Who is Quantica?

Quantica is a Berlin- and Barcelona-based advanced manufacturing company building next-generation industrial inkjet printing systems. Founded in 2018, it focuses on printing high-viscosity, functional materials for real manufacturing use cases across electronics, automotive, and medical applications — think adhesives, functional coatings, and conductive inks. Its core technology, NovoJet®, enables precise printing viscosities that traditional inkjet systems can't handle, bridging the gap between R&D experimentation and scalable production. In short: Quantica aims to digitize, modernize, and optimize fluid deposition in manufacturing.

When and where was Quantica founded?

Quantica was founded in 2018 in Berlin, Germany.

How large is Quantica?

Quantica is a team of more than 50 people across its Berlin and Barcelona hubs, spanning printhead development, hardware, software, electronics, materials science, and commercial functions.

Is Quantica a 3D printing company?

Quantica’s technology originated in multi-material additive manufacturing, and the NovoJet® printhead can be used for both 2D and 3D deposition. However, today, Quantica’s products and commercial focus are on industrial 2D and 2.5D functional fluid deposition — applying adhesives, coatings, and functional layers onto components and substrates within high-volume manufacturing lines. Quantica is a provider of industrial digital printing technology, not a desktop or consumer 3D-printer manufacturer.

What stage is Quantica at commercially?

Quantica shipped its first commercial R&D systems in 2025 and is actively converting paid trials and application development engagements into hardware sales. Quantica’s production systems are currently in development.

What markets are Quantica targeting?

Quantica's primary focus is industrial material deposition across several active application areas: window profiles (replacing foil lamination), e-motor stacking (replacing dispensing), battery cell insulation (replacing spray and slot-die coating), printed electronics including PCB conformal coatings and conductive inks (replacing spray coating and screen printing), and automotive coatings (replacing spray coating). The company is exploring applications in aerospace, automotive, displays, electronics, flooring, fuel cells, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and more.

How do I start working with Quantica?

Most engagements begin with application development (paid services): Quantica assesses a material's jetting feasibility and develops the process for a target application. This typically includes material characterization (viscosity, surface tension, particle size), jetting trials using the JetPack, print trials on the NovoJet® OPEN Printer with the customer's substrates, waveform and process optimization, and a recommendations report. More advanced engagements can extend to integration and pilot-line support.

What happens after a successful trial?

Successful trials typically progress to hardware acquisition — a JetPack or NovoJet® OPEN Printer for continued in-house development — or to a joint development engagement leading toward a custom, production-level printing system or Print Engine integration.

What support does Quantica provide?

Quantica provides installation guidance, training, and ongoing technical support for its hardware offerings, including on-site installation support as part of a service agreement.

What is NovoJet®?

The NovoJet® printhead is Quantica's proprietary piezo inkjet printhead, engineered to jet high-viscosity, particle-loaded, and rheologically complex materials that conventional printheads cannot. Its novel actuator produces far greater displacement than a standard piezo printhead, enabling drop-on-demand deposition of demanding functional fluids at high frequency.

What is Quantica's IP position?

Quantica owns its core technology. Quantica has 9 patent families filed, covering the NovoJet® printhead technology, actuation mechanism, and process applications.

Does any partner own or have rights to Quantica’s IP?

No. Quantica retains full ownership of its intellectual property. Its manufacturing and reseller partnerships do not transfer, license, or grant rights to Quantica’s IP.

Is high graphic resolution a strength of NovoJet®?

High resolution graphical applications are not NovoJet®’s primary value proposition. NovoJet® is designed for functional deposition — larger drops (200–600 pL), high-viscosity materials, and industrial throughput — rather than fine-detail graphics. The specifications are optimized for coatings, adhesives, and functional layers.

What is the number of nozzles?

96 nozzles per printhead, arranged in a single row.

What are the printhead size and dimensions?

190mm (L), 30mm (W), 24mm (H)

What is the nozzle diameter?

At the moment, Quantica is working mostly with a 70µm nozzle diameter. Because Quantica owns the printhead IP, custom diameters can be explored to match specific material requirements in terms of surface tension and elasticity. E.g. 50µm, 60µm, 90µm, and 110µm.

What is the material of the nozzle plate?

Polyimide (alternatives currently under evaluation).

Up to what viscosity can the material be ejected?

Up to 250 mPa·s at jetting temperature is our recommended limit, but what that translates to at room temperature can be much higher depending on the material and how it reacts to temperature and shear. As an example, we have printed an industrial adhesive with a viscosity of up to 14,000 mPa·s at room temperature, but during jetting, heating and shear-thinning behaviors significantly reduced its viscosity to around 100 mPa·s. For example, NovoJet® printed a 250 mPa·s, Non-Newtonian fluid measured at a shear rate of 100 s⁻¹.

Print swath width (the total width of nozzles – from nozzle to nozzle)?

120.65mm

Nozzle pitch (space in between each nozzle)

1.27 mm nozzle pitch (20 nozzles per inch).

Do we heat the material inside the printheads?

Yes, we can heat material, but we also get requests from customers to not heat materials.

