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: A screen printing apparatus in which a squeegee head 13 is moved on a mask plate 12 thereby to print paste on a substrate through pattern holes 12a, slide contact portions 37A and 37B form respectively front and rear walls in the squeegeeing direction of a printing space 35 which reserves cream solder 5 therein and makes the cream solder contact with the surface of the mask plate 12 through an opening portion formed at the lower surface thereof. Each of the slide-contact portions is configured by a partition plate 39 for partitioning between the printing space 35 and the outside and a filling block 38 having a filling surface 38a which forms an acute angle with respect to the surface of the mask plate 12. In the squeegeeing operation, the filling surface 38a rolls the cream solder 5. Thus, the cream solder 5 can be filled into the pattern holes 12a without pressurizing the cream solder, and a problem caused by the leakage of the cream solder can be eliminated.

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.

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 apparatus is designed so that cream solder 17 disposed on a mask plate 12 can be preserved at a certain appropriate temperature by the limited use of blown air. An air nozzle unit 20 is provided above the mask plate 12 at a place on the side edge running in parallel with the moving direction of a squeegee 16. The temperature-conditioning air is blown sidewise from the air nozzle unit 20 towards the cream solder 17 during the operation of printing the cream solder 17 on the surface of a substrate through the mask plate 12 disposed in contact therewith.

Abstract: Pattern holes are completely filled with paste. As a result, occurrence of defects is prevented, and an excellent printing performance is obtained, high speed screen printing is possible, and the printing efficiency is enhanced. By sliding in the running direction above the mask plate having pattern holes, this squeegee for screen print can print the paste supplied on the mask plate to the substrate through the mask plate. It includes a contacting portion for contacting with the surface of the mask plate, a filling portion disposed at the running direction side of the contacting portion, and an agitating portion disposed at the running direction side of the filling portion. The agitating portion has a function of rotating the paste by sliding. The filling portion has a function of filling the pattern holes with the paste along with the sliding motion. The paste applied in the pattern holes can be printed on the substrate.

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: 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.