Abstract: Apparatus (10) for registering printing plates (24) with a plurality of registration members (40A-40F), the apparatus (10) including a plate positioning system (64). The plate positioning system including a first member (50) adapted to pivot about a first pivot point and a plurality of second members (53A, 53B), each second member being pivotally coupled to the first member, and each second member comprising at least one element (58) adapted for engaging a printing plate. The apparatus includes a plurality of sensors (80A, 80B) adapted for detecting contact between the printing plates and the plurality of registration members. The plate positioning system includes a plurality of actuators (72A, 72B) coupled to the second members. An actuator in the plurality of actuators is selectively operated to apply force to an associated second member during a registration of a printing plate.

Abstract: Laser beams 94 and 95 of laser emitters 74 and 75 are applied to work positioning marks 54 and 55 vertically before attaching a screen plate 60. Then, for attaching the screen plate 60 to frame fixing units 66 and 67, the screen plate 60 is fixed to the frame fixing units 66 and 67 so that the laser beams 94 and 95 are applied to plate positioning marks 64 and 65.

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: 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 method for aligning multiple image layers to form a composite image in which the individual single color images are aligned by systems of at least one registration hole which is round and permits no movement of the film.

Abstract: Printing screens are registered using a photosensitive position locating sensor which is affixed to a pallet and aligned with the image of a register mark on the first of a series of printing screens. The location of the image is stored and signalled in a display device. The pallet is then roughly aligned with a second and subsequent screens of the series. The subsequent screens are each moved until the display image of its register mark is superimposed upon the stored image. The signal output from the sensor is applied to a microprocessor which controls the display device.

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus includes: a positioning stage for positioning an object and a plate arranged above it; printing squeegees which are moved horizontally on the plate for printing through the plate onto the object; a driver for moving the positioning stage; a horizontal driver for moving the positioning stage in two substantially perpendicular directions; a positioning controller for calculating a central position of a pattern on the plate from a reference position and the size of an outer periphery of the object, moving the positioning stage so that the central position corresponds to a center of the object. A carry-in conveyor is provided for feeding the object onto the positioning stage along a predetermined transferring direction, the conveyor being arranged away from the positioning stage and having a carry-in conveyor surface on which the object is placed before the object is fed onto the positioning stage.

Abstract: A test fixture is provided having a registration pattern, including holes and markings corresponding to the registration dimensions embedded in a board plate and a corresponding registration pattern in an intermediate plate wherein insertion of a registration pin through the appropriate registration pattern hole causes the intermediate plate to move accordingly in the direction and distance of the identified registration pattern hole, aligning the test pins of the test fixture to their desired position.

Abstract: A cylinder positioner apparatus for offset presses and duplicators which provides for rapid and efficient alignment of plate cylinders of single-color and multicolor presses. A detachable adjustment member is placed on printed images and a micrometer adjustment is used to accurately set the instrument for removing vertical misalignment or to change the vertical positioning of the plate cylinders of the press. The positioner can be used on two-color presses, single stations of multi-station color presses and single-color presses.

Abstract: A registration/adapter apparatus for aligning a priming screen with an image platform. A screen tensioning and printing frame has four tensioning rollers coupled together by comer members. The comer members support the rollers for rotation about their longitudinal axis. Each roller has a channel for retaining an edge of a screen fabric. A means of locking each roller in a predetermined rotative position to hold the screen fabric at the desired tension is associated with each corner member. One of the rollers and its associated corner members has a pair of alignment means. The alignment means have a hole associated with one corner member and a slot associated with the other corner member. A registration member associated with the image platform has a pair of pins for aligning and being received by the hole and slot in the alignment means associated with the screen tensioning and printing frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in printing which includes a print table mounted on a base frame, a support secured to the print table, a vision device secured to the support which is disposed such that the vision device uses a major face of the print table, securing a substrate to the print table, mounting a screen, a device for effecting relative movement between the print table and screen mounting from a first position in which the vision device can view fiducial marks carried by the substrate to a second position in which the screen is positioned between the vision device and the substrate, in which the vision device can view fiducial marks carried by the screen to facilitate the adjustment of relative positions of the screen and substrate so that the fiducial marks on the screen and substrate are in register.

