Is This The Future - Engraving Etc. Forum

From:	Geezer (ERNIE)	30 Oct 2006
To:	ALL	1 of 7

5232.1

The October 2006 issue of Ceramic Indusrty magazine has an interesting (lots of technical descriptions) article about the use of "nano-ceramic-inks" in an ink-jet printer for direct application to ceramic tiles, porcelain, and stoneware. The substrates were subsequently kiln fired.

All tests were conducted at the Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics in Italy.

The summerizing paragraph of the article states"

"Application tests on a laboratory ink-jet printer showed that the inks effectively color most types of ceramic tile substrates, ensuring good reproducibility and high color saturation. The industrial scale-up is in progress and these ceramic nano-inks will be available for purchase soon."

Ernie

Never Stop Learning

From:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	30 Oct 2006
To:	Geezer (ERNIE)	2 of 7

5232.2 In reply to 5232.1
Ernie, Interesting news. That's the first I've heard on nano-ceramic-inks. David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri DGL Engraving Port Hueneme, CA

From:	Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY)	31 Oct 2006
To:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	3 of 7

5232.3 In reply to 5232.2

I have always wondered how nano the ceramic paint was. It is extremely smooth to begin with.

I only worry about the abrasive effects on the heads. The spit nozzles are super fine and any wear to them will show up very fast. Ceramic colors are usually very fine ground colored glass.

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

When you finally understand it completely... it changes.

From:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	31 Oct 2006
To:	Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY)	4 of 7

5232.4 In reply to 5232.3
Harvey, I don't know if micro piezo printheads would be used. Since it's not sublimation ink, it could be that printers with thermal printheads could be used. Still, as you say, the abrasive properties of the ink would most likely take their toll. David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri DGL Engraving Port Hueneme, CA

From:	Geezer (ERNIE)	31 Oct 2006
To:	Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY)	5 of 7

5232.5 In reply to 5232.3

This might answer your questions

http://www.ceramicindustry.com/CDA/Articles/Feature_Article/ebb4f67934bfd010VgnVCM100000f932a8c0

Ernie

Edited an oops in addy

Never Stop Learning

EDITED: 31 Oct 2006 by ERNIE

From:	Geezer (ERNIE)	31 Oct 2006
To:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	6 of 7

5232.6 In reply to 5232.4

David

The test printer was "drop-on-demand"

Ernie

Never Stop Learning

From:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	31 Oct 2006
To:	Geezer (ERNIE)	7 of 7

5232.7 In reply to 5232.6
Interesting article Ernie. I'm not sure what drop-on-demand is, but in any case, since they're not talking about transfer technology, I assume a direct-to-substrate printer is used. David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri DGL Engraving Port Hueneme, CA