Abstract: A screen printing apparatus is configured to perform a printing operation and a checking and inspecting of the state of print on a substrate. A mask frame and a camera apparatus for checking and inspecting the print state are arranged along a direction of transfer of the substrate so as to be disposed in parallel to each other. After the substrate receives a printed pattern by operation of a squeegee apparatus, the substrate is moved by substrate support tables to a checking and inspecting station. The supporting tables are arranged below the mask frame and the camera apparatus.

Abstract: A holding table for a plate to be printed, has a table plate with a supporting body on an end; a holding plate pivotally attached to an upper end of the supporting body; a moving table slidably mounted on guide rails secured to the table plate; a link pivotally connected to a free end of the holding plate and pivotally connected to the moving table. A driving plate fixed to the moving table has an opening with an internal thread. A driving motor on the table plate has an output shaft with a screw shaft engaged with the internal thread. Upon applying a printing agent to the plate to be printed by a movement of a squeegee, the plate to be printed is gradually separated from a screen from one side to another such that the printing agent within a through hole in the screen is smoothly and completely released.

Abstract: A solder printing apparatus (40) for use within a solder printer (34) includes a vision and alignment mechanism (44), a steering mechanism (46), a vacuum conveyer (48), and a tension roller assembly (42). The vision and alignment mechanism (44) controls the position of the flexible tape (10) and sends a signal to the steering mechanism (46). The steering mechanism (46) adjusts the position of the flexible tape (10) in response to receiving the signal from the vision and alignment mechanism (44). The vacuum conveyer (48) holds and advances the flexible tape (10). The tension roller assembly (42) maintains tension in the flexible tape (10).

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a screen of a screen printing machine, including the steps of taking, with an image taking device, an image of at least one opening of the screen, and judging, based on image data representing the taken image, whether the opening of the screen is clogged.

Abstract: A precise and rapid positioning mechanism for stencil printing comprising a stencil, a carrier, a plurality of pins, and a plurality of positioning pins. There are a plurality of same sized pin eyes formed on both the stencil and the carrier respectively at positions facing against each other for interposing the pins therebetween to set the stencil and the carrier. Next, raising the positioning pins by air cylinder supplied from the carrier so as to fit setting holes on the substrate into the corresponding positioning pins thereby firmly securing the substrate. Then afterwards, by imbibing the substrate with vacuum evacuation force from the carrier so as to put down the positioning pins thereby attaching the stencil together with the substrate and trans-printing a desired pattern on the substrate.

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus is designed so that cream solder 17 disposed on a mask plate 12 can be preserved at a certain appropriate temperature by the limited use of blown air. An air nozzle unit 20 is provided above the mask plate 12 at a place on the side edge running in parallel with the moving direction of a squeegee 16. The temperature-conditioning air is blown sidewise from the air nozzle unit 20 towards the cream solder 17 during the operation of printing the cream solder 17 on the surface of a substrate through the mask plate 12 disposed in contact therewith.

Abstract: A quick release pallet for a screen printing machine in which the pallet has locating recesses at either ends which locate the pallet on the pallet arm of the screen printing machine by engaging locating lugs on the pallet arm. A toggle clip secures the pallet in position. The advantages are that the pallet has no attachments and can be very quickly positioned and released. Because there are no screw holes in the top surface of the pallet it has a larger print area. The pallet can also be modified to a vacuum pallet with a perforated top plate and a vacuum manifold below.

Abstract: A device for printing printed sheets (1) according to the screen printing method has a printing table (10) and a screen mechanism (9) arranged above it, with a screen frame (8) and a conveying device (7) for moving the printed sheets (1) before, during and after the printing. The conveying device has, when viewed in the conveying direction, at least one clamping device (7) for clamping the lateral edge area of the printed sheets (7). The clamping device is arranged on the side of the printed sheets (1) and is displaceable in the conveying direction.

Abstract: A device for printing on paper or plate-shaped materials, such as plates made of glass, ceramic, glass-ceramic or plastic materials, having a transport device for the plates to be printed and an electrostatic, in particular an electrographic, printing device arranged above it. With the printing process of this invention, in an efficient manner, a conveying and centering unit of a screen-printing device is combined as a transport device with the electrostatic, in particular the electrographic, printing device, which is compatible with the upper unit of the screen-printing device.

