Archives: Core Technologies

Core Technologies

MIH | Mimaki Intelligent Heaters

MIH is Mimaki’s patented heating technology for its solvent printers which optimizes ink fixation on the media. It consists of a 3-way (pre-, print- and post-) heater system to maintain the optimal dot gain, via an accurate temperature-controlled ink dot fixation on the media.

The advantage of MIH explained

MIH applied

Both media and ink will be at the ideal temperature to perfectly predict the dot gain of the ink drops and thereby maximizing the image quality at any moment.

MIH not applied

As the dot gain can’t be properly predicted, the image quality is more difficult to predict and may differ between print runs.

MCC | Mimaki Clear Control

MCC is a function that enables the curing of clear ink in a single pass, regardless of the selected finish (matt, glossy or texture). An optimized UV-LED lamp control prevents the adhesion of dust and occurrence of air bubbles. The result is a beautiful finish with sharp expressions of edges on textures.

The advantage of MCC explained

MCC applied

With a stronger UV LED intensity, the clear ink is cured in a single pass, preventing dust accumulation and air bubble occurrence on the print.

MCC not applied

Since most competitors require a second pass to fully cure the clear ink, this additional time increases the possibility for dust to adhere and air bubbles to appear, reducing its glossiness.

White Ink Circulation

White ink circulation prevents pigment sedimentation for special inks, such as white or silver, which could lead to a clogged ink supply, by periodically circulating the ink in the tubes and sub tank, to guarantee a stable supply while reducing ink discharge and waste.

The advantage of White Ink Circulation explained

White Ink Circulation applied

White Ink Circulation will constantly circulate the white ink between ink tanks and ink sub tanks, as well as through the print head, to prevent sedimentation. This reduces cleaning frequency, saving time and money.

White Ink Circulation not applied

The pigment of white inks have the tendency to settle, which could eventually lead to a clogged ink supply. Additional time and money is needed to do this manually.

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DAS | Dot Adjustment System

DAS performs (by default) both the feed compensation and drop position correction automatically when placing new media. Differences in weight and thickness between media may require these adjustments to prevent banding and colour misalignment.

The advantage of DAS explained

Drop position correction

DAS automatically measures and adjusts the drop landing position for the bi-directional print mode, after changing the media. This to compensate for even the smallest difference in media thickness that may cause colour misalignment (banding).

Feed Compensation Adjustment

DAS automatically measures and aligns the passes after changing the media. This to compensate for even the smallest difference in media stretchability, to prevent either lighter or darker lines (banding) between the passes.

MFD | Mimaki Fine Diffusion

MFD is Mimaki’s method of image processing (dithering) available in the RIP software. It converts the image data to print patterns, producing the smoothest colour tones while it reduces noise, resulting in the best possible image quality even at lower resolutions.

The advantage of MFD explained

MFD applied

MFD is an advanced image processing technology which produces especially solid colours (like pre-defined Pantone spot colours) with the smoothest colour tones while reducing noise and maintaining sharpness.

MFD not applied

Especially solid colours, like pre-defined Pantone spot colours, are produced less smooth and with more noise using standard diffusion methods.

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VDT | Variable Dot Technology

VDT is a functionality of the piezo print head that enables the creation of ink drops of different sizes, allowing smoother gradations and higher detail. The larger drops are a combination of small drops jetted with different speeds; when reaching the media, they have merged into one larger drop.

The advantage of VDT explained

Variable dots

With different dot sizes, a much smoother gradation of colour tones is achieved, improving the overall image quality. In addition, smaller details can be printed further increasing the image quality.

Normal dots

The production of gradations with a single dot size will result in a less smooth and more grainy effect.

WFC | Waveform Control

WFC automatically changes the signal to the print head when print conditions change and ensures consistent image quality. Mimaki is programming its own signals (waveform), based on print speed, resolution and humidity, to guarantee the maximum output quality at any print condition. Each time these conditions change, WFC will automatically change to the optimum waveform, achieving the highest image quality at any print speed.

The advantage of WFC explained

WFC applied

WFC changes the waveform when print conditions change, achieving a consistent and highest possible image sharpness at any time.

WFC not applied

Using the ‘standard’ waveform, provided by the manufacturer of the print head – at any condition – will result in a more grainy and less sharp image. The image quality may differ between print runs.

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MAPS | Mimaki Advanced Pass System

MAPS is Mimaki’s technology to reduce banding at the pass boundaries, by jetting ink drops according to a unique algorithm based on speed, ink colour and density, assuring the highest image quality at every print speed. Without correction, inkjet printers tend to create significant ink concentration differences at pass boundaries, visible as horizontal lines on the print (= banding).

The advantage of MAPS explained

MAPS applied

With every pass, MAPS is using a unique algorithm calculating the most effective way of jetting the ink drops to avoid visible banding. This is constantly changing depending on ink colour, density and printing speed.

MAPS not applied

Without correction, every inkjet printer tends to create significant ink concentration differences at pass boundaries, visible as horizontal lines in the printed application.

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NRS | Nozzle Recovery System

NRS is a system that substitutes clogged nozzles with open nozzles, ensuring constant image quality and productivity while reducing valuable down-time.

NRS explained

NRS manual

When set to manual, simply print a test pattern and register the clogged nozzles. NRS will replace these with open nozzles to ensure uninterrupted print operation and productivity, without loss of quality.

NRS automatic

When NCU finds a clogged nozzle, but the subsequent cleaning cycle is not able to recover it, NRS will automatically substitute it with an open nozzle to ensure uninterrupted print operation and productivity, without loss of quality.

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NCU | Nozzle Check Unit

NCU is a system that automatically checks for defective nozzles and starts a cleaning cycle to recover them, ensuring constant image quality and productivity while reducing valuable down-time.

The advantage of NCU explained

NCU applied

While jetting ink from each nozzle in successive order, an LED directs light through the ink spray on a detector, which is activated in the case of a missing or deflected nozzle. Based on the firing frequency and timing, the NCU calculates which nozzle is missing or deflecting. When detected, the NCU will start an auto-cleaning procedure to recover the missing nozzles.

NCU not applied

In normal operation, all nozzles of the print head are jetting ink drops in a straight line onto the media. But nozzles can get clogged due to dried ink on the print head surface. Partial clogging causes the ink drop to be jetted under an angle. While complete clogging prevents the ink drops from being jetted, resulting in visible lines on the printout.

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