Printing device and method for calculating unit consumption in printing device

Abstract

In the present invention, before the first printing of the coating material on m sheets (m is a natural number greater than or equal to 1) of substrates using the coating material on the mask, the coating material transfer unit that scooped up the coating material from the mask is measured by the first weight measuring unit. Based on the pre-printing measurement value, pre-printing information indicating the weight of the coating material before the first printing is obtained. After the first printing, post-printing information indicating the weight of the coating material after the first printing is also obtained. The difference between the pre-printing information and the post-printing information corresponds to the reduction in coating material caused by the first printing, that is, the consumption. By dividing the consumption by the number of printed sheets m of the substrates in the first printing, the unit consumption of the coating material can be accurately calculated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing technique for printing a coating material on a mask onto a substrate through an opening provided in the mask by sliding a squeegee relative to the mask, and more particularly to a technique for calculating the amount of coating material consumed per substrate. Background Art

[0002] A known printing device places a substrate on the lower surface of a mask supplied with a coating material, such as cream solder, and then slides a squeegee across the mask, printing the coating material onto the substrate in a pattern corresponding to the openings provided in the mask. In this printing device, the coating material on the mask is gradually consumed with repeated printing. Therefore, to control the amount of coating material on the mask, it is desirable to accurately determine the amount of coating material consumed for each substrate and replenish the appropriate amount of coating material at appropriate times.

[0003] For example, in the printing system described in Patent Document 1, when the number of printed substrates reaches a set number, a photoelectric switch detects the width of the solder roll on the mask. Based on the detected roll width, the solder consumption is estimated, and the solder replenishment timing is controlled based on this estimate.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-74054 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] In the printing system described in Patent Document 1, the solder coil on the mask is cylindrical, and solder volume calculation assumes this shape is maintained. However, solder coils are susceptible to deformation in the width direction, and when the photoelectric switch is used to detect the coil width, the coil may deform more than expected in the width direction. As a result, measurement errors in solder consumption increase, making it difficult to accurately calculate the solder consumption per substrate (equivalent to the "unit consumption" in this invention).

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to accurately calculate unit consumption in a printing device that slides a squeegee relative to a mask to print a coating material on a mask onto a substrate through an opening provided in the mask.

[0010] Technical solutions to problems

[0011] The first embodiment of the present invention is a printing device that makes a scraper slide relative to a mask and prints a coating material on the mask onto a substrate through an opening provided in the mask, and is characterized in that it comprises: a coating material transfer unit that performs scooping of the coating material from the mask and returning the scooped coating material to the mask; a first weight measuring unit that is connected to the coating material transfer unit and measures the weight; and a pre-printing information acquisition unit that, before performing a first printing operation of printing the coating material on the mask onto m sheets (m is a natural number greater than 1) of substrates, obtains information based on the weight of the coating material transfer unit that has scooped the coating material from the mask by the first weight measuring unit. a post-printing information acquiring unit which, after executing the first printing, acquires the post-printing information representing the weight of the coating material after the first printing based on the post-printing measurement value obtained by measuring the coating material transferring unit which scooped up the coating material from the mask by the first weight measuring unit; and a unit consumption calculating unit which calculates the unit consumption of the coating material consumed for each substrate by dividing the reduction in the coating material before and after the first printing by the number m of printed sheets of the substrate in the first printing based on the pre-printing information and the post-printing information.

[0012] In addition, a second embodiment of the present invention is a method for calculating the unit consumption of coating material, which calculates the unit consumption of coating material consumed for each substrate in a printing device that slides a scraper relative to a mask and prints the coating material on the mask onto a substrate through an opening provided in the mask, and is characterized in that it includes the following steps: performing a first printing of printing the coating material on the mask onto m (m is a natural number greater than 1) substrates; before the first printing, obtaining pre-printing information indicating the weight of the coating material before the first printing based on a pre-printing measurement value obtained by measuring the coating material transfer portion by a first weight measuring portion after the coating material transfer portion scoops up the coating material from the mask; after the first printing, obtaining post-printing information indicating the weight of the coating material after the first printing based on a post-printing measurement value obtained by measuring the coating material transfer portion by the first weight measuring portion after the coating material transfer portion scoops up the coating material from the mask; and based on the pre-printing information and the post-printing information, dividing the reduction in coating material before and after the first printing by the number m of printed sheets of substrates in the first printing, thereby calculating the unit consumption.

[0013] In the invention thus constituted, before the first printing of the coating material on m sheets (m is a natural number greater than or equal to 1) of substrates using the coating material on the mask, the first weight measuring unit measures the coating material transfer unit that scoops up the coating material from the mask. Based on this pre-printing measurement value, pre-printing information indicating the weight of the coating material before the first printing is obtained. After the first printing, post-printing information indicating the weight of the coating material after the first printing is similarly obtained. The difference between these pre-printing information and post-printing information corresponds to the reduction in coating material caused by the first printing, that is, the consumption. By dividing this consumption by the number of printed sheets m of the substrates in the first printing, the unit consumption of the coating material can be accurately calculated.

[0014] Here, if the coating material transfer unit that has scooped up the coating material is measured using the first weight measuring unit, the measured value includes the weight of the scooped up coating material and the weight of the coating material transfer unit. Therefore, when calculating the amount of reduction in the coating material in the first printing, the pre-printing measurement value and the post-printing measurement value can also be used as pre-printing information and post-printing information, respectively, and calculated based on the difference between the two. In addition, since the first weight measuring unit is connected to the coating material transfer unit, the coating material transfer unit that has scooped up the coating material can also be measured after subtracting the weight of the coating material transfer unit in advance, that is, performing the so-called zero point adjustment. In this case, the measured value of the first weight measuring unit is the weight of the scooped up coating material itself, and similarly to the above, the pre-printing measurement value and the post-printing measurement value can be used as pre-printing information and post-printing information, respectively.

[0015] Alternatively, when zero point adjustment is not performed, the weight of the coating material transfer unit can be included in the measurement value obtained by the first weight measuring unit. Specifically, the pre-printing weight of the coating material can be calculated as pre-printing information by subtracting the weight of the coating material transfer unit from the pre-printing measurement value, and the post-printing weight of the coating material can be calculated as post-printing information by subtracting the weight of the coating material transfer unit from the post-printing measurement value. This allows accurate measurement of the coating material weight before and after the first printing, and thus allows accurate calculation of the unit consumption of the coating material.

[0016] Furthermore, during the repeated lifting and returning of the coating material onto the mask, some coating material may remain attached to the coating material transfer unit, and the amount of the remaining coating material may fluctuate. In this case, it is preferable to consider the weight of the remaining coating material. More specifically, the pre-printing information acquisition unit may be configured to acquire, as the pre-printing information, the total weight of the coating material attached to the coating material transfer unit before the first printing and before the coating material transfer unit lifts the coating material from the mask. Furthermore, the post-printing information acquisition unit may be configured to acquire, as the post-printing information, the total weight of the coating material attached to the coating material transfer unit after the first printing and before the coating material transfer unit lifts the coating material from the mask. This allows the weight of the coating material before and after the first printing to be accurately acquired without being affected by the remaining coating material, thereby enabling more accurate calculation of the unit consumption of the coating material.

