UV-resistant digital printing

Hammond's recent investment in additional printers in the UK, Canada and Basingstoke to expand its facilities. As a result, the modification operation at the head office has been relocated to its own building, which offers more space and room for further expansion.

A summary of product printing is probably helpful. For many years, single-color manual screen printing or pad printing were the only methods available to apply single-color graphics and text to a surface. The process was slow and required a lot of set-up time to achieve acceptable results. The opportunities for creativity and corporate identity were limited, and although multiple colors could be printed, drying time was required between each color, and the target part had to be precisely aligned in a fixture to ensure that the additional colors were printed in the correct location. For most applications, screen printing was sufficient to add labels to front panels and other flat surfaces to indicate the functions of various switches and controls. Screen and pad printing still have their place for relatively simple applications, but the development of UV-curable digital printing allows industrial designers to create graphics on curved and flat plastic and metal surfaces as if they were in a printed document. Set-up costs are significantly lower as there is no need to produce screens or pads, saving time and enabling the economical production of small quantities. As digital printers usually have four separate inks in addition to the traditional four CMYK colors, additional textures and selective matt and gloss areas can be easily achieved in one pass. The appearance of the final product is limited only by the imagination of the project engineer.

The housing determines the appearance of the end product. Hammond therefore has its own modification options to adapt the standard product to the requirements of an individual project. At the top of the list of options are UV-curable digital printing and traditional screen printing. Digital printing makes it possible to add eye-catching graphics and lettering to the product. The printer has eight outputs: the traditional four CMYK colors and clear varnish, two shades of white and a primer, which can be used to achieve an impressive variety of finishes. The primer color, which is selectively applied to the desired areas of the surface, ensures excellent, sharp results on smooth and textured surfaces. The machine can print right up to the edges of curved surfaces. With the clear coat color, selected areas or the entire surface can be given a high-gloss, matte or embossed finish, greatly expanding the creative possibilities for logos, backgrounds and lettering. An integrated library with 129 different textured effects provides almost unlimited design possibilities.

High-quality digital printing ensures that the final product reflects its inherent quality, supports the brand identity and provides sharp, wear-resistant solid and gradient colors and textured effects on flat and curved panels and other surfaces. A key benefit of contracting the original manufacturer to do all the work, which saves both time and money, is that there is no need to send semi-finished components to multiple specialist contractors for the various processes. A single order covers the exact quantity required, eliminating the need to over-order for initial samples and approvals at multiple stages.

The main features and benefits of full color UV printing are that it can print on a variety of flat and curved surfaces with smooth or textured finishes. In terms of size, typically 19" (483mm) wide panels up to 9U (400mm) high can be printed with crisp images right to the edge on smooth, textured and curved surfaces. Complex and colorful graphic designs are faithfully reproduced with outstanding clarity. Customer artwork is imported in a range of industry-standard file formats to avoid transcription errors. Both solid colors and gradients can be printed with glossy, matte and textured finishes across the entire surface or selected highlighted areas. Advanced software control minimizes banding and uneven colors on large areas.

Product printing has come a long way since the days of single-color screen and pad printing. Taking full advantage of the possibilities of UV-curable digital printing opens up a wide range of design options, supports strict corporate identity requirements, strengthens brand awareness and ensures a more aesthetically pleasing end product.

Hammond's in-house modification services bring your project to market on time and on budget.

By definition, all standard enclosures must be configured for a specific application. We have many thousands of standard enclosure designs and sizes and can offer modifications from an order quantity of 25 units. By working with us, the original manufacturer, you avoid waste and confusion when implementing your requirements.

• Precision CNC milling of holes, cut-outs, pockets, threads and countersinks.
• UV digital and screen printing.
• Engraving of logos and texts in plastic and metal.
• Pressed-in hardware - nuts, bolts and spacers.
• Individual mold colors. All ABS, flame-retardant ABS and polycarbonate enclosures can be molded in any color, subject to a minimum order quantity.
• Individually painted colors - powder coating in smooth or textured finish.
• Individual anodized colors for extruded housings subject to a minimum order quantity.

Désirée Bisonni will be happy to provide you with information about our product range and our solutions with mechanical components.