Abstract: A bridge is sized to span across an entire painting surface and is supported above the image by vertical spacers that adapt to vary the distance between the painting surface and the bridge. The bridge height above the image surface may be varied with the use of height adjusting supplemental vertical spacers. The bridge is made up of an upper block and a lower block, where the upper block can be temporarily separated from the lower block. Each block may include a resilient material such as a thin neoprene layer or other suitable material on the respective mating surfaces, such that the resilient layers are pressed against each other when the halves are connected and held in place by fasteners. Between the resilient layers, the artist can place any desired drawing guide, and the guide is held firmly in place by the non-slip quality of the resilient layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screen for screen printing. More particularly, structure of the screen can have different types of mesh or sheets joined together. The present invention also relates to a method of detachably spreading a screen to a screen frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides an easy-to-use stencil discharging box that can easily be detached from a printing apparatus with one hand, and can smoothly execute vertical discard in this state. A stencil discharging box that is detachably mounted to a printing apparatus for receiving a used stencil compressed by compressing means of the printing apparatus is detached from the apparatus. When an operation lever is depressed, a cover member provided to an upper opening of a main body moves in an upward direction to open the opening, and a stencil moving member integrally formed with the cover member pivots in a frontward and upward-direction from between compression ribs of the main body so as to lift up the used stencil sticking to the ribs in the main body. When the main body is tilted with a discharge port provided at one side face of the main body (at the near side in the figure) facing downward, the used stencil can be discharged to the outside (vertical discard).

Abstract: The invention relates to a screening machine comprising a frame and two bearing arrangements which are arranged thereon for the rotational positioning of a screening cylinder, whereby the bearing arrangements comprise rings which are rotationally driven around a common axis and which support catches on the sides opposite to each other. In order to enable the head piece of the screening cylinder to be mounted on the ring, said catches can be positioned on one half of the periphery thereof.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for attaching metal stencil foils to screen mesh using thermoplastic materials. Mechanical, rather than adhesive, attachment of metal stencil foils to screen mesh is accomplished by melting thermoplastic material so as to encapsulate portions of metal stencil foils and screen mesh resulting in faster, less expensive, and more durable bonding.

Abstract: A control apparatus for multiplexing a single distributed control amplifier to control multiple axes of motion in a multi-axis machine. In one example, the control apparatus comprises a distributed control motor amplifier, a first motor constructed and arranged to provide movement along a first axis of motion, a second motor constructed and arranged to provide movement along a second axis of motion, a first relay having a switch coupled to the distributed control motor amplifier, a first contact coupled to the first motor, a second contact coupled to the second motor, and an input for receiving an actuation signal, wherein the relay is configured to be manipulated between a first state in which the switch is electrically connected to the first contact a second state in which the switch is electrically connected to the second contact, in response to the actuation signal.

Abstract: A guide system comprising a plurality of guide members, where each guide member comprises an exposed surface and an intermediate portion between first and second end portions. The first end portion comprises a deformable detent member defining a detent projection. The second end portion defines at least first, second, and third detent edges defining a detent opening. The guide system operates in storage configuration and a plurality of use configurations. In the storage configuration, detent members of two guide members extend through detent opening of the two guide members. In the use configurations, a detent member extends through one of the detent openings such that longitudinal axes of the first and second guide members are substantially co-linear or perpendicular and the exposed faces of the first and second guide members are substantially coplanar.

Abstract: A modified static silkscreen frame including elongated elements on the upper surface of each frame element to mate with downwardly facing securement elements along the edge of a silkscreen panel such that the panel may be properly tensioned and retensioned as necessary.

Abstract: Creating an artistic work of art on a lawn includes: unfolding and stretching taut a stencil; driving stakes into the lawn, each stake extending through a corner of the stencil; spraying paint over openings in the stencil; removing the stencil while leaving stakes in place; unfolding and stretching taut a second stencil; anchoring the second stencil by extending corners of the second stencil over stakes driven in the ground; spraying paint over openings in the second stencil. An indication of orientation located on the second stencil is oriented in the same position as that of an indication of orientation of the first stencil. Each stencil includes a planar sheet of flexible film and a gate that extends across an opening of the respective stencil and maintains structural integrity of the stencil and distributes tension in the stencil when the stencil is stretched taut.

