|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
HP has proved itself again and again as an important ally to our OEM partners. It is through commitments like these—especially in the industrial thermal inkjet technology (TIJ)—that continued innovation will be realized when it comes to applying digital solutions to industrial printing processes. Below is a proven track record of support for OEMs with vision—and of shared successes that are often the foundation of most technological breakthroughs.
1960s
- Continuous inkjet printing with a steady stream of ink remains the prevalent technology.
- Impact printing becomes the most widely used process in computer-related applications.
1970s
- The industry works to perfect methods of inkjet printing.
- Piezoelectric drop-on-demand innovation enhances the desirability of non-impact printing.
- Drop-on-demand methods gain recognition. Although continuous inkjet printing provides a high drop frequency, it is inefficient overall compared to drop-on-demand methods in terms of ink recirculation, reconstitution, and drop deflection.
- Competing drop-on-demand methods emerge, including electrostatic and electrohydrodynamic processes.
- Thermal inkjet printing invented in HP laboratories.
1980s
- Competition intensifies between continuous inkjet and piezoelectric drop-on-demand. By the end of the decade, thermal inkjet emerges as the overwhelming leader in print technology.
- Thermal inkjet innovations, driven primarily by HP and Canon, generate widespread office acceptance of inkjet technology—a feat never achieved by continuous or piezoelectric inkjet, despite significant capital investments in both technologies.
1990s
- More technical resources are devoted to improvements and advances in thermal inkjet technology, which quickly dominates patent literature (80%).
- Continuous inkjet, although scarce, is still found in a few ultra-high speed, low print quality applications.
- Piezoelectric technology returns in both commercial and office systems, offering the potential for ink flexibility at a higher cost on special media. For the most part, however, thermal inkjet systems still provide better performance and cost advantages.
- Throughout the decade, more than 40% of thermal inkjet patents involve ink and media technology.
2000s
- HP celebrates the shipment of the one-millionth LaserJet printer and the 200-millionth inkjet printer.
- The development and commercialization of thermal inkjet technology earns HP the Corporate Innovation Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).
- HP celebrates the 20th anniversary of the original LaserJet and ThinkJet printers.
|
| |
| | |
|
|
