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PADPRINT NOTEBOOK
Useful Tips & Information © ITW Trans Tech An Illinois Tool Works Company |
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 Customer Expectation Is Key: Profile of Typical 'Fast-Tracker' FOR the purpose of comparison, let’s profile the expectations of two typical customers: Mr. Highly-Engineered System customer (HES) versus our Mr. Fast-Track customer (FT). HES wants ITW Trans Tech to design an innovative application solution. FT prefers minimal research and development. HES wants full, detailed documentation of all system components. FT prefers standard manual & spare parts list with notations. HES wants invention to solve new challenge. FT prefers re-purposing of existing solution. HES wants complete, new CAD drawing and programming. FT prefers minimal drawing, minor programming, if necessary. HES can afford longer “time window” for machine manufacture, assembly and fine-tuning. FT insists on shorter lead time, on-the-fly building. HES requires complex, detailed, custom system specifications. FT prefers simpler, standard component system. HES wants “part-dependent” custom loading (i.e., feeder bowls, rotating fixtures, sorting, orientation, pre-treatment, etc.) FT prefers manual load system only. HES wants custom automatic unloading options. FT prefers only limited auto-unloading possibilities. HES wants the option to self-maintain or call ITW Trans Tech for service; also includes the option to self-machine most replacement parts using supplied CAD drawing file or may call us to build another spare. FT prefers to call us for standard machine service; if an exact replacement part is needed, must return original to ITW Trans Tech. If not, he must “reverse engineer” a replacement on his own. For more information, contact us at: www.itwtranstech.com OTHER USEFUL TOPICS: |
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Fast-Track Systems Fill Special Niche
FAMILIAR ADVICE heard in many professional fields is:
“Don’t reinvent the wheel.” This applies to any task that requires solving a problem that may have already been solved. In designing pad printing systems, this rule might be paraphrased, “Why start each time from square one when you have previously tackled a similar challenge–– and successfully?” This is the principal driving our special “Fast-Track” category of systems, aimed at a selected few customers.
Example of a Fast-Track application: wrenchblock of glass-filled nylon requires four different color images applied at intervals along its edge. The operation is manually loaded and unloaded.
Fitted with a programmable electronic shuttle indexer and custom fixture that opens and closes to secure several parts at a time, the Combi 90 machine with four 90mm ink cups prints each of four colors, then returns to the home position for the next cycle.
Minimally-Engineered Versus Design-Intensive Approach
The key trait of our Fast-Track pad printing machines is the speed with which we design, build and deliver them compared to larger, more complex systems. They are assembled from standard components with a minimum of engineering and configured “on-the-fly” with any necessary minor modifications. This approach, based on narrow customer requirements, results in producing a machine in the shortest lead time. Although most custom automations would require a larger time window and longer production cycle, some customers are looking for a fast, simple “wheel”, not a turbine.
What are the earmarks of a Fast-Track system?
The typical Fast-Track machine:
• Uses standard machine operator’s manual and spare parts list.
• Uses standard electronics but with possible modifications, if necessary.
• Comes with a supplement to manuals and schematics; possibly drawing additions with changes or additions so noted.
• Does not include a full “bill of materials” for mechanical components as in other automation systems. ITW Trans Tech keeps in-house computer records of system components and notations to schematics or drawings for future reference. However, these do not include electronic CAD drawing files of the entire system, only manually entered notations in the customer record; plus digital photo records of the unit.
What about modular systems?
Some customers, familiar with our modular pad printing systems might ask, “At what point is a Fast-Track unit more competitively priced than a modular machine?”
The answer depends on the customer’s expectations and the application specs. For example, a well-outfitted modular system may actually be less expensive than a comparable unit built from scratch as a Fast-Track project. If the specs call for: a dial indexer, part present sensor, printer, thermodiffusion curing, part rake-off and full guarding; that would tip the scale toward modular as a preferred choice.
The need for adding a large curing unit and enclosed safety guarding push the choice up into the price range of a modular-type system. However, we can offer the Fast-Track option of using a smaller “Leister gun”-type curing unit and minimal guarding, if that meets the customer’s expectations at a lower cost.
Another difference between a modular system and Fast-Track unit is the base. Our standard machine “knee” base with possibly an optional support leg would be enough for a typical Fast-Track, while our modular systems are built upward from a welded, tubular, steel base with a thick, aluminum table-top. This robust structure also allows for the full safety guarding required by some customers.
Full Machine Range Available–Customer’s Choice
Here is a summary of the full range of our pad printing systems:
Premium– highly-engineered, fully documented, innovative, automated systems are available for customers who demand high-volume, customized applications with a longer lead time and at greatest value.
Medium– our modular systems require less customized design, partially documented, within certain parameters at a lesser cost and normal lead time.
Minimum– Fast-Track machines enable simple applications with “on-the-fly” engineering, with the shortest order-to-delivery time, with minimal documentation, and at a most moderate price. To discuss which would fit your application and budget, contact us today at: www.itwtranstech.com
ITW TRANS TECH An Illinois Tool Works Company
475 North Gary Avenue • Carol Stream, IL 60188-4900
Phone: 630.752.4000 • Fax: 630.752.4460
www.itwtranstech.com
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