Abstract: A two-bar linkage fast elevating apparatus for screen printing machine includes a two-bar linkage system and an eccentric shaft driving system connected to a rear side of a transverse slide base of the screen printing machine. A reduction motor is connected to a lower end of the eccentric shaft driving system to cyclically lift and lower the eccentric shaft driving system. When the eccentric shaft driving system is lifted to elevate the transverse slide base, the two-bar linkage system synchronously moves the transverse slide base backward, so that a heightened and deepened space giving good vision is provided between a printing bed and a lifted screen of the screen printing machine for an operator to safely, conveniently, and accurately check the printing quality.

Abstract: An ink residue lifting and transfer mechanism is provided on a printing mechanism of a screen printing machine to pneumatically horizontally drive an ink reclaiming blade, so that the ink reclaiming blade is in complete contact with a scraper of the printing mechanism to hold ink residue after one printing in a space contained between the closely contacted scraper and the ink reclaiming blade, preventing the ink residue from dripping off from the scraper to the screen plate to smudge the printed object in the course of ink reclaiming. And, the ink residue is lifted and transferred by the closely contacted scraper and ink reclaiming blade to an initial position for reuse in the next printing without being wasted. Therefore, an improved accuracy of printing can be achieved at reduced cost.

Abstract: A screen printing squeegee doctor blade includes an elastic application element and a maintaining or gripping device. The grip is subdivided into several grip sections which can be displaced in relation to each other over the width of the screen printing doctor blade. The squeegee may be used, for example, for printing curved vehicle windshields.

Abstract: An ink residue lifting and transfer mechanism is provided on a printing mechanism of a screen printing machine to pneumatically horizontally drive an ink reclaiming blade, so that the ink reclaiming blade is in complete contact with a scraper of the printing mechanism to hold ink residue after one printing in a space contained between the closely contacted scraper and the ink reclaiming blade, preventing the ink residue from dripping off from the scraper to the screen plate to smudge the printed object in the course of ink reclaiming. And, the ink residue is lifted and transferred by the closely contacted scraper and ink reclaiming blade to an initial position for reuse in the next printing without being wasted. Therefore, an improved accuracy of printing can be achieved at reduced cost.

Abstract: The screen printer machine includes: a base assembly; at least one print station having a support suitable for receiving a silk screen; and elements for moving the support relative to the base assembly. The elements for moving the support include: three coupling assemblies each provided with a moving member that is movable relative to the base assembly, sliding-connection elements for the moving member, and elements for moving the moving member; and members for controlling the drive elements for moving the three assemblies independently. The moving member of each coupling assembly is connected to the support by the sliding-connection elements along a direction that is fixed relative to the support.

Abstract: In a screen printing apparatus for contacting a lower surface of a mask plate with a substrate and moving a squeezee in a sliding motion on an upper surface of the mask plate thereby printing a paste onto the substrate, mask bend preventing members are mounted on conveying rails at front and rear parts of clamp members clamping the substrate in a Y-direction, and, at a mask separating operation after printing, the substrate is lowered while the lower surface of the mask plate is supported by the clamp members and the mask bend preventing members. Thus the mask separation can be achieved in a state where the mask plate is supported from below on four sides of the substrate and is thus prevented from a downward bending, and a satisfactory mask separating property can be ensured over the entire substrate.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a feed-out unit for feeding out an elongated base material which is wound up in a roll, a printing unit for printing a liquid resist onto the elongated base material that is fed out of the feed-out unit, a wind-up unit for winding up the elongated base material on which the liquid resist is printed by the printing unit into a roll, and a suction unit positioned between the printing unit and the wind-up unit in a transport direction of the elongated base material for sucking up a solvent in the liquid resist.