[0017] In this way, to calculate the pre-printing total, the weight of the coating material transfer unit can be subtracted from the pre-printing measurement. Alternatively, to calculate the post-printing total, the weight of the coating material transfer unit can be subtracted from the post-printing measurement. The difference between the pre-printing and post-printing totals obtained in this manner is the reduction. By dividing this difference by the number of printed sheets (m), the unit consumption of coating material can be accurately calculated, including the amount of coating material deposited on the coating material transfer unit.

[0018] In addition, the solder attachment destination sometimes includes a scraper. And, when the weight of the solder attached to the scraper changes before and after the first printing, the change may affect the calculation of the unit consumption. In view of this, it is preferable to further provide a second weight measuring unit that is connected to the scraper and measures the weight. Before executing the first printing, the pre-printing information acquisition unit adds the scraper pre-printing information obtained by measuring the scraper from the mask by the second weight measuring unit to the pre-printing information to correct the pre-printing information. After executing the first printing, the post-printing information acquisition unit adds the scraper post-printing information obtained by measuring the scraper from the mask by the second weight measuring unit to the post-printing information to correct the post-printing information. The unit consumption calculation unit calculates the unit consumption of the coating material based on the corrected pre-printing information and the corrected post-printing information. Thus, the weight of the solder attached to the scraper is taken into consideration, and as a result, the unit consumption can be calculated with higher accuracy.

[0019] Furthermore, when solder is scraped off the mask, solder remains on the mask, and the amount of this remaining solder sometimes fluctuates. To account for this, a configuration is preferably further provided in which a third weight measuring unit is provided to measure the combined weight of the mask and the coating material attached to the mask. Before the first printing operation is performed and after the coating material is scraped off the mask by the coating material transfer unit, the pre-printing information acquisition unit adds the pre-printing information of the mask measured by the third weight measuring unit to the pre-printing information to correct the pre-printing information. After the first printing operation is performed and after the coating material is scraped off the mask by the coating material transfer unit, the post-printing information acquisition unit adds the post-printing information of the mask measured by the third weight measuring unit to the post-printing information to correct the post-printing information. The unit consumption calculation unit calculates the unit consumption of the coating material based on the corrected pre-printing information and the corrected post-printing information. This configuration takes into account the weight of the solder remaining attached to the mask when the solder is scraped off the mask, resulting in more accurate calculation of the unit consumption.

[0020] Furthermore, the apparatus may include: a storage unit for storing a threshold value for the total amount of coating material consumption; a total amount consumption calculation unit for calculating the total amount of coating material consumption based on the unit consumption and the number of printed substrates; and a replenishment request unit for requesting replenishment of the coating material when the total amount of consumption calculated by the total amount consumption calculation unit exceeds the threshold value. This allows for the coating material to be replenished at appropriate timing, enabling smooth printing of the coating material onto the substrate, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the printing apparatus.

[0021] Furthermore, in the second printing process following the first printing process, there is no timing to directly measure the weight of the coating material. Therefore, it is preferable to compare the total amount of coating material consumed with a threshold value each time the coating material on the mask is printed on the substrate, and to request replenishment only when the total amount of coating material consumed exceeds the threshold value. This allows for the coating material to be replenished at appropriate timing during the second printing process, enabling smooth printing of the coating material onto the substrate and improving the operating efficiency of the printing device.

[0022] Furthermore, when requesting refill of coating material, it is preferable to add the amount calculated by the unit consumption calculation unit and multiplying it by the total number of printed substrates in the first and second printing processes as refill information. This refill request optimizes the amount of coating material on the mask after refill, thereby achieving high printing quality.

[0023] Effects of the Invention

[0024] According to the present invention, in a printing device that prints a coating material on a mask onto a substrate through an opening provided in the mask by sliding a squeegee relative to the mask, it is possible to accurately calculate the unit consumption of the coating material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 It is a schematic plan view showing the overall structure of a first embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view along line II-II.

[0027] Figure 3 Yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 A block diagram of the electrical structure of the printing device is shown.

[0028] Figure 4 It means in Figure 1 Flowchart of the printing process executed in the printing apparatus shown.

[0029] Figure 5 It means in Figure 4 Flowchart of the process of obtaining the unit consumption amount executed in the printing process.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a unit consumption table that associates mask types of production masks with solder consumption per sheet.

[0031] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of printed sheets and the total amount of solder consumed in the first embodiment.

[0032] Figure 8 Schematic diagram showing a scooping operation of solder in a fourth embodiment of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

[0033] Figure 9 This is a flowchart showing a process for obtaining a unit consumption amount in the fourth embodiment of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

[0034] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of printed sheets and the total amount of solder consumed in the fifth embodiment of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

[0035] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram showing an information acquisition operation in the sixth embodiment of the printing device according to the present invention.

[0036] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram showing an information acquisition operation in the eighth embodiment of the printing device according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Figure 1 It is a schematic plan view showing the overall structure of a first embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view along line II-II. Figure 3 Yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 The electrical structure of the printing device is shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, the printing device 1 uses a pair of conveyors 12 to move the substrate B (see Figure 2 ) is transported in the X1 direction and the solder ( Figure 8 1 and 2) are printed on a substrate B. Substrate B is a printed circuit board on which components (electronic components) are mounted. Solder is a bonding material used to bond components to substrate B. In the following description, the conveying direction (X1 direction) of substrate B by a pair of conveyors 12 (belt conveyors) and the opposite direction (X2 direction) are referred to as the X direction, and the direction roughly perpendicular to the X direction in the horizontal plane is referred to as the Y direction. In addition, the direction roughly perpendicular to the X and Y directions is referred to as the Z direction (up and down direction).

[0038] The printing device 1 is configured to load a substrate B using an inlet conveyor 1a, print the surface of the loaded substrate B using a printing pattern Pa formed on a mask M, and then unload the printed substrate B using an outlet conveyor 1b. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described in detail below, in addition to the mask M used for printing and producing substrates B as described above, there is also a dedicated mask used for rolling solder. Therefore, when describing these two types separately, the mask used directly for producing substrates B will be referred to as the "production mask Mp," and the dedicated mask used for rolling solder will be referred to as the "rolling mask Mr." On the other hand, when describing these two types without distinguishing between them, they will simply be referred to as the "mask M."

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the production mask Mp of the two mask types has a rectangular flat plate shape when viewed from above (from the Z1 direction). The production mask Mp has a plurality of openings P1 for forming the printed pattern Pa and a non-opening portion P2 that is an area other than the plurality of openings P1. In addition, a frame F is attached to the outer periphery of the production mask Mp. Figures 1 to 3 , the figure shows a state where the production mask Mp is moved from an operating position W for performing printing processing using the production mask Mp to a mask replacement unit 7, described later. Meanwhile, the roll mask Mr has a flat plate shape with the same planar dimensions as the production mask Mp. However, the roll mask Mr has no openings and is thicker than the production mask Mp, resulting in a relatively high rigidity.

[0040] like Figure 2As shown, the printing device 1 includes a base 2, a printing table unit 3, a camera unit 4, a mask clamping member 5, a squeegee unit 6, a mask replacement unit 7, detection sensors 81, 82 and a control unit 9 (see FIG. Figure 3 ).

