Abstract: In an image recognition method, the image of a cream solder 9 printed on a rectangular electrode 16 having a solder leveler formed is picked up and recognized to identify the cream solder 9. An illuminating unit having white light source parts 35W arranged in the radial oblique directions of 45° is used to apply white color illumination lights from a light applying direction in which an angle of &thgr;1 formed by the light applying direction and a horizontal plane in a vertical plane is 45° or smaller and from a light applying direction in which an angle of &thgr;3 formed by the light applying direction and the boundary of the electrode 16 in a horizontal plane is 75° or smaller. Thus, regularly reflected lights from a solder leveler forming surface 16a with a glossiness are not received by an upper camera to identify a solder surface 9a and the solder leveler forming surface 16a with good accuracy.

Abstract: A screen-printing apparatus for printing creamy solder paste on a substrate by attaching a screen mask to the substrate. A laser-measuring device mounted in the apparatus measures the top surface of the screen mask at a printing position and the top of the substrate at a substrate-measurement position by three-dimensional measurement, and detects a shape of the substrate or the screen mask, and determines whether or not they are acceptable. After screen printing is completed, the substrate and the screen mask undergo a printing inspection where their shapes are inspected. This provides not only inspection data of the printing results but also data for identifying the causes of print failures. As a result, the screen-printing apparatus, which has high-printing accuracy and can prevent printing failures from occurring, is provided.

Abstract: To provide a printing inspection apparatus and a printing inspection method enabling an optimal inspection mode in which a balance is kept between the improvement of production efficiency and the securing of a printing accuracy.

Abstract: Cream solder stored in a squeegee head is pressurized by a pressurizing plate, and the squeegee head is slid on a mask plate, so that the cream solder is printed onto a substrate via pattern apertures. This is done by a screen printing apparatus, in which pressurized solder is accommodated, and the solder is brought into contact with a surface of the mask plate via an opening formed on a lower face of the cell. A rectifier is disposed in the cell for blocking the cream solder from flowing into a specific area just above the opening. This structure allows the solder to flow into the opening in a slant direction, and causes the solder to roll. This mechanism prevents the solder from being hardened due to staying stagnant just above the opening, and thus prevents defective printings.

Abstract: It is possible to obtain a screen printing method that may assure excellent printing qualities since the screen printing method of the present invention includes: (A) sliding a squeegee head with paste stored in the squeegee head on a mask plate, while the past is pressurized, and printing the paste on a substrate through pattern holes of the mask plate, (B) at least one step of (b) separating the squeegee head with the paste stored therein from the mask plate, and (e) sliding the squeegee head on the mask plate for a pre-squeezing purpose before the step (A). The step of separating the squeegee head from the mask plate includes the steps of (1) discontinuing the pressure application to the paste stored in the squeegee head, (2) horizontally moving the squeegee head by a predetermined distance while the bottom end portion of the squeegee head is abutted on the mask plate in a state of the pressure application being discontinued, and (3) moving the squeegee head upward off from the mask plate.

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus prints cream solder through a pattern hole of a mask plate, to which a substrate is brought into contact, by sliding a squeegee head. The mask plate, to which the substrate is positioned, is three-dimensionally measured from its above, thereby detecting a positioned status. Based on the detection result, the positioned status is corrected by driving a substrate-positioning-section. As a result, the substrate is always exactly positioned to the mask plate, and quality print is thus maintainable.

Abstract: A screen-printing apparatus for printing creamy solder paste on a substrate by attaching a screen mask to the substrate. A laser-measuring device mounted in the apparatus measures the top surface of the screen mask at a printing position and the top of the substrate at a substrate-measurement position by three-dimensional measurement, and detects a shape of the substrate or the screen mask, and determines whether or not they are acceptable. After screen printing is completed, the substrate and the screen mask undergo a printing inspection where their shapes are inspected. This provides not only inspection data of the printing results but also data for identifying the causes of print failures. As a result, the screen-printing apparatus, which has high-printing accuracy and can prevent printing failures from occurring, is provided.

Abstract: A screen printing method and apparatus are capable of maintaining a constant attack angle between a squeegee and a mask plate, regardless of the surface condition of the mask plate. A squeegee head, including a pair of squeegees, is rotatably supported by a retainer with respect to a horizontal axis that is at a right angle to a squeegeeing direction. The rotatably supported squeegee head is pushed by a cylinder against the mask plate. Accordingly, the attack angle is kept constant to improve the printing quality even if a substrate has a curved portion.

Abstract: Cream solder stored in a squeegee head is pressurized by a pressurizing plate, and the squeegee head is slid on a mask plate, so that the cream solder is printed onto a substrate via pattern apertures. This is done by a screen printing apparatus, in which pressurized solder is accommodated, and the solder is brought into contact with a surface of the mask plate via an opening formed on a lower face of the cell. A rectifier is disposed in the cell for blocking the cream solder from flowing into a specific area just above the opening. This structure allows the solder to flow into the opening in a slant direction, and causes the solder to roll. This mechanism prevents the solder from being hardened due to staying stagnant just above the opening, and thus prevents defective printings.

Abstract: It is possible to obtain a screen printing method that may assure excellent printing qualities since the screen printing method of the present invention includes: (A) sliding a squeegee head with paste stored in the squeegee head on a mask plate, while the past is pressurized, and printing the paste on a substrate through pattern holes of the mask plate, (B) at least one step of (b) separating the squeegee head with the paste stored therein from the mask plate, and (e) sliding the squeegee head on the mask plate for a pre-squeezing purpose before the step (A). The step of separating the squeegee head from the mask plate includes the steps of (1) discontinuing the pressure application to the paste stored in the squeegee head, (2) horizontally moving the squeegee head by a predetermined distance while the bottom end portion of the squeegee head is abutted on the mask plate in a state of the pressure application being discontinued, and (3) moving the squeegee head upward off from the mask plate.

