A simple criterion for filament break-up in drop-on-demand inkjet printing

2013/02/01 by S. D. Hoath, Stephen D. Hoath, S. Jung +3
Engineering · Materials Science · #Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer #Nanomaterials and Printing Technologies #Surface Modification and Superhydrophobicity

paper · doi:10.1063/1.4790193

openalex publication_date 2013/02/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/07

Abstract

Jets from drop-on-demand inkjet print-heads consist of a main drop with a trailing filament, which either condenses into the main drop, or breaks up into satellite drops. Filament behaviour is quantitatively similar to that of larger, free symmetrical filaments, and can be predicted from the aspect ratio and Ohnesorge number. Symmetrical filaments generated from inkjet print-heads show the same behaviour. A simple model, based on competition between the processes of axial shortening and radial necking, predicts the critical aspect ratio below which the jet condenses into a single drop. The success of this simple criterion supports the underlying physical model.

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