What is the operating temperature range?

We recommend 20–80°C. The system can technically operate up to 100–110°C, but 80°C is the standard rated maximum.

What is the maximum jetting frequency?

Up to 8 kHz. Practical frequency during printing depends on the material's working window and backpressure settings.

What particle sizes can be handled?

Up to 10 µm D99 (based on a theoretical datapoint of 1/10 the nozzle diameter, assuming a 100 µm nozzle). Filtering must be performed in the ink supply system before the fluid enters the printhead — there is no internal filter in the printhead.

What is the fluid surface tension requirement?

20+ mN/m

What are the types of inks which can be worked with?

Material families include UV-curable inks and resins, epoxies and adhesives, silicones, functional and protective coatings, conductive inks and pastes, and aqueous and solvent-based inks. Actual jettability depends on additional fluid properties such as non-Newtonian behavior, viscosity stability over time, elasticity, and particle concentration and distribution.

What is the drop volume and jetting velocity which we can achieve with our nozzles?

Material dependent. 200–600 pL depending on material properties, waveform, and nozzle size. This is relatively large compared to conventional inkjet, which is advantageous for coating and adhesive applications.

What is the maximum throw distance?

Typically between 1–5 mm, but higher throw distances (10mm+) can be achieved based on application requirements and material characteristics.

Is there a filter or anything inside the head?

Filtering must be done in the ink system, before the ink enters the printhead. Quantica is currently exploring different filtering options for their products.

What is the expected nozzle life?

3 × 10¹⁰ single-pulse actuations per nozzle.

How is the fluid handled inside the printhead?

The printhead operates in recirculation mode. The inlet pump has positive pressure and the outlet has negative, maintaining a constant pressure difference through the fluid chamber above the nozzles. This prevents air ingestion and material leakage while maintaining stable meniscus control. Meniscus size can vary by adjusting the pressure difference.

What products does Quantica offer?

Quantica offers three systems built around the NovoJet® printhead: JetPack — an R&D module integrating a single NovoJet® printhead with a fluid-handling system, used for material characterization, jetting-feasibility testing, and optimization. NovoJet® OPEN Printer — an open R&D printing system for developing applications and printing functional samples, supporting one or more printhead modules with a programmable motion system for 2D / 2.5D printing. Print Engine — a modular, integrable production system designed to deposit high-viscosity materials directly within manufacturing lines.

What is the JetPack?

The JetPack is Quantica's printhead evaluation and material development module. It is designed for engineers and material scientists who want to explore inkjet jetting feasibility for their materials without investing in a full printing system. It integrates a single NovoJet® printhead with a fluid handling system. Price: ~€36k

JetPack Dimensions?

108 mm (W), 440 mm (D), 700 mm (D)

Does the JetPack come with a dropwatcher or camera?

No, but Quantica partners with ImageXpert and Droptical who offer compatible dropwatching solutions. Most dropwatchers with standard I/O should be compatible.

What dropwatchers are compatible with it?

Most dropwatchers with an input/output should be compatible.

What is the minimum flow rate that can be achieved in the JetPack?

Flow rate can range from 0 to 60 ml/min depending on the material.

Minimum amount of fluid for circulation in the JetPack?

80 mL minimum fluid in the system for stable circulation.

JetPack material cartridge volume size?

250 mL per material cartridge.

What is the NovoJet® OPEN Printer?

The NovoJet® OPEN Printer is an R&D printing system designed for customers developing applications and printing samples. It allows integration of one or more NovoJet® printhead modules and provides a programmable motion system for 2D/2.5D printing. It is currently targeted at research labs, universities, and industrial R&D centres, at a price of ~€170k.

NovoJet® OPEN Dimensions?

System with enclosure: 1284 (W), 1914 (H), 875 (D). Total Weight: 210kg (110kg system, 100kg enclosure).

How many modules can go into NovoJet® OPEN?

Up to 4 modules.

What is the Print Engine?

The Print Engine is Quantica's production-oriented system, designed to be integrated into manufacturing lines for high-speed deposition of high-viscosity functional materials. It uses drive electronics from Meteor Inkjet, an industry standard for printhead drive electronics, to deliver reliable, production-grade jetting.

What is the Print Engine pricing?

Print Engine pricing varies by configuration and application, but starts around ~€50,000. Full pilot line configurations are priced individually. The company is evolving from transactional hardware sales toward complete pilot line offerings.

What is included in Application Development Services?

Services include material characterisation (viscosity, surface tension, particle size), jetting feasibility assessment using the JetPack, print trials on the NovoJet® OPEN Printer with customer substrates, optimization of waveform and process parameters, and a final report with recommendations. For more advanced engagements, Quantica can also support integration and pilot line setup.

What applications have been validated or are actively in trial?

Active and completed trials include: e-motor adhesive bonding, battery insulation coatings, window profile coatings, printed electronics, automotive glass primers, pharmaceutical dispensing, and other functional printing.

What types of materials can you work with? What materials have been successfully jetted?

