Printing system

Abstract

To enable automatic exchange of an exchangeable member of a printing apparatus.SOLUTION: A printing apparatus of the present disclosure is a printing apparatus for performing printing processing of viscous fluid onto a print target by using a screen mask. The printing apparatus includes: a moving part configured to perform at least one of moving of an exchangeable member to an exchange position or loading and unloading of the exchangeable member, for each of at least two types of the exchangeable member that, out of a cartridge configured to house the viscous fluid, a squeegee, a cleaning member used for cleaning of the screen mask, the screen mask, and a support member configured to fix the print target, include at least one out of the cartridge, the squeegee, and the cleaning member; and an exchange control part configured to control the moving part to perform exchange processing of exchanging the exchangeable member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing apparatus and a storage apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a printing apparatus that performs printing processing of a viscous fluid on a printing object such as a substrate using a screen mask, an apparatus that automatically exchanges the screen mask is known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a printing apparatus including a rod protruding downward and a slider that slides the screen mask by moving the rod to insert and remove it from the main body frame.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a printing apparatus, there are members that need to be exchanged such as a squeegee in addition to the screen mask. Conventionally, the replacement of these members has been performed manually by an operator. Therefore, there has been a problem that it takes time and effort for the operator to perform the replacement.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a main object thereof is to enable automatic replacement of replaceable members of a printing apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present disclosure has adopted the following means to achieve the above-described main object.

[0007] The printing apparatus of the present disclosure is a printing apparatus that performs printing processing of a viscous fluid on a printing object using a screen mask, For each of at least any one of the cartridge that houses the viscous fluid, the squeegee, the cleaning member used for cleaning the screen mask, the screen mask, and the support member that fixes the object to be printed, a moving unit that performs at least one of moving the replaceable member to the replacement position and loading and unloading the replaceable member, an exchange control unit that controls the moving unit to execute an exchange process for exchanging the replaceable member, is provided.

[0008] This printing apparatus includes a moving unit that performs at least one of moving a replaceable member to the replacement position and loading and unloading the replaceable member for each of two or more types of replaceable members. And this printing apparatus performs an exchange process for exchanging the replaceable member using this moving unit. Thereby, this printing apparatus can automatically exchange two or more types of replaceable members. Here, the "replacement position" includes a handover position and a receiving position.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the outline of the configuration of a printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the printing apparatus 10 and the storage apparatus 100. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical connection relationship of the printing system 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the squeegee fixing portion 24, the squeegee 30, and the squeegee transfer jig 110. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the supply unit 40 and the cartridge transfer jig 120. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the supply unit 40 and the holder 122. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the substrate support member 70 and the support member transfer jig 130. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cleaning unit 80 in a protruding state and the cleaning member transfer jig 140. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cleaning unit 80 in a non-protruding state. The printing system 1 includes a printing apparatus 10 that performs printing processing of a solder paste (hereinafter simply referred to as solder), which is a viscous fluid, onto a printing target (here, a substrate S) using a screen mask 55. Further, the printing system 1 includes a storage apparatus 100 that stores one or more replaceable members 13 used in the printing apparatus 10, and a management computer (PC) 150 that manages information related to processing in the printing apparatus 10. Note that the printing system 1 may be configured as a mounting system further including other substrate working apparatuses such as a mounting apparatus (not shown) that mounts electronic components on the substrate S. Examples of the viscous fluid include solder, conductive paste, adhesive, and the like. The printing apparatus 10 is configured as an apparatus capable of automatically replacing the replaceable member 13 used in the printing process when performing a setup change for changing the printing target to different types of substrates S. Examples of the replaceable member 13 include one or more of a cartridge 49 that houses solder, a squeegee 30, a cleaning member 82, a screen mask 55, and a substrate support member 70. In the printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, all five of these are configured to be automatically replaceable as the replaceable member 13. Further, among these five types, replacement processing other than the screen mask 55 is performed using the squeegee transfer jig 110, the cartridge transfer jig 120, the support member transfer jig 130, and the cleaning member transfer jig 140 shown in FIG. 2. In the present embodiment, the left-right direction (X-axis), the front-rear direction (Y-axis), and the up-down direction (Z-axis) are as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printing apparatus 10 is an apparatus that applies (prints) solder to a substrate S below through a pattern hole 58 formed in a screen mask 55 by pushing the solder on the screen mask 55 into the pattern hole 58 using a squeegee 30. The printing apparatus 10 includes a printing control unit 11 (an example of an exchange control unit, FIG. 3), a printing processing unit 20, a supply unit 40, a mask working unit 50, a substrate fixing unit 60, a cleaning unit 80, and a reading unit 97. Further, the printing apparatus 10 includes a display operation unit 98 (FIG. 3) configured as an operation panel on which a display screen is displayed and various input operations by an operator are possible, and a communication unit (not shown) that communicates with other connected devices.

