DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL SCREEN PRINTING WORKS

Description

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

[0002] A system for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces is known from the prior art published in WO 2020 / 212371 A1. This system design includes a conveyor belt for the automated transport of at least one workpiece carrier. Such a conveyor advantageously allows workpiece carriers to be automatically transported in a closed loop between a printing unit and at least one position located at a distance from the printing unit. This ensures a high overall utilization of the printing unit and thus a high level of productivity.

[0003] However, a conveyor system designed as a belt conveyor can only be adapted or subsequently modified in its design or transport layout with relatively great effort. Therefore, a system equipped with such a conveyor is only suitable to a limited extent for different applications or production conditions.

[0004] The operation of a belt conveyor can also involve relatively high friction or slippage. Particles released as a result can lead to contamination, which – depending on the application – can impair the quality of the screen-printed workpieces produced.

[0005] Against the background outlined above, the object of the present invention was to provide a 3D screen printing system for the production of three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, which ensures increased operational flexibility while simultaneously maintaining high productivity and improved production cleanliness. The object was also to provide a method for the production of three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces.

[0006] With regard to the 3D screen printing system, this problem has been solved by the subject matter of claim 1. A method according to the invention is the subject matter of claim 15. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims and are explained below.

[0007] According to the invention, a 3D screen printing system (hereinafter also referred to as a device) is provided for the production of three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces.

[0008] The 3D screen printing system according to the invention for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces comprises a printing device for the layer-by-layer production of at least one screen-printed workpiece in several printing processes and a transport device for the automated transport of at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier to and / or away from the printing device. The transport device comprises at least one transport rail and a conveying vehicle movably arranged on the transport rail for at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or at least one workpiece carrier.

[0009] A screen-printed workpiece can therefore be produced layer by layer in several printing processes. Before or after any printing processes for a screen-printed workpiece, the respective workpiece carrier can be moved to and / or away from the printing unit by the transport system. During operation, the printing unit can thus be loaded with different workpiece carriers, ensuring a high overall utilization of the printing unit. This avoids downtime of the printing unit or at least keeps it to a minimum. Overall, this ensures high productivity of the system.

[0010] At the same time, the design of the transport system with a transport rail and a conveying vehicle movably arranged on the transport rail can prevent or at least reduce relative movements of contacting surfaces. With such a design, operational particle abrasion can therefore be completely avoided or kept to a minimum. Overall, this allows for improved cleanliness conditions for the individual production steps.

[0011] Undesirable contamination of the screen-printed workpieces to be produced, due to friction-induced particles, can be prevented with a transport device designed according to the invention. Consequently, screen-printed workpieces with high purity and / or hygiene requirements can be produced with a 3D screen-printing system according to the invention.

[0012] Finally, a design of the transport device according to the invention, comprising at least one transport rail and a conveying vehicle arranged on the transport rail, ensures a high degree of flexibility. The layout of the system can be adapted or reconfigured with minimal effort. For example, the device layout can be adjusted inline, via switches, and / or bypasses. In this way, depending on the application and production requirements, additional components can be integrated or removed from the device with minimal effort, in addition to the printing unit.

[0013] In the present context, three-dimensional screen printing can be understood, in a particularly preferred manner, as an additive manufacturing process in which a powder-based suspension is transferred to a substrate through a solid printing mask using a squeegee and then dried. This process can be repeated several times until the desired component height or shape is achieved. In In a final process step, the component produced in this way can be sintered. This can result in a screen-printed workpiece.

[0014] In the present case, three-dimensional screen printing can also be understood, in a particularly preferred manner, as an additive manufacturing process in which a powder-based suspension is transferred to a substrate through a solid printing mask using a squeegee and dried, whereby the desired component height or component shape is achieved by a single print. InIn a final process step, a component produced in this way can be sintered to create a screen-printed part. Where multiple printing processes are mentioned, a single printing process may be sufficient and suitable instead.

[0015] In the present context, a screen-printed workpiece can preferably be understood as a workpiece or a three-dimensional printed product that is to be subjected to, or has been subjected to, a sintering step. This applies in particular to workpieces made of a metal, a ceramic, a glass material, and / or a plastic material. Alloys of steel, nickel, copper, titanium, and / or ceramic alloys are especially suitable for this purpose.

[0016] Printed products made of plastic materials can be either excluded or included by the term "three-dimensional screen-printed workpiece". In particular, it is also possible to subject printed workpiece layers made of plastic material to a sintering step.

[0017] In this context, a screen-printed workpiece can also be understood to be a workpiece or a three-dimensional printed product that has been manufactured without a sintering step, or can be manufactured or is manufactured without a sintering step. Thus, the final curing of printed layers can also occur without sintering steps. The curing of a screen-printed workpiece can advantageously also be achieved by UV curing and / or by a polymerization reaction and / or by drying, in particular by convection drying. Such curing is particularly preferable when the final curing of printed layers is to be carried out without sintering steps.

[0018] A screen-printed workpiece according to the present invention can furthermore be a pharmaceutical product and / or a biological product. Such screen-printed workpieces can be made, among other things, from pharmaceutical powder materials and / or powder mixtures and / or granules and / or from biological materials. In particular, pharmaceutical products and / or biological products can be completed without sintering steps or be sufficiently cured for the respective application.

[0019] Screen-printed workpieces made from pharmaceutical powder materials and / or powder mixtures and / or granules may contain drugs, active ingredients, excipients, in particular fillers and / or binders and / or disintegrants and / or lubricants.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device can be designed and / or configured for production under cleanroom conditions. In particular, the device can be designed and / or configured for production under cleanroom conditions in accordance with cleanroom classes A, B, C and / or D according to EU-GMP.

[0021] A device according to the invention may preferably be designed and / or equipped for the production of screen-printed workpieces for use in medical technology, optics and / or laser technology, aerospace engineering, semiconductor technology, biotechnology and / or medical and / or pharmacological research.

[0022] Likewise, the device according to the invention can be designed and / or configured for the production of screen-printed workpieces for use and / or application as medical and / or pharmaceutical products, implants and / or sterile products and / or medicines and / or for use and / or application as tablets for administering active ingredients.

[0023] According to a further preferred embodiment, the transport device can be configured for the automated transport of at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier to and / or away from a printing table of the printing device. Such a printing table can, in particular, comprise a printing table top.

[0024] A printing table or printing table top can advantageously be brought into contact with the underside of a workpiece carrier for the purpose of carrying out a printing process and supporting it during the printing process. A printing table or printing table top preferably does not serve for direct printing or as a direct printing surface or for providing a surface to be printed. Rather, a printing table or printing table top can advantageously be designed and / or arranged for the temporary contacting, lifting, and / or supporting of a workpiece carrier.

[0025] In a further advantageous manner, according to the present teaching, a workpiece carrier can be provided and / or designed for direct printing. In this context, a workpiece carrier within the meaning of the present teaching can also have a coating on which printing layers can be applied. A workpiece carrier or a coating of such a workpiece carrier can therefore be provided as a direct printing substrate or for providing a surface to be printed on, and / or arranged or arrangable within the device.

[0026] According to the present invention, a screen-printed workpiece can be a workpiece that is built up on the workpiece carrier by three-dimensional screen printing in one or more printing processes. In particular, the screen-printed workpiece is a workpiece that can be removed from the workpiece carrier after completion of the printing process and / or after completion of a subsequent sintering process, and in particular, can be removed without damage.

[0027] Between printing processes for a screen-printed workpiece, the workpiece carrier can be detached from the printing table or printing tabletop. The individual layers of a screen-printed workpiece – in the case of a multi-layered structure – can be dried between two successive printing processes in a position away from the printing table or printing tabletop.

[0028] In Preferably, the transport device can be designed separately and / or independently from the pressure device. This enables or further facilitates an overall modular design of the device. The transport device can be configured independently of the pressure device and arranged to connect the pressure device to at least one other device or position within the device.

[0029] Furthermore, a transport device that is separate from and / or independently designed can simplify the addition and / or replacement of the printing device, in particular the addition of further units within the device or the replacement of the printing device with another printing device.

[0030] Despite the transport device being designed separately and / or independently from the printing device, it can be adapted to the printing device, in particular to enable reliable transport of a workpiece carrier and / or a screen-printed workpiece to and / or away from the printing device.

[0031] The transport device can preferably run through the printing device. This ensures a particularly advantageous and space-saving transport of a workpiece carrier and / or a screen-printed workpiece to and / or from the printing device. The printing device can thus be particularly advantageously connected to other devices or fixture modules. With an overall modular device design, a high degree of integration of the respective devices or fixture modules can be ensured in this way.

[0032] According to a further preferred embodiment, the conveying vehicle can have at least one drive unit that is mounted on the conveying vehicle and / or that includes a drive roller rolling on the transport rail and / or a drive motor for a drive roller. Such a conveying vehicle can therefore be moved or driven independently of other conveying vehicles on the respective transport rail. This allows for individual movement of the conveying vehicle within the device and thus also for individualized transport of the workpiece carrier or screen-printed workpiece arranged on the conveying vehicle.

[0033] According to a further preferred embodiment, the conveying vehicle can have at least one support device for bracing itself against the transport rail, in particular a support roller that rolls along the transport rail to support the conveying vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the conveying vehicle can be supported on the transport rail via roller contact points, in particular exclusively via roller contact points of a drive roller and / or a support roller, or via roller contact points of a plurality of drive rollers and / or support rollers. In this way, safe and stable guidance of the conveying vehicle on the transport rail and thus particularly safe transport of workpiece carriers and / or screen-printed workpieces can be achieved.

[0034] The transport rail can preferably be designed as a single rail and / or have a plurality of interconnected single rail sections, in particular single rail sections interconnected longitudinally. The transport rail can further preferably be modularly composed and / or consist of several rail modules.

[0035] A single-rail system is specifically designed as a so-called monorail, or for forming a single track for a given transport vehicle. In a monorail configuration, a transport vehicle is supported solely by this single track. A further parallel track for simultaneously supporting the transport vehicle is therefore not provided in the case of a monorail system. Such a monorail system ensures a compact and stable design, and by connecting multiple monorail sections and / or multiple rail modules, numerous transport configurations and track layouts can be implemented with minimal effort and at low cost.

[0036] Even more preferably, the conveying vehicle can be arranged along a longitudinal section of the transport rail, enclosing it on multiple sides, particularly on three sides. This advantageously improves the stability of the conveying vehicle on the transport rail.

[0037] In a further preferred embodiment, the conveying vehicle can have at least one position sensor and / or one distance sensor. This enables reliable position monitoring and / or position control of the conveying vehicle. In particular, such a design can prevent collisions between two conveying vehicles.

[0038] Furthermore, the transport vehicle can be equipped to communicate with a control module mounted on the transport rail. Communication via such a control module enables the transmission of signals to the transport vehicle to define the desired transport path and / or speed or trajectory.

[0039] Therefore, according to a further preferred embodiment, at least one control module can be arranged on the transport rail. Such a control module can be arranged for communication with a higher-level device control system and / or for communication with at least one conveying vehicle to control the transport path and / or the transport speed of the respective conveying vehicle. The respective conveying vehicle, and in particular a plurality of conveying vehicles, can be controlled in a particularly advantageous manner via such a control module, namely by a higher-level device control system. Transport paths and / or transport speeds of several conveying vehicles can be coordinated with each other. Likewise, transport paths and / or transport speeds of conveying vehicles can be adapted to the processing and cycle times for the respective screen-printed workpieces.

[0040] Additionally or alternatively, at least one control unit, in particular a control cam, for speed control of a conveying vehicle can be arranged on the transport rail. Such a control unit can preferably be designed exclusively for speed control of a conveying vehicle. In this way, the transport speed and / or the transport path of a conveying vehicle can be influenced with minimal equipment.

[0041] According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one position sensor and / or one distance sensor can be arranged on the transport rail. Collisions of conveying vehicles, in particular of adjacent or consecutive conveying vehicles arranged on the transport rail, can be avoided with high reliability by means of position and / or distance sensors.

[0042] Even more preferably, the transport system can include a collision monitoring system to prevent collisions between transport vehicles. This collision monitoring system can be configured to process signals from distance and / or position sensors and / or control modules and / or control units of the transport rail. This further improves the operational reliability of the device and increases the level of automation.