[0041] The printing table unit 3 is arranged on the base 2, holds the substrate B, and aligns it with respect to the production mask Mp. Specifically, the printing table unit 3 includes an X-axis moving mechanism (not shown), a Y-axis moving mechanism (not shown), an R-axis moving mechanism (not shown), a Z-axis moving mechanism (not shown), a printing table 11, and a pair of conveyors 12 (see FIG. Figure 1 ).

[0042] The X-axis moving mechanism has an X-axis driving unit 13 (see Figure 3 ) as a driving source to move the printing table 11 in the X direction. The Y-axis moving mechanism has a Y-axis driving unit 14 (see Figure 3 ) as a driving source to move the printing table 11 in the Y direction. The R-axis moving mechanism has an R-axis driving unit 15 (see Figure 3 ) as a driving source, so that the printing table 11 rotates and moves around the rotation axis extending in the Z direction. The Z-axis moving mechanism has a Z-axis driving unit 16 (refer to Figure 3 ) as a driving source to move the printing table 11 in the Z direction.

[0043] The printing table 11 includes: a table body 21; a pair of bracket members 22 provided on the table body 21; a support plate 23 provided with a plurality of support pins 23a; and a support plate driving unit 24 for moving the support plate 23 in the Z direction. A conveyor 12 (see FIG. 1 ) is provided on each upper portion of the pair of bracket members 22. Figure 1 The support pins 23 a are configured to support the substrate B from below when the support plate 23 is moved in the Z1 direction (upward direction) by the support plate driving unit 24 .

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, the pair of conveyors 12 are arranged to extend in the X direction. In addition, the pair of conveyors 12 are arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined distance in the Y direction. In addition, the pair of conveyors 12 are configured to be able to adjust the interval in the Y direction corresponding to the width of the substrate B to be conveyed. Specifically, the pair of conveyors 12 are configured to utilize the substrate width axis driving unit 12a (see Figure 3 ) to adjust the spacing (width) in the Y direction.

[0045] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the camera unit 4 is configured to capture images of the production mask Mp and the substrate B. Specifically, the camera unit 4 includes a camera X-axis movement mechanism 31, a camera Y-axis movement mechanism 32, and an imaging unit 33 including a substrate camera 33a and a mask camera 33b. The camera X-axis movement mechanism 31 includes an X-axis motor 31a and a ball screw 31b extending in the X direction. The camera Y-axis movement mechanism 32 includes a Y-axis motor 32a and a ball screw 32b extending in the Y direction. The substrate camera 33a is configured to capture images of the substrate B and identify its relative position relative to the printing table 11. The mask camera 33b is configured to capture images of the mask M and identify its position.

[0046] In this manner, in the printing apparatus 1, after the substrate camera 33a and the mask camera 33b recognize the relative position of the substrate B with respect to the production mask Mp, the X-axis, Y-axis, and R-axis movement mechanisms of the print stage unit 3 accurately position the substrate B relative to the production mask Mp (its position in the horizontal plane and its tilt). Then, in the printing apparatus 1, with the substrate B accurately positioned relative to the production mask Mp, the Z-axis movement mechanism of the print stage unit 3 raises the substrate B until it contacts the lower surface of the production mask Mp. Furthermore, after the mask camera 33b confirms that the rolling mask Mr is in the working position W, the rolling process is executed.

[0047] like Figure 3 As shown, the mask clamping member 5 is configured to hold the mask M at the working position W when printing solder onto the substrate B using the printing pattern Pa using the production mask Mp or when performing a rolling process using the rolling mask Mr. Specifically, the mask clamping member 5 includes a first mask holding portion 41 that holds the end portion of the mask M on the X1 direction side; a second mask holding portion 42 that holds the end portion of the mask M on the X2 direction side; and a pressing portion (not shown) provided on the first mask holding portion 41 and pressing the mask M toward the X2 direction side.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, the scraper unit 6 is configured to move back and forth in the Y direction, thereby scraping the solder supplied to the upper surface of the mask M along the upper surface of the mask M. Specifically, the scraper unit 6 includes: a scraper 51; a scraper Y-axis driving unit 52 that moves the scraper 51 in the printing direction (Y direction); a scraper Z-axis driving unit 53 that moves the scraper 51 in the vertical direction (Z direction) (see FIG. Figure 3 and the scraper 51 rotates around the axis of rotation extending in the X direction of the scraper R axis driving portion 54 (reference Figure 3 ).

[0049] The scraper 51 is formed to extend in the X direction. The scraper 51 is configured to apply a predetermined printing pressure (load) to the mask M while printing the solder supplied to the production mask Mp and mixing the solder supplied to the rolling mask Mr. The scraper Y-axis drive unit 52 includes a Y-axis motor 52a and a ball screw 52b extending in the Y direction. Although not shown in the drawings, the scraper Z-axis drive unit 53 includes a Z-axis motor, a belt, and a ball screw extending in the Z direction.

[0050] like Figure 2 As shown, the squeegee unit 6 includes a mask slider 55 that performs a replacement operation by sliding the mask M in the Y direction to replace the mask M. Here, a single mask slider 55 is provided in the squeegee unit 6. The mask slider 55 includes a sliding portion 55a that is movable in the Z direction (vertical direction) and a receiving portion 55b that receives the sliding portion 55a. The mask slider 55 is formed, for example, by an air cylinder, with the sliding portion 55a being formed by the rod of the air cylinder and the receiving portion 55b being formed by the cylinder of the air cylinder.

[0051] The mask slider 55 is configured to integrally move in the Y direction by moving the squeegee 51 in the Y direction using the squeegee Y-axis drive unit 52. Furthermore, in the mask slider 55, the sliding portion 55a protrudes from the receiving portion 55b and moves in the Z2 direction (downward) until it reaches a position where the sliding portion 55a can abut against the frame F of the mask M in the working position W in the horizontal direction (Y direction). In the mask slider 55, the sliding portion 55a is accommodated in the receiving portion 55b and moves in the Z1 direction (upward) until it reaches a position where the sliding portion 55a does not abut against the frame F of the mask M in the working position W in the horizontal direction (Y direction).

[0052] In this manner, the scraper 51 and the mask slider 55 are integrally provided on the scraper unit 6. Furthermore, the scraper 51 and the mask slider 55 are configured to move integrally in the Y direction as the scraper unit 6 moves. Furthermore, the sliding portion 55a of the mask slider 55 abuts against the frame F of the mask M in the Y1 direction or the Y2 direction, thereby moving the mask M in the Y1 direction or the Y2 direction.

[0053] The scraper unit 6 includes a solder scooping unit 56 for scooping up the solder on the mask M. The solder scooping unit 56 has a scooping portion 56a for scooping up and holding the solder on the mask M. The scooping portion 56a is configured to be movable in the Z direction (vertical direction) between a lowered position for scooping up the solder on the mask M or unloading the scooped solder onto the mask M, and a raised position for not scooping up the solder on the mask M. The solder scooping unit 56 is configured to move in the Y direction integrally with the scraper 51 by moving it in the Y direction using the scraper Y-axis drive unit 52. The solder scooping unit 56 moves in the Y2 direction with the scooping portion 56a in the lowered position, thereby scooping up the solder on the mask M and holding it on the scooping portion 56a. The solder scooping unit 56 moves in the Y1 direction with the scooping portion 56a positioned at the lowered position, thereby unloading the scooped solder from the scooping portion 56a onto the mask M. Thus, in this embodiment, the scooping portion 56a corresponds to an example of the "coating material transfer unit" of the present invention.