Abstract: Disclosed is a squeeze for a screen printer. The present invention provides a squeeze for a screen printer, which coats a printed circuit board with an adhesive paste while moving parallel over a metal mask on the printed circuit board, the printed circuit board being open through an opening of the metal mask, the squeeze including a solvent storage unit for storing solvents; and solvent discharging holes for discharging the solvents, stored in the solvent storage unit, to an adhesive paste. Accordingly, the squeeze for a screen printer of the present invention may be useful to prevent a dog ear phenomenon, namely that an adhesive paste layer is asymmetrically formed in an indented manner, by controlling a viscosity of an adhesive paste by discharging a solvent onto an adhesive paste layer that comes in contact with the squeeze when the adhesive paste layer is formed in the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A stencil printer for printing solder paste onto a substrate includes a frame, a stencil, coupled to the frame, having apertures formed therein, a support assembly, coupled to the frame, to support the substrate in a printing position beneath the stencil, and a dispensing head coupled to the frame in such a manner that the dispensing head is configured to traverse the stencil during first and second print strokes. The dispensing head includes a frame assembly and a wiper blade assembly, coupled to the frame assembly, having first and second wiper blades that contact the stencil to print solder paste onto the stencil during a print stroke. The first and second wiper blades are constructed and arranged to force solder paste through the apertures of the stencil. The dispensing head further includes a dispensing unit, coupled to the frame assembly, having a chamber adapted to dispense solder paste, the dispensing unit being disposed between the first and second wiper blades to deposit solder paste therebetween.

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus for printing images onto a three dimensional surface of a substrate. The apparatus includes a screen formed of a flexible mesh material and having porous image portions that allows passage of a printing medium through it. A shaping assembly including a plurality of shapers that are movable between retracted and extended positions. In their extended positions, the shapers are engaged with the screen assembly and generally cause screen to generally conform to the three dimensional surface of the substrate. A squeegee, that is flexible and conformable to the three dimensional surface, is drawn along screen and forces at least some of the printing medium through the porous portion of the screen and onto the three dimensional surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing powders on a support in a predetermined pattern, includes: a belt conveyor (2) for transporting the support (3); a head for applying the powders (1), located above the conveyor (2), which head (1) includes a ring-wound closed continuous belt (4) exhibiting a plurality of perforations arranged according to a predetermined pattern, the perforations being of a size which enables passage of predetermined quantities of powders; a mechanism for controlling a supply and delivery of powders through the perforations and for keeping the continuous belt (4) clean. The head also includes a mechanism for controlling a movement of the continuous belt (4) in synchrony with a movement of the conveyor (2).

Abstract: An apparatus for performing operations on a surface of an electronic substrate comprises a frame, a dispenser, coupled to the frame, to dispense a material onto the electronic substrate, a stencil moveable on a gantry system having at least one aperture to receive the material as the material is dispensed on the substrate, a controller that controls dispensing of the material on the substrate, and a wiper to remove material from the stencil as the stencil is translated away from the electronic substrate by the gantry system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing hybrid, closed-loop control that generates control values for processes defined by a limited number of function evaluations and large amounts of process and measurement noise. The described control system is applied to a stencil printing process for applying solder paste to an electronic medium such as a printed circuit board or semiconductor wafer. The control system is defined by a hybrid approach. A first, coarse algorithm is used to rapidly produce the value of a stencil printer control value resulting in a solder paste deposit having a volume within predetermined acceptable limits. After the coarse algorithm no longer produces solder paste deposits closer to a desired volume, a second, more refined estimator is used to fine tune the process. An additional transitional algorithm may be added between the coarse algorithm and refined estimator.

Abstract: In an apparatus for decorating stiff articles using a screen printing process, an object carried by an object carrier and the stencil are advanced synchronously along a transport path during a printing operation. A doctor co-operable with the stencil is movable in an opposite relationship to the direction of movement of the stencil and the object. In the region of the at least one screen printing station is a transport screw with at least one screw flight as a drive for the object carrier, which is in engagement with the screw flight of the screw. During a printing operation the object carrier with object, on the one hand, and the stencil, on the other hand, pass synchronously through an acceleration phase and a deceleration phase. The printing stroke of the stencil is less than the total stroke thereof in the direction of movement of the object carrier.

Abstract: A screen printing manual repetition system semi-automates use of a screen with a manual printing press. The screen has a screen frame and a screen mesh. The manual repetition system (MRS) has an MRS frame mountable to the screen frame, a track system, and a height adjustor configured to adjust the height of the track system relative to the MRS frame. A squeegee has a squeegee frame with a blade, guide members configured to guide the squeegee through the track system, and an angle adjustor configured to adjust the angle of the blade relative to the screen mesh during operation.

Abstract: A screen printing manual repetition system semi-automates use of a screen with a manual printing press. The screen has a screen frame and a screen mesh. The manual repetition system (MRS) has an MRS frame mountable to the screen frame, a track system, and a height adjustor configured to adjust the height of the track system relative to the MRS frame. A squeegee has a squeegee frame with a blade, guide members configured to guide the squeegee through the track system, and an angle adjustor configured to adjust the angle of the blade relative to the screen mesh during operation.