[0043] According to a further preferred embodiment, the conveying vehicle can have a superstructure for receiving a workpiece carrier for screen-printed workpieces. Likewise, the conveying vehicle can have a runner device incorporating the drive unit. The superstructure can preferably be arranged on the runner device of the conveying vehicle. The drive functionality and the workpiece carrier receiving functionality can thus be provided by different sections or different parts of the conveying vehicle. In particular, a functional division of the conveying vehicle can be achieved in this way, namely into drive functionality and workpiece carrier receiving functionality.

[0044] In a further preferred manner, the structure and / or a support section of the structure can define a receiving plane for a workpiece carrier, which is spaced apart from the runner device and / or from the drive device, in particular vertically spaced.

[0045] A support section can be, in particular, a section of the structure through which a workpiece carrier can be carried or received. With such a design, a sufficient distance can be maintained between the workpiece carrier being transported and the runner device or the drive unit during operation of the transport system.

[0046] Should particles be released by the drive unit and / or in the area of ​​the rotor direction due to friction, this occurs at a distance from the workpiece carrier and thus also from the screen-printed workpieces positioned on the workpiece carrier. The risk of unwanted contamination of the screen-printed workpieces can be further reduced in this way. This results in even improved suitability of the device for use in cleanroom conditions.

[0047] In a further preferred embodiment, the assembly, particularly with an integrated workpiece carrier, can, in a top view, at least partially cover the runner device and / or the drive unit and / or project beyond at least one side end of the runner device. Such covering and / or projection reduces, with minimal design effort, the risk of particles released at the level of the runner device and / or the drive unit rising to a height above the assembly and settling on the workpiece carrier or on screen-printed workpieces located thereon. The cleanliness requirements for the production of three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces can thus be further improved.

[0048] It can be further advantageous if the structure is C-shaped and / or provides a space for a printing table of the printing device. In this case, the center of the surface can be positioned laterally offset from the structure's center of gravity in a cross-section. Such a design is structurally simple to implement and simultaneously ensures that a workpiece carrier mounted on the structure can be contacted by a printing table with a high degree of safety and stability, particularly for carrying out a printing process.

[0049] In a further preferred embodiment, the assembly can comprise a base section for attachment to the runner device, a support section for receiving a workpiece carrier, and a connecting section for connecting the support section to the base section. A space for receiving a pressure table and / or for contacting the underside of a workpiece carrier is preferably formed between the base section and the support section and / or can be laterally bounded by the connecting section. This ensures, on the one hand, a stable construction of the assembly, while simultaneously providing good accessibility from the underside of a workpiece carrier positioned on the assembly.

[0050] In a further preferred embodiment, the height of a clearance and / or the distance between the base section and the support section can be up to 150 mm, more preferably up to 140 mm, more preferably up to 130 mm, more preferably up to 120 mm, more preferably up to 110 mm, more preferably up to 100 mm, more preferably up to 95 mm, and in particular up to 90 mm or approximately 90 mm. Such a design ensures a sufficiently compact construction and, at the same time, advantageously allows for the temporary storage of device components in the clearance between the base section and the support section.

[0051] In a further preferred embodiment, the height of a clearance and / or a distance between the base section and the support section can be at least 20 mm, more preferably at least 30 mm, more preferably at least 40 mm, more preferably at least 50 mm, more preferably at least 60 mm, more preferably at least 70 mm, more preferably at least 80 mm, more preferably at least 85 mm, and in particular at least 90 mm. This allows the clearance between the base section and the support section to advantageously serve for the temporary accommodation of device components, reducing the risk of collisions.

[0052] In a further preferred embodiment, the height of the clearance and / or the distance between the base section and the support section can be between 20 mm and 150 mm, more preferably between 30 mm and 140 mm, more preferably between 40 mm and 130 mm, more preferably between 50 mm and 120 mm, more preferably between 60 mm and 110 mm, more preferably between 70 mm and 100 mm, more preferably between 80 mm and 100 mm, more preferably between 85 mm and 95 mm, and in particular approximately 90 mm. Such a dimensioning of the clearance or the distance between the base section and the support section ensures a compact and robust design while simultaneously minimizing the risk of collisions when arranging device components within the clearance.

[0053] It can be further advantageous if the superstructure and / or the supporting section of the superstructure is mounted so as to be movable in the vertical direction relative to the runner device and / or arranged in a height-adjustable manner. Additionally or alternatively, the superstructure and / or the supporting section of the superstructure can be arranged to be raised relative to the runner device by a pressure table of the pressure device.

[0054] This design allows the superstructure and / or its supporting section to be moved vertically or raised relative to the runner device during a printing process. Consequently, during a printing process, the superstructure and / or its supporting section, together with the respective workpiece carrier, can be raised relative to the runner device and thus positioned with increased stability. Forces occurring during a printing process can be appropriately absorbed by a printing table in this raised position, thereby preventing force transmission or absorption by the runner device and / or the transport rail.

[0055] A height-adjustable arrangement or mounting of the superstructure relative to the runner device can be provided, in particular independently of any height adjustability of the superstructure and / or the supporting section of the superstructure relative to the runner device.

[0056] Height adjustability of the superstructure and / or its supporting section relative to the runner device can be ensured, in particular, by at least one adjusting screw, and especially by several adjusting screws. This ensures proper alignment and height adjustment of the superstructure and / or its supporting section. A lifting operation of the superstructure and / or its supporting section by a pressure table can thus begin from a correctly set initial height of the superstructure and / or its supporting section.

[0057] Preferably, a height adjustment range of at least 5 mm, more 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 can be provided. This ensures sufficiently precise adjustment of the height of the structure and / or the supporting section of the structure relative to the runner device, even with relatively large adjustment requirements.

[0058] Furthermore, a height adjustment range of at most 30 mm, preferably at most 20 mm, more preferably at most 15 mm, and even more preferably at most 10 mm, can be provided. Such a design can be achieved with minimal installation space and simultaneously ensures a high degree of stability.

[0059] According to a further preferred embodiment, the stroke and / or vertical movement of the superstructure and / or the supporting section of the superstructure relative to the runner device can be limited. Such a limitation can be formed, in particular, by a mechanical stroke limiting device, especially preferably by a stroke limiting claw. In this way, it can be ensured that the superstructure or the supporting section of the superstructure does not detach from the runner device unintentionally. This ensures a high degree of operational reliability.

[0060] In a further preferred manner, a stroke limiting device can limit the stroke of the superstructure and / or the support section of the superstructure relative to the runner device with a stroke distance of at most 20 mm, more preferably at most 15 mm, even more preferably at most 10 mm, even more preferably at most 5 mm.

[0061] In a further preferred embodiment, the stroke limiting device and / or the stroke limiting claw can be arranged on the superstructure and / or engage the runner device in a positive-locking manner. By lifting the superstructure, the stroke limiting device and / or the stroke limiting claw can be brought into positive-locking contact engagement with the runner device. In this way, a suitable transport securing device for the superstructure can be provided with minimal design effort.

[0062] According to a further preferred embodiment, the assembly can be mounted on the runner device via a multi-point bearing, in particular a 3-point or 4-point bearing, and / or guided vertically. At least one bearing between the assembly and the runner device can be formed by a bearing mandrel and a mandrel receptacle for the bearing mandrel. In this way, sufficiently secure positioning of the assembly on the runner device can be ensured for transport. In particular, the assembly can be positioned horizontally without play relative to the runner device when in a detached position or when placed on the runner device. Simultaneously, secure lifting of the assembly can be ensured by means of a vertically movable guide.

[0063] In a further preferred embodiment, the multi-point support and / or at least one bearing between the superstructure and the runner device can be designed for self-centering and / or self-alignment of the superstructure relative to the runner device. This ensures correct positioning with a high degree of reliability and minimal effort when setting down or lowering the superstructure onto the runner device.

[0064] In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one bearing mandrel and / or at least one mandrel receptacle can be tapered. This allows for a simple design feature that enables self-centering of the assembly relative to the rotor device. In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one mandrel receptacle can be tapered conically in a manner complementary to the bearing mandrel, thereby achieving a planar contact between the respective tapered and mutually facing surfaces. Likewise, at least one mandrel receptacle can have a taper that differs from that of the respective bearing mandrel, resulting in a particularly small contact area between the mandrel receptacle and the respective bearing mandrel.

[0065] Preferably, a mandrel receptacle can be formed on the underside of an adjusting screw for height adjustment of the assembly relative to the runner device. Such an adjusting screw can, in particular, be screwed into a base section of the assembly and arranged to be screwed for height adjustment.

[0066] According to a further preferred embodiment, the conveying vehicle, in particular the superstructure of the conveying vehicle and / or the supporting section of the superstructure, can be designed for the positive-locking and / or force-locking and / or material-locking reception and / or fixation and / or at least partial enclosing of a workpiece carrier. This results in a high degree of transport safety when transporting a workpiece carrier using such a conveying vehicle. Unwanted falling or sliding of the respective workpiece carrier from the conveying vehicle during transport can thus be reliably prevented.

[0067] According to a further preferred embodiment, the conveying vehicle, in particular the superstructure of the conveying vehicle and / or the support section of the superstructure, can be designed for the positive-locking and / or force-locking and / or material-locking reception and / or fixing and / or at least partial enclosing of a workpiece carrier with a side edge length or several side 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, and more preferably at least 475 mm. The reception and / or fixing and / or enclosing of a workpiece carrier of such dimensions enables the printing of a relatively large printing surface or a surface to be printed with sufficient dimensions.

[0068] According to a further preferred embodiment, the conveying vehicle, in particular the superstructure of the conveying vehicle and / or the supporting section of the superstructure, can be designed for the positive-locking and / or force-locking and / or material-locking reception and / or fixing and / or at least partial enclosing of a workpiece carrier with a side edge length or multiple 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, more preferably up to 525 mm, and even more preferably up to 500 mm. The reception and / or fixing and / or enclosing of a workpiece carrier of such dimensions enables an overall compact and stable construction as well as good handling of the respective workpiece carriers when positioning them in or on the conveying vehicle and when removing them from or in the conveying vehicle.

[0069] According to a further preferred embodiment, the conveying vehicle, in particular the superstructure of the conveying vehicle and / or the support section of the superstructure, can be designed for the positive-locking and / or force-locking and / or material-locking reception and / or fixing and / or at least partial enclosing of a workpiece carrier with a side edge length or several side edge lengths of 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, more preferably from 475 mm to 525 mm.Such dimensioning enables the provision of a sufficiently dimensioned printing surface or a sufficiently dimensioned printing surface while maintaining a compact and robust design of the conveying vehicle, in particular the structure of the conveying vehicle.

[0070] In particular, the structure of the conveying vehicle and / or the supporting section of the structure can be designed to receive and / or fix and / or at least partially enclose a rectangular or square or substantially square workpiece carrier.

[0071] Additionally or alternatively, the structure and / or the supporting section of the assembly can be designed for the defined and / or backlash-free reception and / or enclosing of a workpiece carrier. The workpiece carrier can be enclosed all around, completely around all side edges of the workpiece carrier, or only in sections. Such a design can further improve the secure fastening of a workpiece carrier.

[0072] It can be further advantageous if the conveying vehicle, in particular the vehicle's superstructure and / or the supporting section of the superstructure, has a frame device. Such a frame device can be, in particular, a frame device for the positive-locking and / or force-locking and / or material-locking reception and / or fixation and / or at least partial enclosure of a workpiece carrier. Such a frame device ensures particularly secure reception and / or fixation of a workpiece carrier while simultaneously providing good accessibility for handling the workpiece carrier during placement in and / or removal from the frame device.

[0073] In a further preferred embodiment, a frame device can be designed to receive and / or fix and / or at least partially or circumferentially enclose a workpiece carrier with a side length or multiple side 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, and more preferably at least 475 mm. Receiving and / or fixing and / or enclosing a workpiece carrier of such dimensions enables the printing of a relatively large printing substrate or a surface with sufficiently large dimensions. In a single printing process, numerous screen-printed workpieces can thus be produced layer by layer, ensuring high efficiency.

[0074] In a further preferred embodiment, a frame device can be designed to receive and / or fix and / or at least partially or circumferentially enclose a workpiece carrier with a side length or multiple side 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, more preferably up to 525 mm, and even more preferably up to 500 mm. Receiving and / or fixing and / or enclosing a workpiece carrier of such dimensions enables an overall compact and stable construction of the frame device, as well as good handling of the respective workpiece carriers when positioning them within the frame device.

