The Diverse Applications of Cutting-Edge InkJet Printing

For years, traditional analog methods, like rotary screen printing, have been useful for certain applications but are now struggling to meet the growing demand for more precision, customized designs, and minimal material waste. This challenge is compounded by their inherent need for screens or stencils, multiple steps, and limited ability to accommodate custom or multi-material designs. In contrast, inkjet printing has been gaining particular attention for its ability to handle multiple materials with high precision, offering a more flexible, efficient, and sustainable alternative.

Inkjet printing has become a valuable method in industries such as packaging, ceramics, and textiles due to its ability to deposit ultra-fine droplets with high precision. This precision is instrumental when working with functional materials like conductive inks or UV-curable resins. However, conventional inkjet systems have been limited by the viscosity of the materials they could handle, restricting the types of substances that could be printed, especially in more advanced applications.

This is where Quantica has made a pioneering contribution. By breaking through the viscosity ceiling that has long confined inkjet printing, Quantica’s innovative NovoJet™ printhead technology allows for jetting highly viscous materials far beyond what was previously achievable. This advancement has opened new possibilities for multi-material, industrial printing, allowing manufacturers to not only print components but also jet materials that Improve functionality. For example, adhesives can be jetted to seal parts together, or coatings can be applied to protect and shield components. 

Quantica’s digital, contact-free system combines materials with different properties, such as conductivity, UV resistance, and mechanical strength, all in a single, precise process. As these capabilities continue to mature, Quantica’s solutions are poised to drive impactful changes across industries like electronics and automotive, where precision and material efficiency are key drivers of innovation.

Core Technology

The NovoJet™ Printhead Technology

At the heart of Quantica’s revolution in additive manufacturing is its cutting-edge NovoJet™ printhead technology, which enables scalable, automated, high-precision, multi-material printing. Unlike conventional inkjet heads limited to very low viscosity, the NovoJet™ printhead can jet high-viscosity materials, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved in 2D printing.

The NovoJet™ printhead stands out for its precise control over depositing thick, high-performance materials in ultra-fine droplets, achieving precision beyond traditional manufacturing methods. This capability allows manufacturers to produce intricate, multi-material components with varied properties in a single, seamless process—without extra tools or stages. For industries like electronics, automotive, and energy, where functionality and material-specific properties are critical, NovoJet™ offers transformative advantages. With its ability to handle certified materials like conductive inks, UV-resistant coatings, and heat-resistant adhesives exactly where needed, the NovoJet™ printhead supports efficient, sustainable production, minimizing waste while enhancing product functionality.

Revolutionizing 2D Printing with High-Viscosity Materials

High-viscosity materials—such as coatings, adhesives, and conductive pastes—are vital for creating products that require durability, precision, and functionality. These materials are essential for industries such as automotive manufacturing, where components must endure demanding conditions, and energy production, where the reliability of fuel cells and other components is crucial.

By enabling the use of high-viscosity materials, Quantica’s NovoJet™ printhead technology provides precise control over material placement, enhancing the durability and performance of printed components. In industries like electronics, where the demand for smaller, more efficient devices is growing, the ability to print flexible, highly conductive circuits can dramatically improve product performance while reducing waste through jetting. This innovation allows manufacturers to create more robust and sustainable devices.

Application Development Process: From Concept to Production

Quantica’s application development process is built on close collaboration with its clients, guiding them from initial material qualification to full-scale production. This structured approach ensures that every manufacturing step is optimized for precision and efficiency. It begins with material qualification, where Quantica assesses whether a client’s material can be jetted effectively with their technology. Once a material is qualified, jetting trials are carried out to fine-tune the process, ensuring the material behaves as expected during jetting.

The next step is printing trials, where prototypes are produced to verify that the material’s performance meets industry standards. Once these trials are successful, Quantica works with the client to develop an industrial application that integrates seamlessly into their existing workflows through inline, near-line, or robotic-arm systems. For example, Quantica is helping a label printing company convert its traditional screen printing and roll-to-roll processes to a fully digital, inkjet-based solution, significantly reducing material waste and enhancing production flexibility.

This development process enables Quantica to offer tailored solutions for companies across multiple industries. To expand these services, Quantica partners with major inkjet research institutions like Fraunhofer IPA and iPrint.

Image: Quantica’s application development process is built on close collaboration with its clients, guiding them from initial material qualification to full-scale production. Source: Quantica.

Applications Across Industries

Quantica’s NovoJet™ printhead technology is not limited to a single application or industry. Its ability to handle high-viscosity materials and deliver multi-material printing capabilities makes it highly versatile across various sectors.

Fuel Cell Production

One area where Quantica is driving change is fuel cell production, where efficiency and sustainability are crucial. Traditional methods like dispensing and rotary screen printing often lead to significant material waste and low yield, particularly with costly materials like platinum inks.

One particularly promising application for Quantica's technology is adhesive deposition in hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing, where precise sealing and separation between components are essential. A reliable sealant directs gas flow accurately, influencing the fuel cell's performance and lifespan.

Quantica recently evaluated their NovoJet™ technology with a high-viscosity industrial adhesive, measuring 13,000 mPas at room temperature. By applying heat and leveraging shear-thinning effects, they reduced the adhesive’s viscosity to a range compatible with jetting technology. The adhesive was then printed onto multiple fuel cell substrates, including the gas diffusion layer, membrane, catalyst-coated membrane, and carbon composite plate. This adaptation of a standard adhesive to an inkjet system showcased the potential for contact-free, precise, and efficient adhesive application, highlighting a clear improvement over traditional methods.

Adhesive deposition marks just the beginning of Quantica's innovations in fuel cell manufacturing. Their next target is digitally printing the platinum catalyst layer within the membrane electrode assembly (MEA)—a step that could offer manufacturers greater control over material application, improve precision, and significantly reduce material waste. Given the high value of platinum, this approach enhances production efficiency and contributes to a more sustainable manufacturing process.

Image: A Quantica print sample of the adhesive printed on a substrate used in hydrogen fuel cell production. Source: Quantica.

Image: An Open Source Stack (OSS) Fuel Cell, primarily developed at TU Chemnitz that helps visualize a fuel cell stack, including the catalyst layer. Source: Quantica.

Vision for the Future

Quantica is well-positioned to shape and lead the future of additive manufacturing. With a focus on sustainability, precision, and cost-efficiency, the company’s innovations are driving the next wave of manufacturing technology. This is particularly highlighted in its focus on industrial 2D/2.5D applications. As demand for better materials and more efficient and sustainable manufacturing methods grows, Quantica’s unique ability to work with high-viscosity materials in new ways will continue to set it apart.

Its long-term vision is clear: to lead the industry in digital, contact-free inkjet printing that transforms how products are designed and produced. By focusing on solutions that minimize waste, reduce costs, and offer greater flexibility, Quantica is not just responding to current market needs but actively shaping the future of global manufacturing.

Conclusion

Quantica is at the forefront of a transformation in additive manufacturing, delivering solutions that combine precision, efficiency, and sustainability. With their NovoJet™ printhead technology, Quantica is enabling manufacturers to overcome the limitations of traditional methods and create more functional, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable products.

As it continues to expand its reach through partnerships, innovation, and investment, its technology will play a key role in redefining the future of electronics, automotive, energy, and beyond. For manufacturers looking to embrace the future of multi-material and high-viscosity printing, Quantica’s offerings represent a leap forward in what’s possible.

Explore how Quantica’s NovoJet™ technology can enhance your manufacturing processes by booking a call with Quantica today. Learn more about their cutting-edge solutions and how to integrate them into your workflow for better precision, efficiency, and sustainability.