DEFINITION OF PRINTING
"The purpose of printing is to replicate the original artwork and lay down a controlled thickness of ink."
There are many different printing processes, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Understanding the basics of the various printing processes will help you to understand any difficulties which arise during printing.
Printers will find knowing the basics of their particular printing process important when they are setting the machines or identifying what can be printed. Those that have only learnt the sequence needed to produce a particular print on a particular machine will be at a noticeable disadvantage within the printing industry.
Individuals/companies who are looking to include printing into their production or into obtaining the services of an established printing company, will be able to make informed choices as to what kind of printing process will be able to deal with their production needs.
If you require further information on these subjects check both our TECHNICAL CD'S and TECHNICAL LIBRARY sections.
CASE STUDIES
We have many examples of positive outcomes from companies we have delivered training to. Some appear to be extreme but all are true.
OPTIMISATION OF SQUEEGEE USE – Training programme initiated a saving on squeegee use of £11,000 per annum.
ROTARY PAD PRINTING APPLICATION – Training programme initiated reduction of solvent use by 140 litres per week and increased production from 21,000 units per week to 63,000 per week.
AN OBDURATE SCREEN PRINTER – Hey Ho, you can't win them all. The client was unable to maintain consistent quality for a new contract.
MEDIUM AND LONG TERM SUPPORT
Clients often ask for ongoing training and technical support. PDS is structured to provide a total package of client support for as long as required. |
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
BIO-MEDICAL SENSORS
The foremost application is the production of sensors used in bio-medical engineering. This industry needs the image size of graphics printing along with its high production speeds and the process control and print quality of electronic circuit printing.
The market for sensors is growing exponentially along with the need to monitor a vast range of parameters. For the needs to be satisfied techniques of producing these devices have to break from the phenomenally expensive silicone based technologies. This is where carefully managed printing can make significant savings. Conductive and resistive coatings allied to active layers, often enzymes lend themselves to precisely controlled print technologies.
FUEL CELL PRODUCTION
Printing is a very important technique for the production of environmentally safe power generation modules. Printing is being used to form the structures within the modules.
DEPOSITION OF ACTIVE ORGANISMS
The carriage of organisms in solution onto a range of substrates can lend itself to several printing processes. Formulation of mediums to be compatible with the organisms and the deposition process is a key area of the work that PDS Consulting carry out.
DEPOSITION OF METALS
Platinum, silver, silver palladium and other metals can be deposited in solvent based and UV curing resin systems. Alternatively where practical the printing of organic mediums with the metals in suspension, which are then fired onto ceramic substrates, is an effective method of producing conductive and resistive circuits.
MATERIALS IN SUSPENSION
The creation of formulations to carry unusual materials that can then be printed opens up many opportunities for engineers. PDS Consulting can make resources available that will create special suspensions or dyes to be compatible with the chosen technique.
FROM DEVELOPMENT TO PRODUCTION
From the initial product concept the need to develop effective production techniques is crucial. At this stage through development the chosen process can be turned into a production process utilising the expertise of PDS Consulting. Pre-treatment and post treatment are as important as printing. PDS Consulting keep abreast of the most up to date techniques and equipment to make this transition as cost effective as possible.
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