[0075] In a further preferred embodiment, a frame device for receiving and / or fixing and / or at least partially or completely enclosing a workpiece carrier with a side length or multiple side 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, and more preferably 475 mm to 525 mm, can be designed. Such dimensions allow for the provision of a sufficiently dimensioned printing surface while maintaining a compact and robust design for the frame device.

[0076] Opposing inner edges of a frame device can preferably be spaced at least 50 mm apart, 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, and more preferably at least 475 mm. Such a design allows a frame device to accommodate or enclose sufficiently large workpiece carriers.

[0077] In a further preferred embodiment, opposing inner edges of such a frame device can have a distance from each other 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, more preferably up to 525 mm, and even more preferably up to 500 mm. This allows relatively stable and sufficiently compact workpiece carriers to be accommodated or enclosed within the frame device.

[0078] Preferably, opposing inner edges of a frame device can have a distance from each other 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, and more preferably 475 mm to 525 mm. Such dimensions allow for the accommodation or enclosure of workpiece carriers of a suitable size for printing within a printing device, while simultaneously ensuring a sufficiently stable construction and good handling. In particular, a frame device can be designed to accommodate square and / or rectangular, or substantially square and / or rectangular, workpiece carriers.

[0079] In a further advantageous manner, the frame device can be designed for the defined and / or backlash-free reception and / or enclosing of a workpiece carrier. The respective position of the workpiece carrier within or on the frame device can thus be determined with high accuracy and reliably maintained for the subsequent process steps within the device.

[0080] Additionally or alternatively, the frame can define a space for contacting the underside of a workpiece carrier held and / or enclosed within it. This ensures good accessibility to the underside of the workpiece carrier for contacting and / or lifting by a pressure plate. In this way, direct contact between the pressure plate of the printing device and the respective workpiece carrier can be established with minimal effort for the respective printing processes.

[0081] In a further preferred embodiment, the conveying vehicle, in particular its superstructure and / or support section and / or frame, may have a workpiece carrier mounting for fixing and / or clamping and / or for force-fit and / or form-fit fastening of a workpiece carrier. Such a mounting allows the workpiece carrier to be attached to or within the conveying vehicle with particular security and to remain secured within the device during transport.

[0082] The workpiece carrier support can preferably be designed as a multi-point support, particularly as a 3-point support. Such a multi-point or 3-point support allows for secure fastening with minimal contact or a small contact area with the workpiece carrier being supported. This further reduces the risk of particle release through abrasion and the resulting increase in the concentration of airborne particles. A multi-point or 3-point support can reliably prevent abrasion-induced particle formation.

[0083] Preferably, the workpiece carrier support can be formed by at least one fixed bearing and / or at least one locking mechanism, in particular by several fixed bearings and an opposing locking mechanism. Such a design is simple in construction and allows for easy handling or automation with a cost-effective implementation.

[0084] Preferably, the workpiece carrier bearing can be designed to fix and / or clamp and / or force-fit and / or form-fit a workpiece carrier with a thickness of at least 0.5 mm, in particular with a thickness of at least 0.8 mm, more preferably with a thickness of at least 1 mm, and even more preferably with a thickness of at least 1.5 mm, in particular at least 2 mm or approximately 2 mm. Such a workpiece carrier bearing enables the use of workpiece carriers with sufficient stability and can thus ensure a high degree of operational reliability.

[0085] Even more preferably, the workpiece carrier bearing can be designed to fix and / or clamp and / or force-fit and / or form-fit a workpiece carrier with a thickness of up to 10 mm, particularly up to 8 mm, more preferably up to 6 mm, more preferably up to 5 mm, more preferably up to 4 mm, more preferably up to 3 mm, and more preferably up to 2.5 mm, particularly up to 2 mm. Such a workpiece carrier bearing enables the use of workpiece carriers with particularly high stability and simultaneously relatively low weight.

[0086] The workpiece carrier support can preferably be designed for fixing and / or clamping and / or for force-fit and / or form-fit fastening of a workpiece carrier with a thickness of 0.5 mm to 10 mm, particularly with a thickness of 0.8 mm to 8 mm, more preferably with a thickness of 1 mm to 6 mm, even more preferably with a thickness of 1 mm to 5 mm, even more preferably with a thickness of 1 mm to 4 mm, even more preferably with a thickness of 1 mm to 3 mm, even more preferably with a thickness of 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm, particularly approximately 2 mm. A workpiece carrier support for workpiece carriers of such dimensions enables the use of workpiece carriers with high stability and at the same time relatively low weight, and thus good handling.

[0087] In a particularly preferred configuration, the locking mechanism can be formed by a slide with a chamfered and / or inclined contact surface relative to the sliding direction of the slide. A chamfered design or a contact surface inclined relative to the sliding direction of the slide allows for a particularly simple and advantageous positive locking connection of the respective workpiece carrier. In particular, this enables a clamping force or holding force to be exerted on the workpiece carrier when the slide is closed, thus ensuring secure positioning.

[0088] Additionally or alternatively, the locking mechanism can be a spring-loaded slide and / or a snap lock. The spring tension of the slide can be directed in a closing direction, so that the slide moves automatically into a closed position. Similarly, a snap lock can automatically close unless a manual or automated counter-movement is initiated.

[0089] In a further preferred embodiment, at least one fixed bearing can be designed with a chamfered and / or inclined contact surface relative to the sliding direction of the slide. A chamfered design of the fixed bearing, or a contact surface inclined relative to the sliding direction of the slide, allows for a particularly simple and advantageous positive locking connection of the respective workpiece carrier. In particular, this enables the fixed bearing to exert a clamping force or holding force on the workpiece carrier even when the slide is closed, thus ensuring secure positioning.

[0090] In a further preferred embodiment, the structure, in particular the support section and / or the frame assembly, can have support sections, or at least one support section, for contacting and / or lifting the structure by a pressure table of the pressure device. Such support sections can preferably be formed on the underside of the support section and / or the frame assembly. By means of such support sections, the structure of the conveying vehicle, in particular the support section and / or the frame assembly, can be contacted and lifted by a pressure table independently of the respective workpiece carrier. The design on the underside of the support section allows good accessibility for a pressure table and thus an overall robust and cost-effective construction.

[0091] In a further preferred embodiment, the support sections can be designed and / or arranged to allow contact via a pressure table without placing any load on the workpiece carrier bearing. The assembly can be contacted and / or lifted via the support sections by a pressure table, thus without placing any load on the workpiece carrier bearing. Contacting and lifting the assembly, as well as the workpiece carrier, simultaneously by a pressure table of a pressure device can therefore be carried out without any load or additional force acting on the workpiece carrier bearing of the assembly. The secure fixation of the respective workpiece carrier in or on the assembly of the conveying vehicle is not impaired by contacting, lifting, and lowering the assembly together with the workpiece carrier.

[0092] According to a further preferred embodiment, the printing device can have a liftable printing table and / or a printing table designed as a vacuum printing table, in particular a liftable vacuum printing table.

[0093] A vacuum pressure table can, in particular, have grooves and / or openings for generating a vacuum and / or negative pressure on the underside of a workpiece carrier to be fixed and located on the pressure table. A vacuum pressure table allows a workpiece carrier to be fixed with minimal effort and a high degree of safety, especially temporarily and for carrying out a printing process.

[0094] According to a further preferred embodiment, the pressure table of the pressure device can be designed for surface contact with a workpiece carrier held in a conveying vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the pressure table can be designed for contact with support sections of the conveying vehicle's superstructure. In this way, a particularly safe and reliable lifting of the superstructure and also of the workpiece carrier positioned on the superstructure can be achieved.

[0095] In a particularly preferred configuration, the pressure table of the printing device can be designed to lift the assembly over the support sections without placing any load on the workpiece carrier bearing, especially while simultaneously making contact with the workpiece carrier. This prevents the workpiece carrier from being unintentionally dislodged from its bearing and thus ensures a high degree of operational reliability. Lifting the assembly without placing any load on the workpiece carrier bearing can also prevent undesirable relative movements between the bearing and the workpiece carrier held within it, thereby preventing unwanted abrasion and the release of airborne particles.

[0096] In a further preferred embodiment, the center of gravity of the conveying vehicle can be arranged offset from the transport rail in a top view of the transport device. In particular, the center of gravity of the conveying vehicle can be arranged offset horizontally from the transport rail. In this way, the risk of tipping movements of the conveying vehicle can be advantageously reduced for predefined curve travel, especially in a predefined curve direction. This is particularly relevant when the superstructure and / or the supporting section of the superstructure is mounted vertically relative to the runner device.A height-adjustable mounting of the superstructure and / or the supporting section of the superstructure can lead to tipping movements when cornering. These can be advantageously counteracted by offsetting the center of gravity of the transport vehicle, particularly by offsetting it horizontally relative to the transport rail. This completely prevents the workpiece carrier from detaching or falling.

[0097] In a further preferred embodiment, the center of gravity of the conveying vehicle can be arranged, in a top view of the transport device, offset from the transport rail by at least 10 mm, preferably at least 15 mm, more preferably at least 20 mm, more preferably at least 25 mm, more preferably at least 30 mm, more preferably at least 40 mm, more preferably at least 50 mm, more preferably at least 60 mm, more preferably at least 70 mm, or at least 80 mm. This allows tipping movements during cornering to be avoided particularly reliably.

[0098] In a further preferred embodiment, the center of gravity of the conveying vehicle can be arranged, in a top view of the transport device, offset from the transport rail by up to 80 mm, preferably up to 70 mm, more preferably up to 60 mm, more preferably up to 50 mm, more preferably up to 40 mm, more preferably up to 30 mm, more preferably up to 25 mm, more preferably up to 20 mm, more preferably up to 15 mm, and in particular up to 10 mm. Such an arrangement of the center of gravity ensures sufficient stability on the transport rail even during straight-line travel and when the conveying vehicle is stationary.

[0099] Preferably, in a top view of the conveying vehicle, the center of gravity of the superstructure can be arranged offset from the center of gravity of the runner device. In particular, the center of gravity of the superstructure can be arranged offset horizontally from the center of gravity of the runner device. Such a design can further reduce the risk of tipping movements of the conveying vehicle. The offset center of gravity of the superstructure can generate a moment in a particularly suitable manner that can counteract any tipping movements of the superstructure when cornering with a high degree of reliability. This is especially true if the superstructure and / or the supporting section of the superstructure is mounted vertically and movable relative to the runner device.A height-adjustable mounting of the superstructure and / or the supporting section of the superstructure can lead to tipping movements when cornering, which can be advantageously counteracted by an offset arrangement of the center of gravity of the superstructure, in particular offset in the horizontal direction to the center of gravity of the runner device.

[0100] In a further preferred embodiment, the center of gravity of the superstructure can be offset from the center of gravity of the runner device by at least 10 mm, preferably at least 15 mm, more preferably at least 20 mm, more preferably at least 25 mm, more preferably at least 30 mm, more preferably at least 40 mm, more preferably at least 50 mm, more preferably at least 60 mm, more preferably at least 70 mm, or at least 80 mm, as seen in a top view of the conveying vehicle. This again allows tipping movements during cornering to be avoided particularly reliably.

[0101] In a further preferred embodiment, the center of gravity of the superstructure can be offset from the center of gravity of the runner device by up to 80 mm, preferably up to 70 mm, more preferably up to 60 mm, more preferably up to 50 mm, more preferably up to 40 mm, more preferably up to 30 mm, more preferably up to 25 mm, more preferably up to 20 mm, more preferably up to 15 mm, and in particular up to 10 mm, as seen from a top view of the conveying vehicle. Such an arrangement of the center of gravity ensures sufficient stability on the transport rail for both straight-line travel and when the conveying vehicle is stationary.

[0102] In a further preferred embodiment, the conveying vehicle and / or the superstructure of the conveying vehicle and / or the frame of the conveying vehicle can define and / or have a receiving center for a workpiece carrier. Likewise, such a receiving center for a workpiece carrier can be defined by a workpiece carrier bearing. If a workpiece carrier is arranged and / or fixed on the conveying vehicle and / or on the superstructure and / or in the frame of the superstructure, the center of the workpiece carrier can be located, in particular, at the receiving center and / or, in a top view of the conveying vehicle, aligned with the receiving center.

[0103] In a further preferred embodiment, the receiving center for a workpiece carrier can be arranged offset from the transport rail in a top view of the conveying vehicle. In particular, the receiving center for a workpiece carrier can be arranged horizontally offset from the transport rail in the conveying vehicle. This ensures particularly good accessibility of the workpiece carrier and / or contactability of the workpiece carrier by a pressure table.

