Due to social demand for energy saving, it is required to develop new toner with low fixing temperature that meets the level of TEC (typical electricity consumption) in Energy Star. In order to understand and improve the fixing process, we have developed a new simulation model, called “Particle Method,” that can include parameters of structure and physical properties of toner particle. The model also made it possible to estimate wax exudation behavior and toner melting temperature. In order to verify the model, we made some toners with variable physical parameters and observed melting behavior and wax exudation by using TOF-SIMS (time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry). Our simulation predicted smaller toner was more effective to lower the melting temperature and it was verified through the experiments. We now expect our model enhances the efficiency of toner development process and reduces the time for optimization.

Today, in image processing and pattern recognition, various research studies have been conducted, and many results have been reported. Video summarization technology is also a significant area and plays an essential role in processing vast amounts of video. This paper proposes a static video summarization approach for analysis and visualization of calf behavior. In cattle management, it is important to find the behavioral characteristics of individual cattle. However, many researchers have struggled because they require long-term observations and are a tedious and time-consuming task for manual observation, recording, and analyzing behavioral data.

The authors attempted to attach a camera to the calf halter, record a video of the calf's view, and extract various calf's behavior features by image processing of the video. This method uses no specialized hardware, and the captured video can be repeatedly analyzed offline with different ideas.

In this paper, a video summarization technique based on the κ-means clustering algorithm was used to analyze calf movements on an experimental barn from the video. The calf's places stayed for a long time, or the places where the calf visited frequently were detected as a cluster, and the calf's movement on the farm could be visualized as a map by the transition between clusters.

A method for imaging using vibration velocity and its phase information are described. The method are used to evaluate the shape and defects of characters “U.S” in the thin samples using phase information of ultrasonic vibrations. The imaging results are examined in comparison to the vibration velocity imaging. In addition, a sample having a thin plate-like defect is used as an imaging sample, and the experiment where the defect covered by a metal sheet is also examined. As a result, there is no significant difference in the defect after imaging between the vibration velocity and the phase information before covered the defect. However, when the defect is covered, the imaging using the phase information can clearly detect the invisible defect. That is, our method can be applied to the sample having the defects under the surface of sample is clarified.

Recently, with the rapid development of devices such as smartphones and internet media such as SNS (social networking service), the environment surrounding inkjet media is also changing. Anyone can easily take beautiful photos and videos with their smartphones and share them on SNS. The days when it was natural to print photographs on paper media are gone and there is a need for changes in the way inkjet media should be. Therefore, we have been working on the development of new inkjet media that will show its value by being output while incorporating the needs of the times. In this paper, we will introduce the distinctive inkjet media that provide unprecedented added value from a new perspective under the title of “Development of Inkjet Media for Changing the Future.”

Our society, which has achieved high accumulation and high efficiency, has been forced to change by the new coronavirus COVID-19. The transmission route of COVID-19 is not only from human to human, but also object to human because of the survival period of the virus on objects. So, it is common to rub and clean the surface of object with surfactants or alcohol in various situations in our lives. On the other hand, water-based printing ink is being used in many fields from the viewpoint of safety and security of printed matter and reduction of global environmental load. However, some conventional printed matters don't have sufficient durability and suitability to wiping with alcohol. Therefore, in this paper, a new polyester ink which have enough resistance to rubbing 80% ethanol water have been developed to prevent infection from object to human effectively.

We will introduce our ink recirculating inkjet head“CF3”and compact recirculation system“CC1”according to their basic principles.

Based on actual examples of the basic configuration of ink recirculation, we will explain our concept on pressure control of various parts, flow rates of ink recirculation, and the negative pressure of nozzles.

In addition, we will explain the functional effects of ink recirculation, such as self-recovery of jetting failure, stable jetting performance, and support for high viscosity and/or gravity inks.

Next, we will describe the features of CF3, such as compatibility of small characters and wide print gaps, and the capability of micro-adjusting jetting volume, separate from the normal gradation control.

Lastly, we will explain the basic specifications of our compact ink recirculation system CC1, which holds all the elements required for ink recirculation.

“Samba JPC”provides the core components of Fujifilm “Jet Press 750S” inkjet digital press, which achieves high image quality that surpasses offset printing. It consists of components such as a printbar that equips “Samba” 1200dpi MEMS printhead manufactured by FUJIFILM Dimatix, a leading company of industrial inkjet printheads, an image correction software, a head cleaner and so on. Samba JPC has the feature that each main function required for inkjet printing equipment can be used by an individual component, and we believe that this product is ideal for printing equipment manufacturers who are going to develop high-resolution single-pass inkjet printing equipments in a short period, for printing equipment manufactures who are in development with Samba printhead and for integrators who want to improve the reliability of inkjet printing equipments incorporated into the production lines of brand owners.