Abstract: A screen-printing apparatus with enhanced accuracy of positioning a mask to a material to be printed, in which a printing table is fixed, the mask is displaced in a right-left direction and a front-rear direction, and rotated in a horizontal plane in accordance with a position confirmation signal from a camera device and the mask, a mask support frame, a squeegee device are moved up and down together at a predetermined timing at every printing step.

Abstract: A screen printing machine has article supports for articles to be printed, a displacement mechanism for displacing the article supports in succession around an endless path of travel and printing stations distributed along the path of travel and each having a printing head. The displacement mechanism has drive members engageable with the article supports for displacing the article supports, a reciprocating drive operable to reciprocate the drive members to and fro along the endless path to advance the articles in succession to the printing stations, and actuating devices for displacing the drive members into and out of engagement with the article supports. The article supports are vacuum tables communicating with a vacuum duct through a member sliding between flexible members extending along the duct.

Abstract: A new platen for use with a printing machine, and preferably for allowing automatic unloading of a printed article from a support surface of the platen is disclosed. The disclosed platen includes a structure for attachment to the printing machine, a support surface, and a gripping area disposed about the support surface to allow an automatic unloader to grip and remove an article from the support surface. The support surface is preferably rectangular having gripping areas proximate to each corner of the surface. The gripping areas are preferably notches within the support surface itself, but may also be in the form of a ledge with notches disposed along a portion of an edge and attached to the support surface.

Abstract: A dual track stencil system includes a plurality of pairs of adjustable conveyor rails, including a first pair of conveyor rails and a second pair of conveyor rails. The first and second pairs of conveyor rails of the dual track system are advantageously adjustable to accommodate variable width circuit boards or operation of the system in single track mode. The first and second pairs of conveyor rails can be independently controlled for allowing for independent movement of circuit boards through the stencil system for processing. The stencil system includes a working area, at which the circuit boards are stenciled. A stencil, having two patterns, each aligned with a respective working area of each track is suspended above the dual track system. A solder dispensing unit including a squeegee arm is suspended above the stencil, parallel to and centered between the two tracks.

Abstract: A printing agent within a through hole of a screen is smoothly and completely released out when separating the screen from a plate to be printed. 1. In a screen printing method, at a time of applying a printing agent to a plate to be printed by a movement of a squeegee, the plate to be printed is gradually separated from said screen from one side of the screen to the other side thereof step by step during a movement of the squeegee to a movement finishing end.

Abstract: A vacuum printing apparatus and process method whereby the application of a decorative imprint in either a single or multi-color rendition to the felt cover playing surface of a pool or billiard table is accomplished without there being any resultant dimensional or thickness irregularity in the playing surface which would otherwise interfere with the course of a ball during play.

Abstract: A system for forming artistic ink impressions. A case stores ink stamping accessories and/or allows large surface area stamps to be used.

Abstract: This invention is a retractable registration apparatus (10) mounted on a printing machine (12) for aligning a screen printing frame (28) with an image platform (14). The apparatus (10) has a pair of registration mechanisms, such as pins (64), for coupling with the screen printing frame (28) and a registration appendage (56) which carries the registration mechanism (64). The registration appendage (56) is rotatably mounted to the printing machine (12) for allowing rotation of the registration appendage (56) from a registration position to a retracted position. A locking mechanism, such as a detent (102), retains the appendage (56) with the registration mechanism (64) in the exact registration position.

Abstract: A screen printing method and apparatus for printing a circuit pattern corresponding to that of a stencil (4), onto a print-object article (1) placed on an ascendable/descendable positioning stage (2), through moving a squeegee (5a,5b) horizontally while the squeegee is pushed in on the stencil so that print paste (9) is printed to the article via the stencil. The squeegee is lifted to an extent of a push-in stroke, to which the squeegee has been pushed in on the stencil, and thereafter the article is separated away from the stencil by moving the stage downward. The board is classified into first and second areas (121,120) where values of opening sizes of the stencil along a squeegee moving direction are smaller than and not smaller than a threshold, and a speed of the squeegee at the first area is made slower than that at the second area.

