The SpencerLab Digital Color Laboratory has just released a white paper summarizing the assessment of the Reliability of HP TIJ 1.0 (Thermal InkJet) print cartridges. The white paper is available for free download at the SpencerLab web site http://www.spencerlab.com/ under the Reports tab.
 
TIJ 1.0 cartridges are used throughout the world in critical banking, financial transaction (ATM), and other applications where reliability is critical. Through extreme temperatures and heavy duty cycles, cartridges are expected to print legibly and consistently. SpencerLab performed a detailed reliability assessment of such cartridges, commissioned by HP. To truly understand and determine the elements that contribute to the cartridge reliability, SpencerLab conducted comprehensive research on the cartridge attributes, from engineering design through to the ultimate physical packaging of the consumer product, as well as performing cartridge testing in its lab. To carry out this extensive investigation, SpencerLab visited HP Singapore and Malaysian manufacturing facilities, observing production firsthand, with unrestricted access to HP processes, design and manufacturing engineers, as well as management.
 
Catherine Fiasconaro, Vice President of Operations and Director of SpencerLab, said "Our comprehensive assessment examined the myriad of elements contributing to ink cartridge reliability. The resultant white paper provides a summary of key aspects which we felt most relevant to the user community – those who require cartridge reliability day in and day out. Lower initial cost does not always equate to overall higher value, as our testing verified."
 
Along with expert design and manufacturing procedures, packaging plays a key role in cartridge print quality and reliability. Proper packaging aids in preventing ink leakage and evaporation, air bubble infiltration, contact corrosion, and damage while in transit or storage – which can span extreme temperatures and duration. SpencerLab's accelerated storage testing, of both HP and non-HP TIJ 1.0 cartridges simulated a 2½-year shelf life; and while the non-HP cartridges appear to have similar physical packaging, they experienced 40% failure rates (comprised of ink leakage, excessive ink evaporation, early failure, and even printheads falling off), whereas the HP cartridges had zero problems.
 
Read the full white paper, available for free download: http://www.spencerlab.com/.