The basic principal behind the pad printing technology is that the flexible
rubber silicon pad picks up the image from the etched surface of ink flooded
cliché and than transfer it to the component, where printing is
required.
Steps of Tampon printing:-
1st step- Flooding of the metal surface of plate through forward movement
of ink container.
2nd Step-Backward movement of the ink container and blade attached to it.
During this movement, the blade withdraws ink from the plate, leaving ink in
the etched area.
3rd Step - Downward movement of pad on the plate, thus picking up the
impression of the etched image.
4th Step - Forward and downward movement of pad on the component and thus
transferring the image picked up from the etched surface.
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Mr. Wilfred
Philipp
Founder of Tamponprint
Mr. Wilfred
Philipp: during his research hours
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HISTORY OF PAD PRINTING
Important landmarks in the evolution of Tampon printing or pad printing
industry.
Before 1956 (crude printers):-
Swiss watch dial industry used manual pad printers, in which gelatin was
used instead of present day silicone pads. Blocks were mechanically engraved
and cleaned by hand held blades. This was a crude and time consuming method.
1965 - First modern day printer,
developed by a young man named Mr. Wilfried Philipp (birth: 1928) in
Germany, after numerous trials over ten years. It was the first official
prototype of tampon printing of clock faces.
1968 - Introduction of cold vulcanized silicone pads and
solvent inks
Experimentation and inventions was a part of life for Mr. Philipp and his
company, which invented the pad printing machines. But in 1968 came the
idea, which changed the destiny of Mr. Philipp, Tampoprint and the pad
printing industry.
Tampoprint was the first one to use cold vulcanized silicone rubber and
solvent containing inks, making wet on wet printing possible and hence
revolutionized the market. This investment and its use was introduced to the
plastic world.
1970-1971
First
worldwide introduction of Tampon printing machinery at the
Hanover Trade Fair.
1971-80
First patented electro-mechanical tampon printing machine, TS 100, at the
world's largest plastics exhibition K71 held in Dusseldorf, Germany. This
machine became the instant sensation. 100 tampon printing machines were
ordered by the Swiss clock industries, marking the beginning of the
mechanical engineering company.
1990-1995
Pad printing became automated. Special automations to print balls,
syringes, cassettes etc. were made by Tampoprint. The process underwent
modernization.
1995-2000
More advancements in pad printing technology. Industry witnessed the
emergence of "Laser Marking / Lase Engraving", which made
engraving and marking possible on any kind of substrate. Substituting
chemical etching.
During this period this method of printing watched out tremendous changes &
sophisticated advancements in the printing technology.
Spinks India becomes channel partner with Tampoprint
Spinks India, earlier dealing in printing inks, started new venture of pad
printing and laser marking machines for Indian subcontinent and Middle East.
Pad printing during this stage witnessed the invention of keyboard printers,
speedy models, rotoprint, automations, robot pad printers etc, which are not
only new, but sufficient to cater to various needs. Such as:
- Fine quality of printing
- Any possible size of the component
- Difficult surface material
- Speedy production requirements etc.
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