A monochrome pad printing apparatus and method

Abstract

This application relates to the field of printing equipment technology, and provides a monochrome pad printing device and method, which includes a base, a rotary table, positioning blocks, a feeding assembly, a pad printing assembly, and a discharging assembly. The rotary table is rotatably connected to the base via a stepper motor. Several positioning blocks are disposed on the rotary table and spaced apart along the rotation direction of the rotary table. The positioning blocks are used to place the workpiece to be printed. The feeding assembly, pad printing assembly, and discharging assembly are arranged sequentially along the rotation direction of the rotary table. The feeding assembly transfers the workpiece to be printed onto the positioning blocks. The pad printing assembly presses the workpiece onto the positioning blocks. The discharging assembly unloads the printed workpiece. This application has the effect of facilitating the feeding, pad printing, and unloading of workpieces, thereby improving production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of printing apparatus technology, and in particular to a monochrome pad printing apparatus and method. Background Technology

[0002] Pad printing is a commonly used printing process. It is simple to execute: a pad printing head made of silicone rubber is moved onto a gravure plate, allowing ink from the plate to transfer to the pad's surface. The pad is then moved to the surface of the object to be printed and pressed down to print text or patterns. It has become a major method for printing and decorating various object surfaces; for example, pad printing can be used to create patterns on the surfaces of many electronic products such as quartz watches, instruments, and meters.

[0003] Single-color pad printing machines are core equipment in the production and manufacturing of quartz watches, suitable for printing on irregularly shaped and tiny parts. Their core function is to achieve high-precision, high-adhesion single-color marking and decorative printing for various parts of quartz watches, ensuring the functionality and brand recognition of the products.

[0004] Existing patents, such as the Chinese Patent Publication No. CN203344477U, entitled "Fully Automatic Single-Color Pad Printing Machine," include a feeding device, a printing head device, a conveying device, and a clamping and positioning device. The feeding device includes a guide rail and a locking component. The locking component is located outside the guide rail and near its end, forming a corresponding tail section for the guide rail. The locking component is used to intermittently stop the movement of the workpiece to be printed. The printing head device includes a printing head. The conveying device includes a conveyor belt located below the printing head. The clamping and positioning device includes two clamping plates used to clamp and move the workpiece to be printed in the tail section onto the conveyor belt below the printing head of the printing head device and clamp and position it. After the printing head prints the workpiece, it opens to allow the workpiece to be printed to be conveyed by the conveyor belt.

[0005] Regarding the aforementioned technologies, after the printing of the workpiece (dial) is completed, it is transferred to the material tray by the conveyor belt. The workpieces in the material tray are generally in a disorderly state, requiring additional stacking and sorting operations by the staff, which is time-consuming and therefore needs to be improved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To facilitate the loading, pad printing, and unloading of printed materials and improve production efficiency, this application provides a monochrome pad printing device.

[0007] Firstly, the monochrome pad printing apparatus provided in this application adopts the following technical solution: A monochrome pad printing device includes a base, a rotary table, positioning blocks, a feeding assembly, a pad printing assembly, and a discharging assembly. The rotary table is rotatably connected to the base via a stepper motor. Several positioning blocks are disposed on the rotary table and are spaced apart along the rotation direction of the rotary table. The positioning blocks are used to place the workpiece to be printed. The feeding assembly, pad printing assembly, and discharging assembly are arranged sequentially along the rotation direction of the rotary table. The feeding assembly is used to transfer the workpiece to be printed onto the positioning blocks. The pad printing assembly is used to press the workpiece on the positioning blocks. The discharging assembly is used to unload the printed workpiece.

[0008] By adopting the above technical solution, during production, the feeding component clamps and transfers the workpiece to be printed onto the positioning block. Driven by a stepper motor, the rotary table rotates in a specific direction, positioning the block containing the workpiece directly below the pad printing component. The pad printing component then presses the workpiece onto the positioning block, imprinting a specific pattern onto the dial. After pad printing is complete, the rotary table continues to rotate at a certain angle and approaches the unloading component, which then removes the printed dial from the positioning block, completing the automatic unloading process. The entire production process is highly automated, improving production efficiency and reducing labor intensity.