Abstract: A quick release pallet for a screen printing machine in which the pallet has locating recesses at either ends which locate the pallet on the pallet arm of the screen printing machine by engaging locating lugs on the pallet arm. A toggle clip secures the pallet in position. The advantages are that the pallet has no attachments and can be very quickly positioned and released. Because there are no screw holes in the top surface of the pallet it has a larger print area.

Abstract: A magnet bar for exerting an attracting force on a doctor, which is arranged above the magnet bar, of a screen-printing or coating device comprises an elongate top plate and an elongate magnet carrier which extends below and substantially parallel to the top plate and on which permanent magnets are arranged next to one another in the longitudinal direction. The distance between the magnet carrier and the top plate can be adjusted by means of a displaceable adjustment member, which is arranged below the magnet carrier, in order to adjust the magnitude of the attracting force. The magnet carrier is supported freely on the adjustment member and the weight of the magnet carrier with magnets or the sum of the weight of the magnet carrier with magnets and the force of at least one spring acting upon the magnet carrier in downward direction is greater than the maximum attracting force which can be exerted by the magnets on a doctor which is arranged above the magnet bar.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adjusting the position of a printing screen having a center of rotation mounted on a screen frame for use in screen printing processes are disclosed. The apparatus includes a screen frame with a printing screen mounted thereon, a screen frame holder, a plurality of first arcuate guides mounted on the screen frame defining an arc with a predetermined circumference defined by a predetermined radius, a plurality of guide rollers mounted on the screen frame holder and corresponding to the plurality of first arcuate guides whereby the plurality of guide rollers movably supports the plurality of first arcuate guides and an adjustment mechanism adapted to urge the screen frame around the center of rotation of the printing screen.

Abstract: A dual track stencil system includes a first set of rails and a second set of rails, each of the rails being independently controlled for allowing for independent movement of circuit boards through the stencil system for processing. The stencil system includes a working area, at which the circuit boards are stenciled. A stencil, having two patterns, each aligned with a respective working area of each track is suspended above the dual track system. A solder dispensing unit including a squeegee arm is suspended above the stencil, parallel to and centered between the two tracks. During operation, a circuit board enters the working area, is raised to engage with the stencil, and the squeegee arm traverses that portion of the stencil pattern currently engaging the board, thereby dispensing solder through the pattern and stenciling the board. The stencil system operates to process two boards on one track before advancing to the second track for processing another pair of boards.

Abstract: A printing press (10) including a pallet arm assembly (20) having a first arm extension (26) and a second arm extension (28) and an adjustable coupling (30) therebetween. Adjustment of coupling (30) adjusts the lateral and vertical position of a pallet table (22) carried by the pallet arm assembly. The printing press (10) also includes an angularly adjustable press arm bracket mount (60) that is mounted on a rotatable wheel (16) that carries multiple press arm assemblies (18). Adjustment of the angular position of bracket (60) assists in lowering press arm assembly (18) into a yoke gate (36) mounted on pallet arm assembly (20). Press arm assemblies (18) also include over-center spring mechanisms (90) that place a coil spring in compression rather than tension and include an enclosure (104) for capturing the coil spring for increased safety.

Abstract: The present invention provides a screen printing apparatus which is structured so as to simultaneously apply a creamed solder and an adhesive to a sheet of base plate or print a different pattern and further apply a printing agent at a different thickness, at a stage of a printing process, two mask frames arranged along a direction of transferring of a base plate, a position identifying camera for identifying a position of the base plate with respect to the mask being arranged above the mask frames so as to alternately move to an upper portion of each mask frame, a fixed supporting plate arranged above the mask frames so as to override them, two squeegee supporting plates mounted to the fixed supporting plate at an interval and being structured so as to move along the direction of transferring of the base plate, squeegees being mounted to the squeegee supporting plates, a table for mounting the base plate arranged below the mask frames and structured so as to move in the direction of transferring of the base

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus for printing multiple impressions on a substrate carried to and from a printing station wherein the apparatus has a frame for the screen printing apparatus with at least one printing station on the frame holding the printing screen and having an image thereon for printing on the substrate. A series of pallets are used to carry a substrate into the printing station with each pallet carried by a conveyor in an endless path vertically above the central, horizontal axis while keeping the pallets substantially parallel and horizontal as they travel to and from the print station. A cassette carries individual screens with the cassettes being loaded into a storage magazine for transfer to the printing station for successive color printing on the respective substrates.

