Cambridge, 21st July 2026 — Xaar’s Nitrox printheads have been selected by ZCZH, a China‑based industrial 3D printing company, to drive its wax‑jetting system for precision casting applications. The solution digitises wax pattern production, helping casting manufacturers reduce lead times, improve accuracy and increase flexibility through a new additive manufacturing process.
Wax patterns are a critical stage in investment casting, directly affecting dimensional accuracy, surface quality and overall production efficiency. Traditional wax pattern production methods, based on manual engraving and mould‑based tooling, are time‑consuming, expensive to modify and poorly suited to small‑batch or highly complex parts. As competition in the precision casting sector intensifies, manufacturers are increasingly seeking digital alternatives that support faster development cycles and greater design freedom.
ZCZH’s wax‑jetting 3D printing system replaces conventional workflows with a fully digital, additive manufacturing process. At the core of the system is inkjet deposition enabled by Xaar’s Nitrox printheads, underpinned by its proven TF Technology and Sure Flow fluid management system. Together, these technologies enable continuous ink recirculation directly behind the nozzles, preventing sedimentation and reducing the risk of clogging, which is critical when jetting wax materials. The printhead architecture supports stable jetting of higher viscosity fluids while maintaining precise droplet control, allowing consistent wax deposition even across complex geometries.
As wax patterns are produced directly from 3D design data post‑processing is minimised, compressing production cycles from days to hours while maintaining micron‑level accuracy and repeatability. This enables foundries to accelerate new product development, first‑article verification and small‑batch production.
Xaar’s ability to handle higher viscosity materials thanks to its printhead architecture and Ultra High Viscosity Technology is particularly important in wax jetting, where fluid behaviour directly influences feature resolution, surface finish and structural integrity. Combined with controlled temperature management, reliable operation is ensured, supporting industrial throughput and repeatability in production environments.
Samual Tam, General Manager at Xaar Asia, said: “Wax pattern production places very specific demands on accuracy, repeatability and production stability. This project demonstrates how industrial inkjet can be used as a reliable manufacturing process rather than a prototyping tool. By combining precise droplet control with stable, long‑duration jetting, inkjet enables manufacturers to digitise complex workflows and achieve consistent results at industrial scale.”
The system supports small‑batch and multi‑variant production, allowing manufacturers to implement design changes directly at the digital model stage without the need for tooling. This eliminates mould costs and makes complex, low‑volume components more economically viable, particularly in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, medical devices and industrial equipment manufacturing.
The use of Xaar’s printhead technology highlights the expanding role of industrial inkjet in advanced manufacturing applications beyond traditional printing markets. By enabling direct digital production of wax patterns, ZCZH is providing precision casting manufacturers with a practical route to multiple process improvements through digitisation.
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About Xaar
www.xaar.com
Xaar is an inkjet innovator, providing printheads and technologies for OEM and UDI customers worldwide.
By helping customers lay down precise volumes of inks and fluids with absolute pin-point accuracy, time after time, Xaar’s inkjet printheads and technologies meet the needs of numerous markets. Covering graphics, labelling, direct-to-shape, packaging, textiles, coatings, product decoration, ceramic tile and glass decoration, décor, and outer case coding applications – as well as printing with specialist functional fluids for 3D and advanced manufacturing techniques.
Collaboration is at the very core of its business. Xaar works as a trusted partner from sites in Europe and China, providing expert insights and technical support every step of the way.
With over 30 years’ experience, around 200 patents registered or pending, and major ongoing R&D investment, Xaar’s digital printhead and precision jetting technologies create infinite opportunities for today’s sustainable manufacturing innovation.