Apparatus for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular a 3D screen printing machine, comprising a printing device for producing at least one screen-printed workpiece layer by layer in a plurality of printing operations, and a conveying device for conveying the at least one screen-printed workpiece to the printing device, the conveying device is used for automatically conveying at least one screen printing workpiece and / or workpiece carrier to the printing device and / or for automatically conveying at least one screen printing workpiece and / or workpiece carrier out of the printing device; the conveying device is provided with a bearing part for accommodating at least one workpiece carrier in an interlocking manner.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces. The invention likewise relates to a method for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces. BACKGROUND

[0002] A system for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces is known from the prior art document WO 2020 / 212371 A1. In this system concept, a conveying device in the form of a belt conveyor is provided for the automated conveying of at least one workpiece carrier. By means of this conveying device, the workpiece carrier can advantageously be conveyed in an automated manner between a printing device and at least one location spaced apart from the printing device. Thereby, an overall high utilization of the printing device and thus a high production rate can be ensured.

[0003] The conveying of the workpiece carrier by means of such a belt conveyor is subject to considerable tolerances, and the workpiece carrier is freely positioned on the respective conveying belt. Thus, after the arrangement of the workpiece carrier within the printing device, a rather complex fine positioning or fine alignment is then also required in order to be able to apply the respective printing layers of the screen-printed workpieces to one another with sufficient precision. Due to the requirement of such a fine positioning or fine alignment, the production rate of such a system can be limited.

[0004] Furthermore, due to the free positioning of the respective workpiece carrier on the conveying belt, only a limited control of the exact position of the workpiece carrier within the device or during the conveying process can be ensured. The workpiece carrier can thus be in an undesired position or positioning within the device, which in turn increases the manual handling or can lead to an operating burden. SUMMARY

[0005] In view of the above background, it is an object of the present invention to specify a device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces which ensures an increased production efficiency and which ensures an improved operating reliability of the workpiece carrier conveying. It is likewise an object of the present invention to specify a method for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces.

[0006] With regard to the device, this object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1. The method according to the invention is the subject matter of claim 50. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims and are explained below.

[0007] According to the invention, a device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces is provided. The device is in particular a 3D screen-printing machine, preferably an automated 3D screen-printing machine.

[0008] The device according to the application has a printing device for the layer-by-layer production of at least one screen-printed workpiece in at least one printing operation or in a plurality of printing operations, and a conveying device for the automated conveying of the at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or of a workpiece carrier to the printing device and / or from the printing device. In this case, the conveying device according to the application has a carrier portion for receiving the workpiece carrier at least in a form-fit manner.

[0009] The screen-printed workpiece can accordingly be produced layer-by-layer in at least one printing operation or in a plurality of printing operations. Before or after any printing operation of the screen-printed workpiece, the respective workpiece carrier can be moved by the conveying device to the printing device and / or from the printing device. During operation, the printing device can thus be loaded with different workpiece carriers, whereby an overall high utilization of the printing device can be ensured. Downtimes of the printing device can thus be avoided or at least kept to a low level. Overall, a high overall productivity of the system can thus be ensured.

[0010] At the same time, by virtue of the configuration of the conveying device with a carrier portion which receives the workpiece carrier at least in a form-fit manner, an accurate guidance of the workpiece carrier during the conveying process by means of the conveying device can be ensured with reduced outlay and an increased positioning accuracy. Due to the form-fit reception of the workpiece carrier, an overall high conveying reliability is achieved. By this configuration, an undesired falling or slipping of the respective workpiece carrier from the conveying carrier during the conveying process can be reliably avoided. Furthermore, when the workpiece carrier is arranged into the printing device, the form-fit reception of the workpiece carrier has ensured a high positioning accuracy. A further fine positioning or fine alignment can be avoided or at least reduced to a certain extent.

[0011] In the present case, three-dimensional screen printing is to be understood in a particularly preferred manner as an additive manufacturing method, in which a powder-based suspension is transferred with the aid of a doctor blade through a solid printing mask onto a substrate and dried. This process can be repeated several times until the component height or component shape required in each case is achieved. In a final process step, the component thus produced can be sintered. A screen-printed workpiece can thus be produced.

[0012] In the present case, three-dimensional screen printing is likewise to be understood in a particularly preferred manner as an additive manufacturing method, in which a powder-based suspension is transferred with the aid of a doctor blade through a solid printing mask onto a substrate and dried, wherein the component height or component shape required in each case is achieved by a single printing. In a final process step, the component thus produced can be sintered and a screen-printed workpiece can be produced. Insofar as a plurality of printing operations is mentioned in the present case, a single printing operation can already be sufficient and suitable to replace the plurality of printing operations.

[0013] In the present case, the screen-printed workpiece can be understood in a preferred manner as a workpiece or three-dimensional printed product which is to be subjected to or has already been subjected to a sintering step. This relates in particular to workpieces made of metal, ceramic, glass material and / or plastic material. In particular, alloys made of steel, nickel, copper, titanium and / or ceramic alloys are considered for this purpose.

[0014] Printed products made of plastic material can be excluded or included by the designation "three-dimensional screen-printed workpiece". In particular, there is also the possibility of subjecting printed workpiece layers made of plastic material to a sintering step.

[0015] In the present case, the screen-printed workpiece can likewise be understood as a workpiece or three-dimensional printed product which has been produced without a sintering step, which can be completed without a sintering step or which has been completed without a sintering step. The final solidification of the printed layers can thus also take place without a sintering step. The solidification of the screen-printed workpiece can advantageously also take place by means of UV curing and / or by means of a polymerization reaction and / or by means of drying, in particular by means of convection drying. This solidification can particularly preferably be carried out when the printed layers are to be finally solidified without a sintering step.

[0016] The screen-printed workpiece in the sense of the present application can also be a pharmaceutical product and / or a biological product. Such a screen-printed workpiece can in particular be produced from pharmaceutical powder material and / or powder mixtures and / or granules and / or from biological material. In particular, the pharmaceutical product and / or the biological product can be produced without a sintering step or can be sufficiently solidified for the respective application.

[0017] The screen-printed workpiece produced from pharmaceutical powder material and / or powder mixtures and / or granules can comprise pharmaceutical agents, active substances, auxiliary substances, in particular fillers and / or binders and / or disintegrants and / or lubricants.

[0018] According to a preferred configuration of the present application, the apparatus can be designed and / or configured for production under clean room conditions. In particular, the apparatus can be designed and / or configured for production under clean room conditions according to the clean room classes A, B, C and / or D of the EU-GMP.

[0019] Further preferably, the apparatus for producing a screen-printed workpiece according to the present application can be designed and / or configured for use in medical technology, optics and / or laser technology, aerospace technology, semiconductor technology, biotechnology and / or medical and / or pharmacological research.

[0020] Likewise, the apparatus for producing a screen-printed workpiece according to the present application can be designed and / or configured for use as a medical and / or pharmaceutical product, an implant and / or a sterile product and / or a pharmaceutical agent and / or for use and / or application as a tablet for the administration of active substances.

[0021] According to a further preferred configuration, the conveying device can be configured for automated conveying of the at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier towards and / or away from a printing station of the printing device. Such a printing station can in particular have a printing table.

[0022] The printing station or the printing table can advantageously be in contact with the underside of the workpiece carrier for performing the printing operation and for supporting the workpiece carrier during the printing operation. Thus, the printing station or the printing table is preferably not used for direct printing, or not used as a direct printing substrate, or not used for providing a surface to be printed. In contrast, the printing station or the printing table can advantageously be designed and / or arranged for temporarily contacting, lifting and / or supporting the workpiece carrier.

[0023] According to the present teaching, the workpiece carrier can further advantageously be provided and / or designed for direct printing. In this case, the workpiece carrier in the sense of the present teaching can also have a coating on which a printed layer can be applied. Thus, the workpiece carrier or the coating of such a workpiece carrier can be provided as a direct printing substrate, and / or for providing a surface to be printed, and / or arranged or arrangeable within the apparatus.

[0024] According to the present invention, the screen-printed workpiece can be a workpiece built on the workpiece carrier in one or more printing operations by three-dimensional screen printing. In this case, the screen-printed workpiece can in particular be a workpiece that can be released again from the workpiece carrier, in particular can be released without damage, after completion of the printing operation and / or after completion of a sintering operation following the printing operation.

[0025] Between any printing operation of the screen-printed workpiece, the respective workpiece carrier can be released from the printing station or from the printing table or from both. In the case of a multi-layer architecture, the individual layers of the screen-printed workpiece can be dried between two successive printing operations at a location away from the printing station or away from the printing table.

[0026] In a further preferred manner, the conveying device can be formed separately from and / or independently of the printing device. Thereby, an overall modular architecture of the apparatus can be achieved or further advanced. The conveying device can be configured independently of the printing device and arrangeable for connecting the printing device to at least one other device or location within the apparatus.

[0027] Further, by means of the conveying device formed separately from and / or independently of the printing device, a replenishment and / or replacement of the printing device, in particular of another unit within the apparatus or of the printing device by another printing device, can be simplified.

[0028] Although the conveying device is formed separately from the printing device and / or independently of the printing device, it can be fitted to the printing device, in particular in order to be able to reliably convey the workpiece carrier and / or the screen-printed workpiece towards and / or away from the printing device.

[0029] The conveying device can particularly preferably be operated through the printing device. In this way, it can be ensured that the workpiece carrier and / or the screen-printed workpiece is conveyed towards and / or away from the printing device particularly advantageously and space-savingly. The printing device can thus be particularly advantageously connected with other device or equipment modules. In the case of an overall modular equipment architecture, this can ensure a high degree of integration of the respective device or equipment modules.

[0030] According to a further preferred configuration, the conveying device can have at least one conveying track and a transport carriage, which is movably arranged on the conveying track, for at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or at least one workpiece carrier. In this case, a carrier portion for accommodating the workpiece carrier can be arranged on the transport carriage.

[0031] By virtue of the conveying device having a conveying track and the transport carriage being movably arranged on the conveying track, it is possible to avoid or at least reduce the relative movement of surfaces arranged in contact. As a result, with this configuration, particle abrasion associated with the operation can be completely avoided or kept at a low level. Overall, improved cleaning conditions can be created for the individual production steps.

[0032] With the conveying device according to the configuration of the application, it is possible to prevent undesired contamination of the corresponding screen-printed workpieces to be produced by particles generated as a result of friction. As a result, with the equipment according to the application, it is possible to produce screen-printed workpieces having high cleaning or hygiene requirements.

[0033] Finally, the preferred configuration of the conveying device having at least one conveying track and a transport carriage arranged on the conveying track ensures a high degree of flexibility. With little outlay, the layout of the system can be adapted or different new or subsequent configurations can be carried out. For example, the equipment layout can be adjusted inline by means of switches and / or bypasses. In this way, depending on the intended use and production requirements, other devices can be integrated into the equipment or removed from the equipment again with little outlay in addition to the printing device.

[0034] According to another preferred configuration, the carrier portion and / or the transport carrier, in particular the carrier portion of the transport carrier and / or the carrier portion of the superstructure of the transport carrier, can be designed to accommodate and / or secure and / or at least partially accommodate and / or secure the workpiece carrier in a form-fit, and / or force-fit, and / or material-bonding manner. By means of such a carrier portion or transport carrier, a high degree of transport reliability for the workpiece carrier transport is achieved. Thus, an undesired falling or slipping of the respective workpiece carrier from the carrier portion or transport carrier during the transport can be reliably avoided.

[0035] According to another preferred configuration, the carrier portion and / or the transport carrier, in particular the carrier portion of the transport carrier and / or the carrier portion of the superstructure of the transport carrier, can be designed to accommodate and / or secure and / or at least partially accommodate and / or secure a workpiece carrier having a side edge length of at least 50 mm or a plurality of side edge lengths of at least 50 mm, preferably at least 100 mm, more preferably at least 150 mm, preferably at least 200 mm, preferably at least 250 mm, preferably at least 300 mm, preferably at least 350 mm, preferably at least 400 mm, preferably at least 450 mm, further preferably at least 475 mm, in a form-fit, and / or force-fit, and / or material-bonding manner. The accommodation and / or securing and / or surrounding of workpiece carriers of such dimensions allows for printing on relatively large printing substrates or on sufficiently dimensioned surfaces to be printed.

[0036] According to a further preferred configuration, the carrier portion and / or the transport carrier, in particular the carrier portion of the transport carrier and / or the carrier portion of the superstructure of the transport carrier, can be designed to accommodate and / or secure and / or at least partially accommodate and / or secure a workpiece carrier having a side edge length of up to 1000 mm or a plurality of side edge lengths of up to 1000 mm, preferably up to 900 mm, preferably up to 800 mm, preferably up to 700 mm, preferably up to 600 mm, preferably up to 550 mm, further preferably up to 525 mm, yet further preferably up to 500 mm, in a form-fit, and / or force-fit, and / or material-bonding manner. The accommodation and / or securing and / or surrounding of workpiece carriers of such dimensions allows for an overall compact and stable structure and allows for a good handling during positioning of the respective workpiece carrier within or on the carrier portion or transport carrier, or during removal from the carrier portion or transport carrier, or removal from the carrier portion or transport carrier.

[0037] According to a further preferred configuration, the carrier portion and / or the transport carrier, in particular the carrier portion of the transport carrier and / or the carrier portion of the superstructure of the transport carrier, can be designed to accommodate and / or secure and / or at least partially accommodate and / or secure a workpiece carrier having a side edge length of 50 mm to 1000 mm or a plurality of side edge lengths of 50 mm to 1000 mm, preferably 100 mm to 900 mm, preferably 150 mm to 850 mm, preferably 200 mm to 800 mm, preferably 250 mm to 750 mm, preferably 300 mm to 700 mm, preferably 350 mm to 650 mm, preferably 400 mm to 600 mm, preferably 450 mm to 550 mm, further preferably 475 to 525 mm, in a form-fitting, and / or force-fitting, and / or material-bonding manner. Such dimensions allow to provide a printing substrate of sufficient size or a surface to be printed of sufficient size, while the carrier portion or the transport carrier, in particular the superstructure of the transport carrier, has a compact and robust structure.

[0038] In particular, the carrier portion and / or the transport carrier, preferably the carrier portion of the transport carrier and / or the carrier portion of the superstructure of the transport carrier, can be designed to accommodate and / or secure and / or at least partially accommodate and / or secure a rectangular or square or substantially square workpiece carrier.

[0039] In addition or alternatively, the carrier portion and / or the transport carrier, in particular the carrier portion of the transport carrier and / or the carrier portion of the superstructure of the transport carrier, can be designed to accommodate and / or enclose the workpiece carrier in a defined and / or gapless manner. The complete surrounding or the complete encircling of all side edges of the workpiece carrier is to provide an encircling of the workpiece carrier or also a partial encircling of the workpiece carrier. By such a configuration, the fixing reliability of the workpiece carrier can be further improved.

[0040] It is also advantageous if the carrier portion and / or the transport carrier, in particular the carrier portion of the transport carrier and / or the carrier portion of the superstructure of the transport carrier, has a frame device. Such a frame device can in particular be a frame device for accommodating and / or securing and / or at least partially accommodating and / or securing the workpiece carrier in a form-fitting, and / or force-fitting, and / or material-bonding manner. Such a frame device ensures a particularly secure accommodation and / or securing of the workpiece carrier with good accessibility of the workpiece carrier, while such a frame device ensures handling for arranging and / or removing from the frame device.

