Precision Automotive Pad Printing Systems
Engineered for high-volume automotive manufacturing, tactile switchgear, backlit interior fascias, and curved steering column stalks. We supply turnkey Kent pad printing workcells engineered with rotary indexing, automated tape pad cleaners, multi-cavity vacuum nesting, and high-adhesion 2-component inks that resist harsh abrasion, sweat, and chemical exposure.
High-Throughput Cell Engineering
Tier 1 automotive interior trim and under-bonnet mouldings demand micron-level repeatability and robust automated quality control:
- Rotary & Multi-Cavity Vacuum Tooling: Engineered with multi-station rotary indexing tables, twin-cavity vacuum nesting jigs, and pneumatic part clamps to print multiple components per cycle with zero surface marring.
- Integrated Automated Tape Pad Cleaning: Motorised tape-cleaning modules automatically cycle between impressions, stripping lint and residual dried ink from silicone pads to maintain flawless graphic sharpness.
- Radial & Compound Contour Printing: Multi-angle indexing heads stamp cylindrical indicator stalks, steering wheel controls, and raised 3D emblems with uniform ink film distribution.
Coates 2-Component Systems
Industrial ink formulations engineered to withstand aggressive automotive lifecycle durability testing:
- Resistance: Sweat, sunscreen, window cleaner, isopropyl alcohol, and fuels
- Substrates: ABS, PC/ABS, Polyamide (Nylon), POM (Polyacetal), and treated PP
- Hardener Pairing: Mixed with TP 219 or TP 219/VCH for maximum chemical cross-linking
Kent Automotive Workcells
Single and multi-colour pad printers designed for high-volume automated manufacturing lines:
- Platforms: Kent G-Turbo series with sealed magnetic cups and ceramic rings
- Automation: Rotary indexers, pick-and-place integration, and safety light curtains
- Options: Programmable double-print mode for ultra-high white graphic opacity
Laser-Etch & Fascia Tooling
Precision tooling for illuminated dashboard switches, selector dials, and climate buttons:
- Opacity: Uniform pinhole-free solid white base coats for laser ablation
- Fixturing: Hard-anodised and Delrin nests to protect Class-A cosmetic surfaces
- Validation: Full print trial testing and jig manufacture at Sunbury-on-Thames
Frequently Asked Questions: Automotive Pad Printing
How do automotive pad printing inks pass harsh sweat and chemical rub tests?
Automotive interior controls are exposed to hand perspiration, cosmetic sunscreens, cleaning solvents, and thermal shock. We utilise 2-component solvent-based inks (such as Coates TP series) combined with aliphatic polyisocyanate hardeners. When cured, the ink forms a cross-linked polyurethane network that satisfies OEM rub tests (including 200+ MEK or ethanol double-rubs).
How do you print onto cylindrical steering column stalks and curved knobs?
Printing on curved or cylindrical parts requires coordinated motion tooling. We engineer radial indexing fixtures that rotate the stalk or knob in sync with the silicone pad stroke, or utilise specialised multi-angle compound pads that roll cleanly across radial steps without distorting graphics or causing optical stretching.
What is the purpose of the automated tape pad cleaning system?
In continuous production, airborne lint or microscopic ink buildup on the silicone pad can cause speckling or void defects. The programmable motorised tape cleaner presents a fresh adhesive strip to the pad between cycles, peeling away debris and residual ink without slowing down line operator cycle times.
Can pad printing achieve the opacity required for backlit day/night switches?
Yes. For translucent switches destined for laser etching, our Kent workcells feature programmable "double-print" cycles. The machine picks up and deposits two consecutive ink layers onto translucent substrates with micrometer-level registration, creating an opaque, pinhole-free light barrier prior to laser marking.