Automotive

The automotive industry places a wide range of demands on pad printing. These range from simple symbols for assembly and control aids to fittings with white symbols on a black background and symbols that are printed in black on transparent parts using negative printing. These parts are then printed with a translucent color to make them visible in the vehicle with the help of LED backlighting. Very large parts such as wheel rims and engine covers are also used.

In addition to pad printing, the main focus in the automotive industry is on error prevention and quality control. Faulty parts must not be delivered under any circumstances. To ensure quality, camera systems are increasingly being used for quality control. Another special feature is that the pad printing machines are generally not used by the car manufacturer, but by the suppliers.

Simple symbols and labels for vehicle components

Simple symbols or inscriptions such as article numbers, logos and assembly and inspection aids are applied to components such as springs, catalytic converters, electrical components, brake pads, fuel caps and rubber hoses. These products are produced either on an assembly line or using multiple panel systems:

• Printing from above: Our LCN line is ideal for space-saving use above the printed material, for example with catalytic converters. The height of the machine can be adjusted, which is particularly advantageous for catalytic converters.
• Lateral printing: The MSS line is used for brake linings where the pressure is applied laterally without the component having to be rotated.
• Multiple use: The ML pad printing machine is used for complex applications with different motifs, colors and selection options.
   

White symbols on a black background for the vehicle interior

In vehicle interiors, for example for components such as blinker levers, car keys or vehicle safety systems (e.g. ISOFIX or top tether), a white symbol is frequently printed on a black background - often in very large quantities.

These parts are usually printed directly on the injection molding machine in order to reduce costs. The robot that unloads the parts also loads the pad printing machine, so no additional conveyor system is required. As the pad printing machines are located in the robot's safety cell, there is no need for a safety enclosure. The fixtures for these components are complex, as they have to pick up different parts, rotate them if necessary and reposition them in order to carry out the print in the best possible way.

Backlit fittings

Backlit fittings, such as door trims, center consoles with hazard warning lights or air conditioning control units, are a particular challenge for pad printing in the automotive industry.

Here, transparent components are first printed light-tight with black using negative printing and then covered with a translucent ink. These areas are later backlit by LEDs. Backlighting places high demands on the print quality, as errors are easily visible. Only our ML or modular line with electric pad stroke is used for these applications. The precise speed control of the pad ensures uniform and error-free ink transfer.

Motor cover[Translate to Englisch:]

Motorabdeckung

Although engine covers are usually not visible in the vehicle, they still need to be printed in high quality. These components are significantly larger than typical parts in pad printing and require special solutions. Lines and print images that are too large for conventional ink pots are implemented with the help of cross-coaters. In some cases, multicolored transverse printing units are also used for these large-area prints, which is a special feature.

Wheel rim

Standard machines often reach their limits when printing car rims, as rims are very large and heavy compared to other typical pad printing products. It is often a challenge to reach the entire surface of the rim with the pad. The different angles of the areas to be printed also complicate the process. Moving the rim, turning it and changing the angle to the pad lead to numerous positioning movements, which can cause greater tolerances and therefore inaccuracies. Machines specially developed for rims are usually used for this application. Rims are either printed with a logo in a specific position or with large, multi-colored decorations. As rims have curved surfaces, distortions must be compensated for during printing. This requires precise settings and operator expertise.