[0054] Furthermore, the scooping portion 56a is connected to a first weight measuring portion 56b ( Figure 3 ). The first weight measuring unit 56b measures the total weight Ws0 of the scooping unit 56a alone and the weight of the solder when the scooping unit 56a is scooping up the solder on the mask M. On the other hand, when the scooped solder is being unloaded onto the mask M or when the solder on the mask M is not being scooped up, the first weight measuring unit 56b measures only the weight Ws0 of the scooping unit 56a. In this embodiment, the weight Ws0 of the scooping unit 56a is measured by the first weight measuring unit 56b immediately after installation of a new product or after replacement or repair, and is stored in the storage unit 92 of the control unit 9.

[0055] The mask replacement unit 7 is configured to accommodate a plurality of (two) masks M. Specifically, the mask replacement unit 7 includes a first storage portion 61, a second storage portion 62, and a lifting portion 63 ( Figure 3 ). The first storage section 61 and the second storage section 62 are each configured to be able to store one mask M. The first storage section 61 and the second storage section 62 are arranged side by side in the up-down direction. The first storage section 61 is an upper storage section arranged above the second storage section 62. The second storage section 62 is a lower storage section arranged below the first storage section 61. The lifting section 63 is configured to move the first storage section 61 and the second storage section 62 in the up-down direction. In the mask replacement unit 7, the lifting section 63 is mounted on the base 2. In the mask replacement unit 7, the second storage section 62 is mounted on the lifting section 63. In the mask replacement unit 7, the first storage section 61 is mounted on the second storage section 62. As a result, the first storage section 61 and the second storage section 62 are lifted and lowered integrally as the lifting section 63 is lifted and lowered.

[0056] The first storage section 61 and the second storage section 62 are configured to be movable in the Z direction (vertical direction) between a lowered position for allowing the production mask Mp to enter and exit the first storage section 61 and a raised position for allowing the roll mask Mr to enter and exit the second storage section 62 .

[0057] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 8 , the detection sensor 81 is configured to detect the production mask Mp in a state where it spans the mask clamping member 5 and the mask replacement unit 7. Figure 2 As shown, the detection sensor 82 is configured to detect the rolling mask Mr while it is straddling the mask clamping member 5 and the mask replacement unit 7. Specifically, the detection sensor 81 provided in the first storage section 61 is configured to detect the production mask Mp that has stopped while straddling the mask clamping member 5 and the first storage section 61 when the production mask Mp is moved between the working position W and the first storage section 61. The detection sensor 82 provided in the second storage section 62 is configured to detect the rolling mask Mr that has stopped while straddling the mask clamping member 5 and the second storage section 62 when the rolling mask Mr is moved between the working position W and the second storage section 62. The detection sensors 81 and 82 are, for example, transmissive sensors having a light projecting portion (not shown) that emits light and a light receiving portion (not shown) that receives the light emitted from the light projecting portion.

[0058] In addition, although the Figures 1 to 3 , but has a cleaning unit 10 ( Figure 3 The cleaning unit 10 includes a cleaner (not shown) and a cleaner Y-axis moving mechanism 102 ( Figure 3 ). The cleaner is arranged at a height that allows it to abut against the lower surface of the production mask Mp, and is arranged to be able to move back and forth freely between a cleaning standby position away from the production mask Mp fixed to the working position W in the Y2 direction and a position directly below the production mask Mp. The cleaner Y-axis moving mechanism 102 is connected to the cleaner, and according to the instruction from the drive control unit 93 of the control unit 9, the cleaner Y-axis moving part (not shown) of the cleaner Y-axis moving mechanism 102 is actuated, thereby moving the cleaner in the Y direction. While the cleaner is in contact with the lower surface of the production mask Mp fixed to the working position W, it is moved by the cleaner Y-axis moving mechanism 102, thereby cleaning the lower surface of the production mask Mp.

[0059] like Figure 3As shown, the control unit 9 includes a main control unit 91, a storage unit 92, a drive control unit 93, an I / O control unit 94, and a camera control unit 95. The main control unit 91 is composed of a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage unit 92, which includes a hard disk drive and other devices, stores the weight Ws0 of the scooping unit 56a, various data tables including a unit consumption table, various data set by the operator, substrate data, machine data, and printing programs. The main control unit 91 controls various components of the printing device 1 based on the printing programs stored in the storage unit 92. The substrate data includes information on the type of substrate B, the size of the substrate B, information corresponding to the type of substrate B, information on the roll mask Mr used for rolling the solder, and information on the number of prints for each type of substrate B. The machine data includes information on the Y-direction movement limit of the squeegee unit 6, information on the X- and Y-direction movement limit of the camera unit 4, and information on the Y-direction movement limit of the cleaner.

[0060] The main control unit 91 is configured to control the scraper unit 6 using the drive control unit 93. Specifically, the drive control unit 93 controls the drive of the scraper Y-axis drive unit 52, the scraper Z-axis drive unit 53, and the scraper R-axis drive unit 54, thereby moving the scraper 51 in the Y and Z directions and rotating the scraper 51 around a rotation axis extending in the X direction.

[0061] The main control unit 91 is configured to control the printing table unit 3 using the drive control unit 93. Specifically, the main control unit 91 uses the drive control unit 93 to drive the X-axis drive unit 13, the Y-axis drive unit 14, the R-axis drive unit 15, and the Z-axis drive unit 16, thereby moving the substrate B in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction, and rotating the substrate B around the rotation axis extending in the Z direction. In addition, the main control unit 91 uses the drive control unit 93 to drive the support plate drive unit 24 to move the support plate 23, thereby moving the support pin 23a in the Z direction (up and down direction). In addition, the main control unit 91 uses the drive control unit 93 to drive the substrate width axis drive unit 12a, thereby adjusting the Y-direction interval (width) of the pair of conveyors 12. In addition, the main control unit 91 uses the drive control unit 93 to drive the substrate conveying axis drive unit 17, thereby conveying the substrate B in the X direction.

[0062] The main control section 91 is configured to control the camera unit 4 using the drive control section 93. Specifically, the main control section 91 drives the camera X-axis moving mechanism 31 and the camera Y-axis moving mechanism 32 using the drive control section 93, thereby moving the imaging section 33 (the substrate camera 33a and the mask camera 33b) in the X and Y directions.

[0063] The main control unit 91 controls the cleaning unit 10 using the drive control unit 93. Specifically, the main control unit 91 drives the cleaner Y-axis drive unit (not shown) of the cleaner Y-axis moving mechanism 102 using the drive control unit 93 to reciprocate the cleaner in the Y direction.

[0064] The main control unit 91 controls the camera unit 4 using the camera control unit 95 . Specifically, the main control unit 91 controls the imaging operation of the substrate camera 33 a and the mask camera 33 b using the camera control unit 95 .

