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Print Head Tester: Production-Ready Printhead Testing in Minutes With Air-Free Vacuum Priming, Recirculation, Static Fire, Full Waveform and Voltage Control

  • DST Team
  • Feb 8
  • 2 min read

Updated: Feb 8

With the Print Head Tester, you can validate a printhead in as little as 1 minute.


The Print Head Tester’s hardware and software are tuned for rapid turnaround and minimal setup, allowing operators to go from mounting the printhead to a clear pass or fail decision almost immediately.




Promotional image of the Print Head Tester (PHT), a compact black industrial device with mounted printhead, tubing, and touchscreen display, set against a dark wave-pattern background with the text 'PRINT HEAD TESTER' and the tagline 'Test with Confidence. Print with Perfection.'


The Print Head Tester uses an advanced ink supply system designed to eliminate the root causes of inconsistent results, especially trapped air. Vacuum priming, ink recirculation, and ink recycling work together to condition the printhead quickly and consistently.


Vacuum priming removes air in seconds, which is critical for printheads that are notoriously difficult to prime using pressure alone, including Dimatix StarFire and Xaar 1003.


For recirculation-capable print heads, the optional recirculation (RC) mode maintains a precisely controlled positive pressure on the inlet while keeping the outlet under negative pressure. This creates a gentle internal flow that helps prevent air bubble buildup and reduces the risk of ink stagnation, improving stability during testing.


The Print Head Tester also gives you deeper process control when you need it:


  • Waveform editing and custom waveform creation, with immediate test prints using the updated waveform, so you can tune droplet speed, droplet size, jet straightness, and satellite formation (ink overspray).


  • Static Fire mode that simulates real single-pass and multi-pass printing at any speed, making it easier to evaluate jetting stability and assess ink behavior under realistic conditions.


  • Voltage control that lets you calibrate nozzle sections for consistent density, and match multiple printheads so they output the same density.


Finally, the Print Head Tester is an evolving platform, with frequent updates and new features introduced on an ongoing basis. 


It is also designed to work as part of a complete workflow when paired with the Print Head Doctor (PHD) system, supporting a streamlined recover, test, and validate process.

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