Abstract: A screen printing system includes a screen printing machine. The screen printing machines includes a screen printing unit with a screen. A platen arm assembly includes a platen configured to move in a telescoping direction from at least a first position where the platen is positioned under the screen to a second position that is different from the first position.

Abstract: A screen printing system includes a screen printing machine. The screen printing machines includes a screen printing unit with a screen. A platen arm assembly includes a platen configured to move in a telescoping direction from at least a first position where the platen is positioned under the screen to a second position that is different from the first position.

Abstract: A system of control is disclosed for an oval printing machine comprising a plurality of travelling pallets sequentially moved in a first direction on an endless path through a plurality of screen printing stations during a printing mode of operation in which the pallets pause at the printing stations, the system of control comprising: a print head controller associated with each printing station for storing parameters defining print head functions in the print mode and for controlling printing operations at the associated printing station responsive to the stored parameters; an index controller storing parameters defining index controller functions in the print mode and for controlling the movement of pallets through the printing stations in response to the stored parameters; and a master controller electrically connected to the print head controller of each printing station and to the index controller for directing the index controller to move the pallets and the print head controllers to perform printing op

Abstract: An automatic screen printing press has a platen turntable carrying a plurality of platens which are indexed through a plurality of stations in an endless path of movement past printing heads having a power-driven squeegee carriage thereon. The turntable is driven by a powered carriage having a linear guide that causes the carriage to have a linear reciprocal movement. Each of the printing stations has a roller cam that is selectively engaged by a shifting fork that is mounted for movement with the carriage. The shifting fork is driven in a transverse reciprocal direction to the linear reciprocal movement of the carriage for selective engagement with and disengagement from a roller cam.

Abstract: A portable resin curing apparatus is used for curing or drying materials printed on a screen press which has rotatable platens carrying screen printed sheets from a printing station to a curing station. The portable curing apparatus is located at the curing station and has electrical resistance heating elements alternating between low voltage and high voltage in conjunction with a forced air flow between the heating elements and printed material being cured. A controller is employed which sends an electrical signal upon advancement of the printed materials. Full curing voltage with no forced air flow is supplied to the heating elements during curing operations, whereas a lower voltage in combination with forced air flow is employed during the intervals between successive curing operations to prevent heat from continuing to be imparted to the printed material while still allowing for rapid re-attainment of full curing upon resumption of production.

Abstract: A portable resin curing apparatus is used for curing or drying materials printed on a screen press which has rotatable platens carrying screen printed sheets from a printing station to a curing station. The portable curing apparatus is located and the curing station has electrical resistance heating elements alternating between low voltage and high voltage in conjunction with a forced airflow between the heating elements and printed material being cured. A controller is employed which sends an electrical signal upon advancement of the printed materials. Full curing voltage with no forced airflow is supplied to the heating elements during curing operations, whereas a lower voltage in combination with forced airflow is employed during the intervals between successive curing operations to prevent heat from continuing to be imparted to the printed material while still allowing for rapid re-attainment of full curing upon resumption of production.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pallet aligning system which allows a pallet to be mounted to a pallet support arm in a desired orientation and lateral spacing with respect to the support arm and thereafter be removed and remounted to the support arm in the previously defined orientation and lateral spacing, thereby precluding the need to reposition the pallet upon each subsequent reattachment thereof to a pallet support arm. This pallet alignment system is particularly useful when combined with a screen alignment system to re-establish registration of the screens as well as the pallets used therewith. Lateral restraining members are mounted to the underside of the pallet for selective laterally movement. After the pallet has been oriented and positioned as desired, the lateral restraining members are moved into abutment against opposite lateral sides of the pallet support arm and secured in their respective positions thereat to maintain the set orientation and location of the pallet.

Abstract: A pallet for supporting shirts for printing over the entire surface of the shirt, particularly including the sleeves. A shirt is telescoped over a thin upper panel whereafter separate sleeve panels mounted to the upper panel are slid outward into the sleeves of the shirt to provide support thereto. The sleeve panels may be provided with means for moving to their extended position automatically. With the sleeve panels still maintained outward, the upper panel is then lowered down into abutment with the lower panel to secure the shirt between the upper and lower panels. Lowering of the upper panel with the sleeve panels mounted thereto causes the sleeve panels to be raised so that the pallet forms a generally planar overall surface upon which the shirt is supported and maintained in a stationary position during printing.

Abstract: A registration apparatus and method is provided to accurately register film positive on screens held by screen frames and to likewise accurately register the screen frames within a printing apparatus with a registration system which reduces set-up time required for the printing machine without requiring an expensive automated registration system. An image positive is positioned on a vacuum table relative to a pair of registration pins or members which fit registration clamps on the screen frame. A plurality of pin tabs are secured on the vacuum table with their respective pins projecting through holes in the image positive. Each successive positive will be positioned on these pin tabs so that all successive positive have the same relationship between their respective image and the registration clamps of their associated screen frames.

Abstract: An automatic screen printing press has a frame with a plurality of platens which are movable seriatim through a plurality of stations in an endless path of movement past printing heads having a power-driven squeegee carriage thereon. At least one of the printing heads is mounted for movement and is positioned at a first location adjacent an open printing station at which cooling or drying of the ink is done when printing in a first sequence. When desiring to print in a different or second sequence, the movable printing head is shifted to previously open printing station to print at this latter station during this second sequence thereby leaving its previously-occupied station open for cooling or drying of ink during this second sequence. The movable head allows the user to print a larger number of sequences using fewer printing heads than a user can print using a conventional, automated screen printer which has the same number of printing heads, but all of which heads are fixedly mounted.