[0065] The main control unit 91 is configured to control the squeegee unit 6 using the IO control unit 94. Specifically, the main control unit 91 controls the lifting and lowering of the slide portion 55a of the mask slider 55 using the IO control unit 94. Furthermore, the main control unit 91 obtains information related to the weight of the scooping portion 56a and the solder scooped by the scooping portion 56a, measured by the first weight measuring unit 56b, through the IO control unit 94.

[0066] The main control unit 91 is configured to control the mask exchange unit 7 using the IO control unit 94. Specifically, the main control unit 91 controls the lifting and lowering of the first storage section 61 and the second storage section 62 of the mask exchange unit 7 by the lifting unit 63 using the IO control unit 94. Furthermore, the main control unit 91 is configured to receive, through the IO control unit 94, a detection signal from the detection sensor 81 when detecting a production mask Mp stopped while straddling the mask clamp 5 and the first storage section 61. The main control unit 91 is configured to receive, through the IO control unit 94, a detection signal from the detection sensor 82 when detecting a rolling mask Mr stopped while straddling the mask clamp 5 and the second storage section 62.

[0067] Thus, the main control unit 91 is configured to control each unit of the device, as will be described later. Figures 4 to 7 As described, pre-printing information and post-printing information are acquired before and after the first printing of m sheets (m is a natural number greater than or equal to 1 and is a value specified by the operator) of solder printing onto substrate B using production mask Mp. The pre-printing information indicates the weight W1 of the solder on production mask Mp before the first printing. On the other hand, the post-printing information indicates the weight W2 of the solder on production mask Mp after the first printing. Thus, the main control unit 91 functions as the "pre-printing information acquisition unit" and "post-printing information acquisition unit" of the present invention.

[0068] Furthermore, the main control unit 91 divides the amount of solder reduction before and after the first printing by the number m of printed sheets of the substrate B in the first printing based on the pre-printing information (solder weight W1) and the post-printing information (solder weight W2), that is,

[0069] Wu=(W1-W2) / m,

[0070] The unit consumption Wu of the solder consumed per substrate is calculated in this way. In this way, the main control unit 91 also functions as the "unit consumption calculation unit" of the present invention.

[0071] The main control unit 91 has a function of calculating the total amount of solder consumption based on the total number of prints on the substrate B in the first printing and the second printing executed subsequent to the first printing, and the above-mentioned unit consumption Wu, and calculating the total amount of solder consumption when the total amount of consumption exceeds a threshold value Wth (see FIG. 1 ) stored in advance in the storage unit 92. Figure 7 ), the solder is requested to be replenished. In this way, the main control unit 91 also functions as the "consumption total amount calculation unit" and "replenishment request unit" of the present invention.

[0072] and, Figure 3 Reference numerals 96 and 97 in the figure represent an input unit and a display unit, respectively. Input unit 96 comprises various switches, a touch panel, and the like, and receives various input setting instructions from the operator, such as the number of prints m and the threshold value Wth for the first printing. Display unit 97 comprises a liquid crystal display device, a lamp, and the like, and displays various information under the control of main control unit 91.

[0073] Figure 4 It means in Figure 1 Flowchart of the printing process executed in the printing apparatus shown. Figure 5 It means in Figure 4 Flowchart of the process of obtaining the unit consumption amount executed in the printing process. Figure 6 : is a diagram showing an example of a unit consumption table that associates the mask type of the production mask with the solder consumption per sheet, and the unit consumption table is stored in the storage unit 92. Figure 7 This is a graph showing the relationship between the number of printed sheets and the total amount of solder consumed.

[0074] In the printing device 1, the main control unit 91 controls each unit of the device in the following manner according to the printing program stored in the storage unit 92 to repeatedly print the solder on the substrate B. When the main control unit 91 receives the printing instruction, it obtains the printing conditions (step S1). In addition to the type of substrate B and solder, the printing conditions also include information related to the type of production mask Mp to be used. Based on the mask type information, the main control unit 91 checks whether the unit consumption Wu corresponding to the production mask Mp used for printing is recorded in Figure 6The determination is made in the unit consumption table shown (step S2).

[0075] Here, if the unit consumption Wu corresponding to the production mask Mp is recorded ("Yes" in step S2), the unit consumption acquisition process (step S3) is skipped and the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, if the unit consumption Wu corresponding to the production mask Mp is unknown ("No" in step S2), the main control unit 91 controls each unit of the device as follows, thereby Figure 5 The illustrated sequence performs the first printing, the calculation of the weights W1 and W2 of the solder before and after the first printing, and the calculation of the unit consumption.

[0076] In the process of obtaining the unit consumption, the solder is scooped up by the scooping unit 56 (step S31). More specifically, the main control unit 91 moves the scooping unit 56 in the Y direction so that it is located above the edge area where the solder is located in the production mask Mp arranged at the working position W. Then, the main control unit 91 lowers the scooping portion 56a of the solder scooping unit 56 to the lowered position. Then, the main control unit 91 moves the solder scooping unit 56 in the Y2 direction (the direction for scooping up the solder S) while the scooping portion 56a is arranged in the lowered position. As a result, the solder S on the production mask Mp is moved to the scooping portion 56a of the solder scooping unit 56 and is held. Then, the main control unit 91 raises the scooping portion 56a of the solder scooping unit 56 holding the solder S to the raised position. In this way, all the solder on the production mask Mp is transferred to the scooping portion 56a.

[0077] The main control unit 91 receives the measurement result of the load cell constituting the first weight measuring unit 56b as the first pre-printing measurement value (hereinafter referred to as the "pre-printing measurement value"). This pre-printing measurement value is the sum of the weight Ws0 of the scooping unit 56a and the weight W1 of the solder. Therefore, the main control unit 91 reads the weight Ws0 from the storage unit 92 and subtracts the weight Ws0 from the pre-printing measurement value to calculate the weight W1 of the solder (step S32).

[0078] In this manner, when the weight W1 of the coiled solder on the production mask Mp is determined before the first printing operation, the solder scooped by the scooping unit 56 is removed from the production mask Mp (step S33). More specifically, the main control unit 91 lowers the scooping portion 56a of the solder scooping unit 56 to the lowered position. Furthermore, while the scooping portion 56a is in the lowered position, the main control unit 91 moves the solder scooping unit 56 in the Y1 direction (the direction for removing the solder S). As a result, the solder on the scooping portion 56a of the solder scooping unit 56 is removed from the production mask Mp. The main control unit 91 then raises the scooping portion 56a of the solder scooping unit 56, which has removed the solder, to the raised position.

[0079] In the next step S34, the main control unit 91 executes printing on the substrate B with the number of prints m specified in advance by the operator via the input unit 96. That is, each time a solder print is executed on the substrate B using the production mask Mp (step S34a), the main control unit 91 increments the total number of prints by "1" and then determines whether the total number of prints has reached the specified number of prints m (step S34b). And, while the total number of prints has not reached the above-mentioned number of prints m, printing is repeated. In this way, during the first printing, for example, Figure 7 As shown, solder is consumed by a unit consumption Wu for each printed substrate B. Therefore, at the time the specified number m of printed sheets are completed, the total solder consumption Wm is (Wu × m). Meanwhile, the weight W2 of solder on the production mask Mp is less than the weight W1 before printing.