[0104] In a further preferred embodiment, the receiving center for a workpiece carrier can be arranged offset from the runner device in a top view of the conveying vehicle. In particular, the receiving center for a workpiece carrier can be arranged horizontally offset from the runner device in the conveying vehicle. This also ensures particularly good accessibility of the workpiece carrier and / or contactability of the workpiece carrier by a pressure table.

[0105] According to a further preferred embodiment, the transport device and / or the rail system can be designed as a transport circuit and / or be configured for the automated transport of at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or one workpiece carrier in a circuit between the printing device and a position spaced apart from the printing device. Such a design ensures a high degree of productivity. Different devices or stations within the entire apparatus can be advantageously connected to one another using such a transport device. This ensures a virtually uninterrupted production process with successive steps in the respective devices or stations.

[0106] In a further preferred embodiment, a plurality of printing units can be provided, between which the transport device runs and / or between which a screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier can be transported by means of the transport device. Using multiple or different printing units can further increase productivity and manufacturing flexibility.

[0107] In particular, multiple printing units can be provided to print different materials or material compositions sequentially and with minimal effort when producing a single screen-printed workpiece, and / or to use different printing screens or stencils. With such an arrangement, the need for costly retooling or adjustment of the individual printing units for producing differently designed print layers of a single screen-printed workpiece can be avoided.

[0108] In a further preferred embodiment, at least one drying device, and in particular a plurality of drying devices, can be provided for at least one screen-printed workpiece. Such a drying device allows for reliable drying of the last printed layer after the application of that layer, in order to then apply the next printed layer to the screen-printed workpiece.

[0109] The at least one drying device can preferably be designed for continuous drying and / or stationary drying. In particular, the drying device can be configured with a drying section for the continuous drying of screen-printed workpieces and / or workpiece carriers.

[0110] A continuous drying cycle allows for an overall continuous production process for multiple screen-printed workpieces or with multiple workpiece carriers on which screen-printed workpieces can be arranged. Both printing and drying can be carried out virtually uninterrupted with a continuous drying cycle, further increasing the overall productivity of the system.

[0111] A drying unit for stationary drying can be designed to be particularly compact and space-saving. In a stationary drying unit, a screen-printed workpiece or a workpiece carrier with the screen-printed workpiece mounted on it can be temporarily positioned or stopped to perform a drying step.

[0112] According to a further preferred embodiment, the transport device can be designed to transport a screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier to and / or away from the drying unit and / or through the drying unit. Additionally or alternatively, the transport device can be designed to transport a screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier between the printing unit and the drying unit. In this way, workpiece carriers with screen-printed workpieces can be fed to the drying unit and subsequently moved away again with minimal effort, for example, to carry out further printing steps.

[0113] Preferably, the transport device can run through the drying unit, thus completely eliminating the need for manual handling of the workpiece carriers. Additionally or alternatively, the transport device can be designed separately and / or independently from the drying unit. This allows for or further facilitates an overall modular design. The transport device can be configured independently of the drying unit and arranged to connect to at least one other unit or position within the device.

[0114] Despite the transport device being designed separately and / or independently from the drying device, it can be adapted to the drying device, in particular to enable reliable transport of a workpiece carrier and / or a screen printing workpiece to and / or away from the printing device.

[0115] In a further preferred manner, the workpiece carrier can be moved through the drying device independently of the printing device or the printing table plate by means of the transport device, and in particular can be moved through the drying device automatically.

[0116] In a particularly preferred configuration, the drying device can be designed to dry at least one screen-printed workpiece and simultaneously cool the workpiece carrier supporting the workpiece being dried. This allows for suitable drying of the respective screen-printed workpiece, or at least the last printed layer of the workpiece. Simultaneously, the cooling process keeps the workpiece carrier at a relatively low temperature. This prevents undesirable heating of the workpiece carrier and, consequently, excessive heating of already printed and previously dried layers of the respective screen-printed workpiece. Process reliability can thus be further improved.

[0117] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the drying device can comprise a drying section for drying screen-printed workpieces and a cooling section for cooling workpiece carriers. Preferably, the drying device can be subdivided into a drying section and a cooling section. Such a subdivision can prevent or minimize any mutual interference between the drying and cooling functionalities.

[0118] Preferably, the drying device can be divided into a drying section and a cooling section by a plane on which a workpiece carrier is arranged when positioned in the drying device and / or when transported through the drying device.

[0119] Preferably, at least one nozzle device and / or perforated plate for supplying a cooling airflow, in particular compressed air, can be arranged within the cooling section. In particular, a drying section can be arranged above a nozzle device and / or perforated plate for supplying a cooling airflow. This enables effective cooling with minimal design effort.

[0120] According to a further preferred embodiment, the drying device can be configured for convection drying of a screen-printed workpiece and / or for blown air cooling of workpiece carriers. In particular, the drying device can be configured for convection drying of a screen-printed workpiece while simultaneously blown air cooling of the workpiece carrier supporting the respective screen-printed workpiece.

[0121] Convection drying and simultaneous forced-air cooling can be implemented relatively easily and with minimal design effort. In particular, simultaneous convection drying of a screen-printed workpiece and forced-air cooling of the workpiece carrier can ensure improved operational reliability, as undesirable overheating of the workpiece carrier and thus also of the layers already printed on the workpiece carrier can be reliably avoided despite the convection drying process.

[0122] Additionally or alternatively, the drying device can have contact cooling for a workpiece carrier, preferably a moving contact cooling system for a workpiece carrier. Such contact cooling ensures very little impairment of the drying functionality.

[0123] In a further preferred embodiment, the drying device can be configured to activate and deactivate cooling positions depending on the position of a workpiece carrier within the drying device, in particular to activate cooling positions below the current position of a workpiece carrier. In this way, cooling can take place exclusively in the area of ​​the current position of a workpiece carrier. The overall energy consumption for both cooling and drying can thus be kept low, as adverse interactions between the drying and cooling processes can also be avoided.

[0124] Preferably, a cooling position can be provided for activation by selective control of one or more cooling nozzles and / or compressed air openings in and / or on a nozzle device and / or perforated plate.

[0125] Accordingly, a cooling position for deactivation can be set up by selectively controlling one or more cooling nozzles and / or compressed air openings in and / or on a nozzle assembly and / or perforated plate. In particular, deactivation can be carried out by selectively switching off or blocking one or more previously selectively controlled cooling nozzles and / or compressed air openings in and / or on a nozzle assembly and / or perforated plate.

[0126] According to a further preferred embodiment, the drying device can have at least one air filter and / or a plurality of nozzles for filtered drying air. This further reduces the risk of air contamination and thus also of unwanted particle ingress into the respective screen-printed workpieces.

[0127] Additionally or alternatively, the drying system can be designed as a recirculating air dryer and / or for the continuous and / or periodic supply of fresh air and / or room air. Such a recirculating air dryer can be operated with relatively low energy consumption and simultaneously ensure effective drying of screen-printed workpieces.

[0128] In a further preferred embodiment, the drying device can be configured to direct a drying air stream onto a screen printing workpiece, in particular at an angle to a transport axis formed by the transport rail or at an angle to the transport direction of the respective screen printing workpiece and / or the respective workpiece carrier and / or transversely to its transport direction and / or to the top of the respective screen printing workpiece.

[0129] The transport axis or direction of each screen printing workpiece and / or workpiece carrier runs, in particular, along the longitudinal extent of the transport rail. If a drying air stream is directed at an angle onto a screen printing workpiece, this direction may differ from the transport axis or direction of the respective screen printing workpiece and / or workpiece carrier. It may therefore be a direction of the drying air stream that is inclined relative to the transport axis or direction of the respective screen printing workpiece and / or workpiece carrier, namely inclined at a specific or predefined angle.The direction of the drying airflow perpendicular to the transport axis of the transport rail or perpendicular to the transport direction of the respective screen printing workpiece and / or the respective workpiece carrier runs in particular at a right angle or at an angle of 90° relative to the transport axis or relative to the transport direction of the respective screen printing workpiece and / or the respective workpiece carrier.

[0130] Such a design of the drying device ensures adequate drying by means of a drying airflow, while simultaneously minimizing the risk of unwanted relative movement between the screen-printed workpiece and the respective workpiece carrier. Furthermore, such a drying airflow can advantageously define a division into a cooling section and a drying section by means of a plane on which a workpiece carrier is arranged when positioned in the drying device and / or during transport through the drying device.

[0131] Preferably, the drying device can be designed to extract air streams in such a way that an extraction air stream is set at an angle to a transport axis formed by the transport rail or at an angle to the transport direction of the respective screen printing workpiece and / or the respective workpiece carrier, in particular transverse to the transport direction and / or in a horizontal direction from the respective screen printing workpiece and / or workpiece carrier.

[0132] Insofar as airflows are extracted in such a way that the extraction process results in an airflow at an angle to a transport axis formed by the transport rail or at an angle to the transport direction of the respective screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier, this direction may differ from the transport axis or transport direction of the respective screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier. It may therefore be a direction that is inclined relative to the transport axis formed by the transport rail or relative to the transport direction of the respective screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier, namely inclined at a specific or predefined angle.The direction of the extraction airflow perpendicular to the transport axis or transport direction of the respective screen printing workpiece and / or the respective workpiece carrier runs in particular at a right angle or at an angle of 90° relative to the transport axis or transport direction of the respective screen printing workpiece and / or the respective workpiece carrier.

[0133] Such a design can prevent an undesirable interference between a drying air stream directed onto the workpiece carrier and a drying air stream extracted or directed away from the workpiece carrier.

[0134] Furthermore, the drying system can advantageously be configured to redirect extracted drying and / or cooling air back onto a screen printing workpiece to be dried. Extracted drying and / or cooling air can be redirected completely or at least partially back onto a screen printing workpiece to be dried. In the latter case, the drying system can be designed and / or configured for so-called mixed operation. Extracted drying and / or cooling air can be mixed with fresh air or newly supplied air before the respective mixed air volumes are directed onto a screen printing workpiece to be dried. Overall, energy-efficient operation can be ensured in this way.

[0135] Furthermore, the drying unit can advantageously include a heat exchanger, particularly for recovering heat from extracted drying and / or cooling air. Thus, extracted drying and / or cooling air can be fed into a heat exchanger to use the recovered heat energy for warming a drying air stream. When such a heat exchanger is used, extracted drying and / or cooling air, after passing through the heat exchanger, can be at least partially or even completely discharged to the outside or out of the drying unit.

[0136] Such a design can ensure energy-efficient operation. At the same time, it reduces the risk of particle contamination, since the extracted drying and / or cooling air, which may already be contaminated with particles due to passing by the respective screen-printed workpieces and / or workpiece carriers, can be directed out of the drying unit. With this design, energy recovery does not require recirculating the drying and / or cooling air itself; rather, only the thermal energy of the drying and / or cooling air can be recovered.

[0137] According to a further preferred embodiment, when a conveying vehicle is positioned within the drying unit, the nozzle device and / or perforated plate can project at least partially into a free space in the superstructure for receiving a pressure table and / or between the base section and the support section of the superstructure and / or at least partially below a workpiece carrier held by the conveying vehicle. In this way, a cooling airflow can be directed onto the underside of the workpiece carrier with particularly little effort. At the same time, the runner device can be covered at least partially by the nozzle device and / or perforated plate.

[0138] The risk of contamination of the screen-printed workpieces by particles that are released in the area or at the level of the runner device, or that are freely suspended there, can be reduced by such a design.

[0139] Even more preferably, the drying device can have an opening at at least one longitudinal end, which is at least partially complementary, in particular geometrically complementary, to the cross-sectional shape and / or complementary, in particular geometrically complementary, to a cross-sectional section shape of the conveying vehicle. The respective opening at the longitudinal end can thus be relatively small. Air leakage from the opening can therefore be limited to a small extent, thus ensuring energy-efficient operation of the drying device.

[0140] According to a further preferred embodiment, the device can include a locking mechanism for the insertion and / or removal of conveying vehicles. This allows for the exchange, addition, and / or removal of conveying vehicles, for example, for maintenance and / or repair work and / or for reconfiguration of the transport system, with minimal handling effort and high operational reliability.