[0009] Preferably, the feeding assembly includes a feeding seat, a first positioning rod, a lifting block, a first rotating seat, a first slide rail, a first lifting cylinder, a first sliding block, and a first clamping cylinder. The feeding seat is rotatably connected to the machine base. The first positioning rod is vertically disposed on the feeding seat. The lifting block is sleeved on the first positioning rod. The print to be printed passes through the first positioning rod and is placed on the lifting block. The first rotating seat is located on one side of the loading seat and is rotatably connected to the machine base; the first slide rail is provided on the first rotating seat, the first lifting cylinder is provided on the first slide rail and connected to the first slide block, the first slide block is slidably connected to the first slide rail, and the first clamping cylinder is provided on the first slide block for clamping and transferring the workpiece to be printed on the first positioning rod to the positioning block.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, the staff attaches the workpiece to be printed onto the first positioning rod, so that the workpieces are stacked vertically on the lifting block. During loading, the first lifting cylinder drives the first slide to move down along the first slide rail, so that the first clamping cylinder can smoothly clamp the top workpiece to be printed on the lifting block. After clamping, the first clamping cylinder moves up and away from the first positioning rod.

[0011] Then, the motor drives the entire loading seat to rotate in the direction close to the positioning block. Then, the first lifting cylinder controls the first clamping cylinder to move vertically downward. After the first clamping cylinder removes the clamping force, the printed material will fall onto the positioning block under the action of gravity.

[0012] Preferably, it also includes a top-feeding assembly. The feeding seat includes a fixed part and a rotating part arranged concentrically. The fixed part and the rotating part are connected by a bearing to achieve relative rotation. The top-feeding assembly is disposed on the fixed part and located between each of the first positioning rods. The lifting block is T-shaped. The top-feeding assembly is used to drive the lifting block to move vertically upward. The top material assembly includes a servo motor, a fixed base, a lead screw, and a push plate. The fixed base is disposed on the fixed part, the lead screw is rotatably connected to the fixed base, the servo motor is connected to the lead screw and is used to drive the lead screw to rotate, and the push plate is slidably connected to the lead screw and is used to push the lifting block from bottom to top.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, as the workpiece to be printed on the lifting block is continuously transferred to the positioning block, the overall height of the workpiece to be printed on the lifting block will gradually decrease. However, the moving distance of the first slide is usually constant. In order to achieve continuous feeding, it is necessary to control the lifting block to move steadily upward to compensate for the overall height loss of the workpiece to be printed.

[0014] During adjustment, the servo motor drives the lead screw to rotate. The rotation of the lead screw is converted into linear motion of the push plate, causing the push plate to move the lifting block gradually upward along the first positioning rod, so that the first clamping cylinder can smoothly clamp the workpiece to be printed at the top of the lifting seat. The ball screw is a high-precision linear transmission component that can accurately control the upward movement of the push plate each time.

[0015] By configuring the feeding seat as a fixed part and a rotating part, the rotating part can rotate relative to the fixed part. After all the workpieces to be printed on one of the first positioning rods have been fed, the push plate is first controlled to move down and approach the fixed part, and then the rotating part is controlled to rotate. The first positioning rods on the rotating part will alternate positions, while the push plate remains below the lifting block to ensure continuous feeding. When the rotating part rotates, the fixed part does not rotate, ensuring that the top material assembly can lift the lifting block.

[0016] Preferably, it also includes a rotary motor, the output shaft of which is connected to a gear, and the outer periphery of the rotating part is provided with teeth, the gear meshing with the teeth.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the rotary motor drives the gear to rotate. Due to the meshing of the gear and the tooth pattern, the gear can drive the rotating part to rotate, thereby realizing the relative rotation between the rotating part and the fixed part.

[0018] Preferably, the pad printing assembly includes a gravure plate and a pad printing head. The gravure plate is located below the pad printing head and has ink on it for the pad printing head to dip into the ink. The pad printing head is used to press the workpiece to be printed.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the pad printing head can perform horizontal and vertical movements. The specific structure can be achieved using a dual-cylinder system or other existing methods, which will not be elaborated upon here. During pad printing, the pad printing head is first controlled to move vertically downwards, allowing it to pick up ink from the gravure plate. Then, the pad printing head is controlled to move horizontally and position itself directly above the positioning block. Finally, the pad printing head is controlled to press down again to complete the printing of the workpiece.

