Application of screen printing technology for metal products: sheet metal chassis, metal cabinet doors and alloy shells
In the field of metal processing and manufacturing, screen printing, as a convenient and efficient surface pattern processing technology, is widely used in the identification, decoration and information communication of products such as sheet metal chassis, metal cabinet doors and alloy shells. Through screen printing, text, patterns or logos can be accurately printed on the metal surface, giving the product a unique brand identity and beautiful appearance. This article will discuss in detail the process advantages, operation procedures and precautions of screen printing of metal products.
Recommended screen printing machine models:
TX-3050SF Servo flat screen printer TX-60100S T-slot flat screen printer
Process advantages of metal screen printing
1. Wide applicability : Screen printing is suitable for a variety of metal materials, such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy, cold-rolled steel, etc. The surface of these materials is relatively smooth, easy to adhere to ink, and can achieve detailed patterns and text printing.
2. High durability : The ink used in the screen printing process has excellent adhesion and wear resistance, especially when applied to products such as sheet metal chassis and alloy shells that need to withstand frequent use and handling. The printed pattern can not only remain clear for a long time, but also has good waterproof, sun-proof and corrosion-resistant properties, making it suitable for harsh use environments.
3. Multi-color effect : Screen printing supports the application of multiple colors, can achieve a variety of color combinations and gradient effects, and meet the customized needs of different industries for the appearance of metal products. In the field of industrial products, it can clearly identify information such as corporate logos, specifications, models, and functional descriptions.
4. Low cost and high efficiency Screen printing is suitable for mass production, especially in the production of large quantities of sheet metal chassis and metal cabinet doors, cost control is more advantageous. At the same time, the operation process is simple and the production efficiency is high, which can meet the needs of large-scale industrial production.
Operation process of metal screen printing
The screen printing process for metal products mainly includes the following steps:
1. Prepare the workpiece and screen
First, clean the metal surface to remove oil, dust and oxides to ensure the clarity and adhesion of the printed pattern. Then, make a silk screen and fix the pattern to be printed on the screen through exposure and development to form a printing template.
2. Adjust printing parameters
In screen printing, parameters such as ink viscosity, printing blade angle, printing pressure and speed will affect the final printing effect. These parameters need to be adjusted according to the metal surface material and product requirements to obtain clear and full printing effects.
3. Inking and printing
Place the screen on the metal surface and apply the ink evenly on the screen with a scraper. The ink is transferred to the metal surface through the holes of the screen to form a pattern. Keep your hand even during operation to avoid uneven ink thickness or pattern deformation due to an unbalanced scraper.
4. Drying and curing
After printing, metal workpieces need to be dried. Common drying methods include natural air drying, infrared drying or ultraviolet curing. According to the characteristics of the ink and production conditions, choose the appropriate drying method to ensure that the ink is completely cured and improve the durability of the printed pattern.
5. Subsequent inspection and packaging
After printing is completed and dried, the product needs to be inspected to ensure that the printing effect meets the standards. If the printed pattern is blurred or the ink is uneven, it needs to be reprocessed or reworked. After the inspection is completed, it is packaged according to production requirements to avoid wear and tear on the printed pattern during transportation and storage.
Matters Needing Attention in Metal Screen Printing
1. Control the printing environment：
Screen printing has certain requirements for the operating environment, especially when the ink adhesion on the metal workpiece surface is high, dust, humidity and other factors may affect the printing effect. Therefore, before operation, you should ensure that the workplace is clean and dust-free to avoid suspended particles in the air affecting the clarity of the pattern.
2. Choose the right ink
Metal surface screen printing usually chooses special inks that are resistant to high temperatures and corrosion, and chooses the appropriate type of ink according to the product use environment. If the product needs to be used outdoors, it is recommended to choose inks with high UV resistance and waterproof performance to extend the service life of the pattern.
3. Avoid secondary contamination
During the printing process, avoid direct contact between fingers or other objects and the printed surface to prevent stains or fingerprints from remaining and affecting the beauty of the pattern. In addition, after printing, be careful before drying to prevent blurring or sticking caused by the ink not being completely dry.
4. Control the scraper angle and pressure.
When screen printing, the scraper angle and pressure are crucial to the printing quality. If the scraper angle is too large, it may cause too much ink to leak out, resulting in blurred patterns; if the angle is too small, it may cause insufficient ink and incomplete printing. Therefore, the scraper angle and pressure should be adjusted according to the characteristics of the workpiece and the situation of the screen.
5. Regularly maintain the screen.
After repeated use, the screen may be worn or clogged with ink, which will affect the clarity of the pattern and the printing effect. Therefore, the screen should be cleaned and checked regularly during use to ensure that its holes are unobstructed, and a new screen should be replaced when necessary to ensure the consistency of the printing effect.
6. Drying time control
The drying process is an important part of metal screen printing. Insufficient drying time may cause the ink surface to stick, while too long drying time may cause the ink to be too hard and fall off. Therefore, it is necessary to reasonably control the drying time according to the ink characteristics and workpiece materials to ensure that the ink is completely cured without destroying the pattern.
Matters Needing Attention in Metal Screen Printing
1. Control the printing environment：
Screen printing has certain requirements for the operating environment, especially when the ink adhesion on the metal workpiece surface is high, dust, humidity and other factors may affect the printing effect. Therefore, before operation, you should ensure that the workplace is clean and dust-free to avoid suspended particles in the air affecting the clarity of the pattern.
2. Choose the right ink
Metal surface screen printing usually chooses special inks that are resistant to high temperatures and corrosion, and chooses the appropriate type of ink according to the product use environment. If the product needs to be used outdoors, it is recommended to choose inks with high UV resistance and waterproof performance to extend the service life of the pattern.
3. Avoid secondary contamination
During the printing process, avoid direct contact between fingers or other objects and the printed surface to prevent stains or fingerprints from remaining and affecting the beauty of the pattern. In addition, after printing, be careful before drying to prevent blurring or sticking caused by the ink not being completely dry.
4. Control the scraper angle and pressure.
When screen printing, the scraper angle and pressure are crucial to the printing quality. If the scraper angle is too large, it may cause too much ink to leak out, resulting in blurred patterns; if the angle is too small, it may cause insufficient ink and incomplete printing. Therefore, the scraper angle and pressure should be adjusted according to the characteristics of the workpiece and the situation of the screen.
5. Regularly maintain the screen.
After repeated use, the screen may be worn or clogged with ink, which will affect the clarity of the pattern and the printing effect. Therefore, the screen should be cleaned and checked regularly during use to ensure that its holes are unobstructed, and a new screen should be replaced when necessary to ensure the consistency of the printing effect.
6. Drying time control
The drying process is an important part of metal screen printing. Insufficient drying time may cause the ink surface to stick, while too long drying time may cause the ink to be too hard and fall off. Therefore, it is necessary to reasonably control the drying time according to the ink characteristics and workpiece materials to ensure that the ink is completely cured without destroying the pattern.
