Abstract: Heights of components or parts thereof are measured within a printing machine by measuring their relative rather than absolute heights. A virtual surface may be constructed from the measured heights, with a tolerance level employed based on the virtual surface. The invention is particularly suited to measurement of tooling components within a printing machine, such as tooling pins.

Abstract: The print quality of elongate deposits is improved by introducing an inclination offset between the squeegee blade and the elongate aperture of a stencil during a printing operation.

Abstract: Heights of components or parts thereof are measured within a printing machine by measuring their relative rather than absolute heights. A virtual surface may be constructed from the measured heights, with a tolerance level employed based on the virtual surface. The invention is particularly suited to measurement of tooling components within a printing machine, such as tooling pins.

Abstract: A method of removing a magnetic tooling pin from a planar ferromagnetic support surface, comprises providing a pin-placement tool comprising an engagement body and an electrically conductive coil, supplying electrical power to the conductive coil to create a magnetic field which causes the magnetic attraction between the tooling pin and the support surface to be reduced, and moving the engagement body and engaged tooling pin away from the support surface.

Abstract: A printing screen for and method of printing elongate structures on substrates (S), the printing screen comprising first and second layers (3, 5) of different material, the first layer (3) providing a surface over which a printing element is in use traversed and including a plurality of elongate first printing apertures (7) across which extend a plurality of bridges (9) at spaced intervals, and the second layer (5) in use overlying the substrate (S) and including a plurality of elongate second printing apertures (15) through which printing medium is in use printed onto the underlying substrate (S), each of the second printing (15) apertures being located in registration with respective ones of the first printing apertures (7) in the first layer (3).

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus for screen printing onto a substrate comprises: a printing screen unit, with a printing screen and a frame for holding the printing screen in a substantially planar primary configuration; a support for the substrate; and a moveable print head for contacting and sweeping across a printing region of a first surface of the printing screen; an engagement structure mounted to contact a region of a surface of the printing screen which lies outside any part of the printing region which is drivable to move a portion of the printing screen in a direction orthogonal to the screen. Moving the screen away from the substrate improves separation between the printing screen and substrate. Moving the screen towards the substrate before printing can pre-tension the screen to reduce the tension which the print head has to overcome. Controlled movement of the screen towards and away from the substrate can reduce tension applied to the screen, and thus improve its working life.

Abstract: A printing screen for and method of printing elongate structures on substrates (S), the printing screen comprising first and second layers (3, 5) of different material, the first layer (3) providing a surface over which a printing element is in use traversed and including a plurality of elongate first printing apertures (7) across which extend a plurality of bridges (9) at spaced intervals, and the second layer (5) in use overlying the substrate (S) and including a plurality of elongate second printing apertures (15) through which printing medium is in use printed onto the underlying substrate (S), each of the second printing (15) apertures being located in registration with respective ones of the first printing apertures (7) in the first layer (3).