[0012] The printing control unit 11 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU, and includes a ROM that stores a processing program, a RAM used as a work area, an HDD that stores various data, and the like. The printing control unit 11 controls the entire printing apparatus 10.

[0013] The printing processing unit 20 is disposed above the printing apparatus 10 and is a unit that performs printing processing of a viscous fluid on the substrate S using the screen mask 55. As shown in FIG. 3, the printing processing unit 20 includes a printing head 21, a printing moving unit 22, a squeegee lifting unit 23, a squeegee fixing unit 24, a squeegee 30, and a transfer rod 38. The printing moving unit 22 moves the printing head 21 in a predetermined printing direction (here, the front-rear direction), and includes a guide formed in the front-rear direction, a slider that moves along the guide, and a motor that drives the slider. The squeegee lifting unit 23 is configured as an air cylinder having a piston rod 23a (FIGS. 2 and 4), and raises and lowers the squeegee fixing unit 24 and the squeegee 30 by raising and lowering the piston rod 23a. The printing processing unit 20 has two squeegees 30, namely, first and second squeegees 30a and 30b, and correspondingly has two piston rods 23a and two squeegee fixing units 24.

[0014] Since the two squeegee fixing parts 24 have the same configuration except for being arranged symmetrically in the front-rear direction, the front squeegee fixing part 24 will be described below with reference to FIG. 4. Note that FIG. 4 shows the state before the squeegee 30 is attached to the squeegee fixing part 24. In this FIG. 4, the squeegee 30 is attached to the squeegee transfer jig 110 used in the squeegee replacement process described later.

[0015] The squeegee fixing part 24 is a mechanism configured to switch between a fixed state for fixing the squeegee 30 (here, the first squeegee 30a) and a released state for not fixing the squeegee 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the squeegee fixing part 24 is connected to the lower end of the piston rod 23a and includes an air cylinder 25 and a regulating member 26. The air cylinder 25 is a mechanism for raising and lowering a cylinder shaft 25a protruding downward. A flange 25b is formed at the lower end of the cylinder shaft 25a, and the upper surface of the flange 25b is configured to support the squeegee 30 from below. The regulating member 26 is a member that engages with the protruding portion 34 of the squeegee 30 in the fixed state to regulate the forward and backward movement of the squeegee 30. The regulating members 26 are arranged one on each of the left and right sides of the air cylinder 25. Each regulating member 26 has claw portions 27a and 27b protruding forward. Concave portions 28a and 28b recessed upward are respectively formed on the lower surfaces of the claw portions 27a and 27b. In the squeegee fixing part 24, the state where the air cylinder 25 raises the flange 25b is the fixed state, and the state where the air cylinder 25 lowers the flange 25b compared to the fixed state is the released state. By the raising and lowering of this flange 25b, the squeegee fixing part 24 sandwiches the attachment member 32 of the squeegee 30 between the upper surface of the flange 25b and the lower surface of the regulating member 26 in the fixed state. Further, in the released state, the squeegee fixing part 24 releases the fixing of the squeegee 30 by the relative vertical separation of the flange 25b and the regulating member 26 compared to the fixed state.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 4, the squeegee 30 includes a squeegee blade 31 formed to have a length longer left and right than the pattern holes 58 (FIG. 2), and an attachment member 32 for attaching the squeegee blade 31 to the squeegee fixing portion 24. The attachment member 32 includes a positioning member 33, a protruding portion 34, a shaft member 35, and a flange portion 36. The positioning member 33 is a member formed in a U shape in a top view, and has an opening 33a through which the cylinder shaft 25a of the squeegee fixing portion 24 can pass back and forth, and a gripped surface 33b that is the lower surface of the positioning member 33 and protrudes horizontally toward the opening 33a (toward the inside of the U shape). When the cylinder shaft 25a of the squeegee fixing portion 24 enters the opening 33a of the positioning member 33 from the rear toward the front, the upper surface of the flange 25b faces the gripped surface 33b vertically. The squeegee 30 is gripped and fixed to the squeegee fixing portion 24 by the gripped surface 33b and the gripped surface 32a that is the upper surface of the attachment member 32 being sandwiched between the upper surface of the cylinder shaft 25a of the squeegee fixing portion 24 and the lower surface of the regulating member 26. The protruding portions 34 are disposed one on each of the left and right sides of the positioning member 33, and each protruding portion 34 is configured to fit into the recesses 28a and 28b of the squeegee fixing portion 24 and engage with the regulating member 26. By the regulating member 26 and the protruding portion 34 engaging with each other, the movement of the squeegee 30 in the front-rear direction with respect to the squeegee fixing portion 24 is regulated. The shaft members 35 are disposed one on each of the left and right sides of the positioning member 33, and each protrudes upward from the upper surface of the protruding portion 34. Flange portions 36 are formed at the upper ends of the shaft members 35, respectively. The flange portion 36 is a member that engages with the engaging portion 115 of the squeegee transfer jig 110.