Abstract: A screen mask includes a screen mesh with a tensioning force of 196 to 392 N/mm; a tension mesh with a tensioning force of 49 to 98 N/mm; a resin plate (fixing part) arranged so as to surround the outer periphery of the screen mesh for fixing a part of the tension mesh with a tensioning force of 392 to 980 N/mm; and a screen frame. A length Ls of the screen mesh in a first direction intersecting a direction in which a squeegee squeegees on the screen mesh when performing a screen printing is 0.6 to 0.9 times a length Lt of the tension mesh in the first direction, a length Lk of the resin plate, the length Ls, and the length Lt in the first direction satisfy a relationship Lk=a(Lt+Ls)/2, where “a” is a coefficient in a range of 0.5 to 1.2.

Abstract: A kit for creating an artistic work on a residential lawn includes: first and second lawn stencils; first and second containers of paint of first and second colors; and a plurality of stakes. The stakes are used to anchor the lawn stencils to the lawn, and the paint is used to apply layers of paint over the lawn stencils, which in turn applies layers of the paint in desired patterns on the lawn. Each lawn stencil includes a pattern of openings therein, which pattern corresponds to one or more design elements of the artwork to be applied to the lawn using the paint. Additional lawn stencils and containers of paint also may be included in this aspect. Proper orientation of each lawn stencil of the kit is insured by proper orientation and alignment of an indication of orientation and alignment locations, which each lawn stencil includes.

Abstract: A stencil screen platemaking apparatus for a heat-sensitive platemaking method, having a thermal head retaining frame to which a thermal head is attached arranged to oppose a platen roller retaining frame having a platen roller attached thereto, and a stepping motor, in a manner permitting contact and separation between the thermal head and the platen roller. In the separated state of the thermal head and the platen roller, an art work material is arranged between both retaining frames, so that the screen is pinched between the thermal head and the platen roller. Then, the platen roller is driven and revolved so that platemaking is performed in a state that the thermal head is maintained at a fixed position and that the art work material is moved.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for manufacturing a filtering screen, a frame of plastics coated metal or reinforced plastics material is located in a jig and at least two sheets of wire cloths are placed over the frame and their edges gripped by pneumatically operated clamps carried by the jig. The clamps are pneumatically driven outwardly of the frame to tension each cloth in orthogonal directions. The tensioned cloths are pressed against the frame and heated in order to bond the cloths to the frame. The heated material is allowed to cool, and after completion of the bonding step the clamps are released, allowing the frame to be removed from the jig. Where necessary the cloths are trimmed back to the edges of the frame. A separate set of pneumatically operated clamps may be provided for gripping all four edges of each wire cloth layer to allow each layer to be individually tensioned.

Abstract: The invention relates to a screening machine comprising a frame and two bearing arrangements which are arranged thereon for the rotational positioning of a screening cylinder, whereby the bearing arrangements comprise rings which are rotationally driven around a common axis and which support catches on the sides opposite to each other. In order to enable the head piece of the screening cylinder to be mounted on the ring, said catches can be positioned on one half of the periphery thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screen for screen printing. More particularly, structure of the screen can have different types of mesh or sheets joined together. The present invention also relates to a method of detachably spreading a screen to a screen frame.

Abstract: A method for mounting a film, used to fabricate a mask for use in screening an electronic device, to a common carrier frame. The common carrier frame has an outer edge along an outer periphery and an opening in a central portion of the frame. The method includes applying external pressure to the frame outer edge to compress the frame inward and reduce the opening, securing a film to the frame, the film covering the frame opening, and releasing the pressure on the frame to expand the opening and place the film in tension.

Abstract: A method of making a plurality of the same combination of lawn stencils, which combination is used to create an artistic work on a lawn, includes: simultaneously cutting a first predetermined pattern of one or more openings in each sheet of a first stack of sheets by applying a high pressure water jet, each sheet of the first stack representing a first lawn stencil of the combination; and simultaneously cutting a second predetermined pattern of one or more openings in each sheet of a second stack of sheets by applying a high pressure water jet, each sheet of the second stack representing a second lawn stencil of the combination. The first predetermined pattern corresponds to one or more design elements of the artistic work, and the second predetermined pattern corresponds to one or more additional design elements of the artistic work.

