Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing workpieces comprises a rotary table supporting first and second platens rotatable between a loading position located in-line between input and output lines. The transfer apparatus is operable to cyclically perform first and second movement operations, in which the rotary table rotates to move the first platen from a loading position to a printing position and vice versa. The platens may be rotatable relative to each other.

Abstract: A workpiece processing system and method, the workpiece processing system comprising at least one workpiece processing module (3), each workpiece processing module comprising: a workpiece processing unit (11) for processing workpieces (W); and a feed unit (37) which is operable to transfer workpieces to and from the workpiece processing unit, wherein the feed unit comprises input and output feed assemblies (38, 39) which are operable to transfer workpieces to and from the workpiece processing unit and a processing zone feed assembly (40) which interconnects the input and output feed assemblies and is operable to transfer workpieces from the input feed assembly (38) to the workpiece processing unit and from the workpiece processing unit to the output feed assembly (39).

Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing workpieces comprises a rotary table supporting first and second platens rotatable between a loading position located in-line between input and output lines. The transfer apparatus is operable to cyclically perform first and second movement operations, in which the rotary table rotates to move the first platen from a loading position to a printing position and vice versa. The platens may be rotatable relative to each other.

Abstract: A print head assembly (119) for printing a print medium (PM) onto a workpiece (W) through a printing screen (105) which includes a screen element having a pattern of printing apertures therein, the assembly comprising: first and second carriages (141) which are in use movably supported on respective ones of first and second guides (117); and first and second print head units (143, 145) which are mounted in adjacent, parallel relation to and between the carriages, wherein the print head units each comprise first and second print head actuators which are mounted on respective ones of the carriages, and a support member (151) which extends between the print head actuators, such as to be movable vertically thereby, and in use supports a printing element.

Abstract: A frame assembly for supporting a printing screen, the frame assembly comprising: a frame unit to which a printing screen is in use supported; and a screen loading mechanism for loading a printing screen into and unloading a printing screen from the frame unit, wherein the screen loading mechanism comprises a screen loading member which is movably coupled to the frame unit between a screen-receiving position in which a printing screen can be loaded into or removed from the screen loading member and a loaded position in which the printing screen is loaded into the frame unit, and at least one actuator element which is coupled to the screen loading member and actuatable to move the screen loading member between the screen-receiving and loaded positions.

Abstract: A print head assembly (119) for printing a print medium (PM) onto a workpiece (W) through a printing screen (105) which includes a screen element having a pattern of printing apertures therein, the assembly comprising: first and second carriages (141) which are in use movably supported on respective ones of first and second guides (117); and first and second print head units (143, 145) which are mounted in adjacent, parallel relation to and between the carriages, wherein the print head units each comprise first and second print head actuators which are mounted on respective ones of the carriages, and a support member (151) which extends between the print head actuators, such as to be movable vertically thereby, and in use supports a printing element.

Abstract: A print head assembly (119) for printing a print medium (PM) onto a workpiece (W) through a printing screen (105) which includes a screen element having a pattern of printing apertures therein, the assembly comprising: first and second carriages (141) which are in use movably supported on respective ones of first and second guides (117); and first and second print head units (143, 145) which are mounted in adjacent, parallel relation to and between the carriages, wherein the print head units each comprise first and second print head actuators which are mounted on respective ones of the carriages, and a support member (151) which extends between the print head actuators, such as to be movable vertically thereby, and in use supports a printing element.

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus and method for printing deposits of a print medium on workpieces, the apparatus comprising: a frame support unit for supporting a printing screen unit which comprises a screen sheet which includes at least first and second patterns of print apertures; a workpiece support unit; a print head unit; and at least one screen cleaning unit; wherein the at least one screen cleaning unit and the print head unit are operated in parallel, whereby, when the printing screen unit is in the first printing position, the at least one screen cleaning unit cleans the underside of the screen sheet at a location corresponding to one of the first and second sets of print apertures and the print head unit prints print medium onto workpieces through the other of the first and second sets of print apertures.