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus for printing on a board, such as a circuit board, through a screen using a paste prior to surface-mounting electronic components on the board, and more particularly a screen printing apparatus that performs a screen printing while automatically discharging the paste that is accommodated inside the main body.

Abstract: In a stencil printer, a diaphragm pump is used as an ink supply pump.

Abstract: An integrated circuit screen printing nozzle that has a nozzle body, a first inner layer on the nozzle body, a second outer layer on the first layer, and an opening through the nozzle body, the first layer, and the second layer. The first and second layers can be an insert held within the body. The opening allows paste material to flow through the screen printing nozzle to the stencil mask. Also, the second outer layer includes a contact surface adapted to contact the stencil mask. One feature of the invention is that the first layer is softer (has a lower durometer) than the second layer. This allows the second layer to be more durable than the first layer and for the first layer to provide additional flexibility to the second layer. Therefore, the invention provides a nozzle that has the high durability characteristics of a hard outer surface with the compliance of a soft nozzle.

Abstract: To keep a printing paste, which is most influential to a printing performance, always in a uniform state, carry out printing at a high accuracy and in a stable manner, and use an expensive paste with no waste, there is provided a printing paste automatic supplying apparatus which supplies a predetermined amount of printing paste (5) by charging the printing paste (5) in a printing paste supply bag (15) and pressurizing the printing paste (5), provided with a mechanism for opening and closing a printing paste supply port (7) by bringing a printing paste supply plate (6) having the printing paste supply port (7) into contact with the back surface side of a squeegee (4) and vertically moving them, and further provided with a scraper (9) which scrapes up the printing paste on a screen printing plate (3).

Abstract: An apparatus for performing operations on a surface of an electronic substrate comprises a frame, a dispenser, coupled to the frame, to dispense a material onto the electronic substrate, a stencil moveable on a gantry system having at least one aperture to receive the material as the material is dispensed on the substrate, a controller that controls dispensing of the material on the substrate, and a wiper to remove material from the stencil as the stencil is translated away from the electronic substrate by the gantry system.

Abstract: A screen printing manual repetition system semi-automates use of a screen with a manual printing press. The screen has a screen frame and a screen mesh. The manual repetition system (MRS) has an MRS frame mountable to the screen frame, a track system, and a height adjustor configured to adjust the height of the track system relative to the MRS frame. A squeegee has a squeegee frame with a blade, guide members configured to guide the squeegee through the track system, and an angle adjustor configured to adjust the angle of the blade relative to the screen mesh during operation.

Abstract: A cream solder cartridge used in a screen printing apparatus which prints cream solder on a board through pattern holes by sliding, on a mask plate, a closed squeegee that is stored with cream solder inside is composed of a long and narrow concave portion made of a flexible film-like material, a brim portion projecting from the outer periphery of the concave portion, and a film-like cover sheet that is stuck to the brim portion and thereby closes the opening of the concave portion. This configuration makes it possible to supply paste at a low cost and to perform a viscosity adjustment easily by externally stirring the paste accommodated inside.

Abstract: A solder paste printing method comprising the steps of dispose a plate-shaped mask having a plurality of through holes formed to correspond to a plurality of connection terminals, over a printed face of a substantially polygonal wiring substrate having a side of a length of at least 300 mm and having the connection terminals in the printed face; forming solder-printed layers by moving a squeezee along an outer face of the mask while holding the squeezee in contact with the outer face of the mask, thereby to fill the through holes with a solder paste; and detaching the mask by disengaging one side edge of the mask disposed over the printed face of the wiring substrate, relatively from the printed face.

Abstract: A hand accent stencil applicator system for positioning a design on a surface is provided. The applicator system comprises an applicator handle and a compression housing mounted to the applicator housing. A bladder is positioned within the compression housing for holding a texture material. A design template is mounted to the compression housing wherein the applicator handle exerts forces into the compression housing causing a texture flow from the bladder through the design template.

