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 Technical Data: Syringe Barrel Printing System • Substrate: sometimes polystyrene but usually olefin plastics, e.g. polypropylene; formulations may vary, ranging from rigid to somewhat flexible surfaces. • Shape: generally cylindrical with tapered tip and having a base with wider flange; sometimes either base or tip may be eccentric (off-center). • Volume: ranges from maximum 60cc to minimum 0.5cc • Length: ranges from 4.5cm to 15.2cm • Diameter: ranges from 1.0cm to 3.0cm • Flange: base or foot of the syringe; may be round, oval or square; may protrude as much as 6.0cm or as little as 0.1cm • Artwork: may include logo, text, numbers, graduated scale or writing window; covering up to 320 degrees of circumference. Also available: CircaPrint syringe printing systems more... Other Related Topics: • Syringe Barrel Pad Printing: Adaptation & Innovation more... • Automation Case Study: 35mm Slide Mounts more... • Ergonomic Challenge: Build a Better, Manual-Load Golfball Fixture more... • Fixture FAQs: Practical Answers more... |
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Syringe Machine Innovations Driven By Adaptation
HIGH-SPEED, high-volume pad printing of syringe barrels and
cylindrical products is a mainstay of the medical device industry. To meet the ever-changing requirements of these customers, ITW Trans Tech engineers fine-tune and modify each one-of-a kind model of our popular, fully-automated, rotary pad printing system.
To date, we have custom-built many of these machines, each one somewhat different from the last. These slight modifications of the basic design concept are answers to critical, customer specifications.
Syringe designs may vary, depending on particular function, therefore the substrate, shape, dimensions, flange or artwork may vary within a wide range of possibilities. In the early stage of the engineering process, our team considers all these variations before designing and building each system.
Specifications Drive Engineering Process
In this case, the adaptation of the machine to a similar but different application is what drives the innovation. Described below are some examples of how our design team "reinvents" our rotary syringe-printing machine with each new order. We may change some or all of these features on each new machine to accommodate a different syringe design.
1. Bulk Hopper & Feeder Conveyor:
This is at the very front end of the system where the raw, unprinted parts are first bulk-loaded into the hopper. What changes? Its capacity varies according to the syringe size and the desired production speed.
2. Feeder Bowl:
The feeder conveyor delivers syringes into this centrifugal dish which distributes individual syringes into position. What changes? The bowl capacity varies according to size of syringe and the desired production speed; its dish and sorting track are also matched to syringe size.
3. Take-Away Wheel:
This spinning wheel transfers the syringes onto the feeder track. What changes? Its position and angle is adjusted to fit the diameter and flange of syringe
4. Feeder Track:
This is the narrow track through which the syringes move just prior to entering the dead track. What changes? The width of this opening must be a loose fit to the diameter of the syringe barrel and the size of the flange, allowing a continuous row of syringes to move into place.
5. Dead Track:
This device receives the parts from the in-feed track then positions them for transfer to the print station. The dead track is custom-fitted with a jam gate for safety and convenience. What changes? The dimensions of the dead track are directly proportional to the syringe diameter and flange size.
6. Print Station:
For most syringe applications, the rotary cliché drum diameter and the silicone pad diameter remain unchanged. What changes? With each new syringe design, new artwork must be created. This may include numbers, graduated scale, graphics, writing window, or manufacturer’s logo. Also, as the diameter of the syringe changes, the number of repeated images etched around the circumference of the drum may vary.
7. Ink Type:
Because the syringe substrate may vary within a wide range of plastics, an ink must be selected that is compatible for proper adhesion to the surface. What changes? Pretreatment may be required to enhance the surface tension. Also, for constant operations, an automatic ink pump may be recommended to control viscosity and provide a constant, controlled flow of ink to the cliché drum.
8. Control Program:
All control panel messages are customized to match the parameters of the particular syringe. What changes? All fault messages are triggered by components at specific points in the printing system.
Customize the Machine to the Unique Product
To summarize these points: every syringe pad-printing system is a custom-built one. The overall appearance and general concept may be familiar, but each one is as unique as a set of fingerprints. Tailoring its features to fit the product is the goal of our team of engineers and machine builders. It is always something different, something similar and something better.
For more details on our CircaPrint syringe printing machines click here.
For more details on our other rotary pad printing systems click here, or 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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