UV resins, epoxy and adhesives (including Kisling 2206 at 85 mPa·s jetting temp), silicones, functional topcoats and protective coatings, conductive inks and silver pastes, battery insulation coatings, solder mask materials, aqueous inks, and solvent-based inks (with material compatibility testing required).

What is the e-motor adhesive application?

Quantica's NovoJet® system deposits adhesive (e.g., Kisling 2206) onto rotor/stator lamellae in electric motors with drop-on-demand precision. This replaces micro-dispensing and enables exact pattern placement, reduced material waste, and in-line UV curing without ovens. The Bosch trial in January 2025 was a successful proof of concept. Feintool is the key integration partner targeting 20 in-house lines and ~300 addressable global lines.

What is the PVC window profile application?

Quantica's Print Engine replaces foil lamination on PVC and aluminium window profiles with digital inkjet deposition of protective topcoats. The system achieves 29–30N scratch resistance (vs. 12N for foil) and 700+ abrasion cycles. A global European manufacturer is planning to replace 40 analog lines. The addressable market is ~€550M/year across ~3,500 lamination lines globally.

What is the battery insulation coating application?

NovoJet® is used to apply insulation coatings on prismatic battery cell casings. The digital deposition reduces material waste by ~60% vs. spray coating and improves insulation performance on corners and edges.

How much do Application Development Services cost?

Costs vary significantly depending on scope. Material testing engagements range from €7,000–€17,000 for initial trials. Full application development programmes are quoted individually. Quantica generally requires a paid project structure before committing lab resources — speculative/free testing is not offered.

How long does a typical Application Development engagement take?

Duration depends on material complexity, application goals, and team availability. Basic jetting feasibility trials can be completed in days to weeks. Full application development with optimization and sample delivery typically takes 1–3 months. Longer-term joint development projects (NRE-based) are structured as multi-phase programs.

What happens after a successful trial?

Successful trials typically progress to hardware acquisition (JetPack or OPEN Printer for further internal development) or joint development agreements leading to Print Engine deployment. Quantica structures commercial paths to convert trial results into hardware and materials.

What is NovoJet®?

The NovoJet® printhead is Quantica's proprietary piezo inkjet printhead, engineered to jet high-viscosity, particle-loaded, and rheologically complex materials that conventional printheads cannot. Its novel actuator produces far greater displacement than a standard piezo printhead, enabling drop-on-demand deposition of demanding functional fluids at high frequency.

What is NovoJet®?

The NovoJet® printhead is Quantica's proprietary piezo inkjet printhead, engineered to jet high-viscosity, particle-loaded, and rheologically complex materials that conventional printheads cannot. Its novel actuator produces far greater displacement than a standard piezo printhead, enabling drop-on-demand deposition of demanding functional fluids at high frequency.

What is NovoJet®?

The NovoJet® printhead is Quantica's proprietary piezo inkjet printhead, engineered to jet high-viscosity, particle-loaded, and rheologically complex materials that conventional printheads cannot. Its novel actuator produces far greater displacement than a standard piezo printhead, enabling drop-on-demand deposition of demanding functional fluids at high frequency.

What is NovoJet®?

The NovoJet® printhead is Quantica's proprietary piezo inkjet printhead, engineered to jet high-viscosity, particle-loaded, and rheologically complex materials that conventional printheads cannot. Its novel actuator produces far greater displacement than a standard piezo printhead, enabling drop-on-demand deposition of demanding functional fluids at high frequency.

What is NovoJet®?

The NovoJet® printhead is Quantica's proprietary piezo inkjet printhead, engineered to jet high-viscosity, particle-loaded, and rheologically complex materials that conventional printheads cannot. Its novel actuator produces far greater displacement than a standard piezo printhead, enabling drop-on-demand deposition of demanding functional fluids at high frequency.

What is NovoJet®?

The NovoJet® printhead is Quantica's proprietary piezo inkjet printhead, engineered to jet high-viscosity, particle-loaded, and rheologically complex materials that conventional printheads cannot. Its novel actuator produces far greater displacement than a standard piezo printhead, enabling drop-on-demand deposition of demanding functional fluids at high frequency.

What is NovoJet®?

The NovoJet® printhead is Quantica's proprietary piezo inkjet printhead, engineered to jet high-viscosity, particle-loaded, and rheologically complex materials that conventional printheads cannot. Its novel actuator produces far greater displacement than a standard piezo printhead, enabling drop-on-demand deposition of demanding functional fluids at high frequency.

What is NovoJet®?

The NovoJet® printhead is Quantica's proprietary piezo inkjet printhead, engineered to jet high-viscosity, particle-loaded, and rheologically complex materials that conventional printheads cannot. Its novel actuator produces far greater displacement than a standard piezo printhead, enabling drop-on-demand deposition of demanding functional fluids at high frequency.

What is NovoJet®?

The NovoJet® printhead is Quantica's proprietary piezo inkjet printhead, engineered to jet high-viscosity, particle-loaded, and rheologically complex materials that conventional printheads cannot. Its novel actuator produces far greater displacement than a standard piezo printhead, enabling drop-on-demand deposition of demanding functional fluids at high frequency.