[0141] According to a further preferred embodiment, the device can have at least one detection module for recording the conveying vehicles being fed into and / or discharged from the transport system. This ensures highly reliable monitoring of the number of conveying vehicles within the device and allows for the addition and / or removal of conveying vehicles based on the recorded number of vehicles being fed in or discharged.

[0142] According to a further preferred embodiment, the device can include at least one positioning and / or removal device for positioning workpiece carriers on a conveyor vehicle and / or for removing a workpiece carrier from a conveyor vehicle. This completely eliminates or at least minimizes the need for manual handling of workpiece carriers, thereby further improving process reliability.

[0143] A further independent aspect of the present invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces with the 3D screen-printing system described above, in which at least one screen-printed workpiece is produced layer by layer in several printing processes using a printing device, and in which at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier with a screen-printed workpiece is automatically transported to and / or away from the printing device using a transport device, wherein the transport by the transport device is carried out by means of a conveyor vehicle on a transport rail.

[0144] By using a conveyor vehicle on a transport rail, relative movements of contacting surfaces can be avoided or reduced to a minimum. Particle abrasion caused by the conveyor vehicle moving along the transport rail can thus be avoided or significantly reduced with such a method. This allows for improved cleanliness conditions for the individual production steps. Undesirable contamination of the screen-printed workpieces being produced due to friction-induced particles can be prevented with a method according to the invention. Consequently, screen-printed workpieces with high cleanliness and hygiene requirements can be produced using a method according to the invention.

[0145] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to advantageous embodiments and the accompanying figures.

[0146] They each show schematically: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a device according to the invention in one embodiment, Fig. 2 a top view of the device of Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 a perspective view of the device of Fig. 1 with an open representation of the transport device without enclosure, Fig. 4 a top view of the device of Fig. 3 Fig. 5 a perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention with an open representation of the printing and drying devices without an enclosure, Fig. 6 a top view of the device of Fig. 5 , Fig. 7 a perspective view of a transport device of the device according to Figs. 1 to 6 , Fig. 8 a perspective view of a transport device of the device according to Figs. 1 to 6Fig. 9 is an upper perspective view of a transport device with a conveying vehicle and a transport rail shown in section; Fig. 10 is a lower perspective view of a transport device with a conveying vehicle and a transport rail shown in section; Fig. 11 is a side view of the transport device according to Fig. 9 and 10 along a longitudinal direction of the transport rail, Fig. 12 a top view of the transport device according to Fig. 9 and 10 Fig. 13 a perspective view of a conveying vehicle according to one embodiment with a workpiece carrier included therein, Fig. 14 a top view of a conveying vehicle according to Fig. 13 , Fig. 15 a side view of a conveyor vehicle according to Fig. 13 and 14 in a direction transverse to the transport direction, Fig. 16 a side view of a conveying vehicle according to Fig. 13 and 14in the direction of transport, Fig. 17 a sectional view of the transport vehicle along the section line AA from Fig. 14 , Fig. 18 a sectional view of the conveyor vehicle along the section line BB from Fig. 14 Fig. 19 an upper perspective view of a conveying vehicle according to an embodiment without a workpiece carrier included therein, Fig. 20 a lower perspective view of a conveying vehicle according to an embodiment without a workpiece carrier included therein, Fig. 21 a top view of the conveying vehicle according to Fig. 19 and 20 without a workpiece carrier included therein, Fig. 22 a perspective detail view of a locking mechanism of a workpiece carrier bearing according to one embodiment, Fig. 23 a perspective detail view of a fixed bearing of a workpiece carrier bearing from a bottom side according to one embodiment, Fig. 24 a sectional view of a locking mechanism of a workpiece carrier bearing according to Fig. 22, Fig. 25 a perspective detail view of a fixed bearing of a workpiece carrier bearing from a top view according to Fig. 23 Fig. 26 an upper perspective view of a runner device according to one embodiment, Fig. 27 a lower perspective view of a runner device according to one embodiment, Fig. 28 a side view of a liftable pressure table and a conveying vehicle according to one embodiment, Fig. 29 a detail view of the liftable pressure table and the conveying vehicle according to Fig. 28 Fig. 30 a perspective sectional view of a multi-point bearing between the superstructure and the runner device of a conveying vehicle according to one embodiment, Fig. 31 a perspective view of a drying device and a section view of a transport device according to one embodiment, Fig. 32 a side view of the drying device according to Fig. 31in a longitudinal direction, Fig. 33 a sectional view of the drying device along the section lines CC from Fig. 33Fig. 34 a schematic longitudinal section of the drying device according to one embodiment with airflows shown, Fig. 35 a schematic cross-sectional view of the drying device according to one embodiment with airflows shown, Fig. 36 a perspective cross-sectional view of the drying device according to one embodiment, Fig. 37 a perspective longitudinal section of the drying device according to one embodiment, Fig. 38 a detail view of the drying device along a longitudinal section according to one embodiment, Fig. 39 a detail view of the drying device in a perspective longitudinal section according to one embodiment, Fig. 40 a perspective view of a conveying vehicle and a positioning and / or removal device for a workpiece carrier according to one embodiment, Fig.41 another perspective view of a conveying vehicle and a positioning and / or removal device for a workpiece carrier according to an embodiment, Fig. 42 a top view of a conveying vehicle and a positioning and / or removal device for a workpiece carrier according to . Fig. 41 and 42 , Fig. 43 a side view of a conveying vehicle and a positioning and / or removal device for a workpiece carrier along a transport direction of the conveying vehicle.

[0147] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a device 10 for the production of three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows a top view of device 10 of Fig. 1 The device 10 may in particular be a 3D screen printing system, especially preferably a 3D screen printing system for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.

[0148] The device 10 has at least one printing device 12 for the layer-by-layer production of at least one screen-printed workpiece (not shown in detail here) in at least one or more printing processes. In the embodiment according to Fig. 1 and 2 The device 10 has two printing devices 12. Furthermore, the device 10 has at least one transport device 14 for the automated transport of at least one screen printing workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier to and / or away from the printing device 12.

[0149] In Fig. 3 is a perspective view of device 10 according to Fig. 1 shown, with the transport device 14 being depicted in an open state, in particular without enclosures and without racks, for better clarity and illustration. Fig. 4 shows a top view of the device 10 according to Fig. 3 .

[0150] In Fig. 5is a perspective view of device 10 according to Figs. 1 to 4 shown, with the pressure devices 12 being depicted in an open state, in particular without enclosures, for better clarity and illustration. Fig. 6 shows a top view of the device 10 according to Fig. 5 .

[0151] In the Fig. 7 and 8 Each is a perspective view of the transport device 14 of the apparatus 10 according to the Figs. 1 to 6 depicted.

[0152] The transport device 14 can have at least one transport rail 16 and a conveying vehicle 18 movably arranged on the transport rail 16 for at least one screen printing workpiece not shown in detail here and / or at least one workpiece carrier 20.

[0153] The transport device 14 can be equipped with an enclosure 22 or with an enclosure 22 extending along the transport device 14, as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 The enclosure 22 is shown in more detail below. It can have a top cover and / or a side cover or panel. Such an enclosure 22 reduces the risk of particle contamination on screen-printed workpieces that are moved by means of the transport device 14.

[0154] The transport device 14 can preferably be configured for the automated transport of at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or one workpiece carrier 20 to and / or away from a printing table 24 of the printing device 12. The transport device 14 can also be designed separately from the printing device 12 and / or extend through the printing device 12.

[0155] Separate training for the transport device 14 can be particularly beneficial for the Fig. 7 and 8 can be removed. Thus, the transport device 14 can form a device that functions independently of the printing device 12, but which, despite its independent design, interacts with the printing device 12 or is arranged to interact with the printing device 12, in particular to transport screen printing workpieces and / or workpiece carriers 20 to and / or away from a printing table 24 of the printing device 12.

[0156] In the Figs. 9 to 25 are shown more detailed views and details of the transport device 14 or of a conveying vehicle 18 of the transport device 14 according to an embodiment of an invention.

[0157] Fig. 9 shows an upper perspective view of a transport vehicle 18 on a section of a transport rail 16 and Fig. 10shows a lower perspective view of a transport vehicle 18 on a section of a transport rail 16. Fig. 11 shows a side view of the conveyor vehicle 18 according to Fig. 9 and 10 along a longitudinal extension of the transport rail 16 and Fig. 12 shows a top view of the conveyor vehicle 18 according to Figs. 9 to 11 . The Figs. 13 to 18 further views of the conveyor vehicle 18 without showing the transport rail 16.

[0158] In the Figs. 9 to 18 The respective conveyor vehicle 18 is shown with the workpiece carrier 20 mounted within it. Further views of the conveyor vehicle 18 without the workpiece carrier 20 mounted within it are shown in the Figs. 19 to 21 depicted.

[0159] A conveying vehicle 18 according to the in the Figs. 9 to 21In the illustrated embodiments, at least one drive unit 26 can be arranged to travel on the conveying vehicle 18. The drive unit 26 can, in particular, include a drive roller 28 rolling on the transport rail 16 and / or a drive motor for a drive roller 28 (not shown in detail here). Furthermore, the drive unit 26 can include at least one current-carrying contact roller 29, in particular a plurality of current-carrying contact rollers 29, through which an electric current can be conducted from the transport rail 16 to the drive unit 26, in particular for the purpose of supplying power to a drive motor.

[0160] Furthermore, the conveying vehicle 18 can have at least one support device 30 for bracing against the transport rail. The support device 30 can, in particular, be a support roller 32 that rolls along the transport rail 16 to support the conveying vehicle 18. Specifically, a conveying vehicle 18 can be equipped with support rollers 32 on both sides of the respective transport rail 16. It is also possible to arrange sliding elements on one or both sides of the transport rail to provide a support function instead of support rollers 32.

[0161] The conveying vehicle 18 can be supported on the transport rail 16 via roller contact points, in particular exclusively via roller contact points of a drive roller 28 and / or a support roller 32 or via roller contact points of a plurality of drive rollers 28 and / or support rollers 32.

[0162] The transport rail 16 can also be designed as a monorail, as shown in the Figs. 8 to 12can be removed. In particular, the transport rail 16 can have a plurality of interconnected monorail sections, preferably monorail sections interconnected longitudinally. Such monorail sections can be, as in the Fig. 7 and 8 shown, assembled into a transport or rail layout.

[0163] The transport rail 16 can be modularly assembled or have several rail modules.

[0164] A conveying vehicle 18 according to the present invention can preferably be arranged along a longitudinal section of the transport rail 16 in a multi-sided manner, in particular in a three-sided manner, as shown for example in the illustration in Fig. 11 can be extracted.

[0165] Furthermore, the conveying vehicle 18 can have at least one position sensor (not shown in detail here) and / or one distance sensor (not shown in detail here). The conveying vehicle 18 can be configured to communicate with a control module 33 arranged on the transport rail 16.

[0166] A control module 33 arranged on the transport rail 16 can be designed in particular for communication with a higher-level device control 34 and / or for communication with at least one conveying vehicle 18 for controlling the transport path and / or the transport speed and / or for stopping the respective conveying vehicle 18.

[0167] Several control modules 33 can be arranged at fixed positions on the transport rail 16. Such a control module 33 can be configured as an optoelectronic communication module for data exchange between the conveying vehicle 18 and the device control 34. The device control 34, particularly in the form of a so-called line controller, can be configured to control and / or regulate all processes and / or sequences within the device 10.

[0168] At least one control unit 35, in particular a control unit 35 designed as a control cam, for speed control of a conveying vehicle 18 can be arranged on the transport rail 16. Furthermore, at least one position sensor and / or distance sensor (not shown in detail here) can be arranged on the transport rail 18 and / or adjacent to or near the transport rail 18.

[0169] Several control units 35, preferably in the form of control cams, can be arranged at fixed positions on the transport rail 16. The control units 35, in particular control cams, can preferably be designed as different types of control units or cams.

[0170] A first control unit type or cam type can be configured to decelerate and / or stop a conveying vehicle 18 when passing by and / or when contacting it, in particular to decelerate when passing by and / or contacting it on a positive flank and / or to stop it when passing by and / or contacting it on a negative flank.

[0171] Deceleration can be implemented, in particular, to a speed of less than 5 m / min, less than 4 m / min, less than 3 m / min, less than 2.5 m / min, or less than 2 m / min. Deceleration to such a low speed ensures that the conveying vehicle 18 can continue moving with a reduced risk of collision. It also allows for safe further deceleration until the conveying vehicle 18 comes to a complete stop.

