Building a Clean Machine - An Interview with Edgar Llop, People & Technology
During a recent visit to People & Technology, located near Valencia in Onda, I had the opportunity to catch up with the team and learn about the impressive progress they have made in 2024, both technically and commercially. In this feature, we get to know Edgar Llop, a key figure in the technical and commercial leadership of the company.
Edgar Llop is the Printhead Cleaning Lab Manager - Inkjet R&D at People & Technology
Edgar Llop has over a decade of experience in inkjet technology. His career began in the technical support department of a leading inkjet machinery manufacturer for the ceramic industry. Over the years, he’s held various positions, including managing subsidiaries in Mexico and the United States and working in R&D to develop tableware digital printing machines. Additionally, Edgar has led R&D teams on photonic technologies, such as hyperspectral imaging. Today, Edgar is a key player in People & Technology’s printhead cleaning service and R&D, where he works on innovative systems for inkjet printhead recovery.
Edgar, how did your journey begin, and what led you to the inkjet community?
I started by studying computer science in college, and my first job was at Kerajet, a printer manufacturer for the ceramics industry. Working at Kerajet was like an “inkjet bootcamp” for me—I spent three years in a technical role there, and it was a fantastic learning experience.
As the company grew, I moved to Mexico to help establish Kerajet’s presence there and in the U.S. I spent three more years in Mexico, working on both the commercial and service sides of the business. This combination of technical and commercial experience at such an early stage of my career has been invaluable, especially now in my current role at People & Technology.
After my time in Mexico, I returned to Kerajet’s R&D department and worked for four years in their tableware division. We were trying to apply inkjet technology to hollow tableware like cups and bowls, which was a technically challenging project. Although we solved the problem, scaling it industrially proved difficult. Still, it was a tremendous learning experience.
Later, I joined a technical institute in Valencia, leading a project in the food industry focused on hyperspectral imaging. This technology allowed us to see things beyond the visible spectrum, like infrared wavelengths, which gave us valuable insights not visible to the naked eye. For example, we could detect whether a plant was unhealthy or if an apple was spoiled, even if it appeared fine. This project expanded my R&D experience and taught me how to apply advanced technology in various sectors like food, healthcare, and precision agriculture.
How did your transition to P&T come about?
I joined P&T to lead the inkjet head cleaning service and the R&D team dedicated to this area. Our current focus is elevating the cleaning service and promoting it as a sustainable, economically viable solution for the inkjet community.
What is P&T’s primary focus when it comes to products and technology?
Our value becomes clear quickly for those discovering P&T for the first time. We are the only company in the market solely dedicated to inkjet head cleaning technology. It is a complex process—developing the right cleaning recipe for each type of inkjet head is key. We work closely with inkjet head manufacturers to ensure we get it right. This collaborative relationship is essential as it validates our technology and ensures manufacturer support.
Some might think that cleaning print heads would hurt head manufacturer sales, but it’s the opposite. A print head that can be effectively cleaned reflects the product’s inherent quality and reliability, helping drive sales overall.
We also offer machinery that allows OEMs to test their print heads before making a final selection. Our technology is flexible and can handle any combination of print heads and technical setups, offering unparalleled insights.
How was the Drupa show for you?
Drupa was an excellent platform for us to showcase our new SmartCleanjector, which represents a major advancement in print head cleaning. The SmartCleanjector evaluates nozzle performance and presents detailed graphs and visuals, offering developers invaluable insights.
Attendees were really impressed with how user-friendly it is—especially printer manufacturers. The SmartCleanjector can diagnose nozzle health, identify clogs, detect energy inefficiencies, and even pinpoint electronic failures.
What sets it apart is that it can run these diagnostics during the cleaning process, optimizing machine performance across the entire fleet in a manufacturing setting. The SmartCleanjector also stores data on cleaning needs, helping manufacturers understand which industries or inks cause specific issues. It’s incredible how much insight this technology provides.
And the return on investment (ROI) is quick—you only need to clean a relatively small number of print heads to recoup your costs. Plus, we provide extensive training and support to ensure our customers can maximize the value of this technology.
2024 has been a significant year for the business. Is there anything else you are particularly proud of?
One thing our customers are always impressed by is our lab facility and testing suites. Once they see the scale of our facility and the level of commitment we have, they realize that what we’re doing is not just a concept but a reality. It's a great opportunity for them to collaborate with an independent business that genuinely helps them understand the performance and characteristics of their product in real-world conditions.
Our unique focus, combined with our collaborative culture, creates a win-win situation for everyone involved. I’m really proud of this. It's not just about individual success but the collective progress of the inkjet sector as a whole.
Where do you see the industry heading next?
Inkjet technology is on the verge of replacing older systems. We are seeing industries we wouldn’t have imagined—like cybersecurity—experiment with inkjet. Of course, packaging remains a huge market, but it’s exciting to see surprising sectors embracing inkjet in ways we couldn’t have anticipated. The most unexpected applications often turn out to be the most exciting.
I’m incredibly proud that P&T is at the forefront of this innovation. We’ve made substantial strides in the last year, and now more than ever, we’re confident that this technology has a bright future. Print head manufacturers are collaborating with us, and it is thrilling to see experts from various fields coming together to push inkjet technology forward.