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Ink Tester: Advanced Waveform Editing, Static Fire Production Press Simulation, Modular Ink System & Ink Degassing

DST TeamNov 2, 20265 min read
Ink Tester: Advanced Waveform Editing, Static Fire Production Press Simulation, Modular Ink System & Ink Degassing

Edit waveforms. Simulate production-press firing conditions. Test multiple inks. Verify printheads on the same machine.

Test ink before production - and test the printhead on the same machine. The Ink Tester from Digital Sign Technologies Inc. (DST) is an independent industrial inkjet testing system for evaluating ink jettability, printhead compatibility and ink behavior under simulated production-press firing conditions.

The Ink Tester and Print Head Tester (PHT) are the same physical machine with dual functionality. In Ink Tester mode, a known-good printhead serves as the reference for evaluating ink. In PHT mode, the system verifies printhead condition through a physical nozzle test in less than 3 minutes.

The platform offers four advanced capabilities: optional Waveform Editing, Static Fire Production Press Simulation, a Modular Ink System, and optional Ink Degassing. A typical ink test can be performed in approximately 3 minutes, depending on configuration and test procedure; extended firing tests may take longer.

What Is the Ink Tester, and How Does It Work?

The Ink Tester uses a compatible, known-good printhead to evaluate how an ink actually jets. This is different from laboratory measurements of viscosity or surface tension alone: the tester observes the ink operating through a real inkjet printhead under configured test conditions.

  • Install a compatible, known-good printhead and connect the ink through its dedicated ink system.

  • Configure supported test parameters, including firing settings and optional waveform settings where equipped.

  • Run a nozzle or ink jetting test, review performance, and investigate issues before production.

1. Waveform Editing (Optional): Optimize Inkjet Droplet Formation

Waveform Editing is an optional additional functionality that lets users adjust supported printhead actuation waveforms. Droplet formation, velocity, jetting consistency and satellite droplets can vary with both waveform and ink formulation.

This is particularly valuable to ink manufacturers and R&D teams investigating formulations that vary in viscosity, surface tension and other properties. Engineers can evaluate how supported waveform changes affect jetting and investigate suitable settings for a given ink and printhead combination.

2. Static Fire Testing: Simulate Production-Press Firing Conditions

Static Fire Testing allows users to configure the printhead firing conditions representative of a target industrial inkjet production press directly on the Ink Tester. Ink can therefore be evaluated without installing it in the complete production printer.

A formulation may pass a brief nozzle check but exhibit problems during sustained or demanding firing. Static Fire Testing helps investigate intermittent jetting, nozzle dropout, stability, and performance under relevant firing demands.

  • Evaluate ink at representative printhead firing frequencies and configured conditions.

  • Investigate new formulations, alternative suppliers, and ink batches before full-scale trials.

  • Support ink qualification, troubleshooting and development without unnecessarily interrupting production.

Important: Static Fire Testing simulates supported printhead firing behavior rather than every function of a complete production press. Final production qualification may still be necessary.

3. Modular Ink System: Test Different Inks Without Flushing the Same Ink System

The Modular Ink System is designed to evaluate how the same compatible printhead prints with different inks. Each ink is housed in a separate, dedicated ink system. This means users can switch between inks without repeatedly draining, flushing or replacing ink in the same shared ink system.

Ink manufacturers can compare candidate formulations, different suppliers, colours or batches on one testing platform. Separate systems simplify ink changeovers and reduce the risk of carryover between formulations.

  • Test printhead performance with different inks using their dedicated ink systems.

  • Switch inks more efficiently without repeated flushing of a shared ink path.

  • Evaluate and compare multiple formulations on one dual-purpose testing machine.

4. Ink Degassing (Optional): Remove Dissolved Gases and Air Bubbles

The optional integrated Ink Degasser is designed to help remove dissolved gases and entrained air bubbles from ink before jetting. Gas bubbles can disrupt ink supply, nozzle refilling and the interpretation of test results.

Reducing gas-related disturbances helps users better distinguish actual formulation performance from problems caused by trapped air and supports more consistent ink evaluation.

Four Advanced Capabilities for Ink Development and Validation

  • Waveform Editing (optional): Adjust supported waveforms to investigate inkjet droplet behavior.

  • Static Fire Testing: Simulate printhead firing conditions associated with production presses.

  • Modular Ink System: Test different inks through separate ink systems on one platform.

  • Ink Degassing (optional): Reduce dissolved gases and air bubbles in the ink supply.

Ink Tester and Print Head Tester: One Machine with Dual Functionality

The Ink Tester and Print Head Tester are not separate machines. They are two functions of the same industrial inkjet testing platform.

Ink Tester function: Use a known-good reference printhead to focus on the ink: does the formulation jet reliably under the selected conditions?

Print Head Tester function: Use the same machine to evaluate the printhead itself, including physical nozzle testing in less than 3 minutes: is the printhead ready for use?

This dual functionality helps teams distinguish ink-related problems from printhead defects while using one testing machine. Verify the printhead. Test the ink. Simulate firing conditions. Make informed production decisions.

Who Benefits from an Industrial Ink Tester?

  • Ink manufacturers developing, comparing and qualifying formulations.

  • Printer OEMs investigating ink and supported printhead combinations.

  • R&D laboratories studying firing parameters, waveform response and ink jettability.

  • Industrial printing businesses evaluating alternative inks before production.

  • Technical service providers diagnosing ink-related and printhead-related jetting issues.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Ink Tester

What is an industrial inkjet Ink Tester?

It is an independent test platform that uses a real, known-good printhead to investigate how an ink jets under configured conditions.

Can the Ink Tester simulate a production press?

It can simulate supported printhead firing conditions representative of an industrial production press through Static Fire Testing. It does not replicate the full press.

Can the Ink Tester evaluate ink in approximately 3 minutes?

A typical test can take approximately 3 minutes, depending on configuration; extended Static Fire Tests can take longer.

Is Waveform Editing optional?

Yes. Waveform Editing is an optional additional functionality for supported printhead firing waveforms.

How does the Modular Ink System avoid repeated flushing?

Different inks reside in separate dedicated ink systems, so users do not need to drain and flush the same shared ink system for every formulation.

Is Ink Degassing optional?

Yes. The integrated Ink Degasser is an optional additional functionality.

Are the Ink Tester and Print Head Tester separate machines?

No. They are the same physical machine with dual functionality: ink evaluation using a known-good printhead and printhead verification using nozzle tests.

Why is a known-good printhead required for ink testing?

A known-good reference helps prevent existing printhead defects from being mistaken for problems with the ink under evaluation.

Conclusion: One Machine. Dual Functionality. Advanced Ink Testing.

The Ink Tester combines Static Fire Production Press Simulation and a Modular Ink System, with optional Waveform Editing and Ink Degassing, to evaluate ink before production. Because the same machine also functions as a Print Head Tester, businesses gain independent control over both ink testing and printhead verification.

Simulate firing conditions. Test ink before production. Verify printheads on the same platform.

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