Host: SICE, ISCIE, JSME, SCEJ, JSPE, JSASS
In a continuous inkjet printer, pressurized ink is ejected from the nozzle vibrating at constant frequency. Ink droplets are formed due to hydrodynamic instability. The droplet formation process is visualized and measured by the experiment. It is found that the droplet formation patterns are controlled by the straight length of the nozzle, the droplet formation constant defined by the ratio of the perturbation wave length to the initial jet diameter, the applied voltage to the piezoelectric vibrator, and the viscosity of ink. These patterns are classified by the droplet formation constant versus the applied voltage to the piezoelectric vibrator diagram. The range of satellite-free control conditions is determined. Preliminary numerical simulation of the droplet formation process from a liquid round jet was also conducted to obtain similar results as compared with the experimental observations.
