The Xaar 1002 print-head has been announced, superseding yet remaining backwards-compatible with the existing Xaar 1001 which was launched seven years ago. The new version continues with the British company's TF technology for ink recirculation and is optimised for fixed array single-pass applications including ceramic tile decoration, labels and packaging, laminates and the growing market for direct-to-shape.

Manufactured in Huntingdon, where facilities have been increased to enable 20,000 units per week to be produced, the Xaar 1002 is designed to fit existing mountings and retains the same dimensions as its predecessor but delivers improved droplet placement accuracy and is twice as accurate as the 1001. It utilises new drive electronics with the HPC3 (head personality card), working seamlessly with the heads for optimum performance.

Mark Alexander, director of marketing at Xaar, comments: "Benefits include improved print uniformity with smoother print tones and solid colours, faster print-head set up and balancing, plus easier integration into long print bars." The improved electronic interface gives a simple positive connection, enhanced robustness and reliability and, as the Xaar 1002 can retrofit to previous engines, there is no change to the print-head mounting.