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Closed inkcup system

Tampo Techniek Nederland BV also known as TTN has been a manufacturer of
pad printing equipment and consumables for more than 35 years. During this period, TTN has
grown into a very experienced supplier for the pad printing industry.

Explanation pad printing closed inkcup system

In this diagram we will explain you how pad printing works. A complete cycle is explained here step by step to give you a better insight into the pad printing technique This page explains the operation of a closed inkcup system.
1 Starting point. In this position, the cliché is covered with ink that is in the inkcup. The image in the cliché is filled with ink after this. The depth of the cliché is about 20 to 25 microns.

2 The pad and the inckup will move backwars. The inkcup takes all the excess ink backwards. From the moment the ink in the cliché (the final print) comes into contact with the outside air, the thinner will evaporate in the ink. This will make the top layer of the ink sticky.

3 The silicone pad picks up the ink from the cliché. Because the top layer of the ink has become sticky, the ink will be taken away from the cliché by the pad. The force with which the pad presses on the cliché is of not important here. The point is that the pad comes into contact with the ink. The pad must be adjusted with as low a pressure as possible. Excessive pressure can cause deformation of the print image.
4 The pad moves up and takes the ink out of the cliché. From that moment on, the bottom of the ink layer is in contact with the outside air. Now, as in step 2, the thinner in the ink evaporates again, so that the ink will again become sticky here.
5 The inkcup and pad move forward again. The inkcup fills the image in the cliché and the pad is now above the product to be printed.
6 The pad moves downwards and presses on the product that is needed to be printed. The ink is transferred from the pad to the product. Here too, the force with which printing is done is not important for the transfer of the ink. Only the touching of the pad ensures the transfer. However, the lowest possible pressure is necessary to prevent deformation.
7 The pad moves back up to the starting position. The pad printing machine is ready for a new cycle.

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