[0017] FIG. 4 also shows a squeegee transfer jig 110 used by the printing apparatus 10 for automatically replacing the squeegee 30. The squeegee transfer jig 110 includes a frame-shaped frame 111, a holder 112 to which the squeegee 30 can be attached, and a barcode 116 disposed near the rear end of the right side surface of the frame 111. The squeegee transfer jig 110 includes two holders 112 that are symmetric about the front and rear. Each holder 112 includes a main body portion disposed so as to span the frame 111 from left to right, and a support portion 113 that protrudes inward in the front-rear direction of the frame 111 from the main body portion. Two support portions 113 are arranged side by side on each holder 112. As shown in the enlarged view in the upper right of FIG. 4, the support portion 113 has an opening 114 through which the shaft member 35 of the squeegee 30 can pass in the front-rear direction. Further, the support portion 113 has an engaging portion 115 that engages with the flange portion 36 of the squeegee 30 to fix the squeegee 30. The engaging portion 115 is a recess formed at the opening edge of the support portion 113 and into which the lower surface side portion of the flange portion 36 fits. When the flange portion 36 fits into the engaging portion 115, the relative movement of the squeegee 30 in the XY directions with respect to the squeegee transfer jig 110 is restricted by its own weight. Further, when the squeegee 30 is moved upward and the flange portion 36 is disengaged from the engaging portion 115 (also referred to as the removal position), the movement restriction in the XY directions is released, and the squeegee 30 can be removed from the opening 114. The barcode 116 is identification information for identifying the squeegee 30 attached to the squeegee transfer jig 110, and is attached in advance by an operator, for example.

[0018] The transfer rod 38 is disposed on the print head 21 so as to be movable up and down by a motor (not shown) (FIG. 2). The transfer rod 38 protrudes below the squeegee 30 and moves back and forth by the print moving unit 22, thereby pushing and transferring the screen mask 55 and each transfer jig placed on the transfer rail 53 back and forth. Thereby, the transfer rod 38 can transfer the screen mask 55 and each transfer jig in and out of the storage device 100 to the printing apparatus 10.

[0019] The supply unit 40 is a device that supplies the solder accommodated in the cartridge 49 onto the screen mask 55. The supply unit 40 includes a supply head 41 and a supply moving unit 46. The supply head 41 positions and holds the cartridge 49 and discharges the solder. The supply moving unit 46 moves the supply head 41 in the X-axis direction (left and right direction). As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the supply head 41 includes an air supply unit 42, a clamp unit 43, and a rotation motor 44. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the supply head 41 includes a back plate portion 41a disposed in the supply moving unit 46 and a fixing member 41b formed to protrude forward from the upper end of the back plate portion 41a. The supply head 41 moves between the solder discharge position on the screen mask 55 and the holder 122 of the cartridge transfer jig 120 where the replacement cartridge 49 is disposed. The air supply unit 42 is connected to the cartridge 49 and supplies air for discharging the solder from the cartridge 49 to the cartridge 49. The air supply unit 42 is cylindrical and is inserted into a hole-shaped connection portion 49d formed in the cartridge 49. Since the position of the cartridge 49 is fixed by inserting the air supply unit 42 into the connection portion 49d, it also serves as a positioning portion of the cartridge 49. The air supply unit 42 has an opening downward and is disposed on the lower surface of the fixing member 41b. The air supply unit 42 discharges the air supplied through a pipe (not shown) from the opening.