Embroidery is a craft which has been used to adorn textiles. With the traditional method of embroidery, color design is constrained by the limited number of threads that can be used. Another issue is having to keep vast amount of threads in stock. To overcome these issues, Ricoh has been collaborating with Coloreel Group AB, a Swedish technology innovation company, to develop an on-demand thread coloring unit. The unit dyes a thread by using inkjet printing technology. With the new method, the ability of expressing color is dramatically increased and allows the generation of unique designs. Also, the unit allows thread inventory to be reduced.

This article describes the advantages of the thread coloring unit against conventional embroidery machines. New technologies specifically developed to realize a high-quality thread coloring system are also introduced, including a highly accurate carriage stop position mechanism that differs from that of a conventional printer.

The RICOH Ri 2000, which Ricoh started selling in September 2020, inherits the predecessor model Ri 1000 in a developmental manner, and is productive in order to respond to the business start-up of users who are engaged in the printing industry such as T-shirt printing. This DTG (direct to garment) printer was developed with an emphasis on improving operability and reliability. The main features are shown below.

1) Productivity : Improved printing speed with dual carriage system

2) Operability : Easy operation and easy maintenance with automatic platen height adjustment and automatic cleaning jig around the head

3) Reliability : Improvement of ink mist resistance by new mist recovery mechanism and metal encoder sheet

In this paper, we will introduce the points that have achieved the improvements in productivity, operability, and reliability mentioned above.

Seiko Epson has developed a sublimation transfer printer that optimally designs its own printhead technology for commercial and industrial applications and promotes high productivity for textile applications.

In the textile market, as the demand for short delivery times for small lots increases, digital printing is expanding rapidly, and investment in distributed printing by near consumption areas and near production is increasing. In addition, chemical fibers are used as the material, and clothing and applications that emphasize functionality are expanding. Due to these changes in the market environment, there is a demand for sublimation transfer printers with high production and stable operation.

The sublimation transfer printer SC-F10050 developed by Epson is equipped with PrecisionCore Micro TFP (thin film piezo) print head and has high basic performance that can withstand short delivery times while maintaining stable image quality and stable operation with high productivity.

VALEZUS T2100 is a high speed cut sheet printer which RISO KAGAKU developed for the production market. One of the features of this printer is high productivity of 320ppm (A4 LEF : long edge feed). Because of the high necessity for reliability to maintain high operation rate in the production market, we equipped the technology to achieve both productivity and reliability :

(1) Paper feeding : Paper behavior control by the air feeding mechanism

(2) Imaging process : Fire timing correction

(3) Paper switchback : Paper speed control

(4) Image test : Single path test of both side of the sheet

(5) Paper ejection : Paper form and fall path control

Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd has been introduced 11000 Inkjet Press in 2019 which is color inkjet countinuous feed printing system. This system can print 1200×1200dpi resolution printing at 80m/min onto offset paper without preprocessing.

Inks penetrate slowly on offset paper, so that image quality defects have been occurring easily on inkjet printing, such as inter-color bleeding, mottling, streaks and ink off-setting. Additionaly, the paper deformation such as curl and cockling becomes obvious, due to the paper structure. In this paper, we introduce an outline of 11000 Inkjet Press, and then explain key technologies that enables high quality and high speed printing onto offset paper without preprocessing.

Traditionally, printing has been the technology of duplication by transferring ink from printing plates.

However, with the development of online media, the value required for printed materials is diversifying as the speed and amount of information transmitted increases dramatically.

Digital printing technology has responded to these new needs. Until now, digital printers have been in secondary position complementing some on-demand businesses that offset printing cannot deal with.

But in recent years, social trend such as personalized marketing, environmental friendly business, and diversification and improvement of working environment, expectation for digital printing technology is more and more increasing.

Digital printing is a new technology/concept different from offset printing, and it is necessary to develop technology that is calculated back from the business model. In this article, I will explain how SCREEN achieved offset printing level quality with the high-speed inkjet printing machine “Truepress Jet520HD” and how it opened up the market.

The infrastructure maintenance and management of deteriorated roads is a major concern in Japan. However, the requisite road inspection for maintenance and management is limited to a few roads, such as arterial roads and sections of lanes. Such limitations are imposed by the high inspection costs and large size of the operation vehicles. We are developing a road-surface monitoring system using stereo cameras with a small module size and high measurement precision. Our system can cover many previously non-inspected roads.

This paper outlines our road-surface monitoring system and methods for measuring the crack rate, rut depth, and flatness of roads by applying three-dimensional measurement technology and artificial intelligence technology to the stereo-camera images. We confirmed that our system measures the road-surface characteristics with sufficient accuracy.