[0041] In a further preferred configuration, the frame device can be designed for accommodating and / or fixing workpiece carriers having an edge length of at least 50 mm or a plurality of edge lengths of at least 50 mm, preferably at least 100 mm, preferably at least 150 mm, preferably at least 200 mm, preferably at least 250 mm, preferably at least 300 mm, preferably at least 350 mm, preferably at least 400 mm, preferably at least 450 mm, further preferably at least 475 mm. The accommodation and / or fixing and / or encompassing of workpiece carriers of such dimensions allows for the printing of relatively large printing substrates or on surfaces having sufficiently large dimensions. Thus, a large number of screen-printed workpieces can be produced layer by layer in the printing operation and thus a high level of economic efficiency is ensured.

[0042] In a yet further preferred configuration, the frame device can be designed for accommodating and / or fixing workpiece carriers having an edge length of at most 1000 mm or a plurality of edge lengths of at most 1000 mm, preferably at most 900 mm, preferably at most 800 mm, preferably at most 700 mm, preferably at most 600 mm, preferably at most 550 mm, further preferably at most 525 mm, yet further preferably at most 500 mm. The accommodation and / or fixing and / or encompassing of workpiece carriers of such dimensions allows for a compact and stable structure of the frame device and also for a good handling during the positioning of the respective workpiece carrier within the respective frame device.

[0043] In a yet further preferred configuration, the frame device can be designed for accommodating and / or fixing workpiece carriers having an edge length of at most 1000 mm or a plurality of edge lengths of at most 1000 mm, preferably at most 900 mm, preferably at most 800 mm, preferably at most 700 mm, preferably at most 600 mm, preferably at most 550 mm, further preferably at most 525 mm, yet further preferably at most 500 mm. The accommodation and / or fixing and / or encompassing of workpiece carriers of such dimensions allows for a compact and stable structure of the frame device and also for a good handling during the positioning of the respective workpiece carrier within the respective frame device.

[0044] In a further preferred manner, the opposing inner edges of the frame device can be at a distance of at least 50 mm from each other, preferably at least 100 mm, preferably at least 150 mm, preferably at least 200 mm, preferably at least 250 mm, preferably at least 300 mm, preferably at least 350 mm, preferably at least 400 mm, preferably at least 450 mm, further preferably at least 475 mm. By means of this configuration, the frame device can accommodate or encompass workpiece carriers of sufficiently large dimensions.

[0045] In a further preferred manner, the distance between the opposite inner edges of the frame arrangement can be up to 1000 mm, preferably up to 900 mm, preferably up to 800 mm, preferably up to 700 mm, preferably up to 600 mm, preferably up to 550 mm, further preferably up to 525 mm, yet further preferably up to 500 mm. Thus, a relatively stable and sufficiently compact workpiece carrier can be accommodated or enclosed within the frame arrangement.

[0046] Yet further preferably, the distance between the opposite inner edges of the frame arrangement can be from 50 mm to 1000 mm, preferably from 100 mm to 900 mm, preferably from 150 mm to 850 mm, preferably from 200 mm to 800 mm, preferably from 250 mm to 750 mm, preferably from 300 mm to 700 mm, preferably from 350 mm to 650 mm, preferably from 400 mm to 600 mm, preferably from 450 mm to 550 mm, further preferably from 475 to 525 mm. Such dimensions allow for accommodating or enclosing a workpiece carrier of suitable size for printing within the printing arrangement, while having a sufficiently stable structure and good handling. In particular, the frame arrangement can be designed for accommodating a square and / or rectangular, or substantially square and / or substantially rectangular, workpiece carrier.

[0047] In a yet further advantageous manner, the frame arrangement can be designed for accommodating and / or enclosing the workpiece carrier in a defined and / or gapless manner. This allows for fixing the workpiece carrier within or on the frame arrangement in a corresponding position with high precision and reliably holding it within the apparatus for subsequent process steps.

[0048] Additionally or alternatively, the frame arrangement can delimit a free space for contacting the underside of a workpiece carrier accommodated and / or enclosed in the frame arrangement. Thereby, good accessibility of the underside of the workpiece carrier by the printing station for contacting and / or lifting is ensured. This allows for direct contact between the printing station of the printing arrangement and the respective workpiece carrier with only little effort for the respective printing operation.

[0049] In a further preferred manner, the carrier portion and / or the transport carrier, in particular the carrier portion of the transport carrier and / or the frame arrangement of the transport carrier, and / or the carrier portion of the superstructure of the transport carrier and / or the frame arrangement of the superstructure of the transport carrier, can have a workpiece carrier mount for fixing and / or clamping and / or fastening the workpiece carrier in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner. By means of such a workpiece carrier mount, the workpiece carrier can be particularly reliably fastened to and within the transport carrier and held fast within the apparatus during transport.

[0050] The workpiece carrier mount is particularly preferably designed as a multi-point bearing, in particular a 3-point bearing. Such a multi-point bearing or 3-point bearing makes possible a secure fastening with little or small contact area with the workpiece carrier to be mounted. This makes it possible to reduce the risk of particles being released as a result of wear and thus of further increasing the particle concentration in the air. A multi-point bearing or 3-point bearing makes it possible to avoid the formation of particles associated with wear with high reliability.

[0051] It is further preferred that the workpiece carrier mount can be formed by at least one fixed mount and / or by at least one locking mechanism, in particular by a plurality of fixed mounts and oppositely arranged locking mechanisms. Such a configuration is simple in terms of construction and allows simple handling or automation to be implemented structurally cost-effectively.

[0052] It is further preferred that the workpiece carrier mount can be designed to secure and / or clamp and / or fasten workpiece carriers having a thickness of at least 0.5 mm, in particular a thickness of at least 0.8 mm, further preferably a thickness of at least 1 mm, still further preferably a thickness of at least 1.5 mm, in particular a thickness of at least 2 mm or approximately 2 mm, in a force-fit and / or form-fit manner. Such a workpiece carrier mount makes it possible to use workpiece carriers having sufficient stability and thus to ensure a high level of operational reliability.

[0053] It is still further preferred that the workpiece carrier mount can be designed to secure and / or clamp and / or fasten workpiece carriers having a thickness of up to 10 mm, in particular a thickness of up to 8 mm, further preferably a thickness of up to 6 mm, still further preferably a thickness of up to 5 mm, still further preferably a thickness of up to 4 mm, still further preferably a thickness of up to 3 mm, still further preferably a thickness of up to 2.5 mm, in particular a thickness of up to 2 mm, in a force-fit and / or form-fit manner. Such a workpiece carrier mount makes it possible to use workpiece carriers having a particularly high level of stability and at the same time a relatively low weight.

[0054] It is further preferred that the workpiece carrier mount can be designed to secure and / or clamp and / or fasten workpiece carriers having a thickness of 0.5 mm to 10 mm, in particular a thickness of 0.8 mm to 8 mm, further preferably a thickness of 1 mm to 6 mm, still further preferably a thickness of 1 mm to 5 mm, still further preferably a thickness of 1 mm to 4 mm, still further preferably a thickness of 1 mm to 3 mm, still further preferably a thickness of 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm, in particular approximately 2 mm, in a force-fit and / or form-fit manner. A workpiece carrier mount of this size makes it possible to use workpiece carriers having a high level of stability and at the same time a relatively low weight and thus a good level of handling.

[0055] In a particularly preferred manner, the locking mechanism can be formed by a slide having a chamfered contact surface and / or a contact surface inclined with respect to the sliding direction of the slide. Due to the chamfered configuration or the contact surface inclined with respect to the sliding direction of the slide, a form-fit fastening of the respective workpiece carrier can be achieved in a particularly simple and advantageous manner. In particular, in the closed state of the slide, a pressure or holding-down force can be exerted on the workpiece carrier and thus a secure positioning is ensured.

[0056] In addition or alternatively, the locking mechanism can be formed by a slide pre-tensioned by a spring and / or as a snap closure. The spring pre-tensioning of the slide can be directed in the closing direction of the slide, so that the slide is automatically moved into the closed position. Likewise, the snap closure can automatically perform a closing movement if no manual or automatic initial counter-movement is performed.

[0057] In a yet further preferred manner, the at least one fixed mounting can be formed with a chamfered contact surface and / or a contact surface inclined with respect to the sliding direction of the slide. By means of the chamfered configuration of the fixed mounting or by means of the contact surface of the fixed mounting inclined with respect to the sliding direction of the slide, a form-fit fastening of the respective workpiece carrier can be achieved in a particularly simple and advantageous manner. In particular, in the closed state of the slide, a pressure or holding-down force can also be exerted on the workpiece carrier by means of the fixed mounting and thus a secure positioning is ensured.

[0058] According to a yet further preferred configuration, the transport carrier can have at least one drive device which is arranged on the transport carrier so as to move with the transport carrier and / or which has a drive roller which rolls on the conveying track and / or a drive motor for the drive roller. Such a transport carrier can thus be moved or driven on the respective conveying track independently of other transport carriers. This allows the transport carrier to be moved individually within the apparatus and thus also the corresponding workpiece carrier accommodated on the transport carrier or the corresponding screen-printed workpiece accommodated on the transport carrier to be conveyed individually.

[0059] According to a further preferred configuration, the transport carrier can have an upper structure for accommodating a workpiece carrier of a screen-printed workpiece. To this end, a carrying portion can in particular be arranged or formed on the upper structure of the transport carrier. Likewise, the transport carrier can have a running device with a drive device. The upper structure can preferably be arranged on the running device of the transport carrier. Thus, the drive function and the accommodation function for the workpiece carrier can be provided by different segments or different portions of the transport carrier. In particular, this allows a functional subdivision of the transport carrier, i.e. into a drive function and an accommodation function for the workpiece carrier.

[0060] In a further preferred manner, the superstructure and / or the carrying portion of the superstructure and / or the frame means of the superstructure can define a receiving plane for the workpiece carrier, which extends at a distance, in particular at a vertical distance, from the running means and / or the drive means.

[0061] The carrying portion can in particular be a portion of the superstructure, through which the workpiece carrier can be carried or accommodated. With such a configuration, a sufficient distance between the corresponding workpiece carrier to be conveyed and the running means or drive means can be maintained during the operation of the conveying device.

[0062] As far as particles released by the drive means and / or in the region of the running direction are concerned, they occur at a distance from the workpiece carrier and thus also at a distance from the screen-printed workpiece located on the workpiece carrier. This can further reduce the risk of undesired contamination of the screen-printed workpiece. The suitability of the apparatus for use under cleanroom conditions is thus further improved.

[0063] In a further preferred manner, the superstructure, in particular with the accommodated workpiece carrier, can at least partially cover the running means and / or the drive means and / or protrude beyond at least one lateral end of the running means in plan view. As a result of such a covering and / or protrusion, the risk of particles released at the level of the running means and / or the drive means rising to the level above the superstructure and depositing on the workpiece carrier or the screen-printed workpiece located on the workpiece carrier can be reduced with little structural outlay. The cleanroom conditions for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces can thus be further improved.

[0064] It is also advantageous if the superstructure is C-shaped and / or forms a free space for accommodating a printing table of a printing device. In this case, in the cross section of the superstructure, the surface center can be arranged laterally offset with respect to the center of gravity of the superstructure. Such a configuration is easy to implement in terms of construction and at the same time ensures that a workpiece carrier arranged on the superstructure can be contacted with high safety and stability by the printing table, in particular for performing a printing operation.

[0065] In a further preferred manner, the superstructure can have a base portion for fastening to the running means, a carrying portion for accommodating the workpiece carrier, and a connecting portion for connecting the carrying portion to the base portion, wherein a free space for accommodating a printing table and / or for contacting the underside of the workpiece carrier is preferably formed between the base portion and the carrying portion and / or is laterally delimited by the connecting portion. On the one hand, a stable construction of the superstructure is thus ensured, while at the same time having good accessibility from the underside of the workpiece carrier, which is positioned on the superstructure.

[0066] In a further preferred manner, the height of the free space and / or the distance between the base portion and the carrying portion can be up to 150 mm, further preferably up to 140 mm, further preferably up to 130 mm, further preferably up to 120 mm, further preferably up to 110 mm, further preferably up to 100 mm, further preferably up to 95 mm, in particular up to 90 mm or about 90 mm. By means of this configuration, a sufficiently compact configuration can be ensured, while advantageously ensuring the temporary accommodation of device components in the free space between the base portion and the carrying portion.

[0067] In a further preferred manner, the height of the free space and / or the distance between the base portion and the carrying portion can be at least 20 mm, further preferably at least 30 mm, further preferably at least 40 mm, further preferably at least 50 mm, further preferably at least 60 mm, further preferably at least 70 mm, further preferably at least 80 mm, further preferably at least 85 mm, in particular at least 90 mm. Thereby, the free space between the base portion and the carrying portion can advantageously be used for temporarily accommodating device components, reducing the risk of collisions.

[0068] In a further preferred manner, the height of the free space and / or the distance between the base portion and the carrying portion can be between 20 mm and 150 mm, further preferably between 30 mm and 140 mm, further preferably between 40 mm and 130 mm, further preferably between 50 mm and 120 mm, further preferably between 60 mm and 110 mm, further preferably between 70 mm and 100 mm, further preferably between 80 mm and 100 mm, further preferably between 85 mm and 95 mm, in particular about 90 mm. This dimension of the free space or the distance between the base portion and the carrying portion ensures a compact and robust configuration, while ensuring a low risk of collisions during the arrangement of device components within the free space.

[0069] It is also advantageous if the upper structure and / or the carrying portion of the upper structure is mounted movable in vertical direction with respect to the walking device and / or arranged height-adjustable. In addition or alternatively, the upper structure and / or the carrying portion of the upper structure can be arranged liftable with respect to the walking device by means of a printing table of the printing device.

[0070] With this construction, the upper structure and / or its supporting portion can move vertically or rise relative to the traveling device for performing printing operations. Therefore, during printing operations, the upper structure and / or its supporting portion can rise relative to the traveling device together with the corresponding workpiece carrier, thereby achieving increased stability. The forces generated during printing operations can be absorbed appropriately by the printing table in its raised state, avoiding force transmission or absorption through the traveling device and / or conveyor rails.

[0071] The vertically movable arrangement or installation of the superstructure relative to the traveling device can be provided specifically in a manner independent of the superstructure and / or the vertical adjustability of the load-bearing portion of the superstructure relative to the traveling device.

[0072] The vertical adjustability of the superstructure and / or its load-bearing portion relative to the traveling device can be ensured, in particular, by at least one adjusting bolt (and especially by multiple adjusting bolts). Therefore, proper orientation and adjustment of the height of the superstructure and / or its load-bearing portion can be ensured. Thus, starting from the correctly set initial height of the superstructure and / or its load-bearing portion, a lifting operation can be performed on the superstructure and / or its load-bearing portion via the printing table.

[0073] In a preferred embodiment, at least 5 mm of vertical adjustability can be provided, preferably at least 10 mm, more preferably at least 15 mm, even more preferably at least 20 mm, and even more preferably at least 30 mm. Therefore, even in cases where adjustment requirements are substantial, sufficiently precise adjustment of the height of the superstructure and / or its load-bearing portion relative to the traveling device can be ensured.

[0074] Furthermore, it can provide up to 30mm of vertical adjustability, preferably up to 20mm, more preferably up to 15mm, and even more preferably up to 10mm. This configuration allows for a smaller installation space while ensuring high stability.

[0075] According to another preferred configuration, the travel and / or vertical movement of the superstructure and / or its load-bearing portion relative to the traveling device can be limited. This limitation can be achieved, in particular, by a mechanical travel limiting device, especially preferably by a travel limiting claw. This ensures that the superstructure or its load-bearing portion does not undesirably detach from the traveling device, thereby ensuring high operational reliability.