Abstract: A printer includes a print head for dispensing viscous material, such as solder paste. The print head defines a chamber and includes at least one source port and a dispensing slot. Within the chamber, a flexible membrane segregates the chamber into a dispensing region and an activation region. Viscous material flows from a supply mounted to the source port, into the dispensing region and out the slot. A displacement mechanism is positioned to displace the flexible membrane to reduce the volume of dispensing region and to thereby dispense viscous material through the slot. The print head also includes a removable envelope through which the viscous material flows and contacts as it passes through the envelope.

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus and method in that in the print parameter setting process for setting print parameters including a squeegee movement speed, a printing pressure, and plate release conditions, a squeegee movement speed at which the squeegee is to be moved is set at the first step, then a printing pressure for realizing a desired cream solder charging state is set at the second step, and then plate release conditions for realizing a desired cream solder transfer state is set at the third step. Therefore, the print parameter setting process can be performed according to an efficient processing procedure and trial-and-error-based backward work can be avoided. Print parameters can be set quickly and properly for a wide range of solder types.

Abstract: When solder paste passes through a first gap located between a pressurizing member and a printing mask during solder paste printing, a pressure directed toward the printing mask is applied from the pressurizing member to the solder paste.

Abstract: Doctor blade dosing systems for devices used for coating material webs, particularly paper or paperboard webs, exist that have a doctor blade rod, which serves as a dosing element while being held inside a slot of a doctor blade bed that, in turn, is mounted in a support that can be fastened inside the frame of the system. According to the disclosure, the doctor blade rod has a diameter of less than 25 mm. The doctor blade bed is inserted in removable manner into a slot of the support situated on the face thereof. The ratio of the cross-sectional area (measured in mm2) of the doctor blade to the diameter (measured in mm) of the doctor blade rod is less than 60 mm, preferably less than 30 mm. The support is made of a plastic material and is shaped like a clamp having at least one rearward extending clamp limb and one joint location, whereby the holding slot that accommodates the doctor blade bed forms the clamp mouth.

Abstract: Method for screen printing a continuous structure on a substrate wherein the screen printed structure extends from at least a first level to at least a second level. The disclosed method is particularly suitable for the fabrication of microelectronic devices and components thereof including the fabrication of field emission display devices. Preferably, a print screen of a preferred thickness having a preconfigured print pattern formed therethrough, in combination with a squeegee having a hardness within a preferred range, are used to force a screen printable substance onto a substrate while maintaining a portion of the print screen within a preferred reference angle. The resulting screen printed structure extends from at least one lower level to at least one upper level in a continuous “uphill” manner.

Abstract: Method for screen printing a continuous structure on a substrate wherein the screen printed structure extends from at least a first level to at least a second level. The disclosed method is particularly suitable for the fabrication of microelectronic devices and components thereof including the fabrication of field emission display devices. Preferably, a print screen of a preferred thickness having a preconfigured print pattern formed therethrough, in combination with a squeegee having a hardness within a preferred range, are used to force a screen printable substance onto a substrate while maintaining a portion of the print screen within a preferred reference angle. The resulting screen printed structure extends from at least one lower level to at least one upper level in a continuous “uphill” manner.

Abstract: A container is provided which comprises a cylindrical main body having an end wall at an end thereof; an outlet projecting from an outer surface of the end wall for allowing a content to be supplied; and a protecting member disposed on the outer surface of the end wall so that it surrounds the outlet and defines a groove portion between the outlet and the protecting member. The protecting member is preferably a continuous or discontinuous annular projection. A conduit of a pump can be coupled to the groove portion by engaging an inner circumferential surface of the protecting member with an outer circumferential surface of the conduit, or by engaging an outer circumferential surface of the outlet with an inner circumferential surface of the conduit.

Abstract: In a screen printing method of bringing a mask plate into contact with a substrate to print solder cream through a pattern hole on the substrate, a plate separating operation of separating the substrate from the mask plate after a squeegeeing step in which the solder cream is filled into the pattern hole comprises an operation pattern in which acceleration and deceleration pattern in which a descending speed is accelerated up to an upper limit speed and thereafter decelerated up to a lower limit speed is repeated plural times. Further, an initial upper limit speed in start of the plate separating operation is set higher than the succeeding upper limit speeds, whereby viscosity of the solder cream into the pattern hole in start of the plate separating operation is lowered, and the mask plate can be separated with a high accuracy throughout the entire range of the substrate.

