What to specify before buying a printing and assembly system

Make the incoming product explicit

Record the material grade and relevant additives, dimensions, print area and features that limit access. Include product history such as molding, storage, cleaning or earlier treatment. Part age and surface condition can affect both handling and printing.

Explain whether the system will receive conditioned parts or process them directly after molding. The trials should represent that condition. Representative samples should include the variation that is expected during production.

Specify evidence of an acceptable product

Artwork appearance, position, adhesion and resistance are separate requirements. State how each will be measured, the relevant sample condition and who approves the result. Include the contact, handling or chemical exposures that matter to the application.

Describe the complete operating requirement

Required output should relate to accepted parts from the full system. Feeding, treatment, print motion, curing and inspection can limit production even when the printing unit has a higher nominal capacity.

List the changes expected between variants. An artwork change, a new component shape and a different ink can require different work. Define the checks needed to release production after each relevant change.

For an integrated machine, the sequence must also accommodate the required condition of the printed surface before gripping or assembly. Agree on the interfaces so the print process is evaluated together with product movement and downstream operations.

Use trials to resolve the uncertain parts

Sample printing can compare technologies, inks and pre- or post-treatment settings on your product. Process development can investigate a particular technical step before the complete automation is built. The outcome should identify both feasible settings and the questions that still need to be resolved.

AAE offers sample printing and Proof of Principle development as part of its project approach. Share the product, artwork and acceptance requirements at the start, and identify which requirements are fixed and which can still be discussed.