[0076] In a further preferred embodiment, the travel limiting device can limit the travel distance of the superstructure and / or the load-bearing portion of the superstructure relative to the traveling device to a travel distance of up to 20 mm, more preferably up to 15 mm, even more preferably up to 10 mm, and even more preferably up to 5 mm.

[0077] In a further preferred embodiment, the travel limiting device and / or travel limiting claw can be arranged on the superstructure and / or engaged in a form-fitting manner at the rear of the traveling device. By raising the superstructure, the travel limiting device and / or travel limiting claw can initiate form-fitting contact engagement with the traveling device. In this way, a suitable conveying and securing device can be provided for the superstructure with only a small structural load.

[0078] According to a further preferred configuration, the upper structure can be fixed to the traveling device via multi-point supports (particularly via 3-point or 4-point supports) and / or guided in a vertically movable manner. At least one support between the upper structure and the traveling device can be formed by a support mandrel and a mandrel receptacle for supporting the mandrel. This ensures sufficiently safe positioning of the upper structure on the traveling device for transport. In particular, in its placement position or in its placement position on the traveling device, the upper structure can be positioned horizontally relative to the traveling device without clearance. Simultaneously, the vertically movable guidance ensures the safe lifting of the upper structure.

[0079] In a further preferred configuration, the multi-point supports and / or at least one support between the superstructure and the traveling device can be designed for self-centering and / or self-alignment of the superstructure relative to the traveling device. Therefore, during the placement or lowering of the superstructure onto the traveling device, accurate positioning can be ensured with high reliability and minimal load.

[0080] In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one support mandrel may be tapered conically, and / or at least one mandrel receiving portion may be tapered conically. This allows for structurally simple self-centering of the superstructure relative to the traveling mechanism. In yet another advantageous embodiment, it is possible for at least one mandrel receiving portion to tapere conically with respect to the support mandrel, resulting in corresponding tapering and planar contact between the facing surfaces. Similarly, at least one mandrel receiving portion may have a taper offset from the corresponding support mandrel, resulting in a particularly small contact surface between the mandrel receiving portion and the corresponding support mandrel.

[0081] More preferably, the spindle housing can be formed on the underside of an adjusting bolt for vertical adjustment of the upper structure relative to the traveling device. This adjusting bolt can be screwed into the base portion of the upper structure and is arranged in a screw-in manner for vertical adjustment.

[0082] According to a further preferred configuration, the transport carrier may have at least one support device for support on the transport track, particularly a support roller that rolls on the transport track to support the transport carrier. Alternatively or concurrently, the transport carrier may be supported on the transport track via roller contact points (particularly via roller contact points specifically of drive rollers and / or support rollers, or via roller contact points of multiple drive rollers and / or support rollers). This allows for safe and stable guidance of the transport carrier on the transport track, resulting in particularly safe transport of the workpiece carrier and / or screen-printed workpieces.

[0083] The conveyor track is preferably designed as a single rail and / or has multiple interconnected single rail sections, particularly the single rail sections interconnected in the longitudinal direction. The conveyor track can also be further preferably assembled in a modular manner and / or composed of multiple track modules.

[0084] Monorails, in particular, provide or form a single path of travel for a given transport vehicle, often referred to as a single track. In a monorail configuration, the transport vehicle is supported solely on the transport track forming the single path. Therefore, in the case of a monorail, no additional transport track is provided for the parallel operation of the respective transport vehicle. This monorail design ensures a compact and stable construction, and by connecting multiple monorail sections and / or multiple track modules, numerous transport configurations and route profiles can be achieved with less effort and at a lower cost.

[0085] More preferably, the transport vehicle can be arranged on the transport track to surround the connecting transport track on multiple sides along the longitudinal portion of the transport track, particularly on three sides. This can advantageously improve the stability of the transport vehicle on the transport track.

[0086] In a further preferred embodiment, the transport vehicle may have at least one position sensor and / or at least one distance sensor. This enables reliable position monitoring and / or position control of the transport vehicle. In particular, this configuration helps prevent collisions between two transport vehicles.

[0087] Furthermore, the transport vehicle can be designed to communicate with a control module arranged on the transport track. Through this communication with the control module, signals can be transmitted to the transport vehicle to define the desired transport path and / or the corresponding transport speed or transport process.

[0088] Therefore, according to a further preferred configuration, at least one control module can be arranged on the conveyor track. This control module can be arranged to communicate with a higher-level equipment controller and / or with at least one conveyor vehicle to control the conveying path and / or conveying speed of the respective vehicle. The respective conveyor vehicles (in particular, multiple conveyor vehicles) can be controlled by this control module in a particularly advantageous manner (i.e., via the higher-level equipment controller). The conveying paths and / or conveying speeds of the multiple conveyor vehicles can be coordinated with each other. Similarly, the conveying paths and / or conveying speeds of the conveyor vehicles can be adapted to the process and processing time of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece.

[0089] Alternatively, at least one control unit (particularly a control cam) for controlling the speed of the transport vehicle can be arranged on the transport track. This control unit is preferably designed specifically for controlling the speed of the transport vehicle. This allows the transport vehicle's speed and / or the transport process to be influenced with minimal equipment overhead.

[0090] According to another preferred configuration, at least one position sensor and / or at least one distance sensor may be arranged on the transport track. The position and / or distance sensors can reliably prevent collisions between transport vehicles (particularly adjacent transport vehicles on the transport track or one transport vehicle positioned behind another).

[0091] Furthermore, and preferably, the conveying device may have a collision monitoring system to prevent collisions between transport vehicles. In this case, the collision monitoring system may be configured to process signals from distance sensors and / or position sensors of the transport track, and / or control modules and / or control units of the transport track. This can further improve the operational reliability of the equipment and further increase the degree of automation.

[0092] According to a further preferred configuration, the superstructure (particularly the load-bearing portion and / or frame assembly) may have a support portion or at least one support portion for contacting and / or raising the superstructure via the printing table of the printing apparatus. This support portion is preferably formed on the underside of the load-bearing portion and / or frame assembly. With the aid of this support portion, the superstructure of the transport carrier (particularly the load-bearing portion and / or frame assembly) can be contacted and raised by the printing table, independent of the respective workpiece carrier. The configuration on the underside of the load-bearing portion allows for good accessibility for the printing table and thus allows for an overall robust and cost-effective structure.

[0093] In a further preferred embodiment, the support portion can be formed and / or arranged to contact the workpiece carrier mounting seat without load via the printing table. The upper structure is accessible and / or liftable by the support portion via the printing table without load on the workpiece carrier mounting seat. Therefore, the upper structure can be contacted and lifted without load or additional force on the workpiece carrier mounting seat, and simultaneously the workpiece carrier can be contacted and lifted via the printing table of the printing device. The corresponding workpiece carrier is securely fixed within or on the upper structure of the transport carrier and is not affected by the contact, lifting, and lowering of the upper structure together with the workpiece carrier.

[0094] According to a further preferred configuration, the printing apparatus may have a liftable printing stage and / or a printing stage designed as a vacuum printing stage, particularly a liftable vacuum printing stage.

[0095] Printing tables designed as vacuum printing stations can have grooves and / or openings to create a vacuum and / or negative pressure on the underside of a workpiece carrier located on the printing station and to be fixed. Using a vacuum printing station, workpiece carriers can be fixed with minimal effort and high security, particularly for temporary fixing and for performing printing operations.

[0096] According to a further preferred configuration, the printing table of the printing apparatus can be designed to make planar contact with the workpiece carrier housed in the transport vehicle. Alternatively, the printing table can be designed to contact the support portion of the upper structure of the transport vehicle. This provides particularly safe and reliable lifting of the upper structure, as well as correspondingly safe and reliable lifting of the workpiece carrier positioned on the upper structure.

[0097] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the printing table of the printing apparatus can be designed such that the upper structure is raised by a support portion in a manner that allows for no load on the workpiece carrier mount (particularly while maintaining contact with the workpiece carrier). This prevents undesirable release of the workpiece carrier from the workpiece carrier mount, thereby ensuring high operational reliability. Raising the workpiece carrier mount in a no-load manner also prevents undesirable relative movement between the workpiece carrier mount and the corresponding workpiece carrier held therein, thus preventing undesirable wear and the release of airborne particles as a result.

[0098] In a further preferred embodiment, in a plan view of the conveying device, the center of gravity of the transport vehicle can be offset relative to the transport track. In particular, the center of gravity of the transport vehicle can be offset horizontally relative to the transport track. This advantageously reduces the risk of tilting movements (tilting movements) of the transport vehicle during predetermined turns (especially in the predetermined turning direction). This application is particularly true when the superstructure and / or the load-bearing portion of the superstructure is vertically movable relative to the traveling mechanism. The vertically movable installation of the superstructure and / or the load-bearing portion of the superstructure may cause tilting movements during turns, which can be advantageously counteracted by the offset arrangement of the transport vehicle's center of gravity (especially the horizontal offset relative to the transport track). Overall, this prevents the undesirable release or falling of the correspondingly carried workpiece carrier.

[0099] In a further preferred embodiment, in a plan view of the conveying device, the offset of the center of gravity of the transport vehicle relative to the transport track can be at least 10 mm, preferably at least 15 mm, more preferably at least 20 mm, even more preferably at least 25 mm, even more preferably at least 30 mm, even more preferably at least 40 mm, even more preferably at least 50 mm, even more preferably at least 60 mm, even more preferably at least 70 mm or at least 80 mm. This reliably prevents tipping during turns.

[0100] In a further preferred embodiment, in a plan view of the conveying device, the offset of the center of gravity of the transport vehicle relative to the transport track can be up to 80 mm, preferably 70 mm, more preferably 60 mm, even more preferably 50 mm, even more preferably 40 mm, even more preferably 30 mm, even more preferably 25 mm, even more preferably 20 mm, even more preferably 15 mm, and particularly up to 10 mm. This center of gravity arrangement ensures sufficient stability on the transport track, both for the transport vehicle in its straight-line movement and stationary position.

[0101] More preferably, in a plan view of the transport vehicle, the center of gravity of the superstructure can be offset relative to the center of gravity of the traveling mechanism. In particular, the center of gravity of the superstructure can be offset horizontally relative to the center of gravity of the traveling mechanism. This configuration can further reduce the risk of tipping over of the transport vehicle. Due to the offset of the superstructure's center of gravity, a moment can be generated in a particularly suitable manner, which can highly safely counteract any tipping over of the superstructure during turning. This again applies particularly well to the installation of the superstructure and / or the vertically movable installation of the load-bearing portion of the superstructure relative to the traveling mechanism. The vertically movable installation of the superstructure and / or the load-bearing portion of the superstructure may cause tipping over during turning, which can be advantageously counteracted by the offset arrangement of the superstructure's center of gravity (especially in the horizontal direction relative to the center of gravity of the traveling mechanism).

[0102] In a further preferred embodiment, in a plan view of the transport vehicle, the offset of the center of gravity of the superstructure relative to the center of gravity of the traveling device can be at least 10 mm, preferably at least 15 mm, more preferably at least 20 mm, even more preferably at least 25 mm, even more preferably at least 30 mm, even more preferably at least 40 mm, even more preferably at least 50 mm, even more preferably at least 60 mm, even more preferably at least 70 mm or at least 80 mm. This again reliably prevents tipping during turns.

[0103] In a further preferred embodiment, in a plan view of the transport vehicle, the offset of the center of gravity of the superstructure relative to the center of gravity of the traveling device can be up to 80 mm, preferably 70 mm, more preferably 60 mm, even more preferably 50 mm, even more preferably 40 mm, even more preferably 30 mm, even more preferably 25 mm, even more preferably 20 mm, even more preferably 15 mm, and particularly up to 10 mm. This center of gravity arrangement further ensures sufficient stability of the transport vehicle on the transport track for both straight-line travel and stationary positions.

[0104] In a further preferred embodiment, the transport carrier and / or its superstructure and / or its frame assembly may define and / or have a receiving center point for the workpiece carrier. Similarly, this receiving center point for the workpiece carrier may be defined by a workpiece carrier mounting base. When the workpiece carrier is arranged and / or fixed to the transport carrier and / or the superstructure and / or the frame assembly of the superstructure, the center point of the workpiece carrier may be located at and / or aligned with the receiving center point in a plan view of the transport carrier.

[0105] In a further preferred embodiment, in a plan view of the transport carrier, the receiving center point for the workpiece carrier can be offset relative to the transport track. Specifically, in the case of the transport carrier, the receiving center point for the workpiece carrier can be offset horizontally relative to the transport track. This ensures particularly good accessibility or contact capability of the workpiece carrier passing through the printing table.

[0106] In a further preferred embodiment, in a plan view of the transport vehicle, the receiving center point for the workpiece carrier can be offset relative to the traveling device. Specifically, in the case of the transport vehicle, the receiving center point for the workpiece carrier can be offset horizontally relative to the traveling device. This also ensures particularly good accessibility or contact capability of the workpiece carrier passing through the printing table.

[0107] According to another preferred configuration, the conveying device and / or track system can be formed as a conveying loop, and / or configured for the automated conveying of at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier in a loop between locations spaced apart from the printing unit. This design ensures high productivity. With such a conveying device, different units or workstations within the entire equipment can be advantageously connected to each other. This ensures a substantially uninterrupted production flow with successive steps in the respective units or workstations.

[0108] In a further preferred embodiment, multiple printing units can be provided, with a conveyor running between them and / or the screen-printed workpieces and / or workpiece carriers being transported between them by means of a conveyor. Using multiple or different printing units can further increase productivity or production flexibility.

[0109] In particular, multiple printing units can be provided to print different materials or material compositions sequentially with minimal overhead, and / or different printing screens or printing stencils can be used in the production of a single screen-printed workpiece. In this arrangement, the production of different designed printing layers for a single screen-printed workpiece can avoid complex conversions or adjustments to the corresponding printing units.

[0110] In a further preferred embodiment, at least one drying device, and in particular multiple drying devices, may be provided for at least one screen-printed workpiece. After the printed layer is applied, such a drying device can reliably dry the most recently applied printed layer so that the next printed layer can then be applied to the screen-printed workpiece.

[0111] At least one drying device is preferably configured for continuous through-flow drying and / or static drying. The drying device may particularly include a drying section for continuous through-flow drying of screen-printed workpieces and / or workpiece carriers.

[0112] Continuous through-drying allows for a continuous production process for multiple screen-printed workpieces or multiple workpiece carriers on which screen-printed workpieces can be placed. Both printing and drying can be performed with minimal interruption through continuous through-drying, thereby further increasing the overall productivity of the equipment.

[0113] Drying apparatus for static drying can be constructed in a particularly compact and space-saving manner. In static drying, the screen-printed workpiece or the workpiece carrier on which the screen-printed workpiece is placed can be temporarily positioned or stopped to perform the drying step.

[0114] According to a further preferred configuration, the conveying device can be designed for conveying screen-printed workpieces and / or workpiece carriers to, and / or from, the drying unit, and / or through the drying unit. Alternatively, the conveying device can be designed for conveying screen-printed workpieces and / or workpiece carriers between the printing unit and the drying unit. In this way, workpiece carriers with screen-printed workpieces can be supplied with only a small load for drying and subsequent removal, for example, for performing further printing steps.

[0115] Furthermore, preferably, the conveying device can operate through the drying unit, thereby completely eliminating the need for manual handling of the workpiece carrier. Alternatively, the conveying device can be formed separately from and / or independently of the drying unit. This makes an overall modular structure possible or further facilitates it. The conveying device can be constructed independently of the drying unit and can be arranged for connecting the conveying device to at least one other device or location within the equipment.

[0116] Although the conveying device is formed separately from and / or independently of the drying device, it can be adapted to the drying device, especially to allow reliable transport of the workpiece carrier and / or screen-printed workpiece to and / or from the printing device.