[0080] Therefore, in this embodiment, the main control unit 91 executes the following steps S35 to S38 to calculate the unit consumption Wu. Specifically, when the total number of prints reaches the specified number of prints m, the same process as steps S31 and S32 is executed (steps S35 and S36) to calculate the weight W2 of the solder after the first print. Specifically, after the scooping unit 56 scoops up the solder (step S35), the main control unit 91 receives the measurement result of the load cell constituting the first weight measuring unit 56b as a measured value after the first print (hereinafter referred to as the "post-printing measured value"). This post-printing measured value is the sum of the weight Ws0 of the scooping unit 56a and the weight W2 of the solder. Therefore, the main control unit 91 reads the weight Ws0 from the storage unit 92 and subtracts the weight Ws0 from the post-printing measured value to calculate the weight W2 of the solder (step S36).

[0081] In this way, when the weight W2 of the coiled solder on the production mask Mp is obtained after the first printing, the solder scooped up by the scooping unit 56 is removed from the production mask Mp (step S37). In parallel with this, the main control unit 91 calculates the weight W2 of the coiled solder on the production mask Mp through the following formula:

[0082] Wu=(W1-W2) / m,

[0083] The unit consumption Wu of solder consumed for each substrate is calculated (step S38). The main control unit 91 also records the unit consumption Wu in the associated data file in association with the type of the production mask Mp. Figure 6 The unit consumption table shown in FIG. 1 is used to update the unit consumption table in the storage unit 92 (step S39).

[0084] When the unit consumption amount acquisition process (step S3) is completed, Figure 4As shown, the production mask Mp is used to continue printing the (m+1)th and subsequent sheets. On the other hand, when the unit consumption Wu is recorded ("Yes" in step S2), the first printing is skipped and the second printing is performed. In this way, although the presence or absence of the first printing is different, in the second printing (step S4), the total consumption of solder is always monitored based on the unit consumption Wu and executed. That is, when the solder printing (step S4a) on the substrate B is completed in step S4, the main control unit 91 is based on the following formula

[0085] (Total consumption of solder) = unit consumption Wu × (number of printed sheets),

[0086] The total amount of solder consumption is calculated and compared with the threshold value Wth (step S4b). Figure 7 As shown, when the total consumption W(n-1) of solder when printing the number of sheets (n-1) is below the threshold value Wth ("yes" in step S4b), the main control unit 91 determines that there is enough solder remaining on the production mask Mp to print at least one substrate B, and repeats the second printing (step S4a).

[0087] On the other hand, as shown in the figure, if the total amount of solder consumed Wn when printing n sheets exceeds the threshold value Wth ("No" in step S4), the main control unit 91 determines that there is no solder remaining on the production mask Mp sufficient to print the next substrate B, that is, the (n+1)th substrate B, and terminates the second printing (step S4a). The main control unit 91 then calculates the weight Wn (=Wu×n) of solder consumed when printing n substrates B as the replenishment amount (step S5). The main control unit 91 then displays on the display unit 97 that it is replenishing a weight of solder equivalent to the total amount of consumption Wn calculated in step S5, thereby instructing the operator to replenish the solder (step S6).

[0088] In addition, if Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , after solder replenishment based on this instruction is performed and printing is resumed, the main control unit 91 does not perform the first printing after the printing is resumed, but instead repeatedly performs the second printing while monitoring the total solder consumption based on the total consumption Wn recorded in the unit consumption table. Then, for example, as shown in the figure, if the total solder consumption Wp exceeds the threshold value Wth after printing is resumed after p sheets have been printed, the main control unit 91 calculates the solder replenishment amount (step S5) and instructs the operator to replenish the solder (step S6).

[0089] As described above, in this embodiment, the weights W1 and W2 of the solder before and after the first printing are calculated as pre-printing information and post-printing information, respectively. The difference between these values ​​is divided by the number of printed sheets m in the first printing to calculate the unit solder consumption Wu. Therefore, the amount of solder consumed per printed sheet of substrate B, i.e., the unit consumption Wu, can be calculated with higher accuracy than in conventional techniques.

[0090] Furthermore, each time the second printing is performed, the total amount of solder consumed is calculated and compared with the threshold value Wth to determine the solder replenishment timing. This allows solder replenishment to be performed at appropriate timing. As a result, solder can be printed smoothly on the substrate B, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the printing apparatus 1.

[0091] Furthermore, when requesting solder resupply, it is preferred that the unit consumption calculated by the unit consumption calculation unit be multiplied by the total number of printed boards in the first and second printing steps, and the amount obtained is provided as resupply information and notified to the operator along with the resupply request. This resupply request, accompanied by resupply information, optimizes the amount of solder on the production mask Mp after resupply, thereby achieving high printing quality.

[0092] Thus, in the first embodiment, the production mask Mp corresponds to an example of the "mask" of the present invention. Furthermore, the solder corresponds to an example of the "coating material" of the present invention. Furthermore, the weights W1 and W2 of the solder correspond to examples of the "weight of the coating material before printing" and the "weight of the coating material after printing," respectively, of the present invention.

[0093] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be modified in various ways without departing from the main purpose. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the load cell measurement results are directly used as the pre-printing measurement value or the post-printing measurement value. However, since the load cell is always connected to the scooping portion 56a, zero-point adjustment can also be performed (second embodiment). In this case, the load cell measurement results directly become the solder weights W1 and W2, and the pre-printing measurement value and the post-printing measurement value correspond to the "pre-printing information" and "post-printing information," respectively.

[0094] In addition, since the weight change of the scooping portion 56a over time is zero or very small, the pre-printing measurement value (= W1 + Ws0) and post-printing measurement value (= W2 + Ws0) of the force sensor can also be directly used as "pre-printing information" and "post-printing information" (third embodiment).

[0095] In the above embodiment, it is assumed that no solder remains attached to the scooped portion 56a before the solder is scooped up, or even if attached, the amount of remaining solder is very small. However, sometimes the amount of remaining solder is relatively large, or for example Figure 8 As shown, the weight Ws1 of the solder Ss1 remaining attached before the first printing is different from the weight Ws2 of the solder Ss2 remaining attached after the first printing. In these cases, it is preferable to determine the unit consumption amount (fourth embodiment) while taking the residual solder into consideration. Furthermore, the weights Ws1 and Ws2 correspond to examples of the "weight attached before printing" and "weight attached after printing," respectively, in the present invention.

[0096] Figure 9 This is a flowchart showing the process of obtaining the unit consumption in the fourth embodiment of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. Figure 8 and Figure 9 The fourth embodiment will now be described. The main difference between this fourth embodiment and the first embodiment is that the solder weight is calculated by including not only the solder on the production mask Mp but also the solder adhering to the scooped portion 56a. The remaining structure is essentially the same as the first embodiment. The following description will focus on the differences, while identical components will be assigned the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0097] In the process of obtaining the unit consumption in the fourth embodiment, the solder is scooped up by the scooping unit 56 (step S31) in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The main control unit 91 receives the measurement result of the load cell constituting the first weight measuring unit 56b as the pre-printing measurement value. Figure 8 As shown in (a) of FIG3 , solder Ss1 is attached to the scooping portion 56a immediately before the scooping is performed. Therefore, the pre-printing measurement value measured by the first weight measuring unit 56b immediately after the solder is scooped is the sum of the weight Ws0 of the scooping portion 56a, the weight Ws1 of the remaining solder Ss1, and the weight W1 of the scooped solder S1 (hereinafter referred to as the "pre-printing total value") WL1. Therefore, the main control unit 91 calculates the solder weight (W1 + Ws1) by subtracting the weight Ws0 from the pre-printing measurement value (step S32A).