[0172] A second type of control unit or cam type can be configured to accelerate a conveying vehicle 18 to a first predetermined speed when passing by and / or upon contact with another conveying vehicle 18, provided that the conveying vehicle 18 approaches and / or passes by at a second predetermined speed that is lower than the first predetermined speed. In this way, the conveying vehicle 18 can be accelerated to a desired first predetermined speed with minimal effort and high operational reliability.

[0173] Such a second control unit type or cam type can further be configured to accelerate and / or decelerate a conveying vehicle 18 to a second predetermined speed when passing by and / or upon contact with another conveying vehicle 18, provided that the conveying vehicle 18 is not approaching and / or passing by at this second predetermined speed. In this way, acceleration and / or deceleration of the conveying vehicle 18 to a desired second predetermined speed can be achieved with minimal effort and high operational reliability.

[0174] The first predetermined speed can be, in particular, a speed of 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 approximately 55 m / min. This allows screen-printed workpieces and / or workpiece carriers to be transported between different positions or different components within the device with minimal time expenditure.

[0175] Furthermore, the first predetermined speed can be, in particular, a speed of up to 100 m / min, preferably up to 90 m / min, preferably up to 80 m / min, preferably up to 70 m / min, preferably up to 65 m / min, more preferably up to 60 m / min, and even more preferably up to 55 m / min. This ensures a high level of transport safety for screen-printed workpieces and / or workpiece carriers. In particular, this reduces the risk of a screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier falling from the conveying vehicle due to excessively high transport speeds.

[0176] The first predetermined speed can more preferably be between 10 m / min and 100 m / min, more preferably between 20 m / min and 90 m / min, more preferably between 30 m / min and 80 m / min, more preferably between 35 m / min and 75 m / min, more preferably between 40 m / min and 75 m / min, more preferably between 40 m / min and 70 m / min, more preferably between 45 m / min and 65 m / min, more preferably between 50 m / min and 60 m / min, and even more preferably between 55 m / min. Such a speed ensures sufficiently high productivity of the device while maintaining high operational reliability.

[0177] The second predetermined speed can be, in particular, a speed of at least 5 m / min, preferably at least 10 m / min, preferably at least 15 m / min, preferably at least 20 m / min, more preferably at least 25 m / min, and even more preferably at least 30 m / min or approximately 30 m / min. Such a speed ensures relatively time-saving transport within the device. At the same time, this allows for a reduced transport speed compared to a first predetermined speed, for example, for the purpose of further controlled deceleration.

[0178] The second predetermined speed can more preferably be a speed of up to 70 m / min, more 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, more preferably up to 35 m / min, and even more preferably up to 30 m / min. Such a speed allows for particularly well-controlled deceleration to a lower speed or particularly well-controlled acceleration to a higher speed.

[0179] The second predetermined speed can 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 between 30 m / min. Such a speed can ensure both sufficiently high productivity within the device and a well-controlled change in speed to a higher and / or lower speed.

[0180] A third type of control unit or cam type can be configured to accelerate and / or decelerate a conveying vehicle 18 to a third predetermined speed as it passes and / or makes contact, regardless of the speed at which the conveying vehicle 18 approaches and / or passes. This allows a speed change to be achieved with minimal effort and a high degree of safety, namely to a third predetermined speed.

[0181] The third predetermined speed can be, in particular, a speed of 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 even more preferably at least 12 m / min or approximately 12 m / min. Such a minimum speed ensures a suitable initial speed for deceleration to a complete standstill and / or for acceleration to a higher speed.

[0182] The third predetermined speed can be 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. Such a maximum speed ensures, with a high degree of safety, a suitable initial speed for deceleration and / or acceleration to a higher speed.

[0183] The third predetermined speed can preferably be between 3 m / min and 30 m / min, preferably between 5 m / min and 25 m / min, preferably between 7 m / min and 22 m / min, preferably between 8 m / min and 20 m / min, preferably between 8 m / min and 18 m / min, preferably between 8 m / min and 16 m / min, preferably between 10 m / min and 14 m / min, and even more preferably between 12 m / min. Such a speed is particularly suitable as an initial speed for complete deceleration to a standstill of the conveying vehicle, as well as for acceleration to a higher speed, while simultaneously minimizing the risk of collisions or a screen-printed workpiece or workpiece carrier falling from the conveying vehicle.

[0184] The control units 35 and / or control cams can be configured in switchable and non-switchable versions. Switchable control units 35 and / or control cams can be operated without power – without electrical current.

[0185] The transport rail 16 can have predefined stopping points for a conveying vehicle 18, at which preferably at least one control module 33 and / or a control unit 35 is provided. At least one control module 33 and / or at least one control unit 35 and / or the device control 34 can be configured to stop a conveying vehicle 18 at a predefined stopping point only when required. Furthermore, at least one sensor can be provided at a predefined stopping point that detects when a conveying vehicle has approached a control module 33, regardless of whether the conveying vehicle 18 has stopped at this control module 33 or not. Such a sensor can be configured as a control module 33 or as part of a control module 33.

[0186] The transport device 14 can further include a collision monitoring system for collision avoidance between transport vehicles 18, wherein the collision monitoring system is preferably set up for signal processing from distance and / or position sensors and / or from control modules 33 and / or from control units 35 of the transport rail 16.

[0187] How the Figs. 9 to 21 As can further be seen, the conveying vehicle 18 can have a superstructure 36 for receiving a workpiece carrier 20 for screen-printed workpieces. Likewise, the conveying vehicle 18 can have a runner device 38 comprising the drive unit 26, wherein the superstructure 36 is preferably arranged on the runner device 38 of the conveying vehicle 18. Separate views of the runner device 38 are shown in the Fig. 26 and 27 to be taken.

[0188] The structure 36 and / or a support section 40 of the structure 36 can preferably define a receiving plane for a workpiece carrier 20, which runs at a distance from the runner device 38 and / or from the drive device 26, in particular at a distance vertically.

[0189] The assembly 36, in particular with a workpiece carrier 20 incorporated therein, can be viewed from above, as in Fig. 12 shown, covering at least section by section the runner device 38 and / or the drive device 26 and / or projecting beyond at least one side end 42 of the runner device 38.

[0190] The structure can be C-shaped in 36 different ways. The C-shaped configuration can be represented, for example, in the following diagrams: Fig. 11 can be removed. Furthermore, the structure 36 can form or limit a free space 44 for receiving a printing table 24 of the printing device 12.

[0191] In a cross-section of the structure 36, the center of the surface of the structure 36 can be arranged laterally offset from the center of gravity of the structure 36. The center of the surface of the cross-section of the structure 36 can, in particular, be formed by the averaging of all points of the cross-sectional surfaces of the base section 46, the connecting section 48, and the supporting section 40. In a cross-section of the structure 36, the center of the surface of the structure 36 can, in particular, be arranged laterally offset or offset in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the transport rail 16. Such a cross-section of the structure 36 can, in particular, Fig. 17 and 18 can be removed and advantageously enables the arrangement of a pressure table 24 of a pressure device 12 within the free space 44 for the purpose of contacting the underside of the respective workpiece carrier 20.

[0192] The assembly 36 can comprise a base section 46 for attachment to the runner device 38, a support section 40 for receiving a workpiece carrier 20, and a connecting section 48 for connecting the support section 40 to the base section 46. The clearance 44 for receiving a pressure table 24 and / or for contacting the underside of a workpiece carrier 20 can preferably be formed between the base section 46 and the support section 40 and / or be laterally limited by the connecting section 48.

[0193] The superstructure 36 and / or the support section 40 of the superstructure 36 can be mounted so as to be movable in the vertical direction relative to the runner device 38 and / or arranged to be height-adjustable, as detailed in the Figs. 28 to 30 The structure 36 and / or the support section 40 of the structure 36 can be arranged to be raised, in particular relative to the runner device 38, by a pressure table 24 of the pressure device 12.

[0194] The stroke and / or vertical movement of the superstructure 36 and / or the support section 40 of the superstructure 36 relative to the runner device 38 can be limited, preferably by a mechanical stroke limiting device 50. Such a stroke limiting device 50 can in particular be designed as a stroke limiting claw 52, ​​as shown in Fig. 10 Shown as an example.

[0195] The stroke limiting device 50 and / or the stroke limiting claw 52 can preferably be arranged on the structure 36 and / or engage the runner device 38 in a positive-locking manner. By lifting the structure 36, the stroke limiting device 50 and / or the stroke limiting claw 52 can be brought into positive-locking contact engagement with the runner device 38.

[0196] The assembly 36 can further be attached to the runner device 38 via a multi-point bearing 54, in particular a 4-point bearing, and / or guided vertically. Such vertical movement can enable lifting without actuating adjusting screws or releasing a locking mechanism. This vertical movement can be free within predefined limits. The multi-point bearing 54 can, in particular, be formed by a plurality of bearings 56. A bearing 56 between the assembly 36 and the runner device 38 can be formed by a bearing mandrel 58 and a mandrel receptacle 60 for the bearing mandrel 58.

[0197] The multi-point support 54 and / or at least one bearing 56 between the assembly 36 and the rotor device 38 can further be designed for self-centering and / or self-alignment of the assembly 36 relative to the rotor device 38. For this purpose, at least one bearing mandrel 58 can be tapered and / or at least one mandrel receptacle 60 can be tapered. The mandrel receptacle 60 can be designed to be complementary to the bearing mandrel 58 or with a taper that differs from that of the bearing mandrel 58. Such a design can ensure reliable self-centering of the assembly 36 relative to the rotor device 38 with minimal effort.

[0198] A bearing 56 between the superstructure 36 and the runner device 38 can further be equipped with an adjusting screw 61. Such an adjusting screw 61 can be screwed into a thread 63 of the base section 46. The mandrel receptacle 60 can be formed on the adjusting screw 61, in particular at its lower end. By screwing the adjusting screw 61 in or out, the height of the superstructure 36 relative to the runner device can thus be adjusted. In this way, a correct starting height can be set for lifting the superstructure 36 by a pressure table 24.

[0199] The conveying vehicle 18, in particular the superstructure 36 of the conveying vehicle 18 and / or the support section 40 of the superstructure 36, can be as described in the Figs. 9 to 25The structure 36 is designed, by way of example, for the form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or material-fitting reception and / or fixation and / or at least partial enclosing of a workpiece carrier 20. Additionally or alternatively, the structure 36 and / or the support section 40 of the structure 36 can be designed for the defined and / or backlash-free reception and / or enclosing of a workpiece carrier 20.

[0200] Preferably, the conveying vehicle 18, in particular the superstructure 36 of the conveying vehicle 18 and / or the support section 40 of the superstructure 36, can be used as described in the Figs. 9 to 25 by way of example, a frame device 62, in particular a frame device 62 for the positive locking and / or force locking and / or material locking reception and / or fixing and / or at least sectionally enclosing of a workpiece carrier 20.

[0201] It is also possible that the conveying vehicle 18, in particular the superstructure 36 of the conveying vehicle 18 and / or the support section 40 of the superstructure 36, has a support plate (not shown in detail here) instead of a frame device 62, in particular a support plate for the positive-locking and / or force-locking and / or material-locking reception and / or fixation and / or at least partial enclosing of a workpiece carrier 20. Such a support plate can, for example, be designed with a recess for the arrangement of a workpiece carrier 20.

[0202] The frame device 62 can preferably be designed for the defined and / or backlash-free reception and / or enclosing of a workpiece carrier 20. Likewise, the frame device 62 can preferably define a clearance 44 for contacting the underside of a workpiece carrier 20 received and / or enclosed therein.

[0203] As detailed in the Figs. 19 to 25As shown, the conveying vehicle 18, in particular the superstructure 36 and / or the support section 40 and / or the frame device 62, can have a workpiece carrier bearing 64 for fixing and / or clamping and / or for force-fit and / or form-fit fastening of a workpiece carrier 20. The workpiece carrier bearing 64 can preferably be designed as a multi-point bearing, in particular as a 3-point bearing.

[0204] The workpiece carrier bearing 64 can, in a particularly preferred manner, be formed by at least one fixed bearing 66 and / or by at least one locking mechanism 68, in particular several fixed bearings 66 and an opposing locking mechanism 68, as shown in the Figs. 19 to 25 can be seen from this.