[0020] The clamp portion 43 is a member for fixing the cartridge 49. This clamp portion 43 is pivotally supported below the back plate portion 41a and moves (here, rotates) between a fixed position for fixing the cartridge 49 and a release position for releasing the fixing of the cartridge 49 by the driving force from the rotation motor 44. The release position is a position where the clamp portion 43 is in the same vertical state as the forming direction of the back plate portion 41a. The fixed position is a position where the clamp portion 43 is in a horizontal state orthogonal to the forming direction of the back plate portion 41a. When the clamp portion 43 moves to the fixed position in a state where the air supply portion 42 is connected to the connection portion 49d of the cartridge 49, the clamp portion 43 supports and fixes the cartridge 49 from below. The clamp portion 43 is formed in a hollow disk shape, and the bottom portion of the cartridge 49 fits into the hollow portion.

[0021] The supply moving portion 46 is disposed on the front surface of the print head 23. For this reason, the supply head 41 moves in the Y-axis direction by the print moving portion 24 and moves in the X-axis direction by the supply moving portion 46. The supply moving portion 46 includes a guide 46a, a ball screw 46b, and a drive motor 48. When the drive motor 48 rotates the ball screw 46b, the supply head 41 moves in the left-right direction along the guide 46a.

[0022] The cartridge 49 has a cylindrical main body portion 49a, flange portions 49b formed with a diameter larger than that of the main body portion 49a and disposed on the upper and lower sides of the main body portion 49a, and a connection portion 49d formed at the center of the upper flange portion 49b. Further, a nozzle (not shown) for discharging solder to the outside is formed at the center of the lower flange portion 49b of the cartridge 49. The connection portion 49d is a hole into which the air supply portion 42 is inserted and connected. When air is supplied from the air supply portion 42 to the connection portion 49d of the cartridge 49, a pressing member (not shown) inside the main body portion 49a is pressed, and the internal solder is discharged from the nozzle.

[0023] FIG. 5 also shows a cartridge transfer jig 120 used by the printing apparatus 10 for automatically replacing the cartridge 49. The cartridge transfer jig 120 includes a frame-shaped frame 121, a plurality of holders 122 to which the cartridge 49 can be attached, and a barcode 126. A plurality (five in FIG. 5) of the holders 122 are arranged in the X direction, and each is attached to the rear of the frame 121. As shown in FIG. 6, the holder 122 has a support portion 123 having an opening 124 through which the main body portion 49a of the cartridge 49 can pass, and an engaging portion 125 formed on the support portion 123 and engaging with the upper flange portion 49b of the cartridge 49 to fix the cartridge 49. The support portion 123 is a C-shaped plate-like member. The engaging portion 125 is a recess formed at the opening edge of the support portion 123 and into which the lower surface side portion of the upper flange portion 49b fits. When the flange portion 49b fits into the engaging portion 125, the cartridge 49 is restricted from moving relative to the cartridge transfer jig 120 in the XY directions due to its own weight. Further, when the cartridge 49 is moved upward to a position where the flange portion 49b is disengaged from the engaging portion 125 (also referred to as the removal position), the movement restriction in the XY directions is released, and the cartridge 49 can be removed from the opening 124. When the clamp portion 43 of the supply head 41 described above rotates and moves to the fixed position, the clamp portion 43 pushes up the cartridge 49 attached to the holder 122 and positions the cartridge 49 at the removal position of the holder 122. That is, the fixing operation of the cartridge 49 by the clamp portion 43 also serves as an operation for releasing the movement restriction of the cartridge 49 from the holder 122. The barcode 126 is disposed near the rear end of the right side surface of the cartridge transfer jig 120, and more specifically, is disposed on the right side surface of the rightmost holder 122. The barcode 126 is identification information for identifying the cartridge 4 9 attached to the cartridge transfer jig 120, and is, for example, attached in advance by an operator.

[0024] The mask working unit 50 is disposed between the printing processing unit 20 and the substrate fixing unit 60 in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 2, and is a unit that fixedly holds the screen mask 55. As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the mask working unit 50 includes a mask fixing unit 51, a position adjusting unit 52, and a transfer rail 53. The mask fixing unit 51 positions and supports and fixes the screen mask 55 in a horizontal posture. The position adjusting unit 52 adjusts the position of the mask fixing unit 51 in the XY directions so that the pattern holes 58 of the screen mask 55 are arranged at appropriate positions with respect to the substrate S fixed to the substrate fixing unit 60. The transfer rail 53 is a pair of left and right rails extending in the front-rear direction, and guides the screen mask 55 pushed by the transfer rod 38 and each transfer jig so that they move along the front-rear direction. The screen mask 55 includes a mask body 56 in which pattern holes 58 such as a desired wiring pattern are formed, and a frame body 57 that holds the mask body 56 at a predetermined tension. The mask body 56 is, for example, a thin metal plate. An identification part (for example, a mark) for position recognition is formed on the lower surface of the screen mask 55. Near the rear end of the right side surface of the screen mask 55, a barcode 57a (FIG. 5) representing the identification information of the screen mask 55 is disposed. This barcode is attached in advance by, for example, an operator.

