Apparatus for dry printing onto a workpiece using a hot embossing film and an embossing die

Apparatus for dry printing onto a workpiece, comprising:

• a hot embossing film and an embossing die with a die face;
• means for moving the workpiece and said embossing die together under heat and pressure over time;
• means for intermediate clamping of said hot embossing film to hold the workpiece and said embossing die in contact so that heat is transferred and then removed for said hot embossing film to adhere onto the workpiece corresponding to said embossing die;
• means for releasing said film from the workpiece after a cooling period;
• a receiving station for the workpiece;
• synchronized feeding means for feeding said hot embossing film;
• means for heating said embossing die, said embossing die being a die body of elastically formable material;
• said die body having a wall thickness so that a side of said die body facing away from the die face has projection means forming a positive force transfer relief as said die body is placed onto the workpiece to be printed and forms locally and elastically onto the workplace surface;
• said relief corresponding substantially to said die face;
• an elastic pressure pad on a side of said die body facing away from said die face to form said die body locally and elastically.