[0117] In a further preferred embodiment, the workpiece carrier can be moved through the drying unit by means of a conveying device independent of the printing device or independent of the printing table, and in particular, can be moved through the drying unit in an automated manner.

[0118] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the drying apparatus can be designed to simultaneously cool the workpiece carrier holding the corresponding screen-printed workpiece to be dried, and to dry at least one screen-printed workpiece. This allows for proper drying of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece or its most recent printed layer. Simultaneously, cooling keeps the workpiece carrier at a relatively low temperature. This avoids undesirable heating of the workpiece carrier, and consequently, avoids excessive heating of the already printed and previously dried layers of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece. This further improves process reliability.

[0119] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the drying apparatus may have a drying section for drying the screen-printed workpiece and a cooling section for cooling the workpiece carrier. The drying apparatus is preferably divided into a drying section and a cooling section. This division can avoid or reduce the mutual interference between the drying and cooling functions.

[0120] In a preferred embodiment, the drying apparatus is subdivided into a drying section and a cooling section, which may be defined by a plane on which the workpiece carrier is arranged during the period when it is positioned in the drying apparatus and / or during the period when it is conveyed through the drying apparatus.

[0121] Furthermore, preferably, at least one nozzle device and / or perforated plate can be arranged within the cooling section for supplying cooling airflow, particularly compressed cooling air. In particular, the drying section can be arranged above the nozzle device and / or perforated plate for supplying cooling airflow. This allows for effective cooling with minimal structural load.

[0122] According to a further preferred configuration, the drying apparatus can be designed for convection drying of screen-printed workpieces and / or forced-air cooling of the workpiece carrier. In particular, the drying apparatus can be designed for both convection drying of screen-printed workpieces and forced-air cooling of the workpiece carrier holding the corresponding screen-printed workpiece.

[0123] Convection drying and simultaneous forced-air cooling can be achieved relatively easily with minimal structural burden. In this case, the simultaneous convection drying of the screen-printed workpiece and the forced-air cooling of the corresponding workpiece carrier can ensure improved operational reliability, because undesirable intense heating of the workpiece carrier can be reliably avoided even during convection drying, and consequently, heating of the printed layer on the workpiece carrier can also be reliably avoided.

[0124] Alternatively, the drying apparatus may have contact cooling for the workpiece carrier, preferably contact cooling for the workpiece carrier as it travels. This contact cooling ensures a very low impact on the drying function.

[0125] In a further preferred embodiment, the drying device can be configured to activate and deactivate cooling positions based on the position of the workpiece carrier within the drying device, specifically activating the cooling position below the corresponding current position of the workpiece carrier. This allows cooling to occur specifically within the area of ​​the workpiece carrier's current position. Consequently, the overall energy consumption for both cooling and drying can be kept low, as adverse effects between drying and cooling can also be avoided.

[0126] More preferably, the cooling position can be set to be activated by selectively activating one or more cooling nozzles and / or one or more compressed air openings within and / or on the nozzle assembly and / or within and / or on the perforated plate.

[0127] Accordingly, the cooling position can be set to be deactivated by selectively activating one or more cooling nozzles and / or one or more compressed air openings within and / or above and / or within and / or on the perforated plate. In particular, deactivation can be performed by selectively closing or blocking one or more cooling nozzles and / or one or more compressed air openings that were previously selectively activated within and / or above and / or within and / or on the perforated plate.

[0128] According to a further preferred configuration, the drying device may have at least one air filter and / or multiple nozzles for the filtered dried air. Therefore, the risk of air pollution can be further reduced, and consequently, the risk of unwanted particles being introduced into the corresponding screen-printed workpiece can also be further reduced.

[0129] Alternatively, the drying device can be configured as a circulating air dryer and / or for continuously and / or periodically supplying fresh air and / or indoor air. Such a circulating air dryer can operate with relatively low energy consumption while simultaneously ensuring effective drying of the screen-printed workpieces.

[0130] In a further preferred configuration, the drying device may be designed to guide the drying airflow onto the screen-printed workpiece, particularly at an angle to the conveying axis formed by the conveying track, or at an angle to the conveying direction of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece and / or the corresponding workpiece carrier, and / or transverse to the conveying direction of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece and / or the corresponding workpiece carrier, and / or guided onto the corresponding screen-printed workpiece from above.

[0131] The conveyor shaft or conveying direction of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece and / or the corresponding workpiece carrier extends particularly along the longitudinal extent of the conveyor track. If the drying airflow is guided at an angle to the screen-printed workpiece, the direction of the drying airflow may differ from the conveyor shaft or conveying direction of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece and / or the corresponding workpiece carrier. Therefore, the direction of the drying airflow may be inclined relative to the conveyor shaft or conveying direction of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece and / or the corresponding workpiece carrier, i.e., inclined at a specific or predetermined angle. The direction of the drying airflow transverse to the conveyor shaft of the conveyor track or transverse to the conveying direction of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece and / or the corresponding workpiece carrier extends particularly at a right angle or a 90° angle relative to the conveyor shaft or conveying direction of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece and / or the corresponding workpiece carrier.

[0132] This configuration of the drying apparatus ensures proper drying via the drying airflow while minimizing the risk of unwanted relative movement between the screen-printed workpiece and its corresponding carrier. Furthermore, this drying airflow advantageously allows for the division of the cooling and drying sections into a single plane, on which the workpiece carrier is positioned during its placement within the drying apparatus and / or during its transport through the drying apparatus.

[0133] More preferably, the drying device can form an airflow extraction, particularly from the airflow transverse to the conveying direction and / or in the horizontal direction of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier, such that the extracted airflow forms an angle with the conveying axis formed by the conveying track, or with the conveying direction of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier.

[0134] If the extracted airflow is such that, due to the extraction, the extracted airflow forms an angle with the conveyor axis formed by the conveyor track, or with the conveying direction of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece and / or the corresponding workpiece carrier, then it can be a direction different from the conveyor axis or the conveying direction of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece and / or the corresponding workpiece carrier. Therefore, this direction can be inclined relative to the conveyor axis formed by the conveyor track or relative to the conveying direction of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece and / or the corresponding workpiece carrier, i.e., inclined at a specific or predetermined angle. The direction of the extracted airflow transverse to the conveyor axis or the conveying direction of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece and / or the corresponding workpiece carrier extends at a right angle or a 90° angle, particularly relative to the conveyor axis or the conveying direction of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece and / or the corresponding workpiece carrier.

[0135] This construction avoids the undesirable effects between the drying airflow directed onto the workpiece carrier and the drying airflow drawn from or directed away from the workpiece carrier.

[0136] Furthermore, the drying device can advantageously be configured to redirect the extracted dry air and / or cooling air back onto the screen-printed workpiece to be dried as dry air. In this case, the extracted dry air and / or cooling air can be redirected entirely or at least partially back onto the screen-printed workpiece as dry air. In the latter case, the drying device can be designed and / or constructed for so-called mixed operation. Before redirecting the corresponding mixed air volume onto the screen-printed workpiece, the extracted dry air and / or cooling air can be mixed with fresh air or newly supplied air. This generally ensures energy-efficient operation.

[0137] Furthermore, the drying apparatus advantageously includes a heat exchanger, particularly for heat recovery of the extracted dry air and / or cooling air. Thus, the extracted dry air and / or cooling air can be supplied to the heat exchanger to utilize the recovered heat energy to heat the drying airflow. When using such a heat exchanger, the extracted dry air and / or cooling air, after being guided through the heat exchanger, can be at least partially or completely guided to an open area or out of the drying apparatus.

[0138] This design ensures energy-efficient operation while also reducing the risk of particulate contamination, as the extracted dry and / or cooling air, which may have become contaminated with particles while being guided through the corresponding screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier, can be discharged from the drying unit. In this design, energy recovery does not require the circulation of the dry and / or cooling air itself, but at most, the thermal energy of the dry and / or cooling air can be recovered.

[0139] According to a further preferred configuration, when the transport carrier is positioned within the drying apparatus, the nozzle device and / or perforated plate can at least partially protrude into the free space of the upper structure for accommodating the printing table, and / or at least partially protrude between the base portion and the support portion of the upper structure, and / or at least partially protrude below the workpiece carrier accommodated by the transport carrier. This allows cooling airflow to be directed to the underside of the workpiece carrier with a particularly small load. Simultaneously, the traveling device can therefore be at least partially covered by the nozzle device and / or perforated plate.

[0140] This design reduces the risk of screen-printed workpieces being contaminated by particles released by the moving device in the area or at a horizontal height, or by particles that exist in a free-floating manner.

[0141] More preferably, the drying device may have an opening at at least one longitudinal end, which is formed at least partially in a complementary manner (particularly in a geometrically complementary manner) to the cross-sectional shape of the transport vehicle, and / or in a complementary manner (particularly in a geometrically complementary manner) to the cross-sectional profile shape of the transport vehicle. Therefore, the corresponding opening at the longitudinal end can be relatively small. This limits the amount of air escaping from the opening, thereby ensuring energy-efficient operation of the drying device.

[0142] According to a further preferred configuration, the device may have a gate device for the entry and / or exit of the transport vehicle. Thus, the replacement, replenishment, and / or removal of the transport vehicle (e.g., for maintenance and / or repair work and / or for the reconstruction of the conveyor) can be performed with minimal operational burden and high operational reliability.

[0143] According to a further preferred configuration, the device may have at least one detection module for detecting transport vehicles that have entered and / or are about to exit the conveyor. This ensures highly reliable monitoring of the stock of transport vehicles within the device and allows for the replenishment and / or removal of transport vehicles based on the detection of vehicles that have entered or exited the gate.

[0144] According to a further preferred embodiment, the device may have at least one positioning and / or removal device for positioning the workpiece carrier on the transport carrier and / or removing the workpiece carrier from the transport carrier. Therefore, manual operation of the workpiece carrier can be completely avoided, or at least reduced to a low level, thereby further improving process reliability.

[0145] Another independent aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, particularly a 3D screen printing machine, having a printing device and a drying device, the printing device being used for layer-by-layer production of at least one screen-printed workpiece in multiple printing operations, and the drying device being designed for drying at least one screen-printed workpiece and for simultaneously cooling a workpiece carrier holding the respective screen-printed workpiece to be dried.

[0146] Another independent aspect of the invention relates to a drying apparatus for three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, particularly for an apparatus according to one of the foregoing aspects, having a drying section for drying at least one screen-printed workpiece and a cooling section for simultaneously cooling a workpiece carrier carrying the respective screen-printed workpiece to be dried.

[0147] Another independent aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, particularly a 3D screen printing machine, having a printing device and a conveying device, the printing device being used for the layer-by-layer production of at least one screen-printed workpiece in multiple printing operations, the conveying device being used for the automated conveying of at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier to and / or from the printing device, wherein the conveying device has at least one conveying track and a transport vehicle movably disposed on the conveying track for at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or at least one workpiece carrier.

[0148] Another independent aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, particularly an apparatus and / or a 3D screen printing machine according to one of the foregoing aspects, having a printing device and a conveying device, the printing device being used for layer-by-layer production of at least one screen-printed workpiece in multiple printing operations, the conveying device being used for the automated conveying of at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier to and / or from the printing device, wherein the conveying device has a workpiece carrier mounting base for fixing and / or clamping the workpiece carrier.

[0149] Another independent aspect of the invention relates to a conveying device, particularly for conveying in equipment for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, having a transport carrier for automatically conveying at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier, wherein the transport carrier has a carrying portion and / or a workpiece carrier mounting seat, the carrying portion being for receiving the workpiece carrier in at least a form fit, and / or force fit, and / or material fit, and the workpiece carrier mounting seat being for fixing and / or clamping the workpiece carrier.

[0150] Another independent aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, particularly using equipment according to one of the foregoing aspects, wherein at least one screen-printed workpiece is produced layer by layer in multiple printing operations by a printing apparatus, and wherein at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier carrying the screen-printed workpiece is automatically transported to and / or automatically transported away from the printing apparatus by a conveying device, wherein the transport by the conveying device is performed by means of a transport carrier on a transport track.

[0151] By utilizing a conveyor on a transport track, relative movement of surfaces arranged in contact can be avoided or reduced to a minimum. Therefore, this method avoids or significantly reduces particle abrasion caused by the movement of the conveyor on the transport track. This creates improved cleaning conditions for each production step. Using the method according to the invention, unwanted contamination of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece by particles generated by friction can be prevented. Therefore, screen-printed workpieces with high cleanliness or hygiene requirements can be produced using the method according to the invention.

[0152] Another independent aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, particularly using equipment according to one of the foregoing aspects, wherein at least one screen-printed workpiece is produced layer by layer in multiple printing operations by a printing apparatus, wherein the screen-printed workpiece is dried by a drying apparatus while simultaneously cooling the workpiece carrier carrying the screen-printed workpiece.

[0153] Another independent aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, particularly using equipment according to one of the foregoing aspects, wherein at least one screen-printed workpiece is produced layer by layer in multiple printing operations by a printing apparatus, and wherein at least one screen-printed workpiece on a workpiece carrier is automatically conveyed toward and / or away from the printing apparatus by a conveying device, wherein the workpiece carrier is at least form-fitted on and / or within a carrying portion for conveying by the conveying device.

[0154] Another independent aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, particularly using equipment according to one of the foregoing aspects, wherein at least one screen-printed workpiece is produced layer by layer in multiple printing operations by a printing device, and wherein at least one screen-printed workpiece on a workpiece carrier is automatically conveyed toward and / or away from the printing device by a conveying device, wherein the workpiece carrier is fixed and / or clamped in a workpiece carrier mounting base for conveying by the conveying device.

[0155] The details and individual aspects of the apparatus described above, including those relating to the drying device and those relating to the conveying device, apply in the same manner to the method of the invention described above according to the other individual aspects. Similarly, the details and individual aspects of the apparatus described above also apply in the same manner to the individual aspects relating to the drying device and those relating to the conveying device. Attached Figure Description

[0156] The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings and advantageous embodiments.