[0025] The substrate fixing unit 60 is disposed below the mask working unit 50, and is a unit that carries in the substrate S, positions and supports the carried-in substrate S, and brings it into contact with and separates from the screen mask 55. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the substrate fixing unit 60 includes a substrate transfer conveyor 61, a substrate guide 62, a substrate guide moving unit 63 (see FIG. 3), a support base elevating unit 65, a fixing unit elevating unit 66, a support base 67, and a substrate support member 70. The substrate transfer conveyor 61 is provided on each of a pair of side frames 60b and transfers the substrate S in the X direction. The substrate guide 62 is a plate-like member provided on the upper surface of each of a pair of side frames 60b. The substrate guide moving unit 63 is a mechanism that moves a pair of side frames 60b in the front-rear direction to approach and separate from each other. Thereby, the substrate guide 62 also moves in the front-rear direction, and the substrate S is sandwiched and fixed with the upper surface of the substrate S and the upper surface of the substrate guide 62 being flush. The support base elevating unit 65 is a mechanism that elevates the support base 67 with respect to the main body 60a of the substrate fixing unit 60. The fixing unit elevating unit 66 is a mechanism that elevates the entire substrate fixing unit 60 with respect to the main body of the printing apparatus 10. The support base 67 is a member on which the substrate support member 70 can be arranged. The substrate fixing unit 60 includes a fixing unit and a position adjusting unit (not shown) that perform fixing and positioning of the substrate support member 70 on the support base 67.

[0026] The substrate support member 70 is arranged on the support base 67 and is connected by a pipe to a decompression device (not shown), and is a member that adsorbs and fixes the substrate S while supporting it from the lower surface side by negative pressure. As shown in FIG. 7, the substrate support member 70 includes a main body portion 70a, a pair of columnar protrusions 71, 71 arranged so as to protrude from the left and right of the main body portion 70a, a pair of protrusions 72, 72 arranged in front of the protrusions 71, and a plurality of suction ports 73 that open on the upper surface of the main body portion 70a. The plurality of protrusions 71, 72 function as engaging portions that engage with the first to fourth protrusion holding portions 132 to 135 of the support member transfer jig 130 shown in FIG. 7. Further, on the upper surface of the main body portion 70a, an identification portion 75 (for example, a mark) for position recognition and a barcode 76 for type recognition of the substrate support member 70 are formed. The substrate support member 70 is exchanged according to the substrate S.

[0027] FIG. 7 also shows a support member transfer jig 130 used by the printing apparatus 10 for automatically replacing the substrate support member 70. The support member transfer jig 130 includes a frame-shaped frame 131, first to fourth protrusion holding portions 132 to 135 disposed inside the frame 131, and a barcode 136 disposed near the rear end of the right side surface of the frame 131. The first to fourth protrusion holding portions 132 to 135 are arranged in this order from the front to the rear. The first to fourth protrusion holding portions 132 to 135 are each arranged in a pair in the left-right direction and are disposed at the tips of arm portions extending below the frame 131. The support member transfer jig 130 can attach one substrate support member 70 by the first and second protrusion holding portions 132 and 133, and can attach one substrate support member 70 by the third and fourth protrusion holding portions 134 and 135. Concave portions slightly larger than the outer diameters of the protrusion portions 71 and 72 of the substrate support member 70 are formed on the upper surfaces of the first to fourth protrusion holding portions 132 to 135. By placing the protrusion portions 71 and 72 in these concave portions, the support member transfer jig 130 can transfer the substrate support member 70 while fixing the relative position of the substrate support member 70 in the front-rear direction. The barcode 136 is identification information for identifying the substrate support member 70 attached to the support member transfer jig 130, and is attached in advance by an operator, for example.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning unit 80 is disposed between the mask working unit 50 and the substrate fixing unit 60 in the vertical direction, and is a unit that performs a cleaning process for cleaning the back surface of the screen mask 55. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cleaning unit 80 includes an exchange module 81 that includes a cleaning member 82 and can be exchanged with the storage device 100, a placement member 84 on which the exchange module 81 is placed, a support member 86 that supports the exchange module 81 and the placement member 84, and a cleaning movement unit 87 that moves the exchange module 81 and the placement member 84. Note that FIG. 8 also shows a cleaning member transfer jig 140 used by the printing apparatus 10 for automatically replacing the exchange module 81. Further, the cleaning movement unit 87 can switch between a protruding state in which the exchange module 81 and the placement member 84 protrude forward and a non-protruding state in which they do not protrude. FIG. 8 shows the protruding state, and FIG. 9 shows the non-protruding state.

