Inkjet printing has long been hailed as a transformative technology for industrial production, promising a shift from traditional analogue methods to digital manufacturing. However, this transition remains incomplete, with lingering concerns around quality, reliability, and system integration. At the IST UV Days conference in Metz, Didier Rousseau of KELENN Technology, alongside Frazer Chesterman of FuturePrint and Holly Steedman of IST Intech, presented KELENN’s innovative approach to overcoming these challenges. KELENN’s vision is not to retrofit inkjet into existing workflows but to fully industrialise it, transforming it into a digitally native manufacturing process.
KELENN specialises in high-performance digital print systems that go beyond merely integrating inkjet into legacy workflows. Instead, the company reimagines inkjet as a core manufacturing technology, offering the consistency of analogue methods while introducing unprecedented levels of automation, agility, and precision. Central to this approach is a closed-loop architecture that integrates various advanced technologies, including inkjet print engines, sophisticated drive electronics, raster image processors (RIPs), and real-time vision inspection systems. These components are all seamlessly connected to a fully digital front-end system, enabling active process management rather than just passive quality control.
One of the standout features of KELENN’s system is its real-time feedback mechanism. High-speed cameras, such as the KV+ module, detect issues like missing nozzles, colour shifts, stitching errors, or data mismatches within milliseconds. The system then automatically adjusts waveform parameters, corrects layouts, and resumes production without requiring manual intervention. This capability not only improves output quality but also reduces setup time to near zero, ensures full variable data integrity, and provides complete traceability throughout the production process.
KELENN’s Print Flow platform offers OEMs and integrators multiple deployment options, from low-level API access and hardware abstraction layers (using the Smart VDG and KPC modules) to complete turnkey systems with user-friendly interfaces powered by KRIP and Smart KPM. This flexibility allows businesses to tailor the technology to their specific needs, whether they require a highly customised solution or a ready-to-use system.
To further enhance reliability and reduce downtime, KELENN has developed a proprietary ink recirculation system. This innovation is simpler and more robust than conventional solutions, ensuring consistent ink flow and reducing the risk of blockages or interruptions. The platform’s modular drive electronics support high-resolution, page-wide printing on a wide range of substrates, including PET films and synthetic papers. Whether using UV or water-based inks, KELENN’s system guarantees precise drop placement, extended maintenance intervals, and seamless synchronisation with upstream processes.
One of the most striking examples of KELENN’s technology in action is its inline pouch printing system. This system allows variable data to be printed directly onto packaging materials during production, eliminating the need for labels, pre-printed rolls, and manual changeovers. The result is a significant reduction in setup times, simplified logistics, and the ability to personalise packaging at a late stage without compromising speed or quality. In practical terms, this system has delivered productivity gains of up to 40%, showcasing the tangible benefits of KELENN’s approach.
KELENN’s philosophy is clear: inkjet technology must not only be flexible but also fully industrialised. Its systems are designed to do more than just print—they observe, adapt, and self-correct in real time, ensuring consistent and reliable output. As industries such as packaging and printed electronics increasingly demand smarter, shorter-run, and data-rich production, KELENN’s model demonstrates that the success of digital printing lies not in its novelty but in its dependability.
In summary, KELENN Technology is at the forefront of industrialising inkjet printing, addressing the key barriers of quality, reliability, and integration with a comprehensive, closed-loop architecture. By combining advanced print engines, real-time vision inspection, and intelligent automation, KELENN is enabling businesses to achieve new levels of efficiency, flexibility, and precision in their production processes. For more information, visit www.kelenntech.com.
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