[0098] Next, similarly to step S33, the solder (S1+Ss1) scooped up by the scooping unit 56 is removed to the production mask Mp. However, a part of the solder may be Figure 8 As shown in the column "immediately before scooping" in (b), the solder S1' remaining attached to the scooping portion 56a and removed onto the production mask Mp is different from the solder S1.

[0099] Next, the main control unit 91 performs printing on the substrate B with the number of prints m specified in advance by the operator (step S34) in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and performs the first printing. Figure 8As shown, a portion of the solder S1' is provided for printing, and the weight W2 of the solder S2 on the production mask Mp is reduced compared to the weight of the solder S1' before printing. On the other hand, the weight Ws2 of the solder Ss2 remaining attached to the scooped portion 56a varies depending on the viscosity of the solder, the wettability of the solder with respect to the scooped portion 56a, and other factors.

[0100] Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, similarly to step S35 of the first embodiment, the main control unit 91 scoops up the solder S2 on the production mask Mp using the scooping unit 56. Figure 8 As shown in the "Just after scooping" column in (b) of FIG36A , the solder retained in the scooping portion 56a becomes solder S2 and residual solder Ss2. Furthermore, the main control unit 91 receives the measurement result of the load cell constituting the first weight measuring unit 56b as a post-printing measurement value. Here, as shown in this column, solder Ss2 is attached to the scooping portion 56a immediately before the above-mentioned scooping is performed. Therefore, the pre-printing measurement value measured by the first weight measuring unit 56b immediately after the solder is scooped is the total value (hereinafter referred to as the "post-printing total value") WL2 of the weight Ws0 of the scooping portion 56a, the weight Ws2 of the residual solder Ss2, and the weight W2 of the scooped solder S2. Therefore, the main control unit 91 calculates the weight of the solder (W2+Ws2) by subtracting the weight Ws0 from the post-printing measurement value (step S36A).

[0101] In this way, when the weight (W2+Ws2) of the solder (S2+Ss2) after the first printing is obtained, the solder scooped up by the scooping unit 56 is removed to the production mask Mp (step S37). In parallel with this, the main control unit 91 calculates the weight (W2+Ws2) of the solder (S2+Ss2) after the first printing, and then calculates the weight (W2+Ws2) of the solder (S2+Ss2) after the first printing.

[0102] Wu=((W1+Ws1)-(W2+Ws2)) / m,

[0103] The unit consumption Wu is calculated (step S38A). The main control unit 91 then records the unit consumption Wu in association with the type of the production mask Mp. Figure 6 The unit consumption table shown in FIG. 1 is used to update the unit consumption table in the storage unit 92 (step S39).

[0104] As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the unit consumption amount Wu of solder can be calculated more accurately without being affected by the residual solder Ss1 and Ss2 .

[0105] In addition, in the above embodiment, if Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , at the time point when the first printing is performed, the total amount of solder consumption Wm does not exceed the threshold value Wth. However, for example, Figure 10As shown, the total consumption Wm may sometimes exceed the threshold value Wth. Therefore, after calculating the post-printing information (step S36), it may be determined whether the total consumption Wm exceeds the threshold value Wth. If so, the second printing (step S4) is skipped, and the calculation of the replenishment amount (step S5) and the instruction to replenish the solder (step S6) are executed (fifth embodiment). According to this fifth embodiment, solder replenishment is performed at appropriate timing, enabling smooth printing of solder on the substrate B, thereby improving the operating rate of the printing device 1.

[0106] Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments described above, the unit consumption is calculated based on pre-printing and post-printing information corresponding to the weight of the solder scooped from the production mask Mp before and after the first printing. In the fourth embodiment, the unit consumption is calculated based on pre-printing and post-printing total values ​​corresponding to the total of the solder scooped from the production mask Mp and the solder attached to the scooping portion 56a before and after the first printing. Here, the solder may be attached to the scraper 51. Therefore, if the weight of the solder attached to the scraper 51 fluctuates before and after the first printing, this fluctuation may affect the calculation of the unit consumption.

[0107] Therefore, this point can also be taken into account to calculate the unit consumption. Figure 11 As shown, by connecting a second weight measuring unit 51a composed of a load cell or the like to the scraper 51, it is possible to obtain information related to the weight of the solder S51 attached to the scraper 51 before the first printing (hereinafter referred to as "scraper pre-printing information") and information related to the weight of the solder S51' attached to the scraper 51 after the first printing (hereinafter referred to as "scraper post-printing information"). Therefore, in the first to third embodiments, the unit consumption can also be calculated based on the value obtained by correcting the pre-printing information plus the scraper pre-printing information and the value obtained by correcting the post-printing information plus the scraper post-printing information. More specifically, the unit consumption can be calculated based on the difference between the corrected pre-printing information and the corrected post-printing information (sixth embodiment). In addition, in the fourth embodiment, the unit consumption can also be calculated based on the value obtained by correcting the pre-printing total value plus the scraper pre-printing information and the value obtained by correcting the post-printing total value plus the scraper post-printing information (seventh embodiment). In this way, by further taking into account the information before and after the squeegee printing, the unit consumption can be calculated with higher accuracy.

[0108] In addition, it is preferable to remove the solder (for example, Figure 12 The unit consumption is calculated by taking into account the corrections made to the reference signs Smp and Smp' in the equation. Figure 12As shown, by providing a third weight measuring unit 57 composed of a load cell capable of measuring the weight of the production mask Mp and the solder attached to the production mask Mp, it is possible to obtain information related to the weight of the solder Smp remaining on the production mask Mp during the scooping operation before the first printing (hereinafter referred to as "pre-mask printing information") and information related to the weight of the solder Smp' remaining on the production mask Mp during the scooping operation after the first printing (hereinafter referred to as "post-mask printing information"). Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments and the sixth embodiment, the unit consumption amount can also be calculated based on the difference between the value obtained by further adding the pre-mask printing information and correcting it (equivalent to the "corrected pre-printing information" of the present invention) and the value obtained by further adding the post-mask printing information and correcting it (equivalent to the "corrected post-printing information" of the present invention) (eighth embodiment). Furthermore, in the fourth and seventh embodiments, the unit consumption amount can be calculated based on a value obtained by further adding the pre-mask printing information and correcting it (equivalent to the "corrected pre-printing information" of the present invention) and a value obtained by further adding the post-mask printing information and correcting it (equivalent to the "corrected post-printing information" of the present invention) (ninth embodiment). By further taking the pre-mask printing information and the post-mask printing information into consideration, the unit consumption amount can be calculated with higher accuracy.

[0109] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a printing device that uses solder as the "coating material" of the present invention. However, the present invention can also be applied to a printing device that applies a coating material other than solder, such as a printing material such as ink.

[0110] Industrial applicability

[0111] The present invention is applicable to all printing technologies in which a squeegee is slid relative to a mask to print a coating material on a mask onto a substrate through an opening provided in the mask.

