PLET 370 Justin Vivian Adam Kniedler Thomas Bemiss Pad Printing PLET 370 Justin Vivian Adam Kniedler Thomas Bemiss
History Invented by the Swiss in the 1800s Used for decorating watch faces Another originator was England Used it to decorate ceramics
Process Steps Ink Flooding Doctoring Image pickup Print stroke Ink Deposit Pad release
Ink Flooding 1: FLOODING
Doctoring 2: DOCTORING
Image Pick Up 3: IMAGE PICK UP
Print Stroke 4: PRINT STROKE
Ink Deposit 5: INK DEPOSIT
Pad Release 6: PAD RELEASE
Process Limitations Water Based vs. Solvent Based Surface Energy Size Capacity Ink Thickness Limitations
Machines Vertical/ Horizontal machine Angled Printing Sliding Ink Cup Rotary Pad Printing Carousel Printing
Clichés Cliché is the plate that the image is transferred from Usually about .25” thick Plastic coated with steel backing Acidic chemical is used to etch the surface
Transfer Pads Size Shape Hardness Typically 20% larger than the image Conical Rectangular Roof shaped Hardness Harder the pad the sharper the image
Inks Primarily solvent based Ink contains very high concentration of pigment Can use additives to aid process
Applications Automotive Electronic Advertising Household Switches, keys, and buttons Electronic Housings, Sockets, tapes, and CD’s Advertising Pens, lighters, and key chains Household Toothbrushes, drug packaging, and bottles
Conclusion Simple process Excellent for irregular shapes Applications are endless Any Questions?