Abstract: In a screen printer for printing paste to the substrate through a pattern hole by abutting a mask plate on the substrate, the end face of a side end portion of the substrate is nipped and held from its both sides by a clamper. A warp correcting portion mounting a warp-correcting member constructed by a plate-shaped resilient metal is arranged in the clamper. When the substrate held to a substrate holding portion of a Z-axis table is clamped, a free end portion of the warp correcting member is abutted on the upper face side of the side end portion of the substrate, and the warp deformation of the substrate is corrected by pressing the free end portion downward. Thus, the warp deformation of the substrate is corrected by a simple and cheap mechanism, and the clamp state can be reliably held.

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: 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 device creating patterns on greeting cards and the like has at least one stencil for applying a pattern onto a flat surface. A stencil holder that has securing elements for securing the at least one stencil in a predetermined position relative to the stencil holder is provided. The stencil holder also has elements for positively securing the surface of the article onto which the pattern is to be applied relative to the stencil holder. The elements for securing the surface of the article are in the form of a recess that provides a positive securing action for the surface of the article alone or in combination with an adapter.

Abstract: A method of making screen printing frames can include, in certain illustrative embodiments, affixing at least two frames to one another, applying a masking film to both frames, exposing the frames, removing the unhardened emulsion in the meshes, and separating the frames from one another for deployment in a screen printing apparatus. This exemplary process can be used to create images in substantially complete registration with one another on frames having different mesh counts. Stated another way, these embodiments permit the use of multiple frames to print different inks through different meshes in a single pass to form images in substantially complete registration with one another. In certain preferred embodiments, a screen printing apparatus can include two frames, each having a mesh with a different pitch, wherein the frames are adapted to receive different inks and held in fixed register during a screen printing operation.

Abstract: A frame that holds a screen suitable for screen printing is manufactured using curable liquid resin. The liquid resin is received within a channel in a mold such that the resin contacts a screen positioned proximate to the channel. The liquid resin is then cured to a solid state to both secure the screen to the resin and form the frame holding the screen. Agents for curing the liquid resin may include, but are not limited to, light (such as ultraviolet light or visible light), an electron beam, and chemical curing agents. A substrate may be pressed against the screen opposite the mold to hold the screen against the mold. Furthermore, an inorganic material may be mixed with the curable liquid resin to provide a matrix that reinforces and strengthens of the screen printing frame when the resin is cured to a solid state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the rapid cooling of screen masks used in the fabrication of semiconductor components is provided. The method and apparatus use a specially designed cooling plate which is contacted with a mask frame holding the screening mask. After a heated cleaning step which cleans the mask frame and screening mask of metal paste used in the screening operation, the cooling plate having one or more concave lower surfaces contacts the upper surfaces of the mask frame and bends the mask frame in the shape of the concave surfaces. This ensures intimate contact between the cooling plate and mask frame and enhances the thermal efficiency of the cooling step.

Abstract: An exposure unit and a work piece support table are interchangeably mounted on an elongated, horizontal support arm. The support arm is a part of a screen-printing machine that includes a post to which one end of the support arm is connected. The post includes a rotor to which a plurality of printing screens are attached. The rotor is rotated to successively place the printing screens above the exposure unit. After the printing screens are exposed, they are removed from the rotor and washed to remove from them an unexposed portion of a coating that was applied to the printing screen. This unexposed portion of the coating is washed away, leaving a positive image on the screen where the washed away material was once located. This positive image reason will pass ink. After the printing screens have been prepared, the exposure unit is removed from the support arm and is replaced on the support arm by a work piece supporting table. A work piece is positioned on the table.

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 support and tensioning frame for a stencil to enable solder paste to be applied to printed circuit boards and other electronic substrates includes a support frame engaged with at least two opposed mounting members. Each mounting member includes at least one projection for engaging an aperture in a stencil to mount the stencil under tension. A permanent-biasing mechanism engages one or more of the mounting members to place the stencil under tension. A second biasing mechanism engages the mounting member to provide a bias opposite that of the permanent-biasing mechanism to facilitate release of a mounted stencil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stretching and mounting a screen printing screen or mesh that separates the tensioning of the screen/mesh into two independent directions with the screen/mesh attached to two separate independent frames. The outer frame has two ends perpendicular to a print direction for attaching to ends of a screen mesh. The outer frame is placed outside of the inner frame, and supports the screen/mesh tensioned in the print direction of movement, with a high level of tension. The inner frame has two sides parallel to a print direction for attaching to the sides of the screen/mesh. The sides of the inner frame can apply tension, when applicable, to the screen/mesh, at a significantly lower tension level in the non-print direction, can act as, or provide a fixing point for barriers to stop the leakage or loss of the print medium or ink from the screen.

