Anaheim, California-based CalComp Technology Inc has denied patent-infringement lawsuits filed against it and its subsidiaries by Xaar Technology Ltd, the Cambridge, UK-based ink jet printing company that’s been developing piezo ceramic wafer printing heads (CI No 3,252). Xaar’s print heads work on a drop on demand ink jet system, where tiny droplets of approximately 5 peco-liters are fired onto the printed surface by micro-pumps at a rate of up to 100,000 drops per second. Unlike traditional ink jet technology, it can be used for consumer goods packaging and printing onto textiles, and Xaar is researching its use for wider and faster print heads. The lawsuits allege that CalComp’s proprietary CrystalJet printing technology infringes on certain Xaar patents. CalComp, which develops computer graphics peripherals, says the claims are without merit and that it intends to vigorously defend itself. Calcomp is using similar piezo ink-jet technology for image marking systems and components that support advanced digital printing applications.