[0029] The exchange module 81 includes a first roller 81a, a second roller 81b, a cleaning member 82, and a mounting member 83. The cleaning member 82 is a member for cleaning the screen mask 55, and in this embodiment, it is a wiping sheet for cleaning the screen mask 55 by wiping. The cleaning member 82 is wound around the first roller 81a. The second roller 81b is disposed in front of the first roller 81a and feeds in the cleaning member 82 fed out from the first roller 81a. The portion of the cleaning member 82 from being fed out by the first roller 81a to being wound around the second roller 81b is used for cleaning the screen mask 55.

[0030] The mounting member 83 is a member for mounting the first and second rollers 81a and 81b and the cleaning member 82. The mounting member 83 has a box-shaped member 83a with openings at the top and bottom. Inside the box-shaped member 83a, a total of four (only three are shown in the figure), in two pairs facing left and right, bearings 83b are arranged. The shaft ends of the first and second rollers 81a and 81b can be inserted into each of the two pairs of bearings 83b, whereby the bearings 83b rotatably support the first and second rollers 81a and 81b. The bearing 83b at the right front (not shown) is coaxially connected to a gear 83c arranged outside the box-shaped member 83a, whereby the second roller 81b and the gear 83c rotate integrally. The gear 83c is arranged so as to mesh with the gear 86b of the winding motor 86a in a non-protruding state, whereby the second roller 81b rotates by the driving force from the winding motor 86a to wind up the cleaning member 82. Further, the box-shaped member 83a has protruding portions 83d protruding from both sides in the left-right direction from the mounting member 83. In the present embodiment, one protruding portion 83d is arranged on the right side of the box-shaped member 83a, and two protruding portions 83d are arranged on the left side of the box-shaped member 83a. These multiple protruding portions 83d function as engaging portions that engage with the protrusion holding portions 142 of the cleaning member conveyance jig 140 shown in FIG. 8. On the front surface of the box-shaped member 83a, receiving members 83e are arranged at both the left and right ends. The receiving member 83e has a recess opening toward the left and right outer sides, and is configured to engage with the locking member 86d of the locking mechanism 86c in a non-protruding state. Openings 83f are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the box-shaped member 83a, and an engaging shaft 83g extending in the Y direction is arranged inside the opening 83f. The engaging shaft 83g is configured to engage with the claw member 84c of the mounting member 84 (the enlarged view in the upper right of FIG. 8).