[0020] Preferably, the feeding assembly includes a feeding seat, a feeding tray, a second positioning rod, a second rotating seat, a second slide rail, a second lifting cylinder, a second sliding block, and a second clamping cylinder. The feeding seat is disposed on the machine base, and the feeding tray is rotatably connected to the feeding seat via a stepper motor. The second positioning rod is vertically disposed on the feeding tray and is provided at intervals along the circumferential direction. The second positioning rod is used for feeding the printed parts for sleeve connection. The second rotating seat is located on one side of the unloading seat and is rotatably connected to the machine base. The second slide rail is provided on the second rotating seat. The second lifting cylinder is provided on the second slide rail and connected to the second slide block. The second slide block is slidably connected to the second slide rail. The second clamping cylinder is provided on the second slide block and is used to clamp and transfer the printed material on the positioning block to the second positioning rod.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, during unloading, the second clamping cylinder first clamps the printed material on the positioning block, and then the second rotating seat rotates at a certain angle driven by the motor. Then, the second lifting cylinder controls the second slide to move down along the first slide rail, so that the second clamping cylinder approaches the second positioning rod. After the clamping force is removed, the printed material will be sleeved on the second positioning rod, completing the unloading.

[0022] Since ink requires time to dry after pad printing, if printed parts are stacked simultaneously on the same second positioning rod, undried ink can easily contaminate the surfaces of other printed parts. By setting multiple second positioning rods on the feeding tray, once a printed part is attached to the first second positioning rod, the feeding tray rotates, allowing the printed part to be attached to other second positioning rods. This achieves cyclical and alternating feeding, preventing printed parts from continuously overlapping on the same second positioning rod in a short period and giving the ink time to air dry naturally.

[0023] Preferably, the feeding seat is rotatably provided with two sets of feeding discs, the two feeding discs are distributed at intervals, and each is provided with a second positioning rod.

[0024] By adopting the above technical solution, when one of the feeding trays is feeding materials, the operator can transfer the printed parts stacked on the other feeding tray to other processes or store them, thus achieving continuous production without stopping the machine.

[0025] Preferably, it also includes an air blowing pipe, which is located on one side of the feed tray and has an air hole. The air blowing pipe is connected to an external air pump. The air hole is close to the upper end of the second positioning rod and is used to assist in drying the ink on the printed part on the second positioning rod. A compression spring is sleeved on the second positioning rod. When the printed part is placed on the compression spring, the compression spring will be compressed and undergo elastic deformation.

[0026] By adopting the above technical solution, an external air pump can inject gas into the air blowing pipe. The gas in the air blowing pipe comes out from the air hole and blows onto the printed parts on the second positioning rod, relying on the wind force to accelerate the drying of the ink. It should be noted that as the printed parts are continuously stacked on the compression spring, the elastic force of the compression spring and the weight of the printed parts remain in balance. That is, the addition of printed parts will cause the compression spring to compress. With each additional printed part, the compression spring will produce a deformation equal to the thickness of the printed part. The position of the air blowing pipe remains unchanged, thus ensuring that the air blown from the air blowing pipe can always reach the printed parts that are fed each time (the printed parts are always in the top position each time they are fed).

[0027] Preferably, the bottom of the base is provided with a plurality of support feet, each of the support feet being used to support the base, and the base is also provided with a storage cabinet.

[0028] By adopting the above technical solution, each support leg stably supports the entire base on the ground, and the storage cabinet can store some commonly used tools for staff to access flexibly.

[0029] Secondly, this application also provides a pad printing method, a method for pad printing a dial using a monochrome pad printing apparatus with all the above-described structures, comprising the following steps: S1. The feeding assembly clamps and transfers the workpiece to be printed onto the positioning block. The rotary table rotates in a certain direction, so that the positioning block carrying the workpiece to be printed rotates to the position directly below the pad printing assembly. S2. Next, the pad printing component is run to press the workpiece to be printed, so that the dial is printed with a specific pattern. S3. After pad printing is completed, the rotary table continues to rotate at a certain angle and approaches the unloading component. The unloading component transfers the dial with the printed pattern from the positioning block, completing the automatic unloading.

[0030] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: (1) By setting up a rotary table, positioning block, feeding component, pad printing component and unloading component, the feeding component transfers the work to be printed to the positioning block, the pad printing component presses the work to be printed on the positioning block, and the unloading component unloads the printed work after pad printing. The whole production process is highly automated, which improves production efficiency and reduces personnel intensity.