Abstract: An improved screen printing frame is presented that is cast from one piece of plastic material and possesses support ribs to confer additional strength to the structure. The frame is designed to be produced by a low-cost single-mold casting process and to permit the attachment of screens by adhesive means.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method of screen printing and embroidering a workpiece in a single workpiece holder is disclosed. The workpiece is secured in a hoop that is interchangeably mountable to a screen printing machine and an automated embroidery machine. The hoop is mounted in a first hoop sash or holder on the screen printing machine, screen printed, and removed from the first hoop holder. The hoop is then mounted in a second hoop sash or holder on the automated embroidery machine such that the hoop centers and rotationally aligns the workpiece during embroidery without having to remove the workpiece from the hoop between operations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of making a silkscreen mesh holding apparatus is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to allow a silkscreen mesh to be adhesively bonded to the apparatus while preventing the formation of residual staining liquids thereon. In one configuration, the apparatus formed of tubular material and is coated with a powder coating configured to allow the apparatus to be easily cleaned with more environmental safe types of cleaning solvents. In one embodiment, the apparatus is coated with a powder coating configured to provide an adhesive attached thereto a bond strength, within a bond strength range, that allows a silkscreen mesh bonded therewith to be removed by peeling such silkscreen mesh and adhesive from the apparatus without the use of solvents.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for prevention of overspray during coating of a pallet used in a screen printing operation. After being coated with an adhesive, the pallet is capable of removably retaining textile fabrics and the like thereon. The apparatus comprises a spray guard, preferably rectangular in shape, which captures overspray on its interior walls.

Abstract: A screen frame (24) is detachably connected to a support frame structure (22, 124, 134) by locator pins (46, 118) and locator pin sockets (56, 112, 136). An elongated support arm (26) supports either a light box (34) or a work piece support (36) in a proper position relative to the print frame (24). The light box (34) and the work piece support (36) are interchangeable on the support arm (26).

Abstract: Disclosed is a top part of a screen printing machine, wherein the bearing elements (4,4a) for the screen printing stencil (2) are respectively and directly guided and held on lateral longitudinal guide elements (10,11) by means of carriages (9), enabling said bearing elements (4, 4a) to be adjusted in relation to each other and to be fixed. Said configuration makes it possible for the screen printing stencil (2) to be held in a stable and exact manner, irrespective of the size thereof. According to the invention, one of the bearing elements (4a) can also be raised in order to lift the screen printing stencil (2) when pressed against the other bearing element (4). The bearing elements (4, 4a) are thus respectively held on the carriers thereof (7,8) by means of pivoting hinges (5, 6).

Abstract: A printing-cylinder support unit has a support frame and supporting means which are mounted on the support frame and are designed to rotatably support one of a plurality of printing cylinders in a retaining position. The supporting means have at least three support elements for each axial end of a printing cylinder, which support elements are each designed to interact with a running surface of a bearing ring which is connected to the printing cylinder. One of the support elements has a support ring and suspension means, connecting the support ring to the support frame such that it can rotate about its axis. The support ring is provided on the inner side with a support-ring running surface, and the support ring is designed so that, in the retaining position, the support-ring running surface comes into contact with the running surface of the bearing ring.

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 stencil screen with a desired pattern to be imprinted is supported on a stencil screen frame. The frame has upstanding elongated sidewalls joined by spaced apart end walls to circumscribe a screen window opening. The stencil screen has sufficient strength transversely to plane of the screen to allow deflection from the plane of the screen without elastic deformation. The stresses produced by the deflection of the screen produce repeated flexing of fatigue resistant and resilient screen frame sidewalls and screen support arms at opposite end of these side walls by the provision of sufficient resiliency to restore the stencil screen to a stencil screen support plane.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting and transferring a material between a screenprint machine and an embroidery machine without having to remove the material before the designs are complete. The apparatus and method maintain the alignment of the area on the material to be embellished with the designs in both machines, thus providing a properly registered design including both screenprinting and embroidery.