[0031] The placement member 84 is configured as a plate-shaped member that places the replacement module 81 and supports it from below. The placement member 84 and the attachment member 83 serve as a cleaning head and move back and forth by the cleaning movement unit 87. On the upper surface of the placement member 84, a contact member 84a, a lifting device 84b, a claw member 84c, and a connection portion 84d are arranged. The contact member 84a is a member that supports the cleaning member 82 from below. The lifting device 84b is configured as, for example, an air cylinder and lifts and lowers the contact member 84a while supporting it from below. In a state where the lifting device 84b raises the contact member 84a, the contact member 84a can lift the cleaning member 82 upward, so that the upper surface of the cleaning member 82 can be brought into contact with the back surface of the screen mask 55. In that state, when the cleaning movement unit 87 moves the placement member 84, the cleaning unit 80 performs a cleaning process of wiping off the solder on the back surface of the screen mask 55 with the cleaning member 82. The claw member 84c is a member for preventing the replacement module 81 from falling off the placement member 84 when the placement member 84 moves in the Y direction, and is arranged one on each of the left and right sides of the placement member 84. The claw member 84c is a substantially quadrangular prism-shaped member whose longitudinal direction is along the vertical direction. The claw member 84c has inclined surfaces on the inner side in the left-right direction (the inner side of the attachment member 83) at the upper end, and a concave portion that engages with the engagement shaft 83g of the attachment member 83 is formed below the inclined surfaces. The claw member 84c is pivotally supported near the lower end so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the Y direction, and the upper end of the claw member 84c is biased in a direction of rotating inward in the left-right direction by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown). Thereby, when the replacement module 81 descends from above the placement member 84, the engagement shaft 83g of the attachment member 83 in the replacement module 81 is guided by the inclined surface of the claw member 84c and engages with the concave portion of the claw member 84c, restricting the relative movement in the Y direction between the attachment member 83 and the placement member 84. Note that the elastic force of the elastic member that biases the claw member 84c is adjusted so that the engagement between the engagement shaft 83g and the claw member 84c is released when the replacement module 81 attempts to move upward from the placement member 84. The connection portion 84d is a member that is connected to the connection portion 89b of the placement member movement mechanism 89 and is arranged on the rear side of the placement member 84.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the support member 86 is a plate-shaped member whose left and right ends are supported by the guide rails 88b. Thereby, the support member 86 supports the mounting member 84 from the left and right directions along the horizontal direction. A winding motor 86a and a locking mechanism 86c are disposed on the support member 86. The winding motor 86a is disposed on the right side of the mounting member 83 in the support member 86, and rotates the gear 83c and the second roller 81b via the gear 86b. The cleaning unit 80 performs a sheet feeding process of feeding, by rotation of the second roller 81b by the winding motor 86a, the portion of the cleaning member 82 that has been subjected to the cleaning process, that is, the portion to which the solder has adhered, into the second roller 81b, for example, during a certain period of time after the cleaning process. The locking mechanism 86c is configured as, for example, an air cylinder, and is a mechanism that projects the locking member 86d in the X direction via the cylinder. The locking mechanisms 86c are disposed one on each of the left and right sides of the mounting member 83 in the support member 86. As shown in FIG. 9, when the locking mechanism 86c projects the locking member 86d toward the mounting member 83 when the replacement module 81 and the mounting member 84 are in the non-protruding state, the locking member 86d is inserted into the recess of the receiving member 83e of the mounting member 83 and the two are engaged. Thereby, the relative movement in the Y direction of the replacement module 81 and the mounting member 84 with respect to the support member 86 is restricted, and they are fixed in the non-protruding state. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, in a state where the locking mechanism 86c does not project the locking member 86d, the replacement module 81 and the mounting member 84 can be switched between the protruding state and the non-protruding state by the mounting member moving mechanism 89.

[0033] The cleaning moving unit 87 includes a support member moving mechanism 88 and a placement member moving mechanism 89. As shown in FIG. 1, the support member moving mechanism 88 has a Y-axis slider 88a and a pair of left and right guide rails 88b extending in the front-rear direction. The Y-axis slider 88a is disposed on the support member 86. When the Y-axis slider 88a moves along the guide rail 88b, the support member 86 is moved in the Y direction. By moving the support member 86 in the Y direction, the replacement module 81 and the placement member 84 are also moved in the Y direction. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the placement member moving mechanism 89 includes a drive source 89a configured as, for example, an air cylinder, and a connection portion 89b disposed at the tip of the cylinder rod of the drive source 89a and connected to the connection portion 84d of the placement member 84. Further, the placement member moving mechanism 89 includes a telescopic rail 89c disposed on the support member 86 and having a plurality of rails that slide in the Y direction. When the driving force in the Y direction from the drive source 89a acts on the placement member 84 via the connection portion 89b and the connection portion 84d, the telescopic rail 89c expands and contracts, so that the placement member 84 moves relative to the support member 86 in the Y direction. Thereby, the placement member moving mechanism 89 can switch between a protruding state (FIG. 8) in which the replacement module 81 and the placement member 84 protrude relatively forward with respect to the support member 86, and a non-protruding state (FIG. 9) in which the replacement module 81 and the placement member 84 do not protrude relatively forward with respect to the support member 86. The cleaning moving unit 87 is moved between a cleaning position where the cleaning member 82 cleans the screen mask 55 by the cleaning member 82 and an exchange position where the cleaning member 82 is exchanged with the cleaning member transfer jig 140 by the support member moving mechanism 88 and the placement member moving mechanism 89. Note that the cleaning position is, for example, a position directly below the screen mask 55 fixed to the mask fixing portion 51. The exchange position is, for example, a position where the transfer of the replacement module 81 is performed between the cleaning member transfer jig 140 and the cleaning unit 80. Further, the cleaning moving unit 87 carries in and out the cleaning member 82 and the replacement module 81 including the same.

