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PADPRINT
NOTEBOOK Useful Tips & Information ITW Trans Tech An Illinois Tool Works Company |
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 Customer Specifics: Special Fixture Plus Vision Inspection Assures Quality:  Two integral components in the control knob decorating system were the nine holding fixtures and the vision inspection unit. As the dial passes beneath the printer, an air cylinder activates to raise each fixture to a 45-degree angle for optimum image transfer. The cylinder then lowers the fixture and the dial indexes to the next station where it is raised again to the same angle.  Here the vision inspection unit simultaneously flashes light onto the part as the camera records the image. The digital snapshot is immediately read by the computer software and compared to preset parameters for acceptable image qualities.  The actual part image can also be viewed on a monitor screen (see photo above) showing software statistics and image values. Acceptance criterion may include: opacity, ink consistency, image edges, pinholes, voids and others. OTHER RELATED TOPICS: |
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Semi-Automated Pad Printing System:
Custom Details Fit Modular Printing System To Changing Needs
OCCASIONALLY, in the concept stage, a potential printing application will be tagged by our engineers with the "perfect for modular " label. The term refers to our modular pad printing systems which we have used over the years for simpler, semi-automatic machines comprised of standard components configured within limited parameters. But as often as not, our customers ask us to push the limits of our modular envelope with special designs we call: “Modular Plus”. Here is an interesting example of that unique breed.
Multiple, Similar Parts
The object of the decorating system is to padprint white symbols on three similar, black ABS automotive control knobs. Parts are manually loaded onto holding fixtures that are adjustable to slight variations in shape. In addition to flexibility, the fixtures must be raised to an optimum angle for both padprinting and viewing by a vision inspection unit. Thus, the cylinder actuator was required, a non-standard addition to the mechanical design.
Shown below, a full view of entire automated system including full safety guarding and optional PC station. Note customer-specified machine base casters and rejected parts bucket behind unload chute.
Other standard system components include:
• Sealcup 60 padprinting machine, ideal for low maintenance and long production runs.
• Pad Clean-Off Device maintains quality image transfer by removing dust and unwanted ink from pad surface.
• Light Curtain ensures operator safety by halting any dial table movement during hand insertions.
• Part Present Sensor verifies that each invididual fixture has a part loaded in it.
• Pick & Place robot allows auto-unload, sorting or other tasks.
• Thermodiffusion ink cure accelerates process, allowing immediate finished part handling.
• Part Accept/Reject Chute (optional) enables sorting of printed parts for quality control.
• Full Safety Guarding and machine base & frame exceeds OSHA standards for safe operation.
• Machine Casters (optional) allow easy mobility of unit within customer’s facility.
• Complete Operator Controls include electrical cabinet, AS-interface, display and computer connection capability for troubleshooting.
Overview of printing area (above) showing dial indexing table with fixtures and components: to start, part is manually loaded (1); passes under part present sensor (2); proceeds to Sealcup 60 printer (4) with pad clean-off device (3); moves to vision unit (5) for flash inspection; then to thermodiffusion curing unit (6); and finally to pick & place station (7) where it is sorted to accepted or rejected parts chutes.
Detail of fixtures at printing station (A) and vision inspection station (B) showing the parts held at optimum angle for printing and inspection.
Detail view of thermodiffusion curing unit (A) and unloading pick & place robot (B). Inspected parts are sorted into either accepted or rejected chutes (C).
For more details on our custom-engineered, automated pad printing systems, feel free to contact your local ITW Trans Tech rep 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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