[0031] (2) By setting up the top material assembly, the top material assembly can steadily lift the lifting block to make up for the loss of the overall height of each workpiece to be printed on the first positioning rod, and ensure that the first clamping cylinder can smoothly transfer the workpiece to be printed onto the positioning block.

[0032] (3) By setting up an air blowing pipe, the air blowing pipe can accelerate the drying of ink on the surface of the printed parts, and prevent the ink from contaminating other printed parts before it is dry. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the monochrome pad printing apparatus in the embodiments of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the monochrome pad printing apparatus in this embodiment, omitting the machine base; Figure 3 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the monochrome pad printing apparatus in the embodiments of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the rotary table and pad printing assembly in the embodiments of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the feeding component and the unloading component in the embodiments of this application.

[0034] Reference numerals: 1. Base; 2. Rotary table; 3. Positioning block; 4. Feeding assembly; 41. Feeding seat; 411. Fixed part; 412. Rotating part; 42. First positioning rod; 43. Lifting block; 44. First rotating seat; 45. First slide rail; 46. First lifting cylinder; 47. First slide block; 48. First clamping cylinder; 5. Pad printing assembly; 51. Gravure plate; 52. Pad printing head; 6. Unloading assembly; 61. Unloading seat; 62. Unloading tray; 63. Second positioning rod; 64. Second rotating seat; 65. Second slide rail; 66. Second lifting cylinder; 67. Second slide block; 68. Second clamping cylinder; 7. Support foot; 8. Storage cabinet; 9. Top-loading assembly; 91. Servo motor; 92. Fixed seat; 93. Lead screw; 94. Push plate; 10. Air pipe; 11. Air hole; 12. Rotary motor. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The technical solutions of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. This application can be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0036] In the representation of this application, the reference to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., means that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic represented in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics represented may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0037] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains; the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application; the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, in the specification, claims, and foregoing description of the drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0038] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the technical terms "installation," "connection," "joining," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection; a detachable connection; an integral part; or a mechanical connection. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0039] The following detailed description of some embodiments of this application is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Without conflict, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples shown in this application, as well as the features of those embodiments or examples.

[0040] This application discloses a monochrome pad printing apparatus. (Refer to...) Figures 1 to 3 The monochrome pad printing device includes a base 1, a rotary table 2, positioning blocks 3, a feeding assembly 4, a pad printing assembly 5, and a discharging assembly 6. Four support feet 7 are fixedly connected to the bottom of the base 1, each supporting foot 7 providing stable support for the base 1. A storage cabinet 8 is also provided on the base 1 for storing frequently used tools for easy access by staff. The rotary table 2 is rotatably connected to the base 1 via a stepper motor, with its rotation axis in the vertical direction. Several positioning blocks 3 are fixedly installed on the rotary table 2, spaced apart along the rotation direction of the rotary table 2, and are used to place the workpieces to be printed.

[0041] The feeding assembly 4, the pad printing assembly 5, and the unloading assembly 6 are arranged sequentially along the rotation direction of the rotary table 2. The feeding assembly 4 is used to transfer the workpiece to be printed to the positioning block 3. The pad printing assembly 5 is used to press the workpiece to be printed on the positioning block 3. The unloading assembly 6 is used to unload the printed workpiece after pad printing.

[0042] In the automated dial printing process, the loading component 4 is first activated to pick up the workpiece to be printed and transfer it to the positioning block 3. Then, the rotary table 2, driven by a stepper motor, rotates in a designated direction, precisely moving the positioning block 3 carrying the workpiece to directly beneath the pad printing component 5. Next, the pad printing component 5 activates and performs a printing operation on the workpiece on the positioning block 3, successfully printing a preset pattern onto the dial surface. After the pad printing process is completed, the rotary table 2 continues to rotate at a corresponding angle, gradually approaching the unloading component 6. The unloading component 6 then moves the dial with the printed pattern from the positioning block 3 out of the workstation, completing the automatic unloading operation. The entire production process has a high degree of automation, which not only effectively improves overall production efficiency but also significantly reduces the intensity of manual labor.