Abstract: A contaminant remover for a screen printing operation using a multiple station printing machine having at least a first printing station is disclosed. The contaminant remover has a support arm attached to the first printing station of the printing machine, and a contaminant removal surface attached to the support arm. As a printing surface is automatically brought into printing alignment with the first printing station, the contaminant removal surface engages the printing surface and moves across the printing surface to remove contaminants which may undesirably block portions of the screen. The contaminant removal surface is preferably a plurality of removable roller brushes having an adhesive applied to their respective surfaces.

Abstract: A screen printing system has multiple screen cassettes stored in a magazine and a first screen cassette is transferred from the magazine into a printing station. A motorized pallet conveyor conveys a plurality of substrates, each of which is loaded one of a series of pallets of the conveyor, into and from the printing station and about an endless path. After printing the first image or color, the first screen cassette is returned to the magazine and a second preregistered screen cassette is brought to the printing station with a second image or color being printed on each substrate as the pallets carrying the substrates are conveyed into and from the printing station. Preferably, the substrates and pallets are maintained in a horizontal position while they travel laterally, downwardly and upwardly when moving along the endless path.

Abstract: Coordinate positions of openings and lands on a screen and a first circuit board are recognized by a recognition camera and a display device. A correction amount for movement of the stage is calculated by a control device only for the first circuit board. Then, the correction of movement of the stage is executed for the second and following circuit boards by utilizing the correction amount.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing paste onto a surface of a printed circuit board through a screen having openings therein. The apparatus comprises a holder for holding the screen (5) horizontally in position, a vertically movable printing table (3) carrying the board (4) thereon a mechanically drivable squeegee device (1) for filling paste into openings (7) in the screen as the surface of the board is in contact with a lower surface of the screen (5), a drive for moving the printing table between a lower position, a raised printing position where printing of the board occurs and a higher third position higher than the printing position. The printing table (3) acts to push the screen upwardly, as it is raised from the printing position, so as to cause the screen to be elastically deformed into a substantially arcuate form so that the screen and the board are substantially separated from each other and printed paste deposits (8) are left on the board at the higher third position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a printing apparatus which includes a polygonal support frame, a plurality of spaced apart pallets movably mounted on the support frame, and a pallet drive assembly mounted to the support frame and connected to the pallets for indexing the pallets around the support frame to desired printing locations.

Abstract: The present invention is a universal fixture for holding printed circuit boards with different sizes and shapes during, stencil printing and other manufacturing processes related to printed circuit boards. In one embodiment, a universal fixture for holding a printed circuit board has a platform with a work surface, a first support member attached to the platform to hold a portion of a printed circuit board, and a second moveable support member attached to the first support member to support another portion of the printed circuit board. The platform is preferably adapted to be attached to a workstation of a processing machine, such as a stenciling machine for printing solder or adhesive onto the printed circuit board. The first support member preferably has an elongated sidewall, a first endwall extending transversely from the sidewall, and a second endwall spaced apart from the first endwall along the sidewall and extending transversely from the sidewall.

Abstract: A new apparatus and methods for automatically unloading or removing an article from a printing machine, and preferably transferring the same to a suitable drying surface is disclosed. The disclosed apparatus includes a support frame, an extendable gripping means attached to the support frame for engaging the article, and a conventional controller for controlling operation of the extendable gripping means. Additionally, at least one platen attached to the printing machine in a manner allowing the extendable gripping means to vertically extend from the support frame to an area of the platen(s) is also disclosed. To permit gripping of the articles, the platen are notched at the area corresponding to the extendable gripping means.