[0205] The locking mechanism 68 can preferably be formed by a slide 70 with a chamfered and / or inclined contact surface 72 relative to the sliding direction of the slide 70. The locking mechanism 68 can, in a particularly preferred manner, be designed by a spring-loaded slide 70 and / or as a snap lock. Furthermore, a fixed bearing 66 can also be designed with a chamfered and / or inclined contact surface 74 relative to the sliding direction of the slide 70; in particular, several fixed bearings 66 can each be designed with an inclined contact surface 74.

[0206] According to a further preferred embodiment, the structure 36, in particular the support section 40 and / or the frame device 62, can have support sections 76 for contacting and / or lifting the structure 36 by a pressure table 24 of the pressure device 12.

[0207] The support sections 76 can preferably be formed on an underside of the support section 40 and / or the frame device 62. In particular, the support sections 76 can be formed on shaped elements 78 that are formed and / or arranged on an inside surface of the frame device 62. The support sections 76 can be formed on the undersides of the shaped elements 78. In contrast, a fixed bearing 66 and / or an inclined contact surface 74 can be formed on an upper surface of the respective shaped element 78.

[0208] The support sections 76 can be designed and / or arranged to allow contact by a pressure table 24 without placing any load on the workpiece carrier bearing 64. The assembly 36 can be contacted and / or lifted via the support sections 76 by a pressure table 24 without placing any load on the workpiece carrier bearing 64. Such contact without placing any load on the workpiece carrier bearing 64 can be ensured in particular if the support sections 76 are contacted by a pressure table 24 before or simultaneously with the contacting of the respective workpiece carrier 20 by the pressure table 24.

[0209] The printing device 12 can further comprise a liftable printing table 24, preferably a liftable vacuum printing table. A liftable printing table 24 is in Fig. 28 Shown as an example.

[0210] The pressure table 24 of the pressure device 12 can be configured for surface contact with a workpiece carrier 20 held in a conveying vehicle 18 and / or for contacting the support sections 76 of the superstructure 36 of the conveying vehicle 18. Furthermore, the pressure table 24 of the pressure device 12 can be configured to lift the superstructure 36 over the support sections 76 without placing any load on the workpiece carrier, particularly when the support sections 76 and the workpiece carrier 20 are contacted simultaneously and / or sequentially.

[0211] In a top view of the transport device 14, for example according to Fig. 12The center of gravity of the conveying vehicle 18 can be arranged offset from the transport rail 16 in a cross-section of the transport device 14. The center of gravity of the conveying vehicle 18 can be arranged laterally offset from the transport rail 16 or laterally offset from a center of gravity of the transport rail 16. In particular, the center of gravity of the conveying vehicle 18 can be arranged laterally offset from the transport rail 16 in a horizontal direction and transversely to a longitudinal extent of the transport rail 16. A longitudinal extent of the transport rail 16 can define the transport direction of a conveying vehicle 18 on the respective transport rail 16.

[0212] A further preferred option is to view the conveyor vehicle 18 from above, as for example in Fig. 12 and Fig. 18As shown, the center of gravity of the superstructure 36 is arranged offset from the center of gravity of the runner device 38. The center of gravity of the superstructure 36 can be arranged laterally offset from the center of gravity of the runner device 38. In particular, the center of gravity of the superstructure 36 can be arranged laterally offset relative to the center of gravity of the runner device 38 in a horizontal direction and transversely to a longitudinal extent of the transport rail 16 and / or in a horizontal direction and transversely to a longitudinal extent of the conveying vehicle 18. A longitudinal extent of the transport rail 16 can, in turn, define the transport direction of a conveying vehicle 18 on the respective transport rail 16. A longitudinal extent of the conveying vehicle 18 can thus run along the transport direction of the conveying vehicle 18 on the respective transport rail 16.

[0213] Such a weight distribution can result in advantageous driving behavior in curve situations of the conveying vehicle 18, which in particular can prevent undesirable tipping of the conveying vehicle 18 or the superstructure 36 relative to the runner device 28.

[0214] The transport device 14 and / or the rail system of the transport device 14 can preferably be designed as a transport circuit, as shown in the Fig. 7 and 8 This is shown in more detail below. The rail system of the transport device 14 can have a bypass track 80. On such a bypass track 80, transport vehicles 18 can be temporarily positioned or stopped before they are re-integrated into or enter a main track 82 of the rail system of the transport device 14.

[0215] The transport device 14 can be configured, in particular, for the automated transport of at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or one workpiece carrier 20 in a circuit between a printing device 12 and a position spaced apart from the printing device 12. A position spaced apart from the printing device 12 can be any position outside the printing device 12 and along the rail system. Positions outside the printing device 12 can be arranged along the main track 82 or along the bypass track 80.

[0216] As in the Figs. 1 to 6 The device 10 can have a plurality of pressure devices 12. The transport device 14 can run between the pressure devices 12. Accordingly, a screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier 20 can be transported between the pressure devices 12 by means of the transport device 14.

[0217] The device 10 can further be equipped with at least one drying device 84 for at least one screen-printed workpiece, in particular with a plurality of drying devices 84, as shown in the Figs. 1 to 6 As shown. Preferably, each pressure device 12 can be assigned a drying device 84 and / or be connected downstream of the transport device 14. The at least one drying device 84 can further preferably be designed for continuous drying and / or for stationary drying.

[0218] The transport device 14 can preferably be configured for transporting a screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier 20 to and / or away from the drying device 84 and / or through the drying device 84. Likewise, the transport device 14 can be configured for transporting a screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier 20 between the printing device 12 and the drying device 84.

[0219] In particular, the transport device 14 can extend at least partially through the drying device 84 and / or the transport device 14 can be configured separately from the drying device 84. This enables or further facilitates an overall modular design of the device 10. The transport device 14 can be configured independently of the drying device 84 and arranged to connect the drying device 84 with at least one other device or position within the device 10.

[0220] Furthermore, a transport device 14, separate from and / or independently designed from the drying device 84, can simplify the addition and / or replacement of the respective drying device 84, in particular the addition of further units within the device or the replacement of the drying device 84 with another drying device 84.

[0221] Despite the transport device 14 being designed separately and / or independently from the drying device 84, it can be adapted to the drying device 84, in particular to enable reliable transport of a workpiece carrier 20 and / or a screen-printed workpiece to and / or away from the drying device 84.

[0222] Details of such a drying device 84 are described in the Figs. 31 to 39 The drying device 84 can be configured in a particularly preferred manner for drying at least one screen printing workpiece and for simultaneously cooling a workpiece carrier 20 that supports the screen printing workpiece to be dried.

[0223] In the longitudinal section views in the Fig. 33 , 34 and 37 as well as in the cross-sectional views in the Fig. 35 and 36The interior of the drying device 84 is shown. The drying device 84 can, in particular, have a drying section 86 for drying screen-printed workpieces and a cooling section 88 for cooling workpiece carriers 20.

[0224] The drying device 84 can for this purpose be divided in particular into a drying section 86 and a cooling section 88, wherein at least one nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92 for supplying a cooling air stream, in particular cooling compressed air, can preferably be arranged within the cooling section 88.

[0225] By dividing the drying device 84 into a drying section 86 and a cooling section 88, the risk of a warm drying airflow reaching the underside of the workpiece carrier 20 being cooled can be avoided or reduced. Undesirable heating of the workpiece carrier 20 can thus be prevented.

[0226] By appropriately dividing the drying device 84 into a drying section 86 and a cooling section 88, the mixing of drying air streams and cooling air streams can be prevented or reduced, particularly temporarily. Such mixing of drying air streams and cooling air streams can be prevented or minimized, especially until the respective functions of the drying air streams and cooling air streams have been fulfilled, namely until the respective screen-printed workpieces have been dried and cooling of the workpiece carrier has been ensured simultaneously with drying or at least temporarily during drying.

[0227] A division of the drying device 84 into a drying section 86 and a cooling section 88 can be particularly facilitated by positioning a conveying vehicle 18, preferably with a workpiece carrier 20 positioned on it, within the drying device 84. The conveying vehicle 18, or a workpiece carrier 20 positioned on it, can itself advantageously contribute to the division of the drying device 84 into a drying section 86 and a cooling section 88. This applies particularly when multiple conveying vehicles 18 are positioned one after the other within the drying device 84.

[0228] A drying section 86 can be arranged, in particular, above a nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92 for supplying a cooling air stream.

[0229] The drying device 84 can advantageously be designed for convection drying of a screen-printed workpiece and / or for blown air cooling of workpiece carriers 20, in particular for convection drying of a screen-printed workpiece with simultaneous blown air cooling of the workpiece carrier 20 supporting the respective screen-printed workpiece.

[0230] Air cooling can be achieved via the nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92 to supply a cooling airflow. Convection drying of screen-printed workpieces can be achieved via a drying air supply 94.

[0231] In particular, the drying device 84 can be configured to direct a drying air stream 95 onto a screen printing workpiece or simultaneously onto several screen printing workpieces, preferably at an angle to a transport axis formed by the transport rail 16 and / or at an angle relative to a transport line by which a transport direction of the respective screen printing workpiece and / or the respective workpiece carrier 20 is defined, and / or transversely to its transport direction and / or onto the respective screen printing workpiece from above.

[0232] If a drying air stream 95 is directed at an angle onto a screen-printed workpiece, the direction of the drying air stream 95 may differ from a transport axis formed by the transport rail 16 or from the transport direction of the respective screen-printed workpiece and / or the respective workpiece carrier 20. The direction of the drying air stream 95 may be inclined relative to the transport direction of the respective screen-printed workpiece and / or the respective workpiece carrier 20, namely inclined at a specific or predefined angle.A direction of the drying airflow 95 transverse to the transport direction of the respective screen printing workpiece and / or the respective workpiece carrier 20 runs in particular at a right angle or at an angle of 90° relative to a transport axis or relative to a transport line by which a transport direction of the respective screen printing workpiece and / or the respective workpiece carrier 20 is defined.

[0233] A top-side supply of a drying air stream 95 onto a screen-printed workpiece or onto a workpiece carrier 20 can be illustrated in the schematic representations in Figs. 34 and 35 can be extracted. The downward-pointing arrows indicate a top-side supply of a drying air stream 95 onto a screen-printed workpiece or onto a workpiece carrier 20.

[0234] Furthermore, the drying device 84 can be configured to extract airflows such that an extraction airflow 97 is established at an angle to a transport axis formed by the transport rail 16 and / or relative to a transport line, which defines a transport direction of the respective screen-printed workpiece and / or the respective workpiece carrier 20, in particular transverse to the transport axis and / or transport direction and / or in a horizontal direction and / or in a substantially horizontal direction from the respective screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier 20. Such extraction of a drying airflow 95 can also be shown in the schematic representations in Figs. 34 and 35 to be extracted. The sideways and upward-pointing arrows indicate such an extraction airflow 97 from a screen-printed workpiece or from a workpiece carrier 20.

[0235] Furthermore, the drying device 84 can be configured to direct extracted drying and / or cooling air in the form of an extraction air stream 97 back onto a screen printing workpiece to be dried, in particular as a redirected drying air stream 95.

[0236] Such an air flow within the drying device 84 can be illustrated by the schematic representations in Figs. 34 and 35 or can be seen from the arrow diagrams contained therein. Therefore, the drying device 84 can be designed and / or configured as a recirculating air dryer.

[0237] The drying unit 84 can also be designed and / or configured for mixed operation, in which a partial recirculation of extracted drying air streams 95 and / or cooling air streams takes place. In mixed operation, extracted drying and / or cooling air can be mixed with fresh air after recirculation before being directed again onto a screen-printed workpiece for drying.

[0238] Likewise, the drying unit 84 can be designed and / or equipped with a heat exchanger for heat recovery (not shown in detail here). In such a configuration, the drying unit 84 can direct only fresh air onto the screen-printed workpieces to be dried and use recovered heat energy to warm the fresh air.

[0239] Heating elements 96 can be provided, in particular above the heating air supply 94, to heat a drying air stream 95 for convection drying or for a drying air stream 95 to be directed onto the respective screen printing workpieces via the drying air supply 94.

[0240] A drying air stream 95, guided along the heating elements 96, can therefore be suitably heated and then directed via the drying air supply 94 to the respective screen printing workpieces to be dried on the respective workpiece carrier 20.

[0241] The drying air supply 94 can advantageously have a plurality of nozzles 98 through which a drying air stream 95 can be directed onto the respective screen-printed workpieces for convection drying. The nozzles 98 can in particular be designed as slot nozzles.