[0043] Specifically, the feeding assembly 4 includes a feeding seat 41, a first positioning rod 42, a lifting block 43, a first rotating seat 44, a first slide rail 45, a first lifting cylinder 46, a first sliding seat 47, and a first clamping cylinder 48. The feeding seat 41 is installed on the machine base 1, the first positioning rod 42 is vertically installed on the feeding seat 41, and the lifting block 43 is sleeved on the first positioning rod 42. The print to be printed passes through the first positioning rod 42 and is placed on the lifting block 43.

[0044] The first rotating seat 44 is located on one side of the loading seat 41 and is rotatably connected to the machine base 1. The rotation axis of the first rotating seat 44 is parallel to the rotation axis of the rotating table 2. The first slide rail 45 is fixedly installed on the first rotating seat 44. The first lifting cylinder 46 is installed on the first slide rail 45 and connected to the first slide block 47. The first slide block 47 is slidably connected to the first slide rail 45. The first clamping cylinder 48 is installed on the first slide block 47 and is used to clamp and transfer the workpiece to be printed on the first positioning rod 42 to the positioning block 3.

[0045] Before production, the workers first attach the workpieces to be printed onto the first positioning rod 42, so that the workpieces are stacked vertically on the lifting block 43. During loading, the first lifting cylinder 46 drives the first slide block 47 to move down along the first slide rail 45 so that the first clamping cylinder 48 can smoothly clamp the top workpiece on the lifting block 43. After clamping, the first clamping cylinder 48 moves up and away from the first positioning rod 42. Then, the motor drives the entire loading seat 41 to rotate in the direction close to the positioning block 3. Then, the first lifting cylinder 46 controls the first clamping cylinder 48 to move vertically down again. After the first clamping cylinder 48 removes the clamping force, the workpieces to be printed will fall onto the positioning block 3 under the action of gravity.

[0046] In this embodiment, the loading base 41 includes a fixed part 411 and a rotating part 412 arranged concentrically. The fixed part 411 is located in the central region of the rotating part 412. The first positioning rod 42 is installed on the rotating part 412. The fixed part 411 and the rotating part 412 are connected by a bearing to achieve relative rotation, that is, when the rotating part 412 rotates, the fixed part 411 will not rotate. A rotary motor 12 is installed on the base 1. A gear is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the rotary motor 12. Corresponding teeth are provided on the outer periphery of the rotating part 412. The gear and the teeth mesh with each other, and the rotation of the gear drives the rotating part 412 to rotate.

[0047] A top-feeding assembly 9 is also installed on the fixed part 411. The top-feeding assembly 9 is located between each of the first positioning rods 42 and is used to drive the lifting block 43 to rise vertically along the first positioning rods 42. The top-feeding assembly 9 includes a servo motor 91, a fixed base 92, a lead screw 93, and a push plate 94. The fixed base 92 is fixed on the fixed part 411. The lead screw 93 is vertically arranged and rotatably connected to the fixed base 92. The output shaft of the servo motor 91 is connected to the lead screw 93 to drive the lead screw 93 to rotate. The push plate 94 is slidably connected to the lead screw 93 to push the lifting block 43 from bottom to top. The longitudinal section of the lifting block 43 is T-shaped to ensure that the lifting block 43 can be placed for the workpiece to be printed, and at the same time, it facilitates the push plate 94 to push the lifting block 43 smoothly.

[0048] In the loading process of the dial pad printing equipment, as the parts to be printed on the lifting block 43 are continuously moved to the positioning block 3, the overall stacking height of the parts to be printed on the lifting block 43 will gradually decrease; while the travel of the first slide block 47 is usually a fixed value. In order to ensure the continuity of the loading process, it is necessary to control the lifting block 43 to move steadily upward to compensate for the displacement difference caused by the reduction in the stacking height of the parts to be printed.

[0049] During the height compensation adjustment phase, the servo motor 91 is activated to drive the lead screw 93 to rotate. The rotational motion of the lead screw 93 is converted into the linear displacement of the push plate 94, which in turn drives the push plate 94 to drive the lifting block 43 to gradually move upward along the axial direction of the first positioning rod 42. This ensures that the first clamping cylinder 48 can stably clamp the workpiece to be printed on the top of the lifting seat. In this solution, the ball screw 93 is used as a linear transmission component, which has high-precision transmission characteristics and can accurately control the stroke of the push plate 94 in a single upward movement, ensuring the consistency and reliability of the feeding action.

