Decoding the Konica Minolta KM1024i Lineup
Industrial Printhead Architecture Guide

DECODING THE KONICA MINOLTA KM1024i LINEUP

Finding the exact match for your high-speed scanning systems and single-pass industrial production lines.

1,024 Total Nozzles
3x Faster Frequency
60 kHz Max Jetting Speed
6 – 30 pL Droplet Range

The Architectural Leap: All-Nozzle Independent Drive

Unlike legacy 3-cycle “shared wall” technology (where nozzles fire in three staggered sub-groups), the “i” series enables all 1,024 nozzles to fire simultaneously. This unlocks massive throughput improvements.

Legacy 3-Cycle Shared Wall

Predecessor
  • Shared piezo channel walls constraint firing timing
  • Only 1/3 of nozzles fire at any single micro-instant
  • Lower aggregate jetting frequency and scanning speed
[Nozzle A: FIRE] $\rightarrow$ [Nozzle B: WAIT] $\rightarrow$ [Nozzle C: WAIT]

KM1024i Independent Drive

Current Standard
  • Dedicated piezo structure per ink channel
  • All 1,024 nozzles fire simultaneously
  • Up to 3x higher throughput for single-pass & high-speed scan
[ALL 1,024 NOZZLES FIRE SIMULTANEOUSLY @ 60 kHz]

KM1024i Variant Matrix

Select a category to filter models based on droplet volume and application.

Fine Detail 6 pL

KM1024i SHE

Firing speed: 56 – 60 kHz

UV-Curable Solvent Oil-Based

Optimized for ultra-crisp micro-text, high-resolution graphic details, and precise functional coatings requiring thin film deposition.

Max Speed: 60 kHz High Precision
Fine Detail (Aqueous) 6 pL

KM1024i SAE-C

Water-Based Architecture

Aqueous / Water

Designed specifically for high-speed water-based textile printing, food-grade packaging, and porous paper substrates.

Aqueous Tuning Textile & Packaging
ECO Standard
Production Standard 13 pL

KM1024i 6988H

(Replaces Legacy MHE-D)

UV-Curable Solvent

Direct drop-in replacement for MHE-D in swissQprint Nyala, Agfa, and Flora systems. Green Product Approval with 1/3 reduced petroleum materials.

Replaces: MHE-D 100% Drop-in
Workhorse (Aqueous) 13-14 pL

KM1024i MAE-C

Water-Based Single Pass

Aqueous / Water

The medium-drop aqueous solution for industrial single-pass configurations, balancing optical ink density with high processing speeds.

Single-Pass Ready Density Balance
Heavy-Lifter 30 pL

KM1024i LHE

(Replaced by HS1000)

UV White Ink Heavy Varnish

Fires 30 pL droplets at 27 kHz. Built specifically for high-density $TiO_2$ White inks, thick 3D textures, tactile effects, and spot primers.

Replaced by: HS1000 High Opacity

Drop Size vs. Max Jetting Frequency

Mapping printhead velocity across drop volume dynamics.

Fluid Distribution

KM1024i series fluid optimization share

UV / Solvent:SHE, MHE-D, 6988H, LHE
Aqueous:SAE-C, MAE-C
Legacy Migration Guide

Seamless Upgrade: From MHE-D to 6988H

The historic 13 pL MHE-D workhorse has been officially succeeded by the 6988H. Both heads maintain identical waveform dynamics and mechanical geometry, ensuring 100% plug-and-play drop-in compatibility without software re-calibration.

swissQprint / Agfa / Flora Direct Drop-In
Eco Material Cut ~33% Less Petroleum
LEGACY HEAD
KM1024i MHE-D
REPLACEMENT
KM1024i 6988H
LEGACY HEAD
KM1024i LHE
REPLACEMENT
KM1024i HS1000

Field Engineer Tech Tip: Installation Protocol

When replacing or upgrading KM1024i printheads in high-speed industrial environments, strict ribbon cable maintenance is paramount to long-term head longevity.

Mandatory Cable Replacement: Always swap flat ribbon signal cables concurrently when installing a new printhead.
Prevents electrical cross-talk caused by micro-fretting on older contacts
Eliminates pin-short risks that can damage the internal drive IC
Ensures clean voltage pulse transitions at maximum 60 kHz firing rates

Aura Sign Material Trading

Prepared by Syed Abid Zaidi

© 2026 Aura Sign Material Trading. Technical Guide for Industrial Print Ecosystems.

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