Glossary · Accessories

Rotary attachment (UV printing)

An accessory that slowly rotates round objects such as bottles or mugs during printing. This makes it possible to print all the way round.

Explained in more detail

The attachment is placed on the flatbed or replaces the printer's Y movement: instead of the table moving, the object turns on rollers or in a clamp. Roller supports suit cylindrical objects, and clamps with points also suit slightly conical mugs. With strongly conical shapes, the distance to the print head changes along the object, which leads to blurred edges. Diameter and length are limited depending on the model. The diameter in the software must be correct, otherwise the design will be squashed or stretched.

Where does the term come from?

Rotation comes from the Latin "rotare" = to turn. In English the accessory is called a "rotary attachment" or "rotary device", and Mimaki calls its version "Kebab".

In practice

Determine the circumference precisely (diameter x 3.14); even half a millimetre of deviation leaves a gap or overlap at the seam.
Insert mugs with handles so that the handle does not hit the head or housing when turning.
With roller attachments, watch for slip: light or smooth objects slide, and the seam then becomes uneven.
If possible, clamp conical mugs at an angle so that the top lies level under the head, and pre-distort the design.
Check the object with a spirit level, as even a slight tilt makes the design crooked.

Not to be confused

In classic commercial printing, rotary printing means printing with rotating printing cylinders, for example for newspapers. In UV printing, by contrast, the object itself rotates.

Frequently asked questions

What diameter fits in a rotary attachment?

That depends on the model. On the eufyMake E1, for example, it is 40 to 100 mm, and industrial attachments sometimes manage 10 to 110 mm; it is also limited by the height under the print head.

Why is the print on the mug blurred at one end?

The cup is usually tapered, so the distance to the print head grows towards the narrow end. A tilted attachment or a narrower design in the cylindrical part helps.