Button Pad Printing Application Uses Helical Feed Screw
Over view of entire system showing, from left, vibratory feeder bowl and base, feed track, helical screw indexing unit beneath Sealcup 60 pad printer, control panel, outfeed chute and electrical circuit box.
Fully Automated Pad Printing System:
Button Pad Printing Application Uses Helical Feed Screw
HERE is an automated application that is unique for what can't be seen: an indexing
device that is all but concealed from view but critical for moving parts into the printing area and holding them securely during the image transfer. This unusual component proved to be ideal for advancing small, polystyrene marker buttons along a linear path within a feeding track. The controlled, even pitch kept the parts in precise location during the two-up pad printing.
Two Similar Parts With Different Diameters
The system goal was to acheive 4800 decorated single-color buttons per hour. Also important was the flexibility to changeover betwen two part diameters as needed by just exchanging key tooling components and different cliché plate. Changes of artwork with the same size is even easier: just swap existing plates with new ones and continue printing. Similarly, ink color changes may be accomplished by inserting an alternative ink cup.
Shown above, a CAD drawing of the helical feed screw component. Note the distance between each "thread" of the screw which indicates the pitch between parts as they advance under the Sealcup 60 printing machine.
Operator view of printing area reveals blank parts at lower left advancing in feed track prior to being engaged by the helical feed screw, which indexes them at 1.01-inch intervals under the single-color Sealcup 60 printer (shown with plexiglass guard door).
Above: detail view of infeed section of helical screw indexer; side view of blank parts can be seen at upper left. Below: outfeed section of indexer reveals drive wheel, belt and motor, all surrounded by plexiglass safety guarding.
Low angle view of infeed end of system illustrates welded tubular steel machine frame and pneumatic line for air-assisted part pushing devices. Vibratory feeder bowl and infeed track are in line with the helical screw indexer.
Two-up pad assembly on Sealcup 60 printer is spaced at matching interval with pitch of feed screw indexer. Interchangeable tooling in foreground enables system to print two different diameter marker buttons.
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