Kyocera launches new inkjet printhead “KJ4A-EX1200-RC” with ink recirculation
“KJ4A-EX1200-RC” is UV-ink compatible with 1200 dpi resolution, offering both high-resolution printing and high productivity printing for labels and many other applications.
- Printing Devices
Kyoto/London − Kyocera Corporation has developed a new inkjet printhead with ink recirculation technology at the nozzle. Available in May 2025, the KJ4A-EX1200-RC, offers both high-resolution printing and high productivity through Kyocera’s unique flow channel design technology. It supports a wide range of applications, including labels, and is compatible with UV ink.
| Model | KJ4A-EX1200-RC |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 200.0 × 55.5 × 79.15 mm (Width x Depth x Height) |
| Maximum print speed | 81.3 m/min |
| Resolution | 1200 dpi |
| Effective print width | 108.27 mm |
| Maximum driving frequency | 64 kHz |
| Maximum drop volume | 4.0 pL |
| Minimum drop volume | 2.0 pL |
| Compatible ink | UV |
| Development facility | Kagoshima Kokubu Plant (Japan) |
Main features
1. Ink recirculation at the nozzle enables stable printing.
2. High-resolution of 1200 dpi and improved productivity through high drive frequency for optimized productivity.
3. High print quality, through Kyocera’s unique monolithic piezo actuator*1.
Development background
Digital printing offers the advantage of immediate, customizable printing in any quantity while reducing environmental impact by eliminating the liquid waste that occurs in plate-cleaning processes. As a result, the demand for digital printing, including inkjet printing, is rapidly expanding from traditional paper media into new applications such as textiles, labels, food-grade packaging, and building materials.
As these applications of inkjet printhead expand, the diversification of ink is increasing. In addition to increased speed, high-resolution images, and high durability, there is a need for a printhead that can handle a wide variety of inks. In the label printing market, in particular, emphasis has been placed on fine printing for a wide variety of languages and fine printing details such as smooth gradation. The amounts of droplets need to be optimized to achieve both high-resolution and high density, and print speeds need to continue to increase.
The robust design of Kyocera’s printhead allows stable, continuous printing to enhance productivity in industrial printing operations. As a result, Kyocera will lead the digitalization of the printing industry by reducing operator workload, enhancing labor efficiency, and improving environmental impact.
Features
1. Ink recirculation at the nozzle enables stable printing.
Kyocera’s unique technology recirculates ink around the nozzle and enables stable printing by controlling the temperature uniformly and suppressing sedimentation of ink components. These features allow stable printing with various kinds of inks while reducing routine maintenance, such as printhead cleaning when rebooting a printer. In addition, a water-cooling system*2 is the standard specification for this product, and the water-cooling mechanism equalizes the head temperature to ensure continuous printing with stable print quality.
2. High-resolution of 1200 dpi and improved print speed and drive frequency for optimized productivity.
In addition to the resolution increase to 1200 dpi, the drive frequency and print speed have also been improved compared to Kyocera’s 600 dpi printhead. The new model optimizes both high-resolution and productivity to meet the demands of the label market.
Kyocera has developed a large monolithic piezoelectric actuator, using proprietary material design technology for dense polycrystalline ceramic actuators, and manufacturing technology for thin piezoelectric ceramic substrates. Kyocera introduced this piezo actuator (width:116 mm x depth: 34 mm x thickness: 0.04 mm) in a 1200 dpi printhead with UV ink. By using a large monolithic piezoelectric actuator, the printhead provides uniform images and higher print quality.
*1 Piezo actuator: specialized component that generates ink-jetting power using the piezoelectric effect of fine ceramics.
*2 Heat-transfer method to cool the driving board installed on the printhead.