Fine‐Tuning Drop‐on‐Demand (DoD) Inkjet Printing Parameters for Optimal Quality Using Taguchi Method

ABSTRACT This research endeavors to enhance the print quality of drop‐on‐demand (DoD) inkjet printers, specifically focusing on the droplet velocity and morphology. The study utilizes the Taguchi methodology, incorporating selected variables, which include voltage, print head temperature, and waveform configuration. The designated levels for the control factors are 14 V and 18 V for voltage, 25°C and 30°C for print head temperature. Other control factor was using modified and unmodified “W waveform,” for waveform design. The target quality objectives were to achieve expedited printing outcomes with spherical droplet geometries, devoid of satellite or ligament formations. The quality attributes analyzed in this research are larger‐the‐better for droplet velocity and categorical classifications for droplet morphology. Through the application of the Taguchi method utilizing an L 4 (2 3 ) orthogonal array, the analysis revealead that all factors exert a significant influence on droplet speed, with the optimal settings identified as 18 V, 25°C, and W waveform. Regarding droplet morphology, the optimal combination of factors were determined to be 14 V, 30°C, and employ the modified W waveform. Their engineering significance, however, varies significantly. Within the examined working range, printhead temperature barely contributes 0.143% to process variance, while voltage (64.943%) and waveform (33.861%) are the main factors. As a result, voltage and waveform should be the main focus of practical process optimization, with printhead temperature acting as a secondary fine‐tuning parameter.