new combined board is exactly matching our modular approach and made it possible to have extended functionality, serviceability, and remote supportability.
With the recent step to the Print Module 2.75 we took another big leap to live up to the demands of industrial inkjet.