[0242] The distance between the nozzles 98 and a conveying vehicle 18 that can be positioned in the drying device 84 can preferably be adjustable.

[0243] The distance between the nozzles 98 and a workpiece carrier 20 arranged or fixed in the conveying vehicle 18 can be adjusted by at least 30 mm, in particular by at least 35 mm, preferably by at least 40 mm or at least 45 mm. This allows for a relatively wide range of adjustments to the distance between the nozzles 98 and a workpiece carrier 20 during operation, and thus a large number of adjustment options for different applications.

[0244] Preferably, the distance between the nozzles 98 and a workpiece carrier 20 arranged or fixed in the conveying vehicle 18 can be adjusted by up to 90 mm, in particular by up to 80 mm, preferably by up to 70 mm or up to 60 mm. This ensures an overall compact and robust design despite the adjustability.

[0245] In a further preferred embodiment, the distance between the nozzles 98 and a workpiece carrier 20 arranged or fixed in the conveying vehicle 18 can be adjustable 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 preferably between 80 mm and 40 mm. Such adjustability ensures a large number of different setting options while maintaining a robust and compact design.

[0246] In a further preferred embodiment, the drying device 84 can be configured to activate and / or deactivate cooling positions 100 depending on the position of a workpiece carrier 20 within the drying device 84, in particular to activate cooling positions 100 below the current position of a workpiece carrier 20. A cooling position 100 can be activated by selectively controlling one or more cooling nozzles 102 and / or compressed air openings 104 in and / or on a nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92.

[0247] The cooling nozzles 102 and / or compressed air openings 104 can be designed as point openings or as longitudinally extended openings, in particular openings with a longitudinal extension at an angle to a transport axis formed by the transport rail 16, which defines a transport direction of the conveying vehicle 18, and / or at an angle to the longitudinal extension of the transport rail 16. In particular, a longitudinally extended opening of a cooling nozzle 102 and / or compressed air opening 104 can have a longitudinal extension that forms an angle with the transport axis and / or transport direction of the conveying vehicle 18 and / or with a longitudinal extension of the transport rail 16 in a top view of the drying device 84, in particular an angle of 90° or approximately 90°.

[0248] A cooling position 100 can be formed by one or more cooling nozzles 102 and / or compressed air openings 104, which are arranged within the drying device 84 at a position along the transport rail 16 and / or along the transport direction of the conveying vehicle 18. The cooling nozzles 102 and / or compressed air openings 104 can, for example, be formed at regular intervals on a feed line 105, in particular on the top side of a feed line 105. A cooling position 100 can also be formed by a longitudinally extending opening.

[0249] Several cooling nozzles 102 and / or compressed air openings 104 of a cooling position can be arranged at an angle to or transversely to a transport axis formed by the transport rail 16, or transversely to the transport direction of the conveying vehicle 18, and / or at an angle to the longitudinal extent of the transport rail 16. In particular, several cooling nozzles 102 and / or compressed air openings 104 of a cooling position can be arranged distributed along a direction that forms an angle with the transport direction of the conveying vehicle 18 and / or with a longitudinal extent of the transport rail 16 in a top view of the drying device 84, in particular an angle of 90° or approximately 90°.

[0250] A cooling nozzle 102 and / or compressed air opening 104 of a cooling position, designed as a longitudinally extended opening, can extend at an angle to or transversely to a transport axis formed by the transport rail 16, or transversely to the transport direction of the conveying vehicle 18, and / or at an angle to the longitudinal extent of the transport rail 16. In particular, a cooling nozzle 102 and / or compressed air opening 104 of a cooling position, designed as a longitudinally extended opening, can extend along a direction that forms an angle with a transport axis formed by the transport rail 16, with the transport direction of the conveying vehicle 18, and / or with a longitudinal extent of the transport rail 16 in a top view of the drying device 84, in particular an angle of 90° or approximately 90°.

[0251] In a further preferred embodiment, the drying device 84 can have at least one air filter 106 for filtering a drying air stream 95. The air filter 106 can, in particular, be designed as a HEPA air filter. The nozzles 98 of the drying air supply 94 can therefore be provided and / or arranged for the passage or supply of filtered drying air or an already filtered drying air stream 95.

[0252] Finally, the drying device 84 can also be designed for the continuous and / or periodic supply of fresh air and / or room air.

[0253] When a conveying vehicle 18 is positioned within the drying unit 84, the nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92 can project, at least partially, into the free space 44 of the superstructure 36 for receiving a pressure table and / or between the base section 46 and the support section 40 of the superstructure 36. In such a position, the nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92 can project, at least partially, below a workpiece carrier 20 held by the respective conveying vehicle 18. In this way, a direct flow of cooling air can be directed to the underside of the respective workpiece carrier 20, thus ensuring adequate cooling.

[0254] The nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92 can, in a position projecting at least partially into the free space 44 of the structure 36 for receiving a pressure table, preferably serve as an insulating device between different sections of the drying device 84. In particular, the nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92 can serve as an insulating device between a drying section 86 and a cooling section 88. For this purpose, the nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92 can extend along a horizontal plane or substantially along a horizontal plane.

[0255] The nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92 can itself be part of a cooling section 88 of the drying device 84, but can also facilitate insulation between a drying section 86 and a cooling section 88. This applies in particular to a position in which the nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92 projects into the free space 44 of the structure 36 for receiving a pressure table. In this case, the nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92 can direct cooling air only onto the underside of a workpiece carrier 20 received in the respective structure 36 and at least temporarily prevent or reduce unwanted mixing with drying air directed onto the workpiece carrier 20 from above.

[0256] Furthermore, a nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92 can prevent a warm drying airflow from reaching areas below the nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92 and causing undesirable heating there. Overall, the nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92 can provide an advantageous insulating function.

[0257] The drying device 84 can have an opening 108 at at least one longitudinal end, which is designed to be at least partially complementary, in particular geometrically complementary, to the cross-sectional shape and / or complementary, in particular geometrically complementary, to a cross-sectional section shape of the conveying vehicle 18. This can reduce the escape of air from the drying device 84 to a minimal level.

[0258] The device 10 can further be equipped with a positioning and / or removal device 110 for positioning workpiece carriers 20 on a conveyor vehicle 18 and / or for removing a workpiece carrier 20 from a conveyor vehicle 18. Such a positioning and / or removal device 110 is described in the Figs. 40 to 43 schematically represented.

[0259] A positioning and / or removal device 110 can be configured, in particular, to actuate a slide 70 of the locking mechanism 68 in order to unlock a workpiece carrier 20 held in a conveying vehicle 18. Actuation of the slide 70 can preferably be automated by the positioning and / or removal device 110, in particular by a claw 112 for engaging behind the slide 70.

[0260] Furthermore, the positioning and / or removal device 110 can be configured to perform automated handling of a workpiece carrier 20 for removal from the conveyor vehicle 20 after unlocking the locking mechanism 68 and / or for positioning within the conveyor vehicle 18 after opening the slide 70. For this purpose, a pushing device 114 can be provided, for example, by which a workpiece carrier 20 can be lifted from the conveyor vehicle 18 at least on one side or moved into an inclined position. From such an inclined position of the workpiece carrier 20, manual removal or further automated removal can take place.

[0261] After a different or new workpiece carrier 20 has been positioned in the respective conveyor vehicle 18, a pressing device 114 can be lowered again so that the workpiece carrier 20 is in a flat position resting on the conveyor vehicle 18. Subsequently, the positioning and / or removal device 110, in particular the claw 112, can release the slide 70 of the locking mechanism 68 and / or guide it in a controlled manner into a locking position to secure the respective workpiece carrier 20.

[0262] Furthermore, a positioning and / or removal device 110 can be equipped with a detection device 116 with which workpiece carriers 20 to be removed and / or newly positioned on the respective conveying vehicle 18 can be detected.

[0263] A device 10 described above is particularly well suited for carrying out a method for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces. In such a method, at least one screen-printed workpiece is produced layer by layer in several printing processes by the printing device 12. At least one screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier 20 with a screen-printed workpiece is automatically transported to and / or away from the printing device 12 by means of the transport device 14, wherein the transport can be carried out by means of the conveying vehicle 18 on the transport rail 16.

[0264] The device 10 can be designed and / or equipped in particular for the development and / or production of large quantities of pharmaceuticals. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0265] 10 Device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces 12 Printing device 14 Transport device 16 Transport rail 18 Conveyor vehicle 20 Workpiece carrier 22 Enclosure 24 Printing table 26 Drive device 28 Drive roller 29 Current-carrying contact roller 30 Support device 32 Support roller 33 Control module 34 Device control 35 Control unit 36 ​​Structure 38 Runner device 40 Support section 42 Side end 44 Clearance 46 Base section 48 Connecting section 50 Stroke limiting device 52 Stroke limiting claw 54 Multi-point bearing 56 Bearing 58 Bearing mandrel 60 Mandrel receptacle 61 Adjusting screw 62 Frame device 63 Thread 64 Workpiece carrier bearing 66 Fixed bearing 68 Locking device 70 Slider 72 Contact surface 74 Contact surface 76 Support section 78 Molding element 80 Bypass section 82 Main section 84 Drying device 86 Drying section 88 Cooling section 90 Nozzle device 92 Perforated plate 94 Drying air supply 95 Drying air flow 96 Heating element 97 Extraction air flow 98 Nozzle 100 Cooling position 102 Cooling nozzle 104 Compressed air opening106 Air filter 108 Opening at longitudinal end of the drying device 110 Positioning and / or removal device

Claims

1. 3D screen printing machine (10) for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, having a printing device (12) for the layerwise production of at least one screen-printed workpiece in a plurality of printing operations and having a transport device (14) for the automated transport of at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or of a workpiece carrier (20) towards and / or away from the printing device (12), characterized in that the transport device (14) has at least one transport rail (16) and a conveying vehicle (18), arranged movably on the transport rail (16), for at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or at least one workpiece carrier (20).

2. 3D screen printing machine (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport device (18) is configured for the automated transport of at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or of a workpiece carrier (20) towards and / or away from a printing table (24) of the printing device (12).

3. 3D screen printing machine (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the conveying vehicle (18) has at least one drive device (26) which is arranged on the conveying vehicle (18) so as to move along with it.

4. 3D screen printing machine (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport rail (16) is formed as a monorail and / or has a plurality of monorail sections connected to one another, in particular monorail sections connected to one another in the longitudinal direction.

5. 3D screen printing machine (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying vehicle (18) is designed for communication with a control module (33) arranged on the transport rail (16).

6. 3D screen printing machine (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying vehicle (18) has a superstructure (36) for receiving a workpiece carrier (20) for screen-printed workpieces and a runner device (38) having the drive device.

7. 3D screen printing machine (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the superstructure (36) and / or a carrying section (40) of the superstructure (36) defines a receiving plane for a workpiece carrier (20) which runs spaced apart from the runner device (38) and / or from the drive device (26), in particular runs spaced apart vertically.

8. 3D screen printing machine (10) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the superstructure (36), in a plan view, covers the runner device (38) and / or the drive device (26) at least in sections.

9. 3D screen printing machine (10) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the superstructure (36) forms a free space (44) for receiving a printing table (24) of the printing device (12).

10. 3D screen printing machine (10) according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the superstructure (36) and / or the carrying section (40) of the superstructure (36) is mounted movably relative to the runner device (38) in the vertical direction and / or is arranged in a vertically adjustable manner.

11. 3D screen printing machine (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying vehicle (18) has a frame device (62) for fixing a workpiece carrier (20) in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or material-bonded manner.

12. 3D screen printing machine (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the center of gravity of the conveying vehicle (18) is arranged offset in the horizontal direction with respect to the transport rail (16).

13. 3D screen printing machine (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rail system is designed as a transport circuit and is configured for the automated transport of at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or of a workpiece carrier (20) in the circuit between the printing device (12) and a position spaced apart from the printing device (12).

14. 3D screen printing machine (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a sluice device for the sluice in and / or sluice out of conveying vehicles (18).

15. Method for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces using a 3D screen printing machine (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one screen-printed workpiece is produced layerwise in a plurality of printing operations using a printing device (12) and in which at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier (20) with a screen-printed workpiece is transported in an automated manner towards and / or away from the printing device (12) using a transport device (14), wherein the transport by the transport device (14) is performed by means of a conveying vehicle (18) on a transport rail (16).