[0157] Each case is illustrated with the following: Figure 1 A perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention. Figure 2 Figure 1 A plan view of the equipment. Figure 3 Figure 1 A perspective view of the equipment, showing the housing-less conveyor unit. Figure 4 Figure 3 A plan view of the equipment. Figure 5 A perspective view of the apparatus according to the present invention reveals a casing-less printing device and a drying device. Figure 6 Figure 5 A plan view of the equipment. Figure 7 according to Figures 1 to 6 Perspective view of the equipment's conveying device. Figure 8 according to Figures 1 to 6 Perspective view of the equipment's conveying device. Figure 9 The upper perspective view of the conveyor system partially shows the transport vehicle and the transport track. Figure 10 A lower perspective view of the conveyor system, partially showing the transport vehicle and conveyor tracks. Figure 11 according to Figure 9 and Figure 10 A side view of the conveying device along the longitudinal direction of the conveying track. Figure 12 according to Figure 9 and Figure 10 Plan view of the conveyor device. Figure 13 A perspective view of a transport vehicle containing a workpiece carrier according to an embodiment. Figure 14 according to Figure 13 A plan view of the transport vehicle. Figure 15 according to Figure 13 and Figure 14 Side view of the transport vehicle, oriented laterally to the transport direction. Figure 16 according to Figure 13 and Figure 14 Side view of the transport vehicle in the transport direction. Figure 17 along Figure 14 Cross-sectional view of the transport vehicle along section AA in the middle. Figure 18 along Figure 14 Cross-sectional view of the transport vehicle along the BB section. Figure 19 According to the embodiment, the upper perspective view of the transport vehicle that does not contain the workpiece carrier. Figure 20 According to the embodiment, a lower perspective view of a transport vehicle that does not contain a workpiece carrier. Figure 21 According to the one that does not contain the workpiece carrier Figure 19 and Figure 20 A plan view of the transport vehicle. Figure 22 A perspective detail view of the locking mechanism of the workpiece carrier mounting base according to the embodiment. Figure 23 A perspective view of the lower side of the fixed mounting base of the workpiece carrier mounting base according to the embodiment. Figure 24 according to Figure 22 Cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism of the workpiece carrier mounting base. Figure 25 according to Figure 23 Perspective detail view of the upper side of the fixed mounting base of the workpiece carrier. Figure 26 A top perspective view of the walking device according to an embodiment. Figure 27 A lower perspective view of the walking device according to an embodiment. Figure 28 A side view of the liftable printing table and transport vehicle according to the embodiment. Figure 29 according to Figure 28 Detailed drawings of the adjustable printing table and transport vehicle. Figure 30 A perspective cross-sectional view of the multi-point mounting base between the superstructure and the running gear of the transport vehicle, according to the embodiment. Figure 31 A perspective view of the drying apparatus and a cross-sectional view of the conveying device according to the embodiment. Figure 32 according to Figure 31 A side view of the drying device in the longitudinal direction. Figure 33 along Figure 33 Cross-sectional view of the drying unit with the CC profile. Figure 34 A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drying apparatus according to the embodiment shows the airflow. Figure 35 A schematic cross-sectional view of the drying apparatus according to the embodiment shows the airflow. Figure 36 A perspective transverse cross-sectional view of the drying apparatus according to the embodiment. Figure 37A perspective longitudinal sectional view of the drying apparatus according to the embodiment. Figure 38 Detailed view of the drying apparatus along the longitudinal section according to the embodiment. Figure 39 Detailed view of the drying apparatus in the perspective longitudinal sectional view according to the embodiment. Figure 40 A perspective view of the transport vehicle and workpiece carrier positioning and / or removal equipment according to the embodiments. Figure 41 Another perspective view of the transport vehicle and workpiece carrier positioning and / or removal equipment according to the embodiment. Figure 42 according to Figure 41 and Figure 42 A plan view of the transport vehicle and the workpiece carrier positioning and / or removal equipment. Figure 43 Side view of the transport vehicle and workpiece carrier positioning and / or removal equipment along the transport vehicle's conveying direction. Detailed Implementation

[0158] Figure 1 A perspective view of an apparatus 10 for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A plan view of device 10. Device 10 may be a 3D screen printing machine, and is particularly preferred as a 3D screen printing machine for producing pharmaceutical products.

[0159] The apparatus 10 has at least one printing device 12 for producing at least one screen-printed workpiece (not shown in more detail here) layer by layer in at least one or more printing operations. According to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this embodiment, the device 10 has two printing units 12. Furthermore, the device 10 has at least one conveying device 14 for automatically conveying at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier toward and / or away from the printing units 12.

[0160] Figure 3 It shows that according to Figure 1 A perspective view of device 10, in which the conveying device 14 is shown in an open state (particularly without housing and frame) for better illustration and demonstration. Figure 4 It shows that according to Figure 3 Plan view of device 10.

[0161] Figure 5 It shows that according to Figures 1 to 4 A perspective view of device 10, in which printing device 12 is shown in an open state (particularly without a casing) for better illustration and demonstration. Figure 6It shows that according to Figure 5 Plan view of device 10.

[0162] Figure 7 and Figure 8 Each showed according to Figures 1 to 6 Perspective view of the conveying device 14 of equipment 10.

[0163] The conveying device 14 may have at least one conveying track 16 and a transport carrier 18 movably arranged on the conveying track 16 for at least one screen-printed workpiece (not shown in more detail here) and / or at least one workpiece carrier 20.

[0164] The conveying device 14 may be equipped with a housing 22 or a housing 22 extending along the conveying device 14 (as in...). Figure 1 and Figure 2 (As shown in more detail below). The housing 22 may have an upper cover and / or side covers or cladding. With the aid of such a housing 22, the risk of particulate contamination on the screen-printed workpiece moving by means of the conveyor 14 can be reduced.

[0165] The conveying device 14 may also preferably be configured to automatically convey at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier 20 toward and / or away from the printing table 24 of the printing apparatus 12. The conveying device 14 may also be separately formed and / or run through the printing apparatus 12.

[0166] A separate embodiment of the conveying device 14 can be particularly seen from Figure 7 and Figure 8 Therefore, the conveying device 14 can be a device that functions independently of the printing device 12, although it has an independent structure, it still interacts with or is arranged to interact with the printing device 12, particularly for conveying the screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier 20 toward and / or away from the printing table 24 of the printing device 12.

[0167] Figures 9 to 25 A more detailed view and details of the conveying device 14 or the transport vehicle 18 of the conveying device 14 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention are shown.

[0168] Figure 9 A top perspective view of a transport vehicle 18 on a section of transport track 16 is shown, and Figure 10 A lower perspective view of a transport vehicle 18 on a section of transport track 16 is shown. Figure 11 It shows that according to Figure 9 and Figure 10 A side view of the longitudinal extension of the transport vehicle 18 along the transport track 16, and Figure 12 It shows that according to Figures 9 to 11Plan view of transport vehicle 18. Figures 13 to 18 A further view of the transport vehicle 18 is shown, but the transport track 16 is not shown.

[0169] Figures 9 to 18 The corresponding transport vehicle 18, in which the workpiece carrier 20 is housed, is shown. Figures 19 to 21 A further view of the transport vehicle 18, in which the workpiece carrier 20 is not contained, is shown.

[0170] according to Figures 9 to 21 The conveyor 18 of the illustrated embodiment may have at least one drive unit 26 arranged on the conveyor 18 for movement therewith. The drive unit 26 may specifically have drive rollers 28 that roll on the conveyor track 16 and / or drive motors for the drive rollers 28 (not shown in more detail here). Furthermore, the drive unit 26 may have at least one current-carrying contact roller 29 (in particular, multiple current-carrying contact rollers 29) through which current can be guided from the conveyor track 16 to the drive unit 26 (in particular for powering the drive motor).

[0171] Furthermore, the transport vehicle 18 may have at least one support device 30 for support on the transport track. The support device 30 may in particular be a support roller 32 that rolls on the transport track 16 to support the transport vehicle 18. Specifically, the transport vehicle 18 may be equipped with support rollers 32 on both sides of the respective transport track 16. Similarly, sliding elements for providing support may be arranged on one or both sides of the transport track instead of support rollers 32.

[0172] The transport vehicle 18 can be supported on the transport track 16 by roller contact points, particularly by roller contact points of drive roller 28 and / or support roller 32, or by roller contact points of multiple drive roller 28 and / or multiple support roller 32.

[0173] As from Figures 8 to 12 As can be understood, the conveyor track 16 can also be designed as a monorail. In particular, the conveyor track 16 can have multiple interconnected monorail sections, preferably monorail sections interconnected in the longitudinal direction. For example... Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, this monorail section can be assembled to form a transport or track layout.

[0174] The transport track 16 can be assembled in a modular manner or has multiple track modules.

[0175] The transport vehicle 18 according to the invention can preferably be arranged on the transport track 16 so as to surround its engagement on multiple sides, particularly on three sides, for example from... Figure 11 As the diagram illustrates.

[0176] In addition, the transport vehicle 18 may have at least one position sensor (not shown in more detail here) and / or a distance sensor (not shown in more detail here). The transport vehicle 18 may be designed to communicate with a control module 33 arranged on the transport track 16.

[0177] The control module 33 arranged on the conveyor track 16 may be specifically designed to communicate with the upper-level equipment controller 34 and / or with at least one conveyor 18 for controlling the conveying path and / or conveying speed and / or for stopping the corresponding conveyor 18.

[0178] In particular, multiple control modules 33 can be arranged at fixed positions on the conveyor track 16. These control modules 33 can be designed as optoelectronic communication modules for communication data exchange between the transport vehicle 18 and the equipment controller 34. The equipment controller 34 (particularly in the form of a so-called line controller) can be designed to control and / or regulate all processes and / or sequences within the equipment 10.

[0179] At least one control unit 35 (particularly a control unit 35 designed to control the cam) for controlling the speed of the transport vehicle 18 can be arranged on the transport track 16. In addition, at least one position sensor and / or distance sensor (not shown in more detail here) can be arranged on and / or adjacent to the transport track 16.

[0180] In particular, multiple control units 35 (preferably in the form of control cams) can be arranged at fixed positions on the conveyor track 16. The control units 35 (especially control cams) can preferably be designed as different control unit types or cam types.

[0181] The first control unit type or the first cam type can be designed to decelerate and / or stop the transport vehicle 18 when it passes by and / or contacts the transported vehicle 18, particularly when the transport vehicle 18 passes by and / or contacts the transport vehicle 18 at a positive flank; and / or when the transport vehicle 18 passes by and / or contacts the transport vehicle 18 at a negative flank. The deceleration can be specifically performed at speeds less than 5 m / min, less than 4 m / min, less than 3 m / min, less than 2.5 m / min, and less than 2 m / min. Deceleration to such low speeds ensures that the transport vehicle 18 can move further while reducing the risk of collision. Therefore, the transport vehicle 18 can also be safely decelerated further until it comes to a stop.

[0182] The second control unit type or the second cam type can be designed such that if the transport vehicle 18 approaches and / or passes by at a second predetermined speed lower than the first predetermined speed, the transport vehicle 18 is accelerated to the first predetermined speed when it passes by and / or comes into contact with the transport vehicle 18. In this way, accelerating the transport vehicle 18 to the desired first predetermined speed requires only a small effort and has high operational reliability.

[0183] This second control unit type or second cam type can also be designed such that if the transport vehicle 18 does not approach and / or pass by at a second predetermined speed, the transport vehicle 18 is accelerated and / or decelerated to the second predetermined speed when it passes by and / or comes into contact with the transport vehicle 18. In this way, accelerating and / or decelerating the transport vehicle 18 to the desired second predetermined speed requires only a small effort and has high operational reliability.

[0184] The first predetermined speed can be, in particular, at least 10 m / min, preferably at least 15 m / min, preferably at least 20 m / min, preferably at least 25 m / min, preferably at least 30 m / min, preferably at least 35 m / min, preferably at least 40 m / min, preferably at least 45 m / min, more preferably at least 50 m / min, and even more preferably at least 55 m / min or about 55 m / min. Therefore, screen-printed workpieces and / or workpiece carriers can be transported between different locations or devices within the equipment with minimal time consumption.

[0185] Furthermore, the first predetermined speed can preferably be 100 m / min, more preferably 90 m / min, more preferably 80 m / min, more preferably 70 m / min, more preferably 65 m / min, even more preferably 60 m / min, and still more preferably 55 m / min. Therefore, a high level of transport reliability for the screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier can be ensured. In particular, this reduces the risk of the screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier falling off the transport vehicle due to excessively high transport speeds.

[0186] The first predetermined speed is further preferably between 10 m / min and 100 m / min, preferably between 20 m / min and 90 m / min, preferably between 30 m / min and 80 m / min, preferably between 35 m / min and 75 m / min, preferably between 40 m / min and 75 m / min, preferably between 40 m / min and 70 m / min, preferably between 45 m / min and 65 m / min, further preferably between 50 m / min and 60 m / min, and even more preferably between 55 m / min. Using this speed ensures that the equipment has sufficiently high productivity while also possessing high operational reliability.

[0187] The second predetermined speed can be, in particular, at least 5 m / min, preferably at least 10 m / min, more preferably at least 15 m / min, more preferably at least 20 m / min, further preferably at least 25 m / min, and even more preferably at least 30 m / min or about 30 m / min. This speed ensures relatively time-saving transport within the equipment. Simultaneously, a reduction in transport speed can be achieved compared to the first predetermined speed (e.g., for further controlled deceleration).

[0188] More preferably, the second predetermined speed can be one of the following: up to 70 m / min, preferably up to 65 m / min, more preferably up to 60 m / min, more preferably up to 55 m / min, more preferably up to 50 m / min, more preferably up to 45 m / min, more preferably up to 40 m / min, even more preferably up to 35 m / min, and still more preferably up to 30 m / min. This speed makes it particularly easy to controllably decelerate to a lower speed or particularly easy to controllably accelerate to a higher speed.

[0189] The second predetermined speed can also be between 5 m / min and 70 m / min, preferably between 10 m / min and 65 m / min, preferably between 15 m / min and 60 m / min, preferably between 15 m / min and 55 m / min, preferably between 15 m / min and 50 m / min, preferably between 15 m / min and 45 m / min, preferably between 20 m / min and 40 m / min, more preferably between 25 m / min and 35 m / min, and even more preferably 30 m / min. This speed ensures a sufficiently high productivity within the equipment while also ensuring that the speed can be easily and controllably varied to higher and / or lower speeds.

[0190] The third control unit type or the third cam type can be designed such that, when the transport vehicle 18 passes by and / or when it comes into contact with the transport vehicle 18, regardless of the speed at which the transport vehicle 18 approaches and / or passes by, it can accelerate and / or decelerate the transport vehicle 18 to a third predetermined speed. Thus, speed changes (i.e., changes to the third predetermined speed) can be achieved with minimal effort and with a high degree of safety.

[0191] The third predetermined speed can be, in particular, at least 3 m / min, preferably at least 5 m / min, preferably at least 6 m / min, preferably at least 7 m / min, preferably at least 8 m / min, preferably at least 10 m / min, and more preferably at least 12 m / min or about 12 m / min. This minimum speed ensures a suitable initial speed for decelerating to a complete stop and / or for accelerating to a higher speed.

[0192] The third predetermined speed can also be one of the following: up to 30 m / min, preferably up to 25 m / min, preferably up to 22 m / min, preferably up to 20 m / min, preferably up to 18 m / min, preferably up to 16 m / min, preferably up to 14 m / min, and even more preferably up to 12 m / min. This maximum speed can ensure with a high degree of safety a suitable initial speed for deceleration and / or for acceleration to higher speeds.

[0193] The third predetermined speed may also preferably be between 3 m / min and 30 m / min, more preferably between 5 m / min and 25 m / min, more preferably between 7 m / min and 22 m / min, more preferably between 8 m / min and 20 m / min, more preferably between 8 m / min and 18 m / min, more preferably between 8 m / min and 16 m / min, more preferably between 10 m / min and 14 m / min, and even more preferably 12 m / min. This speed is particularly suitable as the initial speed for the transport vehicle to decelerate completely to a standstill, and is also suitable as the initial speed for acceleration to higher speeds, while having a low risk of collision or a low risk of the screen-printed workpiece or workpiece carrier falling off the transport vehicle.

[0194] The control unit 35 and / or the control cam may be designed in switchable and non-switchable implementations. The switchable control unit 35 and / or the control cam can operate without current (no current).

[0195] The transport track 16 may have a predetermined stop point for transporting the vehicle 18, at which at least one control module 33 and / or one control unit 35 is preferably located. The at least one control module 33 and / or at least one control unit 35 and / or equipment controller 34 may be designed to stop the vehicle 18 at the predetermined stop point only when necessary. Furthermore, at least one sensor may be located at the predetermined stop point to detect when the vehicle has traveled to the control module 33, regardless of whether the vehicle 18 has stopped at the control module 33. This sensor may be designed as part of the control module 33.

[0196] In addition, the conveying device 14 may also have a collision monitoring system for avoiding collisions between the transport vehicles 18, wherein the collision monitoring system is preferably configured to process signals from the distance and / or position sensors and / or control modules 33 and / or control units 35 of the transport track 16.