Abstract: A printing mask has protrusions having through holes defined therein for printing a solder paste on lands on a printed circuit board. The protrusions serve to increase the amount of solder paste filled in the through holes.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing media deposition in predetermined locations comprising at least one blocking cap connected to a pressurized squeegee head is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for partially printing a circuit board is disclosed. The method comprises inserting one or more blocking caps inside a pressurized squeegee head and printing with the pressurized squeegee head. In this way, defined areas on the surface of a stencil or screen, over which the blocking caps travel, are skipped. In another embodiment, a new method for manufacturing printed circuit boards is described, comprising placing a component on a circuit board, performing burn-in or testing of the component, partially printing attachment media on the circuit board with a pressurized squeegee head containing one or more blocking caps, and placing additional components on the circuit board. In one embodiment, the circuit board is sold or returned to the circuit board designer before performing the partial printing step.

Abstract: An apparatus for, and a method of, printing a precise pattern on the inside radius of a curved substrate by the pivotal movement of a pendulum moving across the surface of a screen capable of receiving and transferring an ink, is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for printing a viscous material on substrates within a stencil printer includes supplying viscous material to a dispensing region of a print head, positioning a first substrate into a print position, printing on the first substrate by means of a pair of blades in contact with a stencil during a first print stroke in which the pair of blades travel in a first direction, the dispensing region being defined between the pair of blades, positioning a second substrate into a print position, and printing on the second substrate during a second print stroke in which the pair of blades travel in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, the pair of blades maintaining contact with the stencil when transitioning between the first and second print strokes. A print head and a stencil printer are further disclosed.

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus and method in that in the print parameter setting process for setting print parameters including a squeegee movement speed, a printing pressure, and plate release conditions, a squeegee movement speed at which the squeegee is to be moved is set at the first step, then a printing pressure for realizing a desired cream solder charging state is set at the second step, and then plate release conditions for realizing a desired cream solder transfer state is set at the third step. Therefore, the print parameter setting process can be performed according to an efficient processing procedure and trial-and-error-based backward work can be avoided. Print parameters can be set quickly and properly for a wide range of solder types.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing media deposition in predetermined locations comprising at least one blocking cap connected to a pressurized squeegee head is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for partially printing a circuit board is disclosed. The method comprises inserting one or more blocking caps inside a pressurized squeegee head and printing with the pressurized squeegee head. In this way, defined areas on the surface of a stencil or screen, over which the blocking caps travel, are skipped. In another embodiment, a new method for manufacturing printed circuit boards is described, comprising placing a component on a circuit board, performing burn-in or testing of the component, partially printing attachment media on the circuit board with a pressurized squeegee head containing one or more blocking caps, and placing additional components on the circuit board. In one embodiment, the circuit board is sold or returned to the circuit board designer before performing the partial printing step.

Abstract: A screen printing method is carried out by placing a material to be printed at a predetermined portion of a printing table, feeding a paste-state or ink-state coating material to a surface of a screen plate for printing, and sliding the surface of the screen plate relative to a squeegee to carry out screen printing. The above-mentioned paste-state or ink-state coating material is covered on the surface of the screen plate for printing with a thin thickness, and the paste-state or ink-state coating material coated on the surface of the screen plate for printing is printed to a material to be printed by the above-mentioned squeegee under vacuum or atmospheric pressure. After the above-mentioned coating step, a degassing step is provided to degas bubbles in the coated material by changing the pressure from high vaccum state to atmospheric pressure or low vacuum state.

Abstract: A compliant marking tool for attachment to a fiber placement machine that is capable of marking detail locations on a work piece positioned on the fiber placement machine. The marking tool has a flexible member that is configured and adapted to bow and twist in response to the marking tool contacting the work piece. A holder is pivotably connected to the flexible member. A marking member is positioned in the holder and is capable of moving within the holder. The flexing of the flexible member along with the pivoting of the holder and the movement of the marking member allow the marking tool to follow the contours of the work piece and mark detail locations without damaging or at least minimizing the potential of damaging the work piece.

Abstract: To keep a printing paste, which is most influential to a printing performance, always in a uniform state, carry out printing at a high accuracy and in a stable manner, and use an expensive paste with no waste, there is provided a printing paste automatic supplying apparatus which supplies a predetermined amount of printing paste (5) by charging the printing paste (5) in a printing paste supply bag (15) and pressurizing the printing paste (5), provided with a mechanism for opening and closing a printing paste supply port (7) by bringing a printing paste supply plate (6) having the printing paste supply port (7) into contact with the back surface side of a squeegee (4) and vertically moving them, and further provided with a scraper (9) which scrapes up the printing paste on a screen printing plate (3).