[0050] By designing the feeding seat 41 into a fixed part 411 and a rotating part 412, the two can rotate relative to each other. After the workpiece to be printed on one of the first positioning rods 42 is completely fed, the push plate 94 is first controlled to move down and approach the fixed part 411, and then the rotating part 412 is driven to rotate relative to the fixed part 411, so that the two first positioning rods 42 on the rotating part 412 exchange positions. During this process, the push plate 94 is always located below the lifting block 43, thereby achieving uninterrupted continuous feeding.

[0051] Combination Figure 4 The pad printing assembly 5 includes a gravure plate 51 and a printing head 52. The gravure plate 51 is located below the printing head 52 and has ink on it for the printing head 52 to pick up. The printing head 52 is used to press the workpiece onto the printing plate. The printing head 52 can move horizontally and vertically, and the specific implementation structure is prior art and will not be described in detail here. During pad printing, the printing head 52 is first controlled to move vertically downward so that it picks up the ink on the gravure plate 51. Then, the printing head 52 is controlled to move horizontally and position itself directly above the positioning block 3. The printing of the workpiece is completed by controlling the printing head 52 to press down again.

[0052] Combination Figure 5 The feeding assembly 6 includes a feeding base 61, a feeding tray 62, a second positioning rod 63, a second rotating base 64, a second slide rail 65, a second lifting cylinder 66, a second sliding block 67, and a second clamping cylinder 68. The feeding base 61 is mounted on the machine base 1. The feeding tray 62 is rotatably connected to the feeding base 61 via a stepper motor. The rotation axis of the feeding tray 62 is parallel to the rotation axis of the rotary table 2. The second positioning rod 63 is vertically mounted on the feeding tray 62 and is spaced several times along the circumference. The second positioning rod 63 is used for fitting the printed parts.

[0053] The second rotating seat 64 is located on one side of the unloading seat 61 and is rotatably connected to the machine base 1. The second slide rail 65 is fixedly installed on the second rotating seat 64. The second lifting cylinder 66 is installed on the second slide rail 65 and connected to the second slide block 67. The second slide block 67 is slidably connected to the second slide rail 65. The second clamping cylinder 68 is installed on the second slide block 67 and is used to clamp and transfer the printed material on the positioning block 3 to the second positioning rod 63. In this embodiment, the unloading seat 61 is provided with two sets of unloading trays 62, which are spaced apart and each is provided with multiple second positioning rods 63.

[0054] During unloading, the second clamping cylinder 68 first clamps the printed material on the positioning block 3, and then the second rotating seat 64 rotates at a certain angle driven by the motor. Then, the second lifting cylinder 66 controls the second slide block 67 to move down along the second slide rail, so that the second clamping cylinder 68 approaches the second positioning rod 63. After the clamping force is removed, the printed material will be sleeved on the second positioning rod 63, completing the unloading.

[0055] Since the ink needs time to dry after pad printing, if printed parts are stacked on the same second positioning rod 63 simultaneously, the undried ink can easily contaminate the surfaces of other printed parts. By setting multiple second positioning rods 63 on the feeding tray 62, when a printed part is attached to the first second positioning rod 63, the feeding tray 62 rotates so that the printed part is attached to other second positioning rods 63, achieving cyclical and alternating feeding. This avoids the printed parts from continuously overlapping on the same second positioning rod 63 in a short period of time, allowing the ink time to air dry naturally.

[0056] Since there are two feeding trays 62, when one feeding tray 62 is feeding, the operator can transfer the printed parts stacked on the other feeding tray 62, send the pad-printed products to other processes or store them, and achieve continuous production without stopping the machine.

[0057] In some embodiments, an air blowing pipe 10 is installed on the rotary table 2. The air blowing pipe 10 is located on one side of the feed tray 62 and is connected to an external air pump. Air holes 11 are provided on the air blowing pipe 10, located near the upper end of the second positioning rod 63, to assist in drying the ink on the surface of the printed material on the second positioning rod 63. A compression spring (not shown in the figure) is also sleeved on the second positioning rod 63. The compression spring has a low spring constant, and when the printed material is placed on the compression spring, the spring can be compressed and undergo elastic deformation.

