Article By Jack Malki, Director, Jet Technologies
Inkjet has quietly become one of the most versatile tools in modern manufacturing. What started as a technology for print is now being used across automotive, electronics, energy, mining, agriculture and advanced manufacturing.
These sectors all need precise, reliable and efficient ways to place materials, and inkjet is proving to be a strong fit for that requirement. Xaar’s printhead technology sits at the centre of this shift, helping industries move from manual or highly engineered processes to digital control.
Inkjet Built for Industrial Demands
A key reason inkjet is gaining ground is its ability to work with materials that were once incompatible with digital systems. Xaar’s printheads can jet ultra-high-viscosity fluids, photopolymers, dielectric coatings and functional inks at viscosities up to 100 centipoise. That capability makes it suitable for applications such as automotive paint, solar cell coatings, EV battery layers and printed electronics, where accuracy and consistency are critical.
Xaar’s TF Technology keeps fluids recirculating behind the nozzles to maintain stability, even when working with abrasive or heavily pigmented materials. XaarGuard nozzle protection and Sure Flow self-cleaning support reliable jetting on surfaces such as metal, glass, ceramics and composites. More than engineering upgrades, these features are what make inkjet suitable for high-volume environments that have traditionally relied on masking, spraying or manual coating.
The impact can already be seen in the market. Axalta’s NextJet two-tone automotive painting system uses Xaar printheads to digitally apply paint with very high accuracy. This reduces overspray waste by up to 30% and removes the need for extensive masking. In glass manufacturing, inkjet is being used for both decorative and functional coatings, reducing handling and improving consistency. Electronics producers are turning to digital deposition for circuit printing and dielectric layers, and energy manufacturers are doing the same for battery materials and solar cell coatings. Additive manufacturing is also growing quickly. Xaar printheads can deposit photopolymers and functional materials layer by layer, which allows complex shapes to be created without moulds.
All of this reflects a wider trend. Industrial customers want accuracy and repeatability, but they also want flexibility. Inkjet is one of the few technologies that can deliver both.
Opportunities in Emerging Sectors
Some of the most promising applications sit in industries that are only just beginning to explore digital deposition. In agriculture, inkjet could be used to micro-dose nutrients and treatments, which would reduce chemical use. Mining operations may eventually use inkjet to place reagents with far greater precision during processing. Renewable energy systems, such as fuel cells and next-generation solar technologies, require extremely uniform layers that inkjet is well positioned to produce.
Xaar’s ongoing innovation supports this direction. The ImagineX platform will increase jetting speeds, broaden fluid compatibility and improve resolution. Work on waveform tuning will allow manufacturers to optimise deposition for each specific material. These developments strengthen the link between material science and digital manufacturing.
Sustainability is another major driver. Inkjet applies only the material that is needed, which significantly reduces waste. Digital layers can also be applied at room temperature, lowering energy requirements. The results from the Axalta NextJet system, including up to 30% reductions in CO? emissions, show what can be achieved when material efficiency and digital control are combined.
Why Partnerships Matter
Moving from analogue to digital production is a significant step for any manufacturer. It changes workflows and often requires new thinking about how processes are designed. This is why partnerships make a difference. Xaar’s collaboration with Jet Technologies in the Australia and New Zealand region provides local support and a clearer pathway for customers who want to understand how digital deposition fits into their operations.
Inkjet’s role in manufacturing is continuing to grow. What we are seeing is not a small technical adjustment but a broader shift toward digital production and data-driven control. Precision fluid placement is becoming a core capability in many industries. From automotive plants to electronics facilities, inkjet is proving to be a practical and reliable way to improve quality, reduce waste and introduce greater flexibility into manufacturing.
For more information on Xaar’s inkjet technology, visit https://www.xaar.com/applications/advanced-manufacturing/ or contact Jet Technologies.