Abstract: A system for accurately registering multiple silkscreens relative to a printing surface after they have been clamped into a silkscreen holder of a printing head of a rotary screen printing machine, and for accurate placement of an image on a framed silkscreen. A generally L-shaped registration device attached adjacent to one side of a pallet of the printing machine has first and second sides orthogonal relative to each other with a pair of gauges having visual displays positioned on the first side and a third gauge positioned on the second side. The gauges have outwardly biased plungers controlled by a lever to be simultaneously moved between a retracted positioned, a free-floating position and an engaged position relative to respective first and second sides of a silkscreen frame.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adjusting the position of a printing screen having a center of rotation mounted on a screen frame for use in screen printing processes are disclosed. The apparatus includes a screen frame with a printing screen mounted thereon, a screen frame holder, a plurality of first arcuate guides mounted on the screen frame defining an arc with a predetermined circumference defined by a predetermined radius, a plurality of guide rollers mounted on the screen frame holder and corresponding to the plurality of first arcuate guides whereby the plurality of guide rollers movably supports the plurality of first arcuate guides and an adjustment mechanism adapted to urge the screen frame around the center of rotation of the printing screen.

Abstract: The several screen frames of a multistation screen printing machine, such as a carousel screen printer, having multiple work supports movable to the printer stations in succession to effect successive printing of screen images on work pieces fixed to the supports are precisely registered with the work supports by providing each frame with registration features precisely located relative to the screen image on the frame, providing a selected work support with registration features precisely located relative to the printing position of a work piece on the selected support, effecting movement of the selected work support to the print stations in succession, adjusting the corresponding screen frame to directly align its registration features with the registration features on the selected work support, and securing the frame in fixed position.

Abstract: A screen printing machine has article supports for articles to be printed, a displacement mechanism for displacing the article supports in succession around an endless path of travel and printing stations distributed along the path of travel and each having a printing head. The displacement mechanism has drive members engageable with the article supports for displacing the article supports, a reciprocating drive operable to reciprocate the drive members to and fro along the endless path to advance the articles in succession to the printing stations, and actuating devices for displacing the drive members into and out of engagement with the article supports.

Abstract: In a stencil printing machine, one surface of a stencil sheet with a perforated image is placed in contact with an upper surface of a printing material. Ink is provided on the other surface of the stencil sheet. Suction force is exerted on a bottom surface of the printing material, so that the ink is allowed to pass through the perforated image and then transfer to the upper surface of the printing material, thereby completing stencil printing.

Abstract: The present invention is referred to a method and a machine for decorating bottles or similar articles of the type that includes: a supporting structure; a rotatable shaft (12) coupled in the supporting structure, to rotate over its own axis with an intermittent movement; a plurality of transporting stations (14) connected to the shaft (12) to rotate together with the rotatable shaft (12); supporting members (16 and 18) for each transporting station (14), each supporting member (16, 18) being arranged to transport a bottle from a loading position to an unloading position of the machine; drive means connected to the rotatable shaft (12), the rotatable shaft (12) and the transporting stations (14) being rotated together by means of the drive means; and, a printer screen (PD) for each of the transporting stations (14), the screens (PD) being located toward and coinciding with a surface of the bottles to be decorated, the machine having at least two free transporting stations (14), one for the loading and another

Abstract: A preferred screen printing press (10) includes a plurality of print stations each having a print head (64) in registration with a platen (26) with the print head and platen being shiftable between a spaced position and a print position, and further includes a substrate handling assembly (20) for shifting a substrate from one printing station to another. The preferred press (10) also includes a plurality of curing stations each including a curing platen (28) and a heater for heating the platen to a selected ink curing temperature. The preferred print head (64) includes a lifting mechanism in the nature of air cylinders (96, 98) for applying a constant lifting force to the rearward edge of a print screen (94) in order to lift the screen (94) under this constant force and as the squeegee (104) moves therealong.

Abstract: A stencil printing machine includes a main body; a covering openably attached to a surface of the main body and enclosing a space between the main body and the covering for storing a printing sheet and a stencil sheet therein; a flexible sheet attached to the covering so as to face the stencil sheet; a pressure reducing device disposed under the main body so as to communicate with the space and reducing pressure in the space; and a manual operating device for operating the pressure reducing device when being pressed downwardly from an operation start position that is substantially in the same level as the covering.

Abstract: A registration system for aligning a printing screen frame with an image platform includes a plurality of arms, rotatably secured to a lower surface of the image platform. The rotatable arms have retractable registration elements mounted on the outer ends thereof, and have inner ends which are mounted so as to be translated outwardly from and towards the lower surface of the image platform upon rotation of the arms, between retracted and registration positions. In the registration position, the registration elements are aligned with and cooperate with the printing screen frame to accurately align the printing screen frame over the image platform.