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus and method for printing deposits of a print medium on workpieces, the apparatus comprising: a frame support unit for supporting a printing screen unit which comprises a screen sheet which includes at least first and second patterns of print apertures; a workpiece support unit; a print head unit; and at least one screen cleaning unit; wherein the at least one screen cleaning unit and the print head unit are operated in parallel, whereby, when the printing screen unit is in the first printing position, the at least one screen cleaning unit cleans the underside of the screen sheet at a location corresponding to one of the first and second sets of print apertures and the print head unit prints print medium onto workpieces through the other of the first and second sets of print apertures.

Abstract: A print head assembly (119) for printing a print medium (PM) onto a workpiece (W) through a printing screen (105) which includes a screen element having a pattern of printing apertures therein, the assembly comprising: first and second carriages (141) which are in use movably supported on respective ones of first and second guides (117); and first and second print head units (143, 145) which are mounted in adjacent, parallel relation to and between the carriages, wherein the print head units each comprise first and second print head actuators which are mounted on respective ones of the carriages, and a support member (151) which extends between the print head actuators, such as to be movable vertically thereby, and in use supports a printing element.

Abstract: A workpiece processing system and method, the workpiece processing system comprising at least one workpiece processing module (3), each workpiece processing module comprising: a workpiece processing unit (11) for processing workpieces (W); and a feed unit (37) which is operable to transfer workpieces to and from the workpiece processing unit, wherein the feed unit comprises input and output feed assemblies (38, 39) which are operable to transfer workpieces to and from the workpiece processing unit and a processing zone feed assembly (40) which interconnects the input and output feed assemblies and is operable to transfer workpieces from the input feed assembly (38) to the workpiece processing unit and from the workpiece processing unit to the output feed assembly (39).

Abstract: A frame assembly (100) for supporting a printing screen (101), the frame assembly comprising: a frame unit (104) to which a printing screen is in use supported; and a screen loading mechanism (105) for loading a printing screen into and unloading a printing screen from the frame unit, wherein the screen loading mechanism comprises a screen loading member (153) which is movably coupled to the frame unit between a screen-receiving position in which a printing screen can be loaded into or removed from the screen loading member and a loaded position in which the printing screen is loaded into the frame unit, and at least one actuator element (154) which is coupled to the screen loading member and actuatable to move the screen loading member between the screen-receiving and loaded positions.

Abstract: A stencil printer for printing viscous material on a substrate includes a frame, a stencil coupled to the frame, and a print head, coupled for the frame, to deposit and print viscous material over the stencil. The stencil printer further includes a substrate support to support a substrate in a print position and a substrate clamping assembly to clamp the substrate in the print position. In a certain embodiment, the substrate clamping assembly includes a pair of rail members coupled to the frame. The rail members are adapted to engage opposite edges of the substrate. The substrate clamping assembly further includes a pair of foils, one for each rail member, with each foil being releasably secured to the rail member in a position so that the foil overlies the substrate. The substrate clamping assembly also includes a pair of clamping members, one for each rail member and foil, to releasably secure the foil in place on the rail member.

Abstract: A stencil printer for printing viscous material on a substrate includes a frame, a stencil coupled to the frame, and a print head, coupled for the frame, to deposit and print viscous material over the stencil. The stencil printer further includes a substrate support to support a substrate in a print position and a substrate clamping assembly to clamp the substrate in the print position. In a certain embodiment, the substrate clamping assembly includes a pair of rail members coupled to the frame. The rail members are adapted to engage opposite edges of the substrate. The substrate clamping assembly further includes a pair of foils, one for each rail member, with each foil being releasably secured to the rail member in a position so that the foil overlies the substrate. The substrate clamping assembly also includes a pair of clamping members, one for each rail member and foil, to releasably secure the foil in place on the rail member.

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 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 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 circuit board locating assembly for locating a circuit board during a manufacturing operation such as a solder paste printing operation performed on the board, the locating assembly comprising a tooling platen for supporting during the operation a plurality of individual board support means, a magazine for storing the board support means when the board support means are removed from the area in which the board is supported during the operation, and conveying means adapted to convey the board support means from the magazine and to position the board support means in selected positions on the tooling platen.