Spectra Polaris PQ-512/35 AAA Printhead

The Spectra Polaris PQ-512/35 AAA is a 512-nozzle, binary (VersaDrop) piezoelectric industrial printhead with a native 35 pL drop size (adjustable up to ~80 pL), designed for solvent, UV and aqueous inks and high-frequency operation up to ~30 kHz — suitable for wide-format, single- or two‑color industrial inkjet systems and repairable field serviceability.

Key specifications and customer checklist

•     Nozzles and channels: 512 individually addressable nozzles (arranged in rows / Q-class modules).
•     Native drop size and range: 35 picoliters native; adjustable binary operation up to about 80 pL for larger drops.
•     Resolution and spacing: native nozzle spacing provides about 200 dpi per single-color channel (100 dpi when used for two-color mode) and can achieve effective print resolution up to 800 dpi with multipulse techniques.
•     Jetting frequency and velocity: typical firing up to ~30 kHz (lower frequency for larger drops, e.g., ~13–15 kHz for 80 pL) with nominal drop velocity ~8 m/s.
•     Fluid compatibility: rated for solvent, UV-curable, and aqueous (AAA designation) inks; jettable viscosity range roughly 8–20 cP.
•     Physical / mechanical: print width ~64.9 mm per head, compact/lightweight design (~160 g), metal nozzle plate for durability; parallel interface on many supplier listings.
•     Operating range and environment: typically specified to work up to ~60°C operating temperature and designed for continuous industrial use; field-repairable modules improve lifecycle costs.
•     Typical uses: wide-format signage, industrial graphics, label and specialty printing where single-color/high-speed or two-color configurations are needed.

Comparison points for fast buyer evaluation

•     Print quality (fine detail): Strong — up to 800 dpi effective with multipulse; choose this head when you need good line/edge fidelity at industrial speeds.
•     Throughput (speed): High — 30 kHz continuous firing supports fast production; for highest throughput check system electronics and drive capability.
•     Ink flexibility: Excellent — solvent, UV, and aqueous inks supported (AAA = aqueous-capable), so good for mixed-material workflows.
•     Serviceability and life-cycle cost: Positive — metal nozzle plate and field-repairable design lower long-term costs; verify local repair/service availability.
•     Integration complexity: Moderate — requires compatible driver electronics, correct fluid interface, and temperature/viscosity control; verify your printer controller supports VersaDrop/binary operation and nozzle mapping.

Short buying recommendations

•     For high-speed commercial signage or industrial printers where ink flexibility matters, the PQ-512/35 AAA is a strong choice because of its 35 pL native drop, multi-ink compatibility, and field-repairable design.
•     If your priority is ultra-fine photographic detail at slower speeds, consider heads with smaller native drops (e.g., 15 pL variants) or higher native resolution instead of the 35 pL model.