The Memjet Industrial Inkjet Training Hub

Fundamentals of Inkjet Science

Course Overview

The Fundamentals of Inkjet Science course is tailored for new engineers and cross-disciplinary teams. It covers essential topics such as droplet formation physics, pressure waves, and actuation mechanisms. Participants will explore nozzle geometry, microfluidics, ink rheology, and jetting regimes, providing a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of inkjet technology.

Introduction

Fundamentals of Inkjet Science introduces the core physical principles that govern industrial inkjet printing, including droplet formation, pressure waves and actuation mechanisms, nozzle geometry and microfluidics, ink rheology, and jetting regimes. Together, these topics explain how ink, printhead design and fluid dynamics interact to produce stable droplets, accurate placement and reliable high-speed print performance.

The physics of droplet formation

The physics of droplet formation explores how pressure, inertia, viscosity, surface tension and nozzle geometry interact to eject a controlled ink droplet from a printhead. Understanding this process is essential to achieving precise drop volume, velocity, trajectory and print quality in industrial inkjet systems.

Pressure waves and actuation mechanisms

Pressure waves and actuation mechanisms describe how thermal or piezoelectric energy is converted into a precisely timed force that drives ink from the chamber toward the nozzle. Understanding this process is essential because the shape, strength and timing of the pressure wave determine droplet velocity, stability, refill behaviour and overall print reliability.

Nozzle geometry and microfluidics

Nozzle geometry and microfluidics explore how the shape, size and internal flow paths of a printhead control the movement of ink at microscopic scale. Understanding this topic is essential because even small changes in nozzle diameter, taper, surface condition or chamber design can affect droplet volume, velocity, direction and print uniformity.

Ink rheology: viscosity, surface tension and elasticity

Ink rheology explores how viscosity, surface tension and elasticity influence the way ink flows, stretches, detaches and recovers during droplet formation. Understanding these properties is essential because they determine whether an ink can eject cleanly, form stable droplets, minimise satellites and perform consistently across temperature, duty cycle and printhead operating conditions.

Jetting regimes and Weber number fundamentals

Jetting regimes and Weber number fundamentals explain how the balance between inertial force and surface tension determines whether an ink droplet ejects cleanly, forms satellites, recoils, or fails to detach. Understanding this topic helps learners connect fluid properties, droplet velocity and nozzle scale to the practical operating window required for stable, repeatable inkjet performance.

What's included in the course

Each unit within the Fundamentals of Inkjet Science course provides the following learning opportunities:



Quick Start

Provides a high-level foundation in the topic in plain language.



Advanced Mechanics

Explains the deeper technical mechanisms, dependancies and engineering tradeoffs.



Key Terms

Defines the essential terminology used in the topic, helping learners understand the technical language.



Extended Reading

Provides advanced papers, articles and industry references for learners who want to explore the topic in greater technical depth.



Patent Pathways

Highlights select published patents that relate to the topic, highlighting how the concepts connect to real-world inkjet innovation.

Take the Course

Fundamentals of Inkjet Science

Course Overview

Introduction

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What's included in the course

Each unit within the Fundamentals of Inkjet Science course provides the following learning opportunities:



Quick Start

Provides a high-level foundation in the topic in plain language.



Advanced Mechanics

Explains the deeper technical mechanisms, dependancies and engineering tradeoffs.



Key Terms

Defines the essential terminology used in the topic, helping learners understand the technical language.



Extended Reading

Provides advanced papers, articles and industry references for learners who want to explore the topic in greater technical depth.



Patent Pathways

Highlights select published patents that relate to the topic, highlighting how the concepts connect to real-world inkjet innovation.

Take the Course

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help center

The Memjet Industrial Inkjet Training Hub

Fundamentals of Inkjet Science

Course Overview

Introduction

The physics of droplet formation

Pressure waves and actuation mechanisms

Nozzle geometry and microfluidics

Ink rheology: viscosity, surface tension and elasticity

Jetting regimes and Weber number fundamentals

What's included in the course

Quick Start

Advanced Mechanics

Key Terms

Extended Reading

Patent Pathways

Fundamentals of Inkjet Science

Course Overview

Introduction

Your Title Goes Here

What's included in the course

Quick Start

Advanced Mechanics

Key Terms

Extended Reading

Patent Pathways