Memjet has announced new enhancements to its second-generation printing technology, DuraLink. Based on feedback from current and future OEM partners, DuraLink XL enhancements include a more robust printhead, four times the printhead life and an expanded color gamut.

These features are designed to increase DuraLink’s value as a vital printing technology that enables the rapid, cost-effective development of next-generation solutions in commercial, packaging and industrial printing markets.

“Since its introduction, dozens of OEMs from a variety of print markets have engaged with DuraLink technology,” says Eric Owen, general manager at Memjet. “As these partners enter into the lengthy development process, they provide valuable insight on how DuraLink meets their needs, and, more importantly, how we can make the technology even better. These enhancements reflect how Memjet works collaboratively with our OEM partners to ensure our printing technology — and the solutions created with it — has the features, functionality and growth potential to meet the demands of print markets today and well into the future.

“Nearly 60% of DuraLink’s OEM engagements are focused on packaging,” adds Owen. “To meet the needs of this large customer base, Memjet integrated new color and durability features into DuraLink technology.”

Memjet has added orange, green and violet to DuraLink, creating a 7-color option for OEM partners who need it. This expanded color gamut means OEMs can create solutions that enable end users to accurately hit brand colors and produce more realistic images — capabilities that are critical in the growing food, fashion and packaged goods markets.

Further DuraLink enhancements improve print production in the corrugated market. When printing on corrugated, it is often difficult to position the media consistently under the printhead. This creates an irregular surface that tends to move during the printing process. While the media is being transported, it can often hit and damage the printhead.

To reduce the possibility of contact between the printhead and the substrate, DuraLink can now be positioned up to three-millimeters above the board. If there is contact, the nozzle plate of DuraLink’s proprietary hardened silicon surface is strike and damage resistant. This makes it difficult to damage to the nozzle plate and, due to its design, unlikely that the substrate will ever reach the printhead.

OEMs across all markets will benefit from the longer life of DuraLink printheads, the company says. Previously, the DuraLink printhead had a 50-liter head life. The enhanced DuraLink XL printhead is now four times that number, lasting for an average of 200 liters. This longer printhead life provides lengthier uptime and improves efficiency for end users. Unplanned downtime is virtually eliminated as end users can plan for printhead replacements to happen during normal maintenance or paper-roll changes.

These features are available to all DuraLink customers, regardless of where the customer is in the development process. 

“Memjet is an innovator, continually striving to make our products better. We also ensure that all customers have access to this innovation,” says Owen. “So whether a customer has already built their system, or has a system in development, they can still incorporate and leverage the new features of DuraLink.”