Abstract: In a screen-printing apparatus for printing creamy solder paste on a substrate by attaching a screen mask to the substrate, a predetermined measuring position of the mechanisms in the screen-printing apparatus is measured three-dimensionally by a three-dimensional measuring device. Based on the measured result, a predetermined measuring point on an object to be measured is determined on a position relative to the origin of the mechanical coordinate system in the screen-printing apparatus, and the origin position on a control program can be set. As a result, machine adjusting operation and teaching operation in the screen-printing apparatus can be simplified with high 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: A screen-printing apparatus having pneumatically operated clamping devices for clamping one edge of a print screen frame to the print head of the apparatus. In a screen-printing operation where multiple print screens must be quickly interchanged, efficiency of time and energy may be achieved by a manually activated pneumatic clamping device that quickly secures and releases one edge of the screen frame to the print head. The screen-printing apparatus is not limited to a single print head, and multiple pneumatic clamping devices are envisioned for as many screen print heads as are mounted on the screen-printing apparatus.

Abstract: An illuminated display device for displaying an image of a predetermined shape and size is described. An image is placed on an insert of a predetermined size comprised of a medium which has at least some partially transparent or translucent areas. The image-bearing insert is retained by the display device in front of an all-white portion contained upon a generally clear background-bearing medium. The all-white portion has generally the same shape and size as the image-bearing insert. The generally clear medium is at least partially contained in a base also having an illumination source. When on, the illumination source emits light into the generally clear medium which propagates until at least part thereof is diffused by the all-white portion into the image-bearing insert, creating the appearance of highlighting to a viewer. The frame is optionally elevated from the base, giving the display device the appearance of a clear boarder around the frame.

Abstract: To keep a printing paste, which is most influential to a printing performance, always in a uniform state, carry out printing at a high accuracy and in a stable manner, and use an expensive paste with no waste, there is provided a printing paste automatic supplying apparatus which supplies a predetermined amount of printing paste (5) by charging the printing paste (5) in a printing paste supply bag (15) and pressurizing the printing paste (5), provided with a mechanism for opening and closing a printing paste supply port (7) by bringing a printing paste supply plate (6) having the printing paste supply port (7) into contact with the back surface side of a squeegee (4) and vertically moving them, and further provided with a scraper (9) which scrapes up the printing paste on a screen printing plate (3).

Abstract: A printer includes a print head for dispensing viscous material, such as solder paste. The print head defines a chamber and includes at least one source port and a dispensing slot. Within the chamber, a flexible membrane segregates the chamber into a dispensing region and an activation region. Viscous material flows from a supply mounted to the source port, into the dispensing region and out the slot. A displacement mechanism is positioned to displace the flexible membrane to reduce the volume of dispensing region and to thereby dispense viscous material through the slot. The print head also includes a removable envelope through which the viscous material flows and contacts as it passes through the envelope.

Abstract: A vacuum print system comprising: an outer shell to define an airtight inner space and having a closure door at a ceiling thereof; a printer provided in the airtight inner space; a worktable to supply a work to the printer provided in the airtight inner space operable to move; and an air exhaust system connected to the airtight inner space is disclosed. The worktable is operable to move between a sealing position and a work supplying position. The worktable at the sealing position divides the airtight inner space into two airtight compartments, a first compartment having the closure door, and a second compartment having the printer provided therein and the air exhaust system connected thereto. The worktable at the work supplying position supplies the work to the printer. Further, the closure door is operable to open to take the work in and out when the worktable is at the sealing position.

Abstract: Method for screen printing a continuous structure on a substrate wherein the screen printed structure extends from at least a first level to at least a second level. The disclosed method is particularly suitable for the fabrication of microelectronic devices and components thereof including the fabrication of field emission display devices. Preferably, a print screen of a preferred thickness having a preconfigured print pattern formed therethrough, in combination with a squeegee having a hardness within a preferred range, are used to force a screen printable substance onto a substrate while maintaining a portion of the print screen within a preferred reference angle. The resulting screen printed structure extends from at least one lower level to at least one upper level in a continuous “uphill” manner.