Imagexpert has launched Jetxpert, a drop-in-flight analysis system specifically designed for non-contact dispensing systems.
Jetxpert combines strobing technology with customised optics and Imagexpert software to provide a flexible platform for analysing the performance of any frequency-actuated dispensing head for non-contact dispensing systems through drop-in-flight analysis and visualisation.
The optical head measures 9.5in (24cm) in length and can be integrated directly into dispensing equipment or used as an offline or bench-top unit.
Measuring the in-flight characteristics of drops under different conditions can aid the optimisation of system settings, fluid formulation and dispensing system performance.
Manufacturers of dispensing tips, dispensing systems, driver electronics and fluids will benefit from the analysis of drops in flight.
In Jetxpert, the strobe is slaved to the firing frequency of the dispensing head so it can be used to measure drops in flight for any dispensing head.
By slaving to the drive frequency of the print head or dispensing system, the user can synchronise the strobe and camera and take images of single droplets in flight.
The company offers single-event technology: one strobe per image frame for excellent image quality and the imaging of single droplets rather than image aggregation.
The strobe interface software provides the digital control of strobe pulse width; the imaging of single or double dots; multiple delay times; and strobe intensity for optimal imaging for a variety of heads and dispensed materials.
The camera is a digital, Firewire, black-and-white camera with 1,024 x 768 pixels.
The optical design enables the imaging and analysis of drops from nanolitres to picolitres in volume.
Imagexpert software is used for image analysis, including drop trajectory, velocity, volume (based on single drop, drop series or ligament) and drop radius.
The strobe software also enables the animated visualisation of drops in flight for the more detailed observation of dispensed drops during formation and ejection and providing greater insight into print-head performance.
Images, image series and movies can be captured and saved.
This calibrated system returns results in real-world units such as nanolitres and metres per second.
It can also be of further benefit to end users if the OEM version is integrated into final dispensing system designs for onboard process verification and control.
Offering flexibility in both hardware and software, Jetxpert is suitable for research and development environments and for verification in production.