Abstract: A curved surface screen-printing apparatus adapted to screen-print a to-be-printed object having a large radius of curvature. Concentric curved-surface guides having an equal radius of curvature are respectively provided on both side portions of a jig table on which a printing board to be bent and used as the to-be-printed object is placed. A squeegee head crossing over the jig table, and a screen plate mounting frame are provided in the apparatus. A pair of steel belts are used to connect a corresponding one of the guides to the frame. The belts of each pair are made to intersect each other. An end of each of the belts is fixed to a side end portion of a corresponding one of the curved surface guides as viewed from a side thereof. The other end thereof is fixed to a corner portion of the screen plate mounting frame. A reciprocating motion of the squeegee head causes the screen plate mounting frame to perform a rocking motion along the curved surface of the jig table.

Abstract: A screen printing method is provided in which the exchange of machine types is achieved in a short time and even minute patterns or narrowly pitched patterns can be precisely positioned for screen printing. The method comprises finding an amount of movement of the circuit board from positions of recognition marks (2, 2) on a circuit board (1) and positions of recognition marks (5, 5) on a screen plate (4), positioning the circuit board (1) in relation to the screen plate (4) on the basis of the amount of movement of the circuit board (1), detecting a discrepancy between a pattern of apertures (18) and a pattern of lands (19) in a particular portion of the circuit board (1), finding a positional correction from the discrepancy, and positioning the circuit board (1) in relation to the screen plate (4) on the basis of the amount of movement of the circuit board and the positional correction.

Abstract: A mobile printing shop (300,301,302) is disclosed including a turret style printing machine (10) having a plurality of folding radial arms (30,70,170) and a vehicle (300, 301, 302) for transporting the machine (10).

Abstract: A system for registering a work support pallet on an arm of a printing machine with a screen frame of the machine has spaced-apart rods pivotally mounted on a pallet tool and on an arm of the machine for accurate shuttle movement of the pallet tool and a work support pallet thereon into proximity with the screen frame.

Abstract: The apparatus may be used with printing apparatus in which a media spreading member, such as a squeegee, moves relative to a surface, causing printing medium to be moved across said surface. The printing medium can be electrical solder paste and the surface can be a stencil. The apparatus is used for measuring linking parameters that are related to mechanical properties of the printing medium and the printing environment, such as viscosity and coefficient of friction. The apparatus comprises means for measuring a machine parameter that represents the force experienced by the media spreading member and means for resolving the measured force parameter into components equivalent to two orthogonal components, typically normal to the surface and tangential to it in the direction of relative motion. The apparatus also includes means for measuring a machine parameter that represents the velocity of the media spreading member relative to the surface.

Abstract: A system for registering a work support pallet on a carousel machine arm with a screen frame of the machine has pivot components on a pallet tool and on the arm for detachable pivotable mounting of the pallet tool relative to the arm for accurate pivotal movement of the pallet tool into proximity with the screen frame.

Abstract: A process and system for applying or treating a graphic image on a substrate by using heat and pressure. The system is comprised of a frame having a plurality of supporting members and a reciprocally mounted heated platen extending from a first member, and a reciprocally mounted support having a pair of raised bars thereon reciprocally mounted on a second member. The heated platen and the raised bars of the support are first sequentially moved, and then simultaneously brought into contact with a supporting pallet and substrate, so as to condition, emboss, fix, form, or shape a surface of the substrate, or an image on the substrate, to thereby improve the quality thereof, or of further graphic images applied thereto.

Abstract: Machine for the silk-screen printing of flat articles such as sheets of glass (2) and the like, comprising at least four fixed uprights (10) supporting horizontal parallel beams (20) on which a bridge (30) carrying the printing means (40) is movable, and a surface (3) for resting the glass (2), said machine comprising an apparatus (100; 1000) for gripping and centring the glass (2) with respect to the fixed printing screen (4).

Abstract: A simplified printer comprises: a base plate having a pedestal on which an object to be printed is placed; and a pressure plate, one end of which is pivotably connected with one end portion of the base plate; and adhesive members respectively arranged on the pedestal and a portion of the pressure plate opposed to the pedestal.