[0197] from Figures 9 to 21It is also understood that the transport carrier 18 may have an upper structure 36 for accommodating the workpiece carrier 20 for screen printing workpieces. Similarly, the transport carrier 18 may have a runner device 38 with a drive unit 26, wherein the upper structure 36 is preferably arranged on the runner device 38 of the transport carrier 18. A separate view of the runner device 38 can be found... Figure 26 and Figure 27 To understand.

[0198] The upper structure 36 and / or the load-bearing portion 40 of the upper structure 36 may preferably define a receiving plane for the workpiece carrier 20, which extends at a certain distance from the traveling device 38 and / or the driving device 26, particularly at a vertical distance.

[0199] like Figure 12 As shown, in a plan view, the upper structure 36 (in particular, in which the workpiece carrier 20 is housed) may at least partially cover the walking device 38 and / or the drive device 26, and / or protrude beyond at least one side end 42 of the walking device 38.

[0200] Overall, the upper structure 36 can be C-shaped. This C-shaped form can be, for example, derived from... Figure 11 The schematic diagram is for illustrative purposes only. Furthermore, the upper structure 36 can form or define a free space 44 for accommodating the printing table 24 of the printing apparatus 12.

[0201] In the cross-section of the upper structure 36, the surface center of the upper structure 36 may be laterally offset relative to the center of gravity of the upper structure 36. The surface center of the cross-section of the upper structure 36 may be formed by the average value of all points on the cross-sectional surfaces of the base portion 46, the connecting portion 48, and the bearing portion 40. In the cross-section of the upper structure 36, the surface center of the upper structure 36 may be laterally offset or offset in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the conveyor track 16. This cross-section of the upper structure 36 may be particularly suitable for... Figure 17 and Figure 18 It is understood that the printing table 24 of the printing apparatus 12 is arranged in the free space 44 to contact the underside of the respective workpiece carriers 20.

[0202] The upper structure 36 may have a base portion 46 for fastening to the traveling device 38, a support portion 40 for accommodating the workpiece carrier 20, and a connecting portion 48 for connecting the support portion 40 to the base portion 46. In this case, a free space 44 for accommodating the printing table 24 and / or for contacting the lower side of the workpiece carrier 20 may preferably be formed between the base portion 46 and the support portion 40 and / or laterally defined by the connecting portion 48.

[0203] like Figures 28 to 30As shown in detail, the upper structure 36 and / or the supporting portion 40 of the upper structure 36 can be mounted to be vertically movable relative to the traveling device 38 and / or arranged to be height-adjustable. The upper structure 36 and / or the supporting portion 40 of the upper structure 36 can be arranged to be raised via the printing table 24 of the printing device 12, particularly relative to the traveling device 38.

[0204] The travel and / or vertical movement of the superstructure 36 and / or the load-bearing portion 40 of the superstructure 36 relative to the traveling device 38 can be defined, preferably by means of a mechanical travel limiting device 50. For example... Figure 10 As shown in the example, this travel limiting device 50 can be specifically configured as a travel limiting claw 52.

[0205] The travel limiting device 50 and / or travel limiting claw 52 may preferably be arranged on the upper structure 36 and / or engaged in a form-fitting manner at the rear of the traveling device 38. By raising the upper structure 36, the travel limiting device 50 and / or travel limiting claw 52 can engage in a form-fitting contact with the traveling device 38.

[0206] The superstructure 36 can also be secured to the traveling device 38 via multi-point supports 54 (particularly via four-point supports) and / or guided in a vertically movable manner. This vertical mobility allows for raising without activating adjusting bolts or releasing the locking mechanism. It can be free vertical mobility within predetermined limits. The multi-point supports 54 can be formed, in particular, by multiple supports 56. The supports 56 between the superstructure 36 and the traveling device 38 can be formed by a support spindle 58 and a spindle housing 60 for supporting the spindle 58.

[0207] Furthermore, the multi-point supports 54 and / or at least one support 56 between the superstructure 36 and the traveling device 38 can be designed for self-centering and / or self-alignment of the superstructure 36 relative to the traveling device 38. For this purpose, at least one support spindle 58 may be tapered, and / or at least one spindle housing 60 may be tapered. The spindle housing 60 may be formed complementaryly to the support spindle 58, or may have a taper offset from the support spindle 58. This configuration ensures that the superstructure 36 achieves reliable self-centering relative to the traveling device 38 with only a small load.

[0208] Furthermore, the support 56 between the upper structure 36 and the traveling device 38 may be equipped with an adjusting bolt 61. This adjusting bolt 61 can be screwed into the threaded portion 63 of the base portion 46. A spindle receiving portion 60 may be formed on the adjusting bolt 61, particularly at the lower end of the adjusting bolt 61. Therefore, by screwing in or out the adjusting bolt 61, the upper structure 36 can be adjusted vertically relative to the traveling device. In this way, the correct initial height can be set for raising the upper structure 36 via the printing table 24.

[0209] As in Figures 9 to 25 As shown in the example, the transport carrier 18 (particularly the superstructure 36 and / or the load-bearing portion 40 of the superstructure 36) may be designed to accommodate and / or fix and / or at least partially accommodate and / or fix the workpiece carrier 20 in a form-fitting, and / or force-fitting, and / or material-fitting manner. Alternatively or additionally, the superstructure 36 and / or the load-bearing portion 40 of the superstructure 36 may be designed to accommodate and / or surround the workpiece carrier 20 in a defined and / or gapless manner.

[0210] More preferably, such as in Figures 9 to 25 As shown in the example, the transport vehicle 18 (in particular the superstructure 36 of the transport vehicle 18 and / or the load-bearing portion 40 of the superstructure 36) may have a frame device 62, particularly for accommodating and / or fixing and / or at least partially accommodating and / or fixing the workpiece carrier 20 in a form-fitting, force-fitting, and / or material-fitting manner.

[0211] Similarly, the transport carrier 18 (particularly the superstructure 36 and / or the load-bearing portion 40 of the superstructure 36) may have a load-bearing plate (not shown in more detail here) as an alternative to the frame assembly 62, particularly for accommodating and / or fixing and / or at least partially accommodating and / or fixing the workpiece carrier 20 in a form-fitting, force-fitting, and / or material-fitting manner. For example, such a load-bearing plate may be designed with recesses, for example, for arranging the workpiece carrier 20.

[0212] The frame device 62 may preferably be designed to accommodate and / or surround the workpiece carrier 20 in a defined and / or gapless manner. Similarly, the frame device 62 may preferably define a free space 44 for contacting the underside of the workpiece carrier 20 accommodated and / or surrounded therein.

[0213] As in Figures 19 to 25 As shown in detail, the transport carrier 18 (particularly the superstructure 36 and / or the load-bearing portion 40 and / or the frame assembly 62) may have a workpiece carrier mounting base 64 for fixing and / or clamping and / or securing the workpiece carrier 20 by means of force engagement and / or form engagement. The workpiece carrier mounting base 64 may preferably be designed as a multi-point support, particularly a three-point support.

[0214] The workpiece carrier mounting base 64 can be particularly preferably formed by at least one fixed mounting base 66 and / or at least one locking mechanism 68, especially by a plurality of fixed mounting bases 66 and oppositely arranged locking mechanisms 68, which can be achieved from Figures 19 to 25 Understanding.

[0215] The locking mechanism 68 may preferably be formed of a slider 70 having a chamfered and / or inclined contact surface 72 relative to the sliding direction of the slider 70. The locking mechanism 68 may be particularly preferably formed of a spring-preloaded slider 70 and / or a snap-lock closure element. Furthermore, the mounting base 66 may also be formed with a chamfered and / or inclined contact surface 74 relative to the sliding direction of the slider 70; in particular, multiple mounting bases 66 may each have an inclined contact surface 74 in each case.

[0216] According to another preferred configuration, the upper structure 36 (particularly the support portion 40 and / or the frame device 62) may have a support portion 76 for contacting and / or raising the upper structure 36 by means of the printing table 24 of the printing device 12.

[0217] The support portion 76 may preferably be formed on the underside of the supporting portion 40 and / or the frame assembly 62. In particular, the support portion 76 may be formed on the molding element 78, which is formed and / or arranged inside the frame assembly 62. The support portion 76 may be formed on the underside of the molding element 78. Conversely, the fixed mounting base 66 and / or the inclined contact surface 74 may be formed on the upper side of the corresponding molding element 78.

[0218] The support portion 76 may be formed and / or arranged to contact the workpiece carrier mount 64 via the printing table 24 in a no-load manner. The upper structure 36 may be contacted and / or lifted by the support portion 76 via the printing table 24 in a no-load manner with respect to the workpiece carrier mount 64. In particular, this contact with the workpiece carrier mount 64 can be ensured in a no-load manner when the support portion 76 contacts the printing table 24 before or simultaneously with the corresponding workpiece carrier 20.

[0219] The printing apparatus 12 may also have a liftable printing stage 24, preferably a liftable vacuum printing stage. Through Figure 28 The example in the image shows a liftable printing table 24.

[0220] In this configuration, the printing table 24 of the printing apparatus 12 can be designed to make planar contact with the workpiece carrier 20 housed in the transport carrier 18, and / or to make contact with the support portion 76 of the upper structure 36 of the transport carrier 18. Furthermore, the printing table 24 of the printing apparatus 12 can be designed to raise the upper structure 36 without load on the workpiece carrier mounting via the support portion 76, particularly to simultaneously and / or successively contact the support portion 76 and the workpiece carrier 20.

[0221] In the plan view of the conveying device 14 (e.g., according to...) Figure 12In the cross-section of the conveying device 14, the center of gravity of the transport vehicle 18 may be offset relative to the transport track 16. The center of gravity of the transport vehicle 18 may be laterally offset relative to the transport track 16, or laterally offset relative to the center of gravity of the transport track 16. In particular, the center of gravity of the transport vehicle 18 may be laterally offset relative to the transport track 16 in the horizontal direction and transverse to the longitudinal extension of the transport track 16. In this case, the longitudinal extension of the transport track 16 may predefine the transport direction of the transport vehicle 18 on the respective transport track 16.

[0222] More preferably, in the plan view of the transport vehicle 18 (e.g., as shown in the figure), Figure 12 and Figure 18 As shown in the diagram, the center of gravity of the upper structure 36 can be offset relative to the center of gravity of the traveling device 38. The center of gravity of the upper structure 36 can be laterally offset relative to the center of gravity of the traveling device 38. Specifically, the center of gravity of the upper structure 36 can be laterally offset relative to the center of gravity of the traveling device 38 in the horizontal direction and transverse to the longitudinal extension of the conveying track 16 and / or in the horizontal direction and transverse to the longitudinal extension of the transport vehicle 18. In this case, the longitudinal extension of the conveying track 16 can again predefine the transport direction of the transport vehicle 18 on the corresponding conveying track 16. In this case, the longitudinal extension of the transport vehicle 18 can extend along the transport direction of the transport vehicle 18 on the corresponding conveying track 16.

[0223] Due to this weight distribution, the transport vehicle 18 can produce advantageous driving behavior when turning, thereby particularly preventing the undesirable overturning of the transport vehicle 18 or the superstructure 36 relative to the running gear 38.

[0224] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown in more detail below, the conveying device 14 and / or the track system of the conveying device 14 may preferably be configured as a conveying loop. In this case, the track system of the conveying device 14 may have a bypass section 80. The transport vehicle 18 may be temporarily positioned or parked on such bypass section 80 before being filtered into or moving into the main section 82 of the track system of the conveying device 14.

[0225] The conveying device 14 may be specifically configured for automatically conveying at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier 20 in a loop between the printing device 12 and a location spaced apart from the printing device 12. The location spaced apart from the printing device 12 may be any location outside the printing device 12 and along the track system. The location outside the printing device 12 may be arranged along the main section 82 or along the bypass section 80.

[0226] like Figures 1 to 6As shown, the apparatus 10 may have multiple printing units 12. A conveying device 14 may operate between the printing units 12. Therefore, screen-printed workpieces and / or workpiece carriers 20 may be conveyed between the printing units 12 by means of the conveying device 14.

[0227] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the apparatus 10 may also be equipped with at least one drying device 84 (in particular, multiple drying devices 84) for at least one screen-printed workpiece. Preferably, each printing device 12 may be assigned a drying device 84, and / or arranged downstream in the path of the conveyor 14. At least one drying device 84 may also preferably be configured for continuous through-flow drying and / or for static drying.

[0228] The conveying device 14 may also preferably operate to transport the screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier 20 toward and / or away from and / or through the drying device 84. Similarly, the conveying device 14 is configured to transport the screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier 20 between the printing device 12 and the drying device 84.

[0229] In particular, the conveying device 14 may at least partially operate through the drying unit 84, and / or the conveying device 14 may be formed separately from the drying unit 84. Therefore, an overall modular architecture for the device 10 can be realized or further developed. The conveying device 14 may be constructed independently of the drying unit 84 and may be arranged to connect the drying unit 84 to at least one other device or location within the device 10.

[0230] Furthermore, the conveying device 14, which is separate from and / or independently formed from the drying device 84, simplifies the replenishment and / or replacement of the corresponding drying device 84, particularly for replenishing additional units within the equipment or replacing the drying device 84 with another drying device 84.

[0231] Although the conveying device 14 is formed separately and / or independently from the drying device 84, it can still be adapted to the drying device 84, especially in order to reliably convey the workpiece carrier 20 and / or the screen-printed workpiece toward and / or away from the drying device 84.

[0232] Details of this drying device 84 are as follows Figures 31 to 39 As shown. The drying device 84 can be formed in a particularly preferred manner for drying at least one screen-printed workpiece and for simultaneously cooling the workpiece carrier 20 that holds the respective screen-printed workpiece to be dried.

[0233] The interior of the drying device 84 is Figure 33 , Figure 34 and Figure 37 The longitudinal cross-sectional view is shown, and also... Figure 35 and Figure 36The cross-sectional view shows this. The drying apparatus 84 may specifically have a drying section 86 for drying screen-printed workpieces and a cooling section 88 for cooling the workpiece carrier 20.

[0234] For this purpose, the drying device 84 may be specifically divided into a drying section 86 and a cooling section 88, wherein at least one nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92 for supplying cooling airflow (especially compressed cooling air) may preferably be arranged in the cooling section 88.

[0235] By dividing the drying device 84 into a drying section 86 and a cooling section 88, the risk of hot drying airflow reaching the underside of the corresponding workpiece carrier 20 to be cooled can be avoided or reduced. This prevents undesirable heating of the workpiece carrier 20.

[0236] By appropriately dividing the drying device 84 into a drying section 86 and a cooling section 88, the mixing of the drying airflow and the cooling airflow can be prevented or reduced (particularly temporarily prevented or reduced). Such mixing of the drying airflow and the cooling airflow can be prevented or kept at a low level in a particularly preferred manner until the corresponding functions of the drying airflow and the cooling airflow have been achieved, i.e. until the corresponding screen-printed workpiece is dried, and the workpiece carrier is cooled simultaneously with or at least temporarily during the drying process.

[0237] Positioning the transport carrier 18 (preferably with the workpiece carrier 20 positioned thereon) within the drying apparatus 84 is particularly advantageous for dividing the drying apparatus 84 into a drying section 86 and a cooling section 88. The transport carrier 18, or the workpiece carrier 20 positioned thereon, itself can advantageously contribute to dividing the drying apparatus 84 into the drying section 86 and the cooling section 88. This is especially true when multiple transport carriers 18 are arranged sequentially within the drying apparatus 84.

[0238] The drying section 86 may be specifically arranged above the nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92 for supplying cooling airflow.

