ValveJet technology( an on-demand inkjet technology )

ValveJet technology( an on-demand inkjet technology )

Table of content.

ValveJet Technology Overview

ValveJet technology is a non-contact micro-liquid dispensing technology that enables microliter- to nanoliter-scale liquid delivery through pressure- and time-controlled dispensing valves.

The micro-valve is electromagnetically driven, allowing ink or fluid to flow directly through the valve:

  • No current → the valve remains closed

  • Current applied → the valve ball is pulled back by magnetic force, the valve opens, and a droplet is ejected

 

Working Principle

  • ValveJet technology uses high-precision dispensing valves combined with control and drive units (such as the Electronix 200) for liquid dispensing.

  • By precisely controlling the opening and closing of the valve, the system accurately regulates droplet volume and dispensing frequency, achieving repeatable, precise, and controllable liquid deposition.

 

Major Representatives of ValveJet Technology

  • Milliken

  • Zimmer

  • Videojet

  • Domino

 

 

Application Fields

  • ValveJet technology is widely used in various industries, including life sciences, diagnostics, and pharmaceuticals.

  • Typical applications include sample handling, miniaturized analysis, microarray detection, microfluidic chips, and flow analysis.

 

 

Key Features

  • ValveJet technology provides non-contact, on-demand droplet dispensing, reducing the risk of sample contamination.

  • It supports both horizontal and vertical liquid dispensing and can be easily integrated into laboratory automation workflows.

  • It is compatible with a wide range of liquids with varying viscosities, surface tensions, and densities, including buffers, detergents, oils, adhesives, DMSO, strong acids, ethanol, methanol, UV-curable inks, and more.

 

 

Origin and Development

ValveJet technology was originally developed for digital carpet decoration, where droplets must be ejected with high momentum to penetrate deep into carpet fibers. ValveJet systems eject droplets by pressurizing a cavity behind the nozzle and rapidly opening and closing the valve.

Initially, valve-jet printheads had very low nozzle densities (1–2 nozzles per inch) and produced relatively large droplets (up to microliter scale). With recent technological advances, nozzle density has increased, and droplet size has decreased, making ValveJet a potential digital deposition technology for industrial applications beyond carpet decoration.

 

 

Technical Advantages

  • ValveJet technology delivers reliable nanoliter-scale liquid dispensing with accuracy and repeatability typically better than 1% CV.

  • It uses disposable dispensing tubing, eliminating cross-contamination and enabling quick and easy replacement.

 

 

Comparison with Other Technologies

  • Compared with piezoelectric inkjet technology, ValveJet can handle much higher-viscosity inks, making it suitable for rapid coverage of large areas and for applications beyond flat-surface decoration.

  • ValveJet technology typically offers lower resolution (approximately 70–140 dpi), but larger droplets can be formed by combining smaller droplets using multi-pulse techniques.

  • Compared with industrial inkjet technology, the key advantage of valve-jet systems is their ability to dispense fluids with viscosities far higher than those supported by industrial inkjet printheads (up to 1000 cP, significantly exceeding even Seiko 2002 printheads). In addition, the fluid delivery system and drive electronics can be simpler, reducing development complexity and capital costs.

 

 

Applications in 3D Printing

  • ValveJet technology is also used in 3D printing, enabling spatially and quantitatively controlled, layer-by-layer droplet deposition.

  • It can be applied to the fabrication of complexes composed of surfactants and polyelectrolytes, which show potential in drug delivery, nutrition delivery, and flavor or fragrance release.

 

 

Conclusion
 With its precise control, wide material compatibility, and non-contact dispensing capability, ValveJet technology plays an important role across multiple industries. As the technology continues to evolve, its application scope, precision, and performance are expected to expand further.

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