Knowledge base

Environment and Sustainability go hand in hand

While the public is putting more emphasis towards green solutions, the print industry already has certifications and measures in place. Companies such as HP are actively promoting sustainability and environmentally friendly solutions that adhere to standards set around the world.

By Sabine A. Slaughter

More and more manufacturers are driving their operations towards sustainability, introducing processes and operations that are taking note of the environment. While the environment and sustainability go hand in hand, significant savings can thus be achieved too. Conserved energy, reduced waste, elimination of hazardous materials are just some of the many topics that not only lead to a "greener" production but also to higher reputation in terms of future-oriented manufacturing that is valued by customers.

From humble beginnings to big success: Inkjet technology

Who would have thought that Inkjet technology is one of the oldest technologies? Yes, you hear right. While the printing industry has only discovered it in the last 20 years, it has been around much longer. Sabine A Slaughter investigates its roots.

The triumphant success that inkjet technology has attained within the last 10 to 20 years is based on science and research covering almost 300 years of history. Although commercialisation and professional availability only cover a short period in history, the principles and basis theories referring to inkjet have been researched more than 200 years ago. The French scholar and cleric Abbé Jean Antoine Nollet already published a report in 1749 on the effects exerted by static charge on a drop. As part of his research on osmotic pressure and only a year after, he invented the electroscope, a device for detection of electric charge, this has only been one of the many discoveries the 18th century had to offer.

A journey from analogue to digital to additive

Years of trade events, news and developments mean a lot of ground has been covered in our fast-changing industry. Groundbreaking developments and new introductions in terms of technology, abilities and foremost applications have and are the norm. Well, print is evolving, and while traditional technologies are still asked for, new technologies and applications are just round the corner. Sabine A Slaughter voices some thoughts on our industry.

Moore's Law or when overcapacity kills

By Sabine A Slaughter

Accelerating innovation, innovation cycles, and/or things and events leads to shorter and shorter cycles that decrease the value of things. This is especially true in our currently fast-living world.