[0058] An external air pump injects gas into the air blowing pipe 10. The gas exits through the air hole 11 and blows onto the printed material on the second positioning rod 63, accelerating the drying of the ink through the force of the air. It should be noted that as the printed materials are continuously stacked on the compression spring, the spring force and the weight of the printed materials remain balanced. That is, each additional printed material causes the compression spring to compress, and with each additional material, the spring undergoes a deformation equal to the thickness of the printed material. The position of the air blowing pipe 10 remains constant, ensuring that the air blown from the pipe 10 consistently reaches the printed material being processed.

[0059] The implementation principle of a monochrome pad printing device according to an embodiment of this application is as follows: During production, the feeding component 4 clamps and transfers the workpiece to be printed onto the positioning block 3. The rotary table 2, driven by a stepper motor, rotates in a certain direction, causing the positioning block 3, on which the workpiece is placed, to rotate directly below the pad printing component 5. Then, the pad printing component 5 is activated to press the workpiece onto the positioning block 3, resulting in a specific pattern being printed on the dial. After the pad printing is completed, the rotary table 2 continues to rotate at a certain angle and approaches the unloading component 6. The unloading component 6 then transfers the dial with the printed pattern from the positioning block 3, completing the automatic unloading. The entire production process has a high degree of automation, improving production efficiency and reducing labor intensity.

[0060] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a monochrome pad printing method, which uses a monochrome pad printing device with all the above structures to perform pad printing on a dial, including the following steps: S1. The operator first attaches the workpiece to be printed onto the first positioning rod 42, so that the workpieces are stacked vertically on the lifting block 43. During loading, the first lifting cylinder 46 drives the first slide block 47 to move down along the first slide rail 45 so that the first clamping cylinder 48 can smoothly clamp the uppermost workpiece on the lifting block 43. After clamping, the first clamping cylinder 48 moves up and away from the first positioning rod 42. Then, the motor drives the entire loading seat 41 to rotate in the direction close to the positioning block 3. Then, the first lifting cylinder 46 controls the first clamping cylinder 48 to move vertically down again. After the first clamping cylinder 48 removes the clamping force, the workpiece will fall onto the positioning block 3 under the action of gravity.

[0061] S2. Driven by a stepper motor, the rotary table 2 rotates in a specified direction, causing the positioning block 3, which carries the workpiece to be printed, to move precisely to directly below the pad printing assembly 5. Then, the pad printing assembly 5 starts and performs a printing operation on the workpiece on the positioning block 3, successfully printing a preset specific pattern onto the dial surface.

[0062] S3. After the pad printing process is completed, the rotary table 2 continues to rotate at a corresponding angle, gradually approaching the unloading assembly 6. The second clamping cylinder 68 first clamps the printed material on the positioning block 3, and then the second rotating seat 64 rotates at a certain angle driven by the motor. Then, the second lifting cylinder 66 controls the second slide 67 to move down along the first slide rail, so that the second clamping cylinder 68 approaches the second positioning rod 63. After the clamping force is removed, the printed material will be sleeved on the second positioning rod 63, completing the unloading.

[0063] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A monochrome pad printing apparatus, characterized in that, The assembly includes a base (1), a rotating table (2), positioning blocks (3), a loading assembly (4), a pad printing assembly (5), and a unloading assembly (6). The rotating table (2) is rotatably connected to the base (1) via a stepper motor. Several positioning blocks (3) are provided on the rotating table (2), and each positioning block (3) is spaced apart along the rotation direction of the rotating table (2). The positioning blocks (3) are used to place the workpiece to be printed. The loading assembly (4), the pad printing assembly (5), and the unloading assembly (6) are arranged sequentially along the rotation direction of the rotating table (2). The loading assembly (4) is used to transfer the workpiece to be printed onto the positioning block (3). The pad printing assembly (5) is used to press the workpiece to be printed onto the positioning block (3). The unloading assembly (6) is used to unload the printed workpiece after pad printing. The feeding assembly (4) includes a feeding seat (41), a first positioning rod (42), a lifting block (43), a first rotating seat (44), a first slide rail (45), a first lifting cylinder (46), a first sliding seat (47), and a first clamping cylinder (48). The feeding seat (41) is rotatably connected to the machine base (1). The first positioning rod (42) is vertically mounted on the feeding seat (41). The lifting block (43) is sleeved on the first positioning rod (42). The printout passes through the first positioning rod (42) and is placed on the lifting block (43). The first rotating seat (44) is located on one side of the loading seat (41) and is rotatably connected to the machine base (1); the first slide rail (45) is provided on the first rotating seat (44), the first lifting cylinder (46) is provided on the first slide rail (45) and connected to the first slide block (47), the first slide block (47) is slidably connected to the first slide rail (45), and the first clamping cylinder (48) is provided on the first slide block (47) for clamping and transferring the workpiece to be printed on the first positioning rod (42) to the positioning block (3).

