Career Options Discussion Part 3

I moved into the RD&D (Research, Design and Development) department just over a year ago. Our company had been trying to utilize digital printing technology for quite a while, but with limited success. As the technology, specifically the computer processing power, has progressed, we got closer and closer to being able to design a system to meet our goals. We needed a machine that can print as fast as , if not faster than, a screen printer, that can utilize spot colors rather than 4-color process, and that can do it all using a piezo electric print head. I am pleased to say that we have built such a device; two of them actually.

The first machine utilizes a single print head that prints as the part runs underneath it. The head can also be moved in front of a high speed camera for testing purposes. The second machine truly is an "Alpha" machine, but it is extremely promising.  The machine has 6 modules giving us the ability to print 6 separate spot colors. Each module has 4 print heads mounted in an array giving us the ability to print a 12 inch wide image. Once these machines were built, there was no one to run, test, and optimize them. That is why they brought me in.

Each image to be printed must be handled a little differently than a standard raster or vector image. My experience working with multiple graphics applications and RIPs allows me to understand what is needed. I can create the image from scratch, or modify an existing image to work with our system.

Secondly, we have to make sure that the print heads are optimized for our purpose. As the parts move under the printhead, we have to make sure that they are firing at the right time. We also have to make sure that the drops are the correct size in terms of drop diameter and volume, that the drops are falling at the proper speed, and at the proper trajectory. This is all handled through a program that can modified in C++.

The final issue we are faced with is the fact that there are currently no inks / jetting fluids that will work for our applications. Our chemists are working on those now, but once these are developed, we will have to make sure that the fluids are firing properly through the print heads, and that the final printed product matches our high quality standards. =

None of this would have been possible without my education from Edison. The knowledge I gained at school is essential to fully understand, create and manipulate the graphic files to be printed through this system. The programming classes I took are equally important. Without them, I would not be able to make changes to the print controller. The diploma is probably most important of all. My company places a lot of importance on continued education. One condition of me getting the job was that I must complete the degree program.