Ink Cartridge Technology

Based on its 'Smart Valve' ink cartridge technology, Epson has developed a new, more efficient cartridge for its latest printer range. The new compact cartridge incorporates a unique Micro Piezo 'Ink Level Sensor' (ILS) to more accurately detect the ink level within the cartridge and automatically alert users when ink is low. This new Micro Piezo sensor technology works in combination with the 'Intellidge' chip to reduce the required 'Ink Safety Reserve' therefore minimising the space required to house the cartridge.

To ensure the consistently high print quality for which Epson has become renowned, the new cartridge is based on the foamless mechanism that facilitates the agitation of the particles in the ink (particularly important for pigment based ink formulations). This new cartridge utilises a system known as 'Smart Valve Control Technology' to prevent the delivery of excess ink to the print head. As more ink droplets are fired, a higher volume of ink flows to the head from the foamless cartridge than could flow from a conventional foam type cartridge. A conventional foam-type cartridge cannot supply pigment ink at this rate.

The ink cartridges retain Epson's 'Intellidge' chip which allows users to swap ink cartridges at will. Each cartridge is fitted with an intelligent chip that passes essential information on the status of the ink cartridge to software in the printer. The chip is responsible for passing on data such as whether the cartridge is installed properly, whether it is functioning correctly, and recording how much ink remains. The latter is important, for example, when printing a high volume of material that uses a lot of any one colour. The 'Intellidge' chips also provide other valuable information, like the cartridge model number to assure that the right cartridge is installed.

Epson first introduced an on-carriage individual ink cartridge system in 2001. In 2006 most of products in Epson's consumer printer and multi-function range will utilise this highly economical method of ink delivery. Unlike the combined colour cartridges used by other manufacturers, this system ensures that only the colour which needs replacing is changed, therefore eliminating unnecessary waste of the other colours. Pursuing its strategy of providing low-cost replacement cartridges each of the individual colour inks are quite affordable level.