Inkjet

🖨️ Inkjet Technology Archive

This repository provides a structured archive of publicly available knowledge on inkjet printhead technologies.
It covers the principles, structural features, drive mechanisms, ink compatibility, application fields, drop ejection evaluation, and the use of inkjet in additive manufacturing, with cross-comparisons of major vendors such as EPSON, Canon, Ricoh, Fujifilm, and HP.

🇯🇵 Japanese version → README.md

📌 Project Overview

This repository organizes only non-confidential, open-source information about inkjet printhead technologies.
It includes a cross-company technical comparison of structure, drive principles, ink types, application domains, and wave control strategies — useful for both educational and industrial purposes.

Topics covered include:

Drive mechanisms (piezoelectric, thermal, MEMS, etc.)
Ink compatibility (aqueous, solvent, UV-curable)
Application fields (textile, packaging, electronics, bioprinting, etc.)
Drop evaluation techniques and waveform design
Integration with 3D printing and digital fabrication

🔎 For detailed comparisons and evaluations, please refer to the following:

Comparison of Drive Methods
▶ comparison/drive_methods.md

Classification by Application Fields
▶ comparison/usage_fields.md

Ink Flight Evaluation and Waveform Analysis
▶ evaluation_tools/ink_flight_analysis.md

Lapis Thin-Film Piezo CMOS Integration Case (Based on Public Information)
▶ fabrication/

📁 Repository Structure

Inkjet/
├─ makers/                      # Vendor-specific information (publicly available only)
│   ├─ epson/
│   │   ├─ MACH/                # MACH head overview
│   │   └─ uTFP/                # uTFP structure (linked to private archive)
│   ├─ canon/
│   ├─ ricoh/
│   ├─ fujifilm/
│   └─ hp/
│
├─ comparison/                  # Cross-vendor comparisons
│   ├─ drive_methods.md         # Piezo vs. thermal vs. electrostatic principles
│   ├─ usage_fields.md          # Application categories (industrial, medical, etc.)
│   ├─ ink_types.md             # Ink compatibility: aqueous, solvent, UV, etc.
│   └─ summary_table.md         # Summary table comparing technical features
│
├─ evaluation_tools/           # Tools for drop control and observation
│   ├─ waveform_control.md      # Waveform generation and drive optimization
│   ├─ ink_flight_analysis.md   # Drop stability, velocity, diameter analysis
│   └─ equipment_list.md        # Equipment for evaluation (strobe, camera, etc.)
│
├─ 3d_printing/                # Inkjet-based additive manufacturing
│   ├─ overview.md              # General overview
│   ├─ classification.md        # Technology classification and comparison
│   └─ inkjet_related.md        # Inkjet use cases in AM (bioprinting, electronics)
│
└─ README_en.md                # This file

🔓 Open Access Policy

This repository is based on open-source publications, patents, academic articles, and other publicly accessible materials.
It excludes all proprietary, confidential, or internal development data (e.g., product drawings, process parameters).
Confidential technical details (e.g., structural data from EPSON) are stored in the private archive Private/Epson/uTFP/.

🔐 Internal archive: Private/Epson/

🎯 Intended Use

Purpose	Description
🎓 Education	Teaching materials to understand inkjet structure and operation
🛠 Technical Analysis	Comparative review of head structures and ink compatibility
📊 Product Planning	Reference for selecting printheads, waveform tuning, and ink types
🧪 R&D Exploration	Use cases in 3D printing, bio-ink, and functional printing research

🔧 Tools & Format

Written in Markdown (compatible with Zenn / GitHub Pages)
Uses Mermaid.js for technical diagrams and mapping
GitHub Pages support planned → Samizo-AITL.github.io (in progress)

💡 Mermaid diagram sample → Application Fields

Project	Description
Edusemi-v4x	Semiconductor education platform (design, process, test, reliability)
EduMecha	Mechanical design tutorials with Creo, integrated with inkjet examples
AITL-H	Hybrid intelligent control (FSM×PID×LLM) for inkjet system automation
SamizoGPT	Prompt toolkit for education, research, and technical design

👤 Author Information

Shinichi Samizo

M.S. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Shinshu University
Former Seiko Epson Corporation Engineer (since 1997)

📌 Areas of Expertise:

Semiconductor Devices (Logic, Memory, High-Voltage Integrated with Logic)
Inkjet Thin-Film Piezoelectric Actuators
PrecisionCore Printhead Development, BOM Management, ISO Education

📬 Contact

🔜 Roadmap

📘 Launch on GitHub Pages (Zenn-compatible)
🧠 Integrate SamizoGPT for prompt-assisted content generation
🖨️ Add content on fluid simulation and drop dynamics
🏗️ Link to evaluation tools and PoC platforms (camera, waveform, automation)

💬 Feedback & Suggestions

Your ideas, corrections, and contributions are welcome!
Please open a topic in the Discussions tab below:

👉 💬 Go to Discussions

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