2. The monochrome pad printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a top material assembly (9), the top material seat (41) includes a fixed part (411) and a rotating part (412) arranged concentrically, the fixed part (411) and the rotating part (412) are connected by a bearing to achieve relative rotation, the top material assembly (9) is provided on the fixed part (411) and is located between each of the first positioning rods (42), the lifting block (43) is T-shaped, and the top material assembly (9) is used to drive the lifting block (43) to move vertically upward; The top material assembly (9) includes a servo motor (91), a fixed base (92), a lead screw (93), and a push plate (94). The fixed base (92) is located on the fixed part (411). The lead screw (93) is rotatably connected to the fixed base (92). The servo motor (91) is connected to the lead screw (93) and is used to drive the lead screw (93) to rotate. The push plate (94) is slidably connected to the lead screw (93) and is used to push the lifting block (43) from bottom to top.

3. A monochrome pad printing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a rotary motor (12), on the output shaft of which a gear is connected, and the outer periphery of the rotating part (412) is provided with toothed patterns, and the gear meshes with the toothed patterns.

4. A monochrome pad printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pad printing assembly (5) includes a gravure plate (51) and a pad printing head (52). The gravure plate (51) is located below the pad printing head (52). The gravure plate (51) has ink on it for the pad printing head (52) to dip into the ink. The pad printing head (52) is used to press the workpiece to be printed.

5. A monochrome pad printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding assembly (6) includes a feeding seat (61), a feeding tray (62), a second positioning rod (63), a second rotating seat (64), a second slide rail (65), a second lifting cylinder (66), a second sliding seat (67), and a second clamping cylinder (68). The feeding seat (61) is mounted on the machine base (1). The feeding tray (62) is rotatably connected to the feeding seat (61) via a stepper motor. The second positioning rod (63) is vertically mounted on the feeding tray (62) and is provided at intervals along the circumference. The second positioning rod (63) is used for feeding printed parts for sleeve connection. The second rotating seat (64) is located on one side of the unloading seat (61) and is rotatably connected to the machine base (1). The second slide rail (65) is located on the second rotating seat (64). The second lifting cylinder (66) is located on the second slide rail (65) and is connected to the second slide block (67). The second slide block (67) is slidably connected to the second slide rail (65). The second clamping cylinder (68) is located on the second slide block (67) and is used to clamp the printed material on the positioning block (3) and transfer it to the second positioning rod (63).

6. A monochrome pad printing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The feeding seat (61) is rotatably provided with two sets of feeding discs (62), the two feeding discs (62) are distributed at intervals, and each is provided with a second positioning rod (63).

7. A monochrome pad printing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes an air blowing pipe (10), which is located on one side of the feed tray (62) and has an air hole (11). The air blowing pipe (10) is connected to an external air pump. The air hole (11) is close to the upper end of the second positioning rod (63) and is used to help dry the ink on the printed part on the second positioning rod (63). A compression spring is sleeved on the second positioning rod (63). When the printed part is placed on the compression spring, the compression spring will be compressed and undergo elastic deformation.

8. A monochrome pad printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base (1) is provided with several support feet (7) at its bottom, each of the support feet (7) being used to support the base (1), and the base (1) is also provided with a storage cabinet (8).

9. A monochrome pad printing method, comprising a method for pad printing a dial using a monochrome pad printing apparatus as described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. The feeding assembly (4) clamps and transfers the work to be printed onto the positioning block (3). The rotary table (2) rotates in a certain direction, so that the positioning block (3) carrying the work to be printed rotates to the direct underside of the pad printing assembly (5). S2. Next, run the pad printing component (5) to press the workpiece to be printed, so that the dial is printed with a specific pattern. S3. After the pad printing is completed, the rotary table (2) continues to rotate at a certain angle and approaches the unloading component (6). The unloading component (6) transfers the dial with the printed pattern on the positioning block (3) to complete the automatic unloading.

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