[0239] The drying device 84 can advantageously form a workpiece carrier 20 for convection drying of screen-printed workpieces and / or for blower cooling of workpiece carriers 20, particularly for convection drying of screen-printed workpieces while blower cooling of the workpiece carrier 20 carrying the corresponding screen-printed workpieces.

[0240] In this case, forced-air cooling can be achieved through a nozzle device 90 and / or a perforated plate 92 for supplying cooling airflow. Convection drying of the screen-printed workpiece can be achieved through a drying air source 94.

[0241] In particular, the drying device 84 may be configured to guide the drying airflow 95 to the screen-printed workpiece or simultaneously to multiple screen-printed workpieces, preferably at an angle to the conveying axis formed by the conveying track 16, and / or at an angle relative to the conveying straight line (which defines the conveying direction of the respective screen-printed workpiece and / or the respective workpiece carrier 20), and / or transverse to the conveying direction of the respective screen-printed workpiece and / or the respective workpiece carrier 20, and / or on the upper side to the respective screen-printed workpiece.

[0242] If the drying airflow 95 is guided at an angle to the screen-printed workpiece, the direction of the drying airflow 95 may differ from the conveying axis formed by the conveyor track 16, or from the conveying direction of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece and / or the corresponding workpiece carrier 20. The direction of the drying airflow 95 may be inclined relative to the conveying direction of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece and / or the corresponding workpiece carrier 20, i.e., inclined at a specific angle or a predetermined angle. The direction of the drying airflow 95 extends transversely to the conveying direction of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece and / or the corresponding workpiece carrier 20, particularly at a right angle or a 90° angle relative to the conveying axis or conveying line (which defines the conveying direction of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece and / or the corresponding workpiece carrier 20).

[0243] from Figure 34 and Figure 35 As can be understood from the schematic diagram, the drying airflow 95 is supplied to the screen-printed workpiece or workpiece carrier 20 from above. The downward arrow indicates that the drying airflow 95 is supplied to the screen-printed workpiece or workpiece carrier 20 from above.

[0244] Furthermore, the drying device 84 can be configured to draw airflow, such that the drawn airflow 97 is formed in the following directions: at an angle to the conveying axis formed by the conveying track 16 and / or relative to the conveying line (which defines the conveying direction of the corresponding screen-printed workpiece and / or the corresponding workpiece carrier 20), particularly transverse to the conveying axis and / or the conveying direction and / or from the corresponding screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier 20 in a horizontal and / or substantially horizontal direction. Figure 34 and Figure 35 The extraction of this drying airflow 95 can also be understood from the schematic diagram. The lateral and upward arrows indicate the extraction airflow 97 from the screen-printed workpiece or from the workpiece carrier 20.

[0245] In addition, the drying device 84 may be configured to guide the extracted dry air and / or cooling air back to the screen-printed workpiece to be dried as dry air again in the form of an extraction airflow 97, particularly as a freshly supplied dry airflow 95.

[0246] from Figure 34 and Figure 35The schematic diagram or the arrow diagram contained therein can be used to understand this air guidance inside the drying device 84. Therefore, the drying device 84 can be formed and / or constructed as a circulating air dryer.

[0247] Similarly, the drying device 84 can be designed and / or configured for mixed operation, in which the extracted drying airflow 95 and / or cooling airflow are partially recirculated. In mixed operation, the extracted drying air and / or cooling air can be mixed with fresh air after recirculation, and then the fresh air is directed back to the screen-printed workpiece to achieve the drying purpose.

[0248] Similarly, the drying device 84 may be formed and / or constructed with a heat exchanger for heat recovery (not shown in more detail here). In this configuration, the drying device 84 may direct fresh air specifically to the corresponding screen-printed workpiece to be dried and use the recovered heat to heat the fresh air.

[0249] A heating element 96 may be provided, particularly positioned above the heating air supply source 94, to heat the drying airflow 95 used for convection drying or to guide the drying airflow 95 through the drying air source 94 to the corresponding screen-printed workpiece.

[0250] Therefore, the drying airflow 95 guided through the heating element 96 can be appropriately heated and then supplied by the drying air source 94 to the corresponding screen-printed workpiece to be dried on the corresponding workpiece carrier 20.

[0251] The drying air source 94 may advantageously have multiple nozzles 98 through which the drying airflow 95 can be directed to the corresponding screen-printed workpiece for convection drying. The nozzles 98 may be specifically designed as slit nozzles.

[0252] The distance between the nozzle 98 and the transport carrier 18, which can be positioned within the drying device 84, is preferably adjustable.

[0253] The distance between the nozzle 98 and the workpiece carrier 20 arranged or fixed within the transport carrier 18 is adjustable by at least 30 mm, particularly at least 35 mm, preferably at least 40 mm or at least 45 mm. During operation, this allows for a wide range of adjustments to the distance between the nozzle 98 and the workpiece carrier 20, thus providing a great deal of adjustment possibilities for different applications.

[0254] More preferably, the distance between the nozzle 98 and the workpiece carrier 20 arranged or fixed within the transport carrier 18 is adjustable to 90 mm, particularly to 80 mm, preferably to 70 mm or 60 mm. Despite this adjustability, it ensures a compact and robust overall structure.

[0255] In a further preferred embodiment, the distance between the nozzle 98 and the workpiece carrier 20 arranged or fixed within the transport carrier 18 can be between 90 mm and 30 mm, particularly between 90 mm and 35 mm, particularly between 90 mm and 40 mm, preferably between 80 mm and 30 mm, and even more preferably between 80 mm and 40 mm. This adjustability ensures a wide range of different adjustment possibilities while maintaining a robust and compact structure.

[0256] In a further preferred embodiment, the drying device 84 may be configured to activate and / or deactivate the cooling position 100 based on the position of the workpiece carrier 20 within the drying device 84, particularly to activate the cooling position 100 below the corresponding current position of the workpiece carrier 20. In this case, the cooling position 100 may be configured to be activated by selecting one or more cooling nozzles 102 and / or compressed air openings 104 within and / or on the nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92.

[0257] The cooling nozzle 102 and / or compressed air opening 104 may be formed as a dotted opening or as a longitudinally extending opening, particularly an opening having a longitudinal extension at an angle to the conveying axis formed by the conveying track 16 (which defines the conveying direction of the transport vehicle 18), and / or an opening having a longitudinal extension at an angle to the longitudinal extension of the conveying track 16. In particular, in a plan view of the drying device 84, the longitudinally extending opening of the cooling nozzle 102 and / or compressed air opening 104 may have a longitudinal extension that forms an angle (particularly an angle of 90° or about 90°) with the conveying axis and / or the conveying direction of the transport vehicle 18 and / or with the longitudinal extension of the conveying track 16.

[0258] In this configuration, the cooling position 100 may be formed by one or more cooling nozzles 102 and / or compressed air openings 104 (arranged within the drying apparatus 84 at locations along the conveying track 16 and / or along the conveying direction of the transport carrier 18). For example, the cooling nozzles 102 and / or compressed air openings 104 may be formed at regular intervals on the supply line 105 (particularly on the upper side of the supply line 105). Similarly, the cooling position 100 may be formed by longitudinally extending openings.

[0259] Multiple cooling nozzles 102 and / or compressed air openings 104 at the cooling positions may be distributed at an angle to or transverse to the conveying axis formed by the conveying track 16, or transverse to the conveying direction of the transport carrier 18, and / or at an angle to the longitudinal extension of the conveying track 16. In particular, in a plan view of the drying apparatus 84, the multiple cooling nozzles 102 and / or compressed air openings 104 at the cooling positions may be distributed in a direction that forms an angle (particularly 90° or approximately 90°) with the conveying direction of the transport carrier 18 and / or with the longitudinal extension of the conveying track 16.

[0260] The cooling nozzle 102 and / or compressed air opening 104 (formed as a longitudinally extending opening) at the cooling position may extend at an angle to or transverse to the conveying axis formed by the conveying track 16, or transverse to the conveying direction of the transport carrier 18, and / or at an angle to the longitudinal extension of the conveying track 16. In particular, in a plan view of the drying apparatus 84, the cooling nozzle 102 and / or compressed air opening 104 (formed as a longitudinally extending opening) at the cooling position may extend along the conveying axis formed by the conveying track 16 or the conveying direction of the transport carrier 18 and / or at an angle (particularly an angle of 90° or approximately 90°) to the longitudinal extension of the conveying track 16.

[0261] In a further preferred embodiment, the drying device 84 may have at least one air filter 106 for filtering the dry airflow 95. This air filter 106 may be specifically designed as a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Therefore, the nozzles 98 of the dry air source 94 may be configured and / or arranged for the passage or supply of filtered dry air or the filtered dry airflow 95.

[0262] Finally, the drying device 84 can also be configured to continuously and / or periodically supply fresh air and / or indoor air.

[0263] When the transport carrier 18 is positioned within the drying apparatus 84, the nozzle device 90 and / or the perforated plate 92 may at least partially protrude into the free space 44 of the upper structure 36 for accommodating the printing table, and / or between the base portion 46 of the upper structure 36 and the supporting portion 40. In this position, the nozzle device 90 and / or the perforated plate 92 may at least partially protrude below the workpiece carrier 20 accommodated in the respective transport carrier 18. This allows cooling airflow to be supplied directly to the underside of the respective workpiece carrier 20, thereby ensuring proper cooling.

[0264] In a position at least partially protruding into the free space 44 for accommodating the upper structure 36 of the printing table, the nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92 may further preferably serve as a heat insulation device between different parts of the drying device 84. In particular, the nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92 may serve as a heat insulation device between the drying section 86 and the cooling section 88. For this purpose, the nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92 may extend along or substantially along a horizontal plane.

[0265] In this configuration, the nozzle assembly 90 and / or the perforated plate 92 can themselves be part of the cooling section 88 of the drying apparatus 84, but they promote thermal insulation between the drying section 86 and the cooling section 88. This is particularly applicable where the nozzle assembly 90 and / or the perforated plate 92 protrudes into the free space 44 of the upper structure 36 for accommodating the printing table. In this configuration, the nozzle assembly 90 and / or the perforated plate 92 can direct only the cooling air to the underside of the workpiece carrier 20 accommodated in the corresponding upper structure 36, thereby at least temporarily avoiding, or at least reducing, undesirable mixing with the drying air directed to the upper side of the corresponding workpiece carrier 20.

[0266] Furthermore, the nozzle assembly 90 and / or perforated plate 92 prevent warm, dry airflow from reaching the area below the nozzle assembly 90 and / or perforated plate 92 and causing undesirable heating there. Overall, the nozzle assembly 90 and / or perforated plate 92 provide advantageous thermal insulation.

[0267] The drying device 84 may have an opening 108 at at least one longitudinal end, which is formed at least partially in a manner complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the transport vehicle 18 (especially in a geometrically complementary manner), and / or in a manner complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the transport vehicle 18 (especially in a geometrically complementary manner). This allows the amount of air escaping from the drying device 84 to be reduced to a lower level.

[0268] The device 10 may also be equipped with a positioning and / or removal device 110 for positioning the workpiece carrier 20 on the transport carrier 18 and / or removing the workpiece carrier 20 from the transport carrier 18. This positioning and / or removal device 110... Figures 40 to 43 The diagram is shown schematically.

[0269] The positioning and / or removal device 110 may be configured to activate the locking mechanism 68 via a slider 70, thereby unlocking the workpiece carrier 20 contained in the transport carrier 18. Activation of the slider 70 is preferably performed automatically by the positioning and / or removal device 110, particularly by a gripper 112 engaging behind the slider 70.

[0270] Furthermore, the positioning and / or removal device 110 can be configured to perform automated manipulation of the workpiece carrier 20, so as to remove it from the transport carrier 20 after the locking mechanism 68 is unlocked, and / or position it within the transport carrier 18 after the slider 70 is opened. For this purpose, a pressing device 114 may be provided, by means of which the workpiece carrier 20 can be lifted away from the transport carrier 18 from at least one side, or can be moved to an inclined position. From this inclined position of the workpiece carrier 20, manual removal of the workpiece carrier 20 or other further automated removal operations can be performed.

[0271] After arranging different or new workpiece carriers 20 within the corresponding transport carrier 18, the pressing device 114 can be lowered again so that the workpiece carrier 20 is in a planar position on the transport carrier 18. Subsequently, the positioning and / or removal device 110 (in particular the gripper 112) can release the slider 70 of the locking mechanism 68 and / or controllably guide it to the locking position to secure the corresponding workpiece carrier 20.

[0272] In addition, the positioning and / or removal device 110 may be equipped with a detection device 116, by means of which the workpiece carrier 20 to be removed and / or repositioned on the corresponding transport carrier 18 can be detected.

[0273] The aforementioned apparatus 10 is adapted, in a particularly preferred manner, to perform a method for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces. In this method, at least one screen-printed workpiece is produced layer by layer in multiple printing operations by a printing device 12. At least one screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier 20 having the screen-printed workpiece is automatically conveyed toward and / or away from the printing device 12 by a conveying device 14, wherein the conveying by the conveying device 14 can be performed by means of a transport carrier 18 on a transport track 16.

[0274] The device 10 is specifically designed and / or configured for the development and / or production of a large number of pharmaceutical products.

[0275] List of reference numerals 10 Equipment for producing 3D screen-printed workpieces 12 Printing apparatus 14 Conveying device 16 Conveyor Track 18. Transport vehicles 20 Workpiece carrier 22. Shell 24 Printing Table 26. Drive unit 28 drive rollers 29 Current-carrying contact rollers 30 Support device 32 support rollers 33 Control Module 34 Equipment Controller 35 Control Unit 36. Superstructure 38 Walking device 40 Load-bearing components 42 Side end 44 Free Space 46. ​​Base section 48 Connection Part 50 Travel limiting device 52 travel limit claws 54 Multi-point support 56 Supports 58 Support spindle 60 Spindle Receiving Section 61 Adjusting bolt 62 Frame assembly 63 Threaded section 64 Workpiece carrier mounting base 66 Fixed mounting base 68 Locking mechanism 70 sliders 72 Contact Surface 74 Contact Surface 76 Supporting Part 78 Forming Components 80 Bypass section 82 Main Parts 84 Drying device 86. Drying section 88 Cooling Section 90 Nozzle device 92 Perforated Plate 94 Dry air source 95 Dry airflow 96 Heating element 97. Extracting airflow 98 nozzles 100 Cooling position 102 Cooling Nozzle 104 Compressed air inlet 106 Air Filter 108 Openings at the longitudinal ends of the drying device 110 Locate and / or remove the device

Claims

1. Apparatus (10) for producing a three-dimensional screen-printed workpiece, in particular a 3D screen-printing machine, having a printing device (12) for producing at least one screen-printed workpiece layer by layer in a plurality of printing operations and a conveying device (14) for the automated conveying of the at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier (20) to the printing device (12) and / or the automated conveying of the at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier (20) away from the printing device (12); wherein, The conveying device (14) has a carrier portion (40) for at least form-fitting accommodation of a workpiece carrier (20).

2. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The conveying device (14) is designed for automated conveying of at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier (20) to and / or from a printing table (24) of the printing device (12); and / or the conveying device (14) is formed separately from the printing device (12); and / or the conveying device (14) runs through the printing device (12).

3. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The conveying device (14) has at least one conveying track (16) and a transport carriage (18) which is movably arranged on the conveying track (16) for at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or at least one workpiece carrier (20), wherein the carrier portion (40) for accommodating the workpiece carrier (20) is arranged on the transport carriage (18).

4. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The carrier portion (40) is designed for form-fitting, and / or force-fitting, and / or material-bonding accommodation and / or fixing and / or at least partial accommodation and / or fixing of the workpiece carrier (20); and / or the carrier portion (40) is designed for defined and / or gapless accommodation and / or surrounding of the workpiece carrier (20).

5. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The carrier portion (40) has a frame device (62), in particular for form-fitting, force-fitting, and / or material-bonding accommodation and / or fixing and / or at least partial accommodation and / or fixing of the workpiece carrier (20), wherein the frame device (62) is preferably designed for defined and / or gapless accommodation and / or surrounding of the workpiece carrier (20), and / or wherein the frame device (62) preferably delimits a free space (44) for contacting an underside of the workpiece carrier (20) accommodated and / or surrounded in the frame device (62).

6. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The conveying device (14), in particular the transport carriage (18) and / or the carrier portion (40) of the transport carriage (18) and / or the frame device (62) of the transport carriage (18), has a workpiece carrier mount (64) for force-fitting and / or form-fitting fixing and / or clamping and / or fastening of the workpiece carrier (20), wherein the workpiece carrier mount (64) is preferably designed as a multi-point bearing, in particular as a 3-point bearing.

7. The apparatus (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that The workpiece carrier mount (64) is formed by at least one fixing mount (66) and / or at least one locking mechanism (68), in particular by a plurality of fixing mounts (66) and oppositely arranged locking mechanisms (68).

8. The apparatus (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that The locking mechanism (68) is preferably formed by a slide (70) having a chamfer and / or a contact surface (72) inclined with respect to a sliding direction of the slide (70); and / or the locking mechanism (68) is formed by a slide (70) under spring pretension and / or as a snap closure.

9. The apparatus (10) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that At least one fixed mounting (66) is formed with a chamfer and / or a contact surface (74) inclined relative to the sliding direction of the slide (70).

10. The device (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that The transport vehicle (18) has at least one drive device (26) which is arranged on the transport vehicle (18) so as to move therewith and / or which has a drive roller (28) which rolls on the conveying track (16) and / or a drive motor for the drive roller (28).

11. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that The transport vehicle (18) has an upper structure (36) for accommodating a workpiece carrier (20) of a screen printing workpiece and / or a running gear (38) which has a drive device (26) arranged on the running gear (38), wherein the upper structure (36) is preferably arranged on the running gear (38) of the transport vehicle (18) and / or wherein the carrier portion (40), the frame device (62) and / or the workpiece carrier mounting (64) are formed on the upper structure (36).

12. The apparatus (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that The upper structure (36) and / or the carrier portion (40) and / or the frame device (62) define an accommodation plane for a workpiece carrier (20), which accommodation plane extends at a distance, in particular a vertical distance, from the running gear (38) and / or the drive device (26) of the running gear (38).

13. The apparatus (10) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The upper structure (36), in particular when accommodating a workpiece carrier (20), at least partially covers the running gear (38) and / or the drive device (26) in a plan view and / or protrudes beyond at least one lateral end of the running gear (38).

14. The device (10) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The upper structure (36) is C-shaped and / or forms a free space (44) for accommodating a printing station (24) of the printing device (12); and / or in a cross section of the upper structure (36), a surface center is arranged laterally offset relative to a center of gravity of the upper structure (36).

15. The device (10) according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that The upper structure (36) has a base portion (46) for fastening to the running gear (38), a carrier portion (40) for accommodating and / or surrounding a workpiece carrier (20), and a connecting portion (48) for connecting the carrier portion (40) to the base portion (46), wherein a free space (44) for accommodating a printing station (24) and / or for contacting a workpiece carrier (20) on an underside is preferably formed between the base portion (46) and the carrier portion (40) and / or the frame device (62), and / or the free space (44) is laterally delimited by the connecting portion (48).

16. The device (10) according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that The upper structure (36) and / or the load-bearing portion (40) of the upper structure and / or the frame arrangement (62) of the upper structure is / are movably mounted in vertical direction and / or arranged height-adjustably relative to the walking device (38); and / or the upper structure (36) and / or the load-bearing portion (40) of the upper structure and / or the frame arrangement (62) of the upper structure is / are arranged to be liftable relative to the walking device (38) by means of a printing table (24) of the printing device (12).

17. The device (10) according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that The upper structure (36) and / or the load-bearing portion (40) of the upper structure is / are limited in their travel and / or vertical movability relative to the walking device (38), preferably by means of a mechanical travel limitation device (50), in particular by means of a travel limitation claw (52).

18. The apparatus (10) according to claim 17, characterized in that The travel limitation device (50) and / or the travel limitation claw (52) is / are arranged on the upper structure (36) and / or engage in a form-fit manner behind the walking device (38) and / or are capable of form-fit contact engagement with the walking device (38) by lifting the upper structure (36).

19. The device (10) according to any one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that The upper structure (36) is fastened to the walking device (38) by means of a multi-point bearing (54) and / or guided in vertically movable manner, in particular by means of a 4-point bearing; and / or at least one bearing (56) between the upper structure (36) and the walking device (38) is formed by means of a bearing spindle (58) and a spindle receptacle (60) for the bearing spindle (58).

20. The apparatus (10) according to claim 19, characterized in that The multi-point bearing (54) and / or at least one bearing (56) between the upper structure (36) and the walking device (38) is / are designed for self-centering and / or self-alignment of the upper structure (36) relative to the walking device (38); and / or at least one bearing spindle (58) is conically tapered; and / or at least one spindle receptacle (60) is conically tapered, in particular conically tapered in a complementary manner to the bearing spindle (58) or having a taper deviating from the bearing spindle (58).

21. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 20, characterized in that The transport carriage (18) has at least one support device for supporting on the conveying track (16), in particular a support roller rolling on the conveying track (16) to support the transport carriage; and / or the transport carriage (18) is supported on the conveying track (16) by means of roller contact points, in particular only by roller contact points of the drive rollers (28) and / or support rollers, or by roller contact points of a plurality of drive rollers (28) and / or a plurality of support rollers (32).

22. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 21, characterized in that The conveying track (16) is designed as a single track and / or has a plurality of single track portions connected to one another, in particular in longitudinal direction; and / or the conveying track (16) is assembled in a modular manner and / or consists of a plurality of track modules; and / or the transport carriage (18) is arranged on the conveying track (16) so as to surround the conveying track (16) on multiple sides, in particular so as to surround the conveying track (16) on three sides.

23. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 22, characterized in that The transport vehicle (18) has at least one position sensor and / or at least one distance sensor; and / or the transport vehicle (18) is designed for communication with a control module (33) arranged on the transport track (16).

24. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 23, characterized in that At least one control module (33) is arranged on the transport track (16), the control module (33) being designed for communication with a superordinate device controller (34) and / or for communication with at least one transport vehicle (18) in order to control the transport path and / or the transport speed of the respective transport vehicle (18); and / or at least one control unit (35) for controlling the speed of the transport vehicle (18) is arranged on the transport track (16), in particular a control cam; and / or at least one position sensor and / or distance sensor is arranged on the transport track (16).

25. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 24, characterized in that The transport device (14) has a collision monitoring system for avoiding collisions between the transport vehicles (18), wherein the collision monitoring system is preferably designed as a signal processing of the distance sensors and / or position sensors of the transport track (16) and / or of the control modules (33) and / or control units (35) of the transport track (16).

26. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 11 to 25, characterized by The superstructure (36), in particular the carrier part (40) and / or the frame device (62) of the superstructure (36), has a support part (76) for contacting and / or lifting the superstructure (36) by means of a printing table (24) of the printing device (12), wherein the support part (76) is preferably formed on the underside of the carrier part (40) and / or of the frame device (62).

27. The apparatus (10) according to claim 26, characterized in that The support part (76) is designed and / or arranged for contact by means of a printing table (24) in a load-free manner with respect to the workpiece carrier mount (64); and / or the superstructure (36) can be contacted and / or lifted by means of a printing table (24) of the support part (76) in a load-free manner with respect to the workpiece carrier mount (64).

28. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The printing device (12) has a liftable printing table (24), which is preferably a liftable vacuum printing table; and / or the printing table (24) of the printing device (12) is designed for contact with the plane of a workpiece carrier (20) accommodated in the transport vehicle (18) and / or for contact with the support part (76) of the superstructure (36) of the transport vehicle (18); and / or the printing table (24) of the printing device (12) is designed for lifting the superstructure (36) by means of the support part (76) in a load-free manner with respect to the workpiece carrier mount (64), in particular while having contact with the workpiece carrier (20).

29. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 28, characterized in that In a plan view of the transport device (14), the center of gravity of the transport vehicle (18) is arranged offset with respect to the transport track (16); and / or the center of gravity of the transport vehicle (18) is arranged offset in horizontal direction with respect to the transport track (16).

30. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 11 to 29, characterized by In a plan view of the transport vehicle (18), the center of gravity of the superstructure (36) is arranged offset with respect to the center of gravity of the running gear (38); and / or the center of gravity of the superstructure (36) is arranged offset in horizontal direction with respect to the center of gravity of the running gear (38).

31. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, The transport device (14) and / or the track system is designed as a transport loop, and / or is provided for the automated transport of at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier (20) in a loop between the printing device (12) and a location spaced apart from the printing device (12).

32. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that There are a plurality of printing devices (12), the transport device (14) runs between the printing devices, and / or screen-printed workpieces and / or workpiece carriers (20) can be transported between the printing devices by means of the transport device (14).

33. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that There is at least one drying device (84) for at least one screen-printed workpiece, in particular a plurality of drying devices (84), wherein the at least one drying device (84) is preferably formed for continuous passage drying and / or for static drying.

34. The apparatus (10) according to claim 33, characterized in that The transport device (14) is preferably designed for the transport of screen-printed workpieces and / or workpiece carriers (20) to the drying device (84), and / or from the drying device (84), and / or through the drying device (84), and / or for the transport of screen-printed workpieces and / or workpiece carriers (20) between the printing device (12) and the drying device (84); and / or the transport device (14) runs through the drying device (84); and / or the transport device (14) is formed separately from the drying device (84).

35. The apparatus (10) according to claim 33 or 34, characterized by The drying device (84) is designed for drying at least one screen-printed workpiece and for simultaneously cooling a workpiece carrier (20) carrying the respective screen-printed workpiece to be dried.

36. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 32 to 34, characterized by The drying device (84) has a drying section (86) for the drying of screen-printed workpieces and a cooling section (88) for the cooling of workpiece carriers (20); and / or the drying device (84) is divided into a drying section (86) and a cooling section (88), wherein at least one nozzle device (90) and / or a perforated plate (92) for supplying a cooling gas stream, in particular compressed cooling air, is preferably arranged within the cooling section (88), and / or wherein the drying section (86) is arranged above the nozzle device (90) and / or the perforated plate (92) for supplying the cooling gas stream.

37. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 33 to 36, characterized by The drying device (84) is designed for the convective drying of screen-printed workpieces and / or for the blast cooling of workpiece carriers (20), in particular for the convective drying of screen-printed workpieces simultaneously with the blast cooling of workpiece carriers (20) carrying the respective screen-printed workpieces; and / or the drying device (84) has a contact cooling for workpiece carriers (20), preferably a contact cooling for workpiece carriers (20) running with the drying device (84).

38. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 33 to 37, characterized by The drying device (84) is designed to activate and deactivate the cooling positions (100) depending on the position of the workpiece carrier (20) within the drying device (84), in particular to activate the cooling positions (100) below the respective current position of the workpiece carrier (20).

39. The apparatus (10) according to claim 38, characterized in that The cooling positions (100) are designed to be activated by selectively activating individual or multiple cooling nozzles (102) and / or individual or multiple compressed air openings (104) within and / or on the nozzle device (90) and / or within and / or on the perforated plate (92).

40. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 33 to 39, characterized by The drying device (84) has at least one air filter (106) and / or a plurality of nozzles (98) for filtered drying air (95); and / or the drying device (84) is formed as a circulating air dryer and / or for a continuous and / or periodic supply of fresh air and / or room air.

41. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 33 to 40, characterized by The drying device (84) is designed to direct the drying air flow (95) onto the screen-printed workpiece, in particular at an angle to the transport direction (14) of the respective screen-printed workpiece and / or of the respective workpiece carrier (20), and / or transversely to the transport direction of the respective screen-printed workpiece and / or of the respective workpiece carrier (20), and / or onto the respective screen-printed workpiece on the upper side.

42. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 33 to 41, characterized by The drying device (84) is designed as an air flow extraction, in particular an air flow extraction transversely to the transport direction of the respective screen-printed workpiece and / or of the workpiece carrier (20) and / or in the horizontal direction of the respective screen-printed workpiece and / or of the workpiece carrier (20), such that the extraction air flow (97) forms an angle with the transport direction of the respective screen-printed workpiece and / or of the respective workpiece carrier (20).

43. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 33 to 41, characterized by The drying device (84) is designed to direct the extracted drying air and / or cooling air again as drying air onto the screen-printed workpiece to be dried.

44. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 36 to 43, characterized by The nozzle device (90) and / or the perforated plate (92) at least partially protrude into the free space (44) of the superstructure (36) for accommodating the printing table (24) and / or at least partially between the base portion (46) and the carrier portion (40) and / or the frame device (62) of the superstructure (36) and / or at least partially below the workpiece carrier (20) accommodated in the transport carrier (18) when the transport carrier (18) is positioned within the drying device (84).

45. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 33 to 44, characterized by The drying device (84) has openings (108) on at least one longitudinal end, which are at least partially formed complementarily to the cross-sectional shape of the transport carrier (18) and / or complementarily to the cross-sectional profile shape of the transport carrier (18).

46. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that There is a gate device for the entry and / or exit of the transport carrier (18) and / or at least one detection module for the detection of the entered and / or exited transport carrier of the transport device.

47. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, There is at least one positioning and / or removal device (110) for the positioning of the workpiece carrier (20) on the transport carrier (18) and / or for the removal of the workpiece carrier (20) from the transport carrier (18).

48. Device (10) for producing a three-dimensional screen-printed workpiece, in particular according to any of the preceding claims, having a printing apparatus (12) for producing at least one screen-printed workpiece layer by layer in a plurality of printing operations and a conveying apparatus (14) for the automated conveying of the at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier (20) to and / or from the printing apparatus (12), wherein the conveying apparatus (14) has a workpiece carrier mount (64) for the fixation and / or clamping of the workpiece carrier (20).

49. Conveyor device, in particular for conveying in a device (10) for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, having a transport carriage (18) for the automated conveying of at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier (20), wherein The conveying carrier (18) has a carrier portion (40) for the at least form-fit accommodation of the workpiece carrier (20) and / or a workpiece carrier mount for the fixation and / or clamping of the workpiece carrier (20).

50. Method for producing a three-dimensional screen-printed workpiece, in particular using an apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 48, wherein, At least one screen-printed workpiece is produced layer by layer in a plurality of printing operations by means of a printing apparatus (12), and wherein the at least one screen-printed workpiece on a workpiece carrier (20) is conveyed automatically to and / or from the printing apparatus (12) by means of a conveying apparatus (14), wherein the workpiece carrier (20) is accommodated at least form-fit on and / or in the carrier portion (40) for the conveying by means of the conveying apparatus (14).

51. Method for producing a three-dimensional screen-printed workpiece, in particular using an apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 48, wherein, At least one screen-printed workpiece is produced layer by layer in a plurality of printing operations by means of a printing apparatus (12), and wherein the at least one screen-printed workpiece on a workpiece carrier (20) is conveyed automatically to and / or from the printing apparatus (12) by means of a conveying apparatus (14), wherein the workpiece carrier (20) is fixed and / or clamped in a workpiece carrier mount (64) for the conveying by means of the conveying apparatus (14).

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