Comsol Case Studies Simulating Printhead Unimorph Actuators at FUJIFILM Dimatix

	Simulating Printhead Unimorph Actuators at FUJIFILM Dimatix Comsol

Simulating Printhead Unimorph Actuators at FUJIFILM Dimatix

Comsol

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization
Applicable Industries	Consumer Goods Electronics
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development Quality Assurance
Use Cases	Digital Twin Predictive Maintenance Process Control & Optimization
Services	Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration
Challenge	The primary challenge faced by FUJIFILM Dimatix was to design unimorph diaphragm actuators for their newest ink deposition products. These actuators needed to be miniaturized to reduce costs while maximizing deflection and matching the actuator's impedance to the flow channels and nozzle. The goal was to generate a droplet meeting a target mass at a given velocity with a target maximum firing frequency for the available voltage. The complexity of the design required a deep understanding of the interactions between the piezoelectric materials and the surrounding components, necessitating a robust simulation approach to optimize the design parameters. Read More
About Customer	FUJIFILM Dimatix is a leading producer of commercial inkjet printheads, known for their high-performance and innovative solutions in the printing industry. Their products are used in a wide range of applications, from commercial packaging and wide-format graphics to textiles and electronic applications. The company is committed to advancing inkjet technology and has a strong focus on research and development to maintain its competitive edge. By leveraging advanced simulation tools, FUJIFILM Dimatix aims to enhance the performance and efficiency of their printhead actuators, ensuring high-quality printing solutions for their diverse customer base. Read More
Solution	To address the challenge, FUJIFILM Dimatix employed a two-stage modeling approach using COMSOL Multiphysics software. In the first stage, various actuator geometries were modeled to determine their functional parameters. These parameters were then used in a complete jet model to understand the system's response. The simulation included different layers for the silicon, metals, insulators, and PZT, as well as sections of the ink-filled pumping chamber and neighboring flow channels. By simulating the actuator's deflection under pressure and voltage loads, the team could extract valuable compliance and output data. This information was crucial for optimizing the design to meet the tight specifications and smaller geometries required for the new printheads. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation

Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization

Applicable Industries

Consumer Goods

Electronics

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Digital Twin

Predictive Maintenance

Process Control & Optimization

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Challenge

The primary challenge faced by FUJIFILM Dimatix was to design unimorph diaphragm actuators for their newest ink deposition products. These actuators needed to be miniaturized to reduce costs while maximizing deflection and matching the actuator's impedance to the flow channels and nozzle. The goal was to generate a droplet meeting a target mass at a given velocity with a target maximum firing frequency for the available voltage. The complexity of the design required a deep understanding of the interactions between the piezoelectric materials and the surrounding components, necessitating a robust simulation approach to optimize the design parameters.

About Customer

FUJIFILM Dimatix is a leading producer of commercial inkjet printheads, known for their high-performance and innovative solutions in the printing industry. Their products are used in a wide range of applications, from commercial packaging and wide-format graphics to textiles and electronic applications. The company is committed to advancing inkjet technology and has a strong focus on research and development to maintain its competitive edge. By leveraging advanced simulation tools, FUJIFILM Dimatix aims to enhance the performance and efficiency of their printhead actuators, ensuring high-quality printing solutions for their diverse customer base.

Solution

To address the challenge, FUJIFILM Dimatix employed a two-stage modeling approach using COMSOL Multiphysics software. In the first stage, various actuator geometries were modeled to determine their functional parameters. These parameters were then used in a complete jet model to understand the system's response. The simulation included different layers for the silicon, metals, insulators, and PZT, as well as sections of the ink-filled pumping chamber and neighboring flow channels. By simulating the actuator's deflection under pressure and voltage loads, the team could extract valuable compliance and output data. This information was crucial for optimizing the design to meet the tight specifications and smaller geometries required for the new printheads.

Impact #1	The multiphysics simulation provided critical insights into the actuator and jet design, allowing the engineering team to better understand the interactions and optimize the system.
Impact #2	The updated design met the target specifications for droplet mass, velocity, and firing frequency, ensuring high-quality ink deposition.
Impact #3	The simulation approach significantly reduced design time, enabling faster product development and release.

Impact #1

The multiphysics simulation provided critical insights into the actuator and jet design, allowing the engineering team to better understand the interactions and optimize the system.

Impact #2

The updated design met the target specifications for droplet mass, velocity, and firing frequency, ensuring high-quality ink deposition.

Impact #3

The simulation approach significantly reduced design time, enabling faster product development and release.

Benefit #1	The simulation approach reduced design time by approximately 30%.
Benefit #2	The optimized actuator design achieved a 20% increase in deflection efficiency.
Benefit #3	The new printhead design is expected to reduce production costs by 15%.

Benefit #1

The simulation approach reduced design time by approximately 30%.

Benefit #2

The optimized actuator design achieved a 20% increase in deflection efficiency.

Benefit #3

The new printhead design is expected to reduce production costs by 15%.

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Overview

Simulating Printhead Unimorph Actuators at FUJIFILM Dimatix

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit