Inkjet Academy
Theory of inkjet Technology
May 16-17, 2023
The Florida Hotel & Conference
Orlando, Florida


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Course Focus
Understanding the basics is essential to any industry’s development. The Inkjet Academy one-and-a-half-day course covers the theory and practice behind the many types of inkjet technology used today and aims to give your understanding of the industry an expert start by introducing concepts which are further expanded in other IMI innovation academy courses.
Based on proven content but updated significantly in 2022/2023 to use plenty of practical examples from DoDxAct’s unique laboratory, the Inkjet Academy course will show you how printheads work, the materials used in their fabrication, and the introductory theory of their operation. You will also learn a little about ink types and properties, how inks are broadly formulated and used and why they are sometimes more challenging than inks for other print technologies. The ink supply systems and other crucial integration topics are also discussed to explain the importance of the system approach to inkjet application success for different markets. The course finishes with a discussion on established and developing applications/markets including a section on case-studies of different machines, highlighting what motivates the OEM design choices.
Presented by inkjet industry leading expert Dr. Mark Bale of DoDxAct, the course is designed to provide useful background information for anyone entering the inkjet industry, seeking an update on today’s technology, or looking for further fields of development.
Inkjet Academy Course Outline
May 16-17, 2023
The Florida Hotel & Conference
Orlando, Florida
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
1:00 pm
1:30 pm
Registration
Opening Session

Welcome & introductions
Alvin G. Keene, President, IMI, Carrabassett Valley, Maine
Course Leader: Dr. Mark Bale, Director, Wells, Somerset, UK
Introduction to Inkjet
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Course Outline
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Evolution of inkjet markets
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Overview of inkjet technology & printhead intro
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Introduction to ink types & key differences
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Ink materials & formulations
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Printhead-ink-substrate interactions
Industrial Inkjet Printheads
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De-mystifying printhead specs
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Real printheads by type & manufacturer
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Bulk, thin Film, & MEMs explained
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Choosing a printhead starting from the application performance
6:00 pm
Networking reception
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
8:00 am
Session 2
Inkjet Inks & Testing
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Overview of ink physical differences by ejection process
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Ink properties for jetting & wetting
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Particles & the importance of dispersion
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Manufacturing & quality assurance
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Lab testing methods in formulation
Inkjet System & Components
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Overview of factors influencing print quality
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Ink & substrate
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Ink supply systems design
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Printhead integration - mechanics, failure, & maintenance
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Role of hardware & software
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Motion & droplet placement
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Print quality metrics
12:00 pm
1:00 pm
Networking Lunch
Session 3
Industrial Inkjet Markets & Applications
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The digital proposition & benefits
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Development through collaboration
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Example markets addressed by inkjet
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Graphics, ceramics, textiles, packaging & beyond
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Where is inkjet going?
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Sustainability
Case Studies & Trends – What it Takes!
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Graphics & textiles
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Single Pass & packaging
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Offset inkjet
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Ceramic tiles
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3D printing
4:00 pm
Adjournment
Course Leader
Dr. Mark Bale, Director, DoDxAct, Wells, Somerset, UK

Mark Bale is a PhD qualified Physicist who started DoDxAct Ltd in 2017 in order to provide practical support to those developing technology for the industrial inkjet printing industry based on independent laboratory facilities. Specializing in print heads, inks and the optimization of print process, Mark is recognized by leading vendors of inks, printheads, printers, and components as someone who can enable their technology in the market and support their customers to success. DoDxAct's clients list comprises start-ups to globally recognized brands, spanning 4 continents with the common goal of getting the most out of their inkjet products or applications.
After starting his career in Oxford and Cambridge University spin-off companies Opsys and CDT, Mark got into inkjet by helping develop the process to print OLED displays, including the print strategy & metrology to optimise the uniformity. Mark then worked with Sun Chemical for over 10 years, ultimately leading a team that supported the integration of cutting-edge inkjet ink developments of all types into OEM customers of their SunJet branded and private labelled products.
Conference Sponsorships
IMI is excited to provide The Inkjet Universe sponsorship opportunity to expand the number of industry suppliers able to digitally position themselves “front and center” before a key group of inkjet business leaders including executives, product developers, technologists, major users, etc. - PLUS distributing their message to IMI’s global database of nearly 20,000 relevant contacts. Sponsors will receive ongoing recognition, exposure, and publicity for an entire year via multiple channels!
Our goal is to develop an “inkjet community” focused on generating excitement about rapidly expanding inkjet technology developments, markets, applications, and opportunities - thus benefiting all Inkjet industry participants and end users.
Our goal is to develop a “community” focused on the conference program and the Sponsors to generate excitement about inkjet technology, market, and application developments - benefiting all industry participants and end users.
For additional information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Al Keene al@imiconf.com
Sponsors of theinkjetuniverse
Speaking Opportunities
If you have a potential topic for presentation at this or another IMI conference, please submit your proposed presentation topic and a brief outline to Al Keene at IMI (al@imiconf.com) for review.
IMI is always looking for potential speakers for upcoming conference programs and will be pleased to discuss your ideas for potential presentation topics.
Free Displays
Printer, materials, and other product demonstrations/displays by both course leaders and registrants are encouraged. IMI will cooperate with all interested parties to provide appropriate space so products can be displayed and demonstrated during the Inkjet Innovation Academy breaks & receptions. There is no charge in addition to the conference registration fee to have a display table. Interested companies should contact IMI President Al Keene al@imiconf.com to ensure that proper arrangements are made for product displays and demonstrations. You can reserve your display space by registering online and checking off the appropriate box indicating your participation.
Conference Hotel Information
IMI’s Inkjet Innovation Academy is being held at The Florida Hotel & Conference Center in Orlando, Florida – A Trip Advisor Award of Excellence winner & currently rated #3 Trip Advisor traveller ranked hotel in Orlando.
Hotel reservations are the responsibility of each meeting registrant. Early booking is advised as the special meeting rate of $139 (Daily service fee included in this rate) for single or double occupancy is guaranteed only until April 24, 2023. After that date, the group meeting rate will be on a space available basis.
To make online hotel reservations – Go to The Florida Hotel Orlando (reztrip.com) and complete the online form. Please contact us for assistance if you have any problems making your hotel reservations.
Phone reservations can be made by calling The Florida Hotel & Conference Center Reservations at +1-800-588-4656 or +1-407-859-1500. You must identify yourself as attendees of “IMI Inkjet Printing Programs” to obtain the $139 group rate which will assure that you receive the conference rate and that the daily service fee is included in your conference rate. You may also contact Hotel Reservations via email at reservations@thefloridahotelorlando.com
Orlando International Airport
Orlando is serviced by Orlando International Airport (MCO) which is approximately 7 miles from The Florida Hotel & Conference Center. Orlando International Airport is served by approximately 50 domestic and international airlines with convenient and economical service from destinations around the U.S. and the world.
Taxis and shuttle/limousine services are available at Orlando International Airport and are located in or outside the baggage claim area. Uber and Lyft fares from Orlando International Airport to the Florida Hotel and Conference Center are estimated at $20 - $30. Additional information on transportation options can be found at http://orlandoairports.net/transport/local_transport.htm
The Florida Hotel & Conference Center

Located only seven miles from Orlando International Airport, The Florida Hotel & Conference Center has over 500 guestrooms, each equipped with many amenities including coffee maker, refrigerator, microwave, 42 inch flat panel LCD TV, and in room electronic safe.
The Florida Hotel & Conference Center is conveniently connected to The Florida Mall, Orlando’s largest retail shopping venue with over 250 leading retail stores such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Apple, American Eagle Outfitters, Armani Exchange, Build-A-Bear, Dillards, Garra Spa, Macy’s, Mango, Perry Ellis, Quay Australia, RIDEMAKERZ, Sephora, Tesla, United World Soccer, and Zara. http://www.simon.com/mall/the-florida-mall
Dining options within the hotel include Chick-fil-A, Crickett’s Bar, Marcello’s Bistro, and Starbucks. The Florida Mall restaurants include Bucca di Beppo, Cantina Catrina, Hocca Bar, and Sushi Yummy; plus an extensive food court. Restaurants in close proximity to the hotel include Adega Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse, Chili’s, El Cilantrillo Restaurant, Garibaldi Mexican Cuisine, Gozamba Restaurant, Havana Bistro & Café, Maguro Latin Asian Cuisine, Millers Ale House, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and many more.
The Florida Hotel & Conference Center’s business center and fitness center are open 24 hours daily. The heated outdoor pool and hot tub are open year-round.
The Florida Hotel & Conference Center is located approximately 15 miles from Disney World, 6 miles from Universal Orlando, 7 miles from SeaWorld, 7 miles from Church Street Station-Orlando, and only ½ mile from Crayola Experience! The concierge located in hotel lobby can assist in arranging golf reservations, attraction tickets and transportation reservations.
The Florida Hotel & Conference Center www.thefloridahotelorlando.com plus the Orlando area www.visitorlando.com and State of Florida www.visitflorida.com provide excellent opportunities to extend your visit into a memorable vacation experience.
The Florida Hotel & Conference Center address is:
1500 Sand Lake Road
Orlando, FL 32809 USA
GPS Address: 8001 S. Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando, FL 32809
Phone: +1-407-859-1500
Fax: +1-407-855-9863
Web Site: www.thefloridahotelorlando.com
IMI
IMI sponsors conferences to assist in understanding emerging technology developments, markets and applications requirements. IMI conferences offer attendees unique opportunities for leading hardware, technology development, materials, manufacturing, software, and user companies to network and develop a more comprehensive understanding of current as well as future developments impacting successful product implementations, market entry/expansion and technology utilization. Since 1990, IMI has held over 600 programs attended by well
over 25,000 technical, marketing and management personnel from companies around the world.
IMI conference programs are designed to enable attendees to obtain the latest technical, market and application information while allowing time to network with other attendees in a time and cost-efficient manner. Attendance at an IMI conference enables attendees to meet with an industry’s leading experts in a single location over a short period of time thus maximizing information transfer efficiency and minimizing travel and time expenses.
Details on all of IMI’s activities can be found on our web site www.imiconf.com or by contacting us:
IMI
1106 Valley Crossing
Carrabassett Valley, ME 04947
USA
Phone: +1-207-235-2225
Fax: +1-207-560-9119
Email: imi@imiconf.com Web Site: www.imiconf.com