Abstract: A degradation resistant nozzle for a screening, extrusion or similar processes has a tip surface formed by one or more rods of a material having an increased hardness relative to the body portion of the nozzle. The rods are preferably of circular cross-section and formed of tungsten carbide. The rods are removably attached in preferably circular grooves in the tip of the nozzle body. The removability of the rods facilitates reworking of the nozzle when wear occurs since new rods can quickly and inexpensively be substituted. The degradation resistant nozzle also decreases wear and scoring of stencils used in screening processes and thus increases the useful life thereof.

Abstract: An inspection system for detecting the presence of debris on ceramic green sheets prior to screening. The sheets are deposited on a planar stage using a pick-up head. The pick-up head carries a sensor to determine whether or not debris adhering to the head, the sheet or the stage is presenting a non-planar sheet surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing a paste pattern on a ceramic green sheet having a loading station, a printing station, a stencil mask at the printing station, a carrier for supporting a green sheet, a means to align a green sheet in a given reference position on the carrier, a means to move the carrier horizontally from the loading station to a position beneath the printing station and vertically to a position to be printed beneath the stencil mask, and back to the loading station in the reverse movement order, extruding means at the printing station to print a pattern of paste material through the stencil mask on the surface of a green sheet.