Seeking Industrial Ink Jet Machine

We use a Domino ink jet machine to print on aluminium. This produces graphics but not at high resolution in a single colour. We have to ask the manufacturer to input the graphic but this may not be true for other makes or models. It works in any orientation & is designed to work in harsh environments but I'm not sure it would print if the surface was wet.

It would be worth you looking up Domino, Videojet & similar makes.

Nigh, you are correct in what you are suggesting both Domino and Videojet offer fully programmable machines that can be mounted in virtually any direction for application to virtually any product. I have been researching them for quite some time now as we are looking to working with this type of application.

Both companies also offer a UV cured ink. We use UV cured inks here for other applications and it is the most resistant to weather conditions.

That being said i give you a GA for your initial suggestion.

I would recommend a UV cured ink to best stand up to all conditions.

SCA

The people in the know would be in the Billboard manufacturing/printing industry. They print with ink jet and others and the results can be checked on the side of a high way. They usually require a PDF file and can print anything. The more pixels the better the resolution. There are so many of them that I would not know which link to suggest. Try it in your local area (?) or just Google Billboards. Depending on their set up they could even print on sheet metal.

Sorry if I missed the point here but your question was a bit "all over the place". If you could give me some more detail about the application I could assist even further.

Let me know, Ky.

There is a difference between large-format inkjet printing ... like billboards, and industrial product marking, such as the questioner is referencing.

A good resource: www.sgia.org

Thanks KY -

I want to clarify this - I need a machine that can do an area of 3' X 3' to 3' X 6' areas in as high a resolution as possible - i.e., at least 800 DPI+ to be eye grade graphics quality....this is not for bar coding or small labeling of parts, etc. This is large area graphics, but it needs to be applied directly to the surfaces...rather than printing a laminante and applying that to the surface.

I want to clarify this - I need a machine that can do an area of 3' X 3' to 3' X 6' areas in as high a resolution as possible - i.e., at least 800 DPI+ to be eye grade graphics quality....this is not for bar coding or small labeling of parts, etc. This is large area graphics, but it needs to be applied directly to the surfaces...rather than printing a laminante and applying that to the surface.

Does anyone know if there is a way for me to edit/update my original post - I don't see an edit button as on some other forums....

SCA

To late to edit now. You have only a few minutes after send to edit. Never mind, we know now in more detail what you are after. I insist, go to the Sign writers that have equipped them selves with modern sign printing machines. Not knowing were you are is not of much help either. So my tip could be wasted on you if you are somewhere like I am. I just know that you could find some one in the Big Smoke. Good luck, Ky.

I don't care where they are located - that's irrelevant other than as it relates to a shipping cost.

I have looked online and find people with machines that create large scale laminates for application to surfaces - like poster makers.

I am looking for a machine to apply the coating/ink, die, paint directly to a metal surface which may be vertical or horizontal.

If you have someone in mind that woould be great - thanks - !!!!

Sorry, me again.

If you go to their workshop and are as friendly to them as you are to me/us, they can tell you what can be done or what not. That's what I meant. You need a hands on person and not a computer. For a slab of beer they will find a way, at least they did back then.

I am looking for a machine to apply the coating/ink, die, paint directly to a metal surface which may be vertical or horizontal.

You mean a digital computer governed ink jet machine that can climb up metal walls if need be? Give me some more details. If you plan to put art on the side of super tankers go for it but there must be an easier way. Either you are hiding to much or I am completely not getting it. As they say, if a question smells like a rat it is usually a rat and do not try and answer them.

I'm all ear's Mate! We will get you one, Ky.

Hi KY,

Thanks for the reply and the info - I can limit the surface area to about 3 or 4 feet high and 6 to 9 feet accross, so I only need a physical mount to hold a moving head or the machine with moving heads, and then some type of center/starting point reference as far as the computer control.

Visualize some rotatable/swivaling mount to allow vertical of horizontal positioning...

Let me know if that detail helps. So, yes, you are right - I need a computer goverened ink jet machine that inks/paints in color, can do high resolution work and cover the area described, and through mounting or sensors, can work on an irregular surface, such as a piece of metal that has a bow or curve to it, either moving away or towards a given starting plane.

Please list some questions if this is not enough detail so I can directly answer any questions that come to mind at your end...

Thanks again - !!!

It would help if you could tell us what the end product is going to be. It is all a bit out there and I would really like to help.

How sure are you that what you are planing has been done before? Because if it has not been done before then you need a R+D department to work it out. You will not find some one that spends hours and hours on solving a problem without knowing what the end result should look like. I don't mean the printer but the "object" that is to be created.

Alternative suggestions can not be made because we don't know what you are not telling us.

Know what I mean? Good luck, Ky.

Hi KY,

I am afraid I need to keep the end use confidential at this point, especially in a public forum. I am more than happy to describe the process and parameters....

I know this has been donr before because I am in discussions with one manufacturer, but I am seeking out others to determine if someone does not do this with another design which may be more versitile, economical, higher quality finish product, etc.

Please thrown any questions at me you can think of as to required dimensions, output, materials, etc.

The sets Either made in China or made in Japan can do the trick.

Every one of our advertisement company has such grand machine for thier daily business, from 1.6M x n M where n= up to 10, 20 or 30M. ink supply at outside.

and plenty of dissipate material for selection.

I guess you may use it for your outside advertisment.

how much you want?

Hi CNPower,

Thank you so much for your reply....can you provide me with some manufacturers and/or their web sites so I can review their equipment......

Many thanks...