Abstract: A stencil assembly for applying a stenciled design or message on a surface includes: (a) a reusable stencil base framing an elongated opening straddled by two opposite, spaced-apart interior long edges; the stencil base further including at least one exterior long edge parallel to the interior long edge, and a number of female stencil base cut-outs along the long edges; and (b) a number of stencil pieces of sufficient size for close insertion in the opening; the stencil pieces being formed of a common material and generally having a common length; the stencil pieces being interchangeably arrangeable in the opening between the interior long edges; a majority of the stencil pieces each including an individual character cut-out for receiving a stenciling material; the stencil pieces further including at least one male stencil piece projection on at least one of its sides, the male stencil piece projection being insertable in at least one of the female stencil base cut-outs. A stencil kit is also included herein.

Abstract: A stencil apparatus includes an elongated stencil support strip having at least one longitudinally extruding severance line, and at least one stencil support area between the severance line and the edge of the stencil support strip. Stencil elements with pressure sensitive adhesive on their lower surfaces are releasably mounted on the stencil support areas, arrangements are provided for permitting the removal of material underlying the stencil elements. The stencil apparatus may be formed of either one or two layers and have upper and lower support strips.

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: A stencil assembly for applying a stenciled design or message on a surface includes:

Abstract: A printing apparatus that includes a table and screen plate positioned facing each other. A screen sealing unit is provided to ensure that a relative hermetic seal is achieved between the screen plate and the table. The sealing unit and table are movable, the sealing unit being movable along the table to adjust for various work pieces utilized in the screen. A gas is provided between the sealed table and screen plate to aid in printing.

Abstract: An inner frame (38) is provided with a printing screen that includes a stencil of a numeral. An object to be printed (e.g. a shirt) is placed on a platen (P), in a substantially centered position with respect to an outer frame (10) having an open center (28). The inner frame (38) is positioned within the inner space (28) of the outer frame (10) and is fixed in position relative to the outer frame (10) so as to properly position the stencil with the object to be printed on the platen (P). Locator pins (82,84,86,88,90) and locator pin openings (92,94,96,98,100,102,104) are provided and arranged for establishing five possible positions of the inner frame (38) within the inner space (28) of the outer frame (10).

Abstract: A marking device (10) comprises a frame (1) (of frame plates (12,14)) to which are fixed first and second motors (16,18). A carriage frame (40) is pivoted in the frame about a screw axis (22). A marking head (30) is mounted on the carriage frame for movement in a direction parallel the screw axis. A drive screw (20) is rotationally mounted in the frame along the screw axis and is driven by the first motor (16). The carriage frame is journalled on said drive screw to permit said pivoting about the screw axis. The marking head is driven by rotation of the screw, the carriage frame being pivoted by the second motor. The carriage frame (20) comprises a bar (32) on which the marking head slides. The bar is disposed parallel the drive screw. The bar has at each end an arm (34,36) pivoted on bearings (35,37) on the drive screw. One arm (36) has an extension (66) fixed to a belt (58) disposed around two idler pulleys (62,64) and a motor pulley (60) driven by the second motor.

Abstract: A support for a cylindrical screen in a rotation screen printing apparatus. The apparatus has two sides. The support includes a side flange on each of the two ends of the apparatus; an intermediate ring resiliently supported by each side flange; a turnbuckle rotatable rotatably disposed in each intermediate ring; a stencil ring disposed in each turnbuckle. Whereby the screen is received at each end of the apparatus through the stencil rings in a turnbuckle, so that when subjected to a load, the screen is able to pivot and be displaced in an axial direction relative to the flange at least within predetermined limits.

Abstract: The print screen frame tensioning system, generally rectangular in shape and fabricated from extruded rectangular tubular rails, when assembled, each side rail of the frame has a longitudinal channel, circular in cross sectional area, formed in each of the tubular rails for substantially the length of the tubular rails for receipt of a locking rod, the locking rod being axially serrated and the longitudinal channel being axially serrated, each locking rod having a tensioning fitting formed on one of its longitudinal ends, the frame having a plurality of throughbores in its side walls for receipt of a locking bolt, the frame and print screen being assembled by placing the frame on a support, spreading the screen or fabric material across the frame, positioning the locking rods in their respective longitudinal channels in their respective tubular rails, selectively engaging the fitting end of the lock rods to rotate them and thus cause tension on the screen or fabric panel, and simultaneously tightening the plu

Abstract: A device for supporting the corner of a silkscreen frame during the stretching and attachment of the silkscreen, including a unifying plate to support the various elements. The plate is removably secured to a table and includes a position defining corner support flanked by a pair of spaced torsion absorbing pads and a calibrated tower to capture the stretching tool and assuring proper and constant tension.