Abstract: A registration/adapter apparatus aligning a printing screen with an image platform. A screen tensioning and printing frame has four tensioning rollers coupled together by corner members. The corner members support the rollers for rotation about their longitudinal axis. Each roller has a channel for retaining an edge of a screen fabric. A bolt associated with each corner member locks each roller in a predetermined rotative position to hold the screen fabric at the desired tension. One of the rollers has a pair of associated adapters interposed between the head of the bolt and the associated corner member. The adapter has a hole on one surface and a slot on the opposite surface. A registration member associated with the image platform has a pair of pins for aligning and being received by the hole and slot in the adapter associated with the screen tensioning and printing frame. The pins received by the hole and slot ensure alignment of the screen tensioning printing frame with the image platform.

Abstract: The positions of horizontal lines on a layout cylinder of a printing plate mounting and proofing machine are located with automatic compensation for stretch that results from various parameters such as the diameter of a printing cylinder on which the layout will be used, and the thicknesses of the printing plates and printing plate backing. A display of the circumferential displacement of the layout cylinder, as the cylinder is rotated, provides the displacement with the necessary compensation for stretch, rather than the actual cylinder displacement.

Abstract: While a pattern side register mark provided on a pattern transferring plate provided with a transfer pattern and a work side register mark provided on a work are optically observed by means of an observation optical system, at least one of the pattern transferring plate and a work surface plate carrying thereon the work is moved in a non-contact state in accordance with information provided by the observation optical system to effect registration between the transfer pattern and the work, so that the pattern transferring plate is pressed to the work thereby to transfer the transfer pattern onto the work.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for registration of screens used in ink transfer processes for the printing of patterns on substrates such as clothing and other articles. The apparatus includes a platen surface and registration members that are mounted for movement toward and away from opposite sides of the platen. A pair of the registration members are coupled so that they move in mirror image in relation to a fixed point on the platen. When the screen frame is positioned on the platen, the registration members are activated to move inwardly toward the fixed point on the platen to center the screen in relation to the fixed point. Artwork is applied to the screen in alignment with underlying indicia provided on the platen and the screen is then processed to form a stencil in the screen.

Abstract: Described is a method for pattern repeat presetting of a multi color screen printing machine wherein the screen printing stencils to be used are pre-set on the basis of independently determined stencil-data and printing position data by establishing a fixed predetermined relation between these data. Also described is a multi color screen printing device having means for setting the lengthwise, widthwise and diagonal pattern repeat with use of a computer and independently determined printing position and stencil data. The invention also relates to a device of determining stencil data.

Abstract: In a press type stencil printing device in which a press plate holding a stencil printing plate is pivotably mounted to a base carrying a print sheet receiver placed thereon so that the stencil printing plate is pressed onto a print sheet placed on the print sheet receiver, a transparent or semi-transparent positioning print sheet is pivotably mounted to be selectively overlapped on the print sheet receiver, and the print sheet receiver is fastened to the base by a fastener which allows minute adjustment of the printing sheet receiver in two dimensions on the base relative thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring and correcting register errors in multi-color printing machines is disclosed. A multi-color sheet that has been printed having register marks for each color is placed on a measuring table. The approximate locations of the register pairs and the accurate spacings of the individual register marks in each pair are determined by a light stylus, an electronic color video measuring camera system or on a measuring table having a digitizer surface. The values are entered into a computer which calculates the corrective values to be used to relocate one or more of the printing plates carried by each plate cylinder to achieve color registry in multi-color printing.

Abstract: A numbering machine for use in the printing of numbers, wherein the machine includes a base, a carriage reciprocally mounted to the base, a platent pivotally mounted to the carriage for supporting material upon which the number will be printed, and a scale member provided with indicia which cooperates with the carriage for effecting proper positioning thereof. The scale member also provides indicia for indicating to the operator the proper pivotal orientation of the platen for its particular reciprocal positioning.