Xaar 502 GS15 S180 Printhead

he Xaar 502 GS15 S180 printhead is a 500-nozzle, 180 Npi drop-on-demand head optimized for solvent-based, single-pass wide-format graphics with a 70.5 mm swathe and 70 pL drop size, designed for robust performance in demanding industrial printers.

Key specs at a glance

•     Active nozzles: 500
•     Print swathe width: 70.5 mm
•     Rows: 1
•     Nozzle density: 180 Npi
•     Drop volume: 70 pL (S variant; the 360/180 variants differ in drop size and sometimes grey levels)
•     Ink types: Solvent
•     Grey levels: Typically 6
•     Firing frequency (DPD): ~7 kHz at max
•     Filtration: Last-chance filter on inlet
•     Heater: None
•     Jetting orientation: Downshooter
•     Inlet/outlet: 4 mm hose barb
•     Dimensions: ~104 x 17 x 113 mm
•     Guard: Wide-Format Graphic (WFG) nozzle guard for substrate protection

What to consider for a purchasing decision

•     Application fit: Best for solvent-based exterior banners or indoor POP on rigid or semi-porous substrates; if you require high-detail text or graphics on challenging substrates, 70 pL suits higher quality but verify grey levels and histogram with your ink.
•     Ink compatibility: Ensure your printer’s architecture supports solvent inks and the GS15 S180 variant’s electrical/mechanical interface. The S180 is part of a broader GS15 family with similar mechanics but different drop volumes (e.g., 40 pL option in GS15 S360) that affect resolution and color depth.
•     Maintenance and reliability: The last-chance inlet filter helps protect the head; confirm maintenance intervals and availability of spare parts (nozzle guards, filters, seals) in your region.
•     Availability and price: Genuine Xaar heads can have variable lead times and cost; factor in warranty terms, return policies, and potential compatibility kits for your printer model.
•     Compatibility checks: Match the exact variant (GS15 S180 vs GS15 S360 vs GS15 O) to your printer’s firmware, ink chemistry, and reservoir setup. The “S” designation often references a specific nozzle configuration and firing profile.

Comparable options to compare

•     Xaar 502 GS15 S180 vs GS15 S360: both share the same architecture but differ in nozzle guard sizing, drop sizes, and possibly swathe channels; S180 uses 70 pL drops with 180 Npi, S360 may use smaller or larger drops and different grey level capabilities. If your application requires finer riser or denser color, check which variant your printer is calibrated for.
•     Xaar 502 GS15 O (coding/marking oriented): designed for robust coding and marking tasks with similar active nozzle counts but optimized for industrial marking on packaging; it often features different nozzle guards and drop dynamics, which may influence print quality and abrasion resistance.

    If you’re printing a large exterior banner with a matte finish, the GS15 S180 can produce bold blacks and vibrant color over long runs, provided your ink system and substrate are compatible and your printer supports the 70 mm swathe with a 7 kHz firing rate at your target speed.

Next steps (our customer quick checklist)

•     Confirm your printer model and firmware supports Xaar 502 GS15 S180; verify required electrical/communication interfaces.
•     Verify ink compatibility (solvent-based, substrate type, and viscosity) with this head variant.
•     Check from us the availability of genuine replacements (filters, guards, seals) and warranty terms.