100th Unit The First 100 single-pass DTO systems are shipped. Six lessons from the first 100 — and what they mean for the next 100. Read the lessons →
Perspectives

Increase Pad-Print Throughput — When Seconds Matter

Going from a 4-second to a 3-second cycle compounds across shifts and years. Operator loading, not the printer, is usually the constraint.

In pad-printing operations, throughput is often limited by operator efficiency rather than machine capabilities. While increasing pad and fixture quantities can boost output, this approach significantly raises costs.

Rotary tables don’t solve loading

Rotary tables alone don’t solve throughput challenges because operators still must manually load parts, and the table can only accept loads when stationary.

What to automate instead

EPS recommends incremental improvements like pneumatic rakes for automated unloading and custom loading mechanisms that pre-position components using vacuum before the table moves.

The math of small improvements

Small efficiency gains accumulate meaningfully over production schedules. Converting a four-second cycle to three seconds generates substantial cost savings across shifts and years. Consult with engineers to identify operation-specific optimization strategies across automotive, medical-device, and safety-equipment manufacturing sectors.