Abstract: A squeegee head having a volume-variable container and a printing space is used. The volume-variable container is variable in capacity with pressures applied thereto. The volume-variable container includes a projecting portion having a plurality of projections, a push-plate with a plurality of through-holes formed therein, and a side wall. A paste is stored in the volume-variable container. The projecting portion is pressurized to move and the paste is pushed out into the printing space from the through-holes, and then, the projections are fitted into the through-holes. In this way, the paste being stable in viscosity is completely pushed out into the printing space without wasting at all.

Abstract: A screen printer for printing paste on a board by sliding a squeegee head on a mask plate. A pushing plate pressurizes solder paste in the squeegee head, and pressurized paste is led to a paste container from both outer parts in a printing width direction inward towards a printing center through a solder dispensing hole provided on both ends of the paste container. This configuration allows to print in accordance with the time-line supply sequence, regardless of the printing width of the board to be printed. This screen printer thus prevents the degradation and the consequent need for disposal of solder paste due to its retention in the squeegee head for long periods.

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus prints cream solder through a pattern hole of a mask plate, to which a substrate is brought into contact, by sliding a squeegee head. The mask plate, to which the substrate is positioned, is three-dimensionally measured from its above, thereby detecting a positioned status. Based on the detection result, the positioned status is corrected by driving a substrate-positioning-section. As a result, the substrate is always exactly positioned to the mask plate, and quality print is thus maintainable.

Abstract: It is possible to obtain a screen printing apparatus and a screen printing method wherein a high pressing force is not required to print paste on a substrate thereby assuring reliable printing qualities. In the screen printing apparatus which prints the paste on the substrate through pattern holes, the paste in a storage section is pressurized and forced out of a printing space portion through a transfer passage. The paste is given a rolling motion while it is guided by rolling guide surfaces disposed at the printing space portion, and then, the paste is filled into the pattern holes from a printing aperture formed by two scraping members.

Abstract: It is possible to obtain a screen printing method that may assure excellent printing qualities since the screen printing method of the present invention includes: (A) sliding a squeegee head with paste stored in the squeegee head on a mask plate, while the past is pressurized, and printing the paste on a substrate through pattern holes of the mask plate, (B) at least one step of (b) separating the squeegee head with the paste stored therein from the mask plate, and (e) sliding the squeegee head on the mask plate for a pre-squeezing purpose before the step (A). The step of separating the squeegee head from the mask plate includes the steps of (1) discontinuing the pressure application to the paste stored in the squeegee head, (2) horizontally moving the squeegee head by a predetermined distance while the bottom end portion of the squeegee head is abutted on the mask plate in a state of the pressure application being discontinued, and (3) moving the squeegee head upward off from the mask plate.

Abstract: A screen printing method and apparatus are capable of maintaining a constant attack angle between a squeegee and a mask plate, regardless of the surface condition of the mask plate. A squeegee head, including a pair of squeegees, is rotatably supported by a retainer with respect to a horizontal axis that is at a right angle to a squeegeeing direction. The rotatably supported squeegee head is pushed by a cylinder against the mask plate. Accordingly, the attack angle is kept constant to improve the printing quality even if a substrate has a curved portion.

Abstract: A screen printer for printing paste on a board by sliding a squeegee head on a mask plate. A pushing plate pressurizes solder paste in the squeegee head, and pressurized paste is led to a paste container from both outer parts in a printing width direction inward towards a printing center through a solder dispensing hole provided on both ends of the paste container. This configuration allows to print in accordance with the time-line supply sequence, regardless of the printing width of the board to be printed. This screen printer thus prevents the degradation and the consequent need for disposal of solder paste due to its retention in the squeegee head for long periods.

Abstract: Cream solder stored in a squeegee head is pressurized by a pressurizing plate, and the squeegee head is slid on a mask plate, so that the cream solder is printed onto a substrate via pattern apertures. This is done by a screen printing apparatus, in which pressurized solder is accommodated, and the solder is brought into contact with a surface of the mask plate via an opening formed on a lower face of the cell. A rectifier is disposed in the cell for blocking the cream solder from flowing into a specific area just above the opening. This structure allows the solder to flow into the opening in a slant direction, and causes the solder to roll. This mechanism prevents the solder from being hardened due to staying stagnant just above the opening, and thus prevents defective printings.

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus prints cream solder through a pattern hole of a mask plate, to which a substrate is brought into contact, by sliding a squeegee head. The mask plate, to which the substrate is positioned, is three-dimensionally measured from its above, thereby detecting a positioned status. Based on the detection result, the positioned status is corrected by driving a substrate-positioning-section. As a result, the substrate is always exactly positioned to the mask plate, and quality print is thus maintainable.

Abstract: A squeegee head having a volume-variable container and a printing space is used. The volume-variable container is variable in capacity with pressures applied thereto. The volume-variable container includes a projecting portion having a plurality of projections, a push-plate with a plurality of through-holes formed therein, and a side wall. A paste is stored in the volume-variable container. The projecting portion is pressurized to move and the paste is pushed out into the printing space from the through-holes, and then, the projections are fitted into the through-holes. In this way, the paste being stable in viscosity is completely pushed out into the printing space without wasting at all.