[0112] Description of labels

[0113] 1…Printing device

[0114] 51a...second weight measuring unit

[0115] 56a ...scooping portion (coating material transfer portion)

[0116] 56b…first weight measuring unit

[0117] 57…Third weight measurement unit

[0118] 91… Main control unit (pre-printing information acquisition unit, post-printing information acquisition unit, unit consumption

[0119] Quantity calculation department, total consumption calculation department, supply request department)

[0120] 92…Storage

[0121] B…Substrate

[0122] m…number of printed sheets

[0123] P1…Opening

[0124] S1, S1', S2...Solder (on the production mask)

[0125] S51, S51'...Solder (attached to the scraper)

[0126] Ss1…(Residual solder before printing)

[0127] Ss2…(Solder residue after printing)

[0128] Smp, Smp'... (Solder remaining on the mask after scooping up the solder)

[0129] W1…weight before printing

[0130] W2…weight after printing

[0131] WL1…Total value before printing

[0132] WL2…Total value after printing

[0133] Mp...(production) mask

[0134] Ws0…weight (of the scooping part)

[0135] Ws1…Attachment weight before printing

[0136] Ws2…Attachment weight after printing

[0137] Wu…Unit consumption

[0138] Wth…Threshold

Claims

1. A printing device that slides a squeegee relative to a mask to print a coating material on the mask onto a substrate through an opening provided in the mask, characterized in that: The printing device has: a coating material transfer unit configured to scoop up the coating material from the mask and return the scooped coating material to the mask; a first weight measuring unit connected to the coating material transfer unit and measuring the weight; a pre-printing information acquiring unit that, before executing a first printing operation of printing the coating material on the mask onto m sheets of the substrate, acquires pre-printing information indicating a weight of the coating material before the first printing based on a pre-printing measurement value obtained by the first weight measuring unit measuring the coating material transfer unit that scoops up the coating material from the mask, wherein m is a natural number greater than or equal to 1; a post-printing information acquiring unit that acquires post-printing information indicating a weight of the coating material after the first printing based on a post-printing measurement value obtained by the first weight measuring unit measuring the coating material transfer unit that scooped up the coating material from the mask after the first printing is performed; and The unit consumption calculation unit calculates the unit consumption of the coating material per substrate by dividing the reduction in the coating material before and after the first printing by the number m of printed sheets of the substrate in the first printing based on the pre-printing information and the post-printing information.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The pre-printing information acquisition unit uses the pre-printing measurement value as the pre-printing information, The post-printing information acquisition unit uses the post-printing measurement value as the post-printing information. The unit consumption amount calculation unit uses a difference between the pre-printing measurement value and the post-printing measurement value as the reduction amount.

3. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The pre-printing information acquisition unit obtains the pre-printing weight of the coating material as the pre-printing information by subtracting the weight of the coating material transfer unit from the pre-printing measurement value. The post-printing information acquisition unit obtains the post-printing weight of the coating material as the post-printing information by subtracting the weight of the coating material transfer unit from the post-printing measurement value. The unit consumption calculation unit uses a difference between the weight before printing and the weight after printing as the reduction.

4. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The pre-printing information acquisition unit acquires, before the first printing and before the coating material transfer unit scoops up the coating material from the mask, a pre-printing total value of the pre-printing attachment weight of the coating material attached to the coating material transfer unit and the weight of the coating material on the mask as the pre-printing information, After the first printing and before the coating material transfer unit scoops up the coating material from the mask, the post-printing information acquisition unit obtains the post-printing total value of the post-printing attachment weight of the coating material attached to the coating material transfer unit and the weight of the coating material on the mask as the post-printing information.

5. The printing device according to claim 4, wherein The pre-printing information acquisition unit obtains the pre-printing total value by subtracting the weight of the coating material transfer unit from the pre-printing measurement value. The post-printing information acquisition unit obtains the post-printing total value by subtracting the weight of the coating material transfer unit from the post-printing measurement value. The unit consumption amount calculation unit uses a difference between the pre-printing total value and the post-printing total value as the reduction amount.

6. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The printing device further includes a second weight measuring unit connected to the scraper and measuring the weight. Before executing the first printing, the pre-printing information acquiring unit corrects the pre-printing information by adding the squeegee pre-printing information obtained by measuring the squeegee separated from the mask by the second weight measuring unit to the pre-printing information. After the first printing is performed, the post-printing information acquisition unit adds the squeegee post-printing information obtained by measuring the squeegee separated from the mask by the second weight measurement unit to the post-printing information to correct the post-printing information. The unit consumption amount calculation section calculates the unit consumption amount of the coating material based on the corrected pre-printing information and the corrected post-printing information.

7. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The printing device further includes a third weight measuring unit that measures a total weight of the mask and the coating material attached to the mask. Before the first printing is performed and after the coating material is scooped from the mask by the coating material transfer unit, the pre-printing information acquisition unit adds the pre-printing information of the mask measured by the third weight measurement unit to the pre-printing information to correct the pre-printing information. After the first printing is performed and the coating material is scooped from the mask by the coating material transfer unit, the post-printing information acquisition unit adds the post-printing information of the mask measured by the third weight measurement unit to the post-printing information to correct the post-printing information. The unit consumption amount calculation section calculates the unit consumption amount of the coating material based on the corrected pre-printing information and the corrected post-printing information.

8. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The printing device comprises: a storage unit for storing a threshold value of the total amount of consumption of the coating material; a total consumption calculating unit for calculating the total consumption of the coating material based on the unit consumption and the number of printed sheets of the substrate; and The replenishment request unit requests replenishment of the coating material when the total consumption amount calculated by the total consumption calculation unit exceeds the threshold value.

9. The printing device according to claim 8, wherein The replenishment request unit compares the total consumption with the threshold value each time the coating material on the mask is printed on the substrate in the second printing after the first printing, and requests the replenishment only when the total consumption exceeds the threshold value.

10. The printing device according to claim 9, wherein When determining that the total consumption exceeds the threshold, the replenishment request unit requests replenishment of the coating material in an amount obtained by multiplying the unit consumption calculated by the unit consumption calculation unit by the total number of substrates printed in the first printing and the second printing.

11. A method for calculating unit consumption in a printing device, wherein a squeegee is slid relative to a mask to print a coating material on the mask onto a substrate through an opening provided in the mask, and wherein the method calculates the unit consumption of the coating material consumed per substrate, wherein: Including the following steps: performing a first printing step of printing the coating material on the mask onto m sheets of the substrate, wherein m is a natural number greater than or equal to 1; Before the first printing, obtaining pre-printing information indicating the weight of the coating material before the first printing based on a pre-printing measurement value obtained by measuring the coating material transfer unit by a first weight measuring unit after the coating material transfer unit scoops up the coating material from the mask; After the first printing, obtaining post-printing information indicating the weight of the coating material after the first printing based on a post-printing measurement value obtained by measuring the coating material transfer portion by the first weight measuring portion after the coating material transfer portion scoops up the coating material from the mask; and The unit consumption is calculated by dividing the reduction amount of the coating material before and after the first printing by the number m of printed sheets of the substrate in the first printing based on the pre-printing information and the post-printing information.

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