Application of a continuous ink jet printer to solid freeforming of ceramics

A continuous ink jet printer similar to the devices applied in the date-labelling of food packaging has been used for the direct freeforming of ceramics by multiple overprinting. In order to characterize the printer, ranges of test liquids were prepared to assess the effects of viscosity, surface tension and conductivity on the drop break-up and print behaviour. The printer was fitted with a 60 μm sapphire nozzle. The operating ranges of these parameters, in conjunction with the ink pressure were identified for reproducible droplet positioning and this allowed a ceramic ink to be formulated and tested.