Thermal inkjet cartridges – comparison of HP and LX technology
Thermal inkjet printers are integrated into industrial production lines to mark the primary and secondary packaging of a wide variety of goods. Depending on the printing technology chosen, expiration dates, ingredients, data matrix codes, and logos can be printed on different surfaces, in different sizes, and at different resolutions. In this article, we delve into the world of HP Class and LX Class, two leading suppliers of ink cartridges with integrated print heads. They have different features and advantages. Let's examine in more detail!
Table: HP Class vs. LX Class printing technology
|
Property |
HP Class |
LX Class |
| Print resolution | HP and LX achieve a high vertical resolution of up to 600 dpi. This is ideal for displaying sharp text, graphics, and machine-readable barcodes. | |
| Print height per print head |
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| Print speed | up to 180 m/min (at 300 dpi) | up to 240 m/min (at 300 dpi) |
| Print position |
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| Throw distance | up to 5 mm | up to 10 mm |
| Suitable surfaces |
Depending on the ink type, all porous and non-porous surfaces can be printed on with both HP and LX. |
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| Ink formulations |
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| Intelligent features | An integrated chip recognizes the type of ink used and automatically sets the appropriate parameters, eliminating the need for manual adjustment. It also monitors the ink level in real time to prevent unplanned downtime. | |
| Use in harsh environments | Both technologies can be used in suitable inkjet printers with IP65 protection. This means they are fully protected against dust and moisture (including water jets). | |
| Maintenance | The print head is integrated into the ink cartridge. This means that the print head is replaced every time the cartridge is changed. As a result, both HP and LX guarantee consistently high print quality and are maintenance-free. |
Conclusion
In general, thermal inkjet printers offer high reliability and ease of use, which can lead to lower overall operating costs than comparable marking technologies. TIJ printheads are designed to maximize ink efficiency, reduce waste, and lower the cost per print. Because the printhead is replaced with each cartridge change, clean and consistent print results are guaranteed. There is no downtime for time-consuming nozzle cleaning.
The market-leading TIJ cartridge manufacturers HP and LX both offer high print resolution, making them an excellent and cost-effective alternative to labels. Thanks to their wide range of inks, they can print text, barcodes, or logos on both absorbent materials such as cardboard and non-absorbent plastic surfaces.
Advantages of HP TIJ cartridges
Thanks to continuous innovation and the highest quality standards, HP offers what are probably the most widely used cartridge solutions for industrial TIJ applications. HP also offers a wider range of specialty inks (e.g., quick-drying inks for high-speed lines or UV-fluorescent inks) to meet specific requirements in various industries. The patented Click'n'Print cartridge holder makes changing ink particularly quick and easy.
Advantages of LX TIJ cartridges
Cartridges with LX technology achieve faster printing speeds and larger font sizes, making them ideal for production lines that require high printing performance. In addition, LX inks offer a longer decap time, so the nozzles do not clog after several hours of printing breaks. Because LX printheads also allow for a greater throw distance to the product, they are better suited for difficult, uneven, or curved surfaces.
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