Industrial production, semi-automatic water transfer printing
Our **industrial printing solution with semi-automatic water transfer printing** combines precision, efficiency, and flexibility. It is ideal for medium to large production runs where both design variations and process reliability are essential. Whether for automotive interiors, consumer goods, or technical components – this system produces high-quality decorative surfaces with reproducible results.
Advantages
- 🔄 High process reliability and reproducibility
- ⚡ Efficient throughput for medium production volumes
- 🎨 Diverse design options (2D/3D decors)
- 🛠 Minimized operating effort through semi-automatic control
- 💡 Flexible adaptation to different component sizes
- 🌡 Consistent environmental conditions for stable results
Features
- 🤖 Semi-automated robot or linear axis integration
- 🌊 Controlled diving and separation system
- 📊 Integrated sensors & process monitoring
- 💧 Washing and cleaning units (washers)
- 🧰 Modular design for scaling and expansion
- 🔒 Automatic safety and emergency stop functions
Detailed description & application
The **semi-automatic water transfer printing system** is designed to reliably and reproducibly transfer decorative patterns/decorations onto complex, three-dimensional components. In industrial environments, the balance between automation and flexibility is crucial – because not every component has the same shape, size, or surface. Our system allows you to optimally utilize this balance: core components such as the immersion tank, washing station, and robot axes are intelligently networked, so the user only needs to monitor inputs such as immersion times, activator dosage, or conveyor speed.
**Process Flow Overview:** 1. **Preparation & Cleaning** – Each component is cleaned automatically or manually, degreased, and, if necessary, pre-blasted to ensure optimal film adhesion. 2. **Primer Application** – An adhesion primer guarantees that the subsequent decoration adheres permanently. 3. **Film Application** – The PVA carrier film is placed on the water bath, activated, and dissolved (activator spray or liquid). 4. **Immersion / Transfer** – The component is precisely immersed at a defined angle, with control axes (robot or linear axes) ensuring constant movement. 5. **Removal & Washing** – After the transfer, PVA residue is removed in the washing station, leaving only the design. 6. **Drying & Sealing** – Finally, the component is dried and coated with clear lacquer or a protective coating to ensure UV and abrasion resistance.
Thanks to the semi-automatic configuration, process parameters can be dynamically adjusted – this is particularly advantageous when changing designs, with different component geometries, or varying batch sizes. The integrated sensors monitor, among other things, water temperature, pH value, activator concentration, positioning accuracy, and immersion speed. Start, stop, and emergency functions ensure safety and protect your components – even with changing personnel or shift work.
Thanks to its modular design, the system can easily be expanded to full automation or additional axes at a later date. Basins, washing stations, and conveyor technology are positioned compactly and in a space-optimized manner – ideal for existing production lines. The interfaces (e.g., PLC, OPC UA, Industry 4.0 compatibility) are standardized.
Our solution is particularly suitable for industries such as automotive (decorative interior parts), furniture, consumer goods, plastic and metal components, sporting goods, medical technology, and more. Because the water transfer printing process allows for virtually any surface shape – even complex geometries without straight edges – the system offers creative freedom with minimal changeover effort.
With the semi-automatic system, you achieve design diversity, process stability, and cost efficiency simultaneously. Invest in future-proof technology that adapts flexibly to your requirements – and allows you to differentiate yourself from the competition.