[0034] The cleaning member transfer jig 140 shown in FIG. 8 serves as a holder to which the replacement module 81 is attached. The cleaning member transfer jig 140 includes a frame-shaped frame 141 with an open rear side, a protrusion holding portion 142 disposed on the inner side in the left-right direction of the frame 141, and a barcode 146 disposed near the rear end of the right side surface of the frame 141. The protrusion holding portions 142 are provided in the same number (here, three) corresponding to the protruding portions 83d of the attachment member 83. More specifically, one protrusion holding portion 142 is provided on the right side and two are provided on the left side. The protrusion holding portion 142 has a concave portion formed on its upper surface, and engages with the protruding portion 83d placed in this concave portion to support the protruding portion 83d from below. By engaging the protruding portion 83d with this concave portion, the cleaning member transfer jig 140 can transfer the replacement module 81 while fixing the relative position in the front-rear direction of the replacement module 81. The barcode 146 is identification information for identifying the cleaning member 82 attached to the cleaning member transfer jig 140, and is attached in advance by an operator, for example.

[0035] The reading unit 97 is a device that reads information regarding one or more of the replaceable members 13, and is configured as a barcode reader in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the reading unit 97 is disposed in the upper right front in the printing apparatus 10, and the left direction is the reading direction. The reading unit 97 is disposed at the same height as the height (loading height and unloading height) at which the screen mask 55 is carried in and out, and can read the barcode 57a (FIG. 5) attached to the right side surface of the screen mask 55. Further, for each of the transfer jigs 110, 120, 130, 140, if they are transferred to the same height, the barcodes 116, 126, 136, 146 attached to each of them can be read.

[0036] The storage device 100 is disposed in front of the printing device 10, stores one or more (here, five types) of replaceable members 13, and is a device that performs the loading and unloading of one or more (here, five types) of the replaceable members 13 with the printing device 10. The storage device 100 includes a housing 101, a storage unit 102, a transfer conveyor 104, a conveyor lifting unit 105, and a storage control unit 106. The housing 101 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box and has a storage unit 102 inside. A moving part such as a caster is disposed on the lower surface of the housing 101, and for example, an operator can move the storage device 100. The storage unit 102 is a box capable of storing the replaceable member 13 and the transfer jig, and a plurality of transfer conveyors 104 are disposed inside. The transfer conveyors 104 are arranged in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the first to ninth transfer conveyors 104a to 104i are arranged in order from the top. Each of the first to ninth transfer conveyors 104a to 104i is configured as a pair of left and right belt conveyors and conveys the placed object in the front-rear direction. Note that in FIG. 1, for the sake of illustration, only four stages of the transfer conveyor 104 are shown. The storage unit 102 is configured such that at least one replaceable member 13 can be placed on each of the first to ninth transfer conveyors 104a to 104i. Further, the storage unit 102 is the first ~It has a storage area 103 with multiple levels in the vertical direction, which is divided by the ninth conveyor 104a to 104i. The storage area 103 has a first storage area 103a as the area above the first conveyor 104a. Similarly, it has second to ninth storage areas 103b to 103i as the areas above each of the second to ninth conveyors 104b to 104i. Note that the storage area 103 does not necessarily have to be inside the storage section 102. For example, the cartridge transfer jig 120 placed on the first conveyor 104a shown in FIG. 2 partially protrudes backward from the storage section 102, and the area where this protruding part exists is also included in the first storage area 103a. The storage section 102 is open at the front and rear. Thus, an operator can insert the replaceable member 13 into the storage section 102 from the front, or the storage device 100 can carry the replaceable member 13 in and out of the printing device 10 through the rear of the storage section 102. The conveyor lifting section 105 is a mechanism for lifting the storage section 102 up and down, and includes, for example, a guide, a ball screw, and a drive motor (not shown). When the conveyor lifting section 105 lifts the storage section 102, the conveyor 104 moves up and down.

[0037] In this embodiment, the cartridge transfer jig 120 is placed on the first conveyor 104a, the squeegee transfer jig 110 is placed on the second and third conveyors 104b and 104c, the cleaning member transfer jig 140 is placed on the fourth and fifth conveyors 104d and 104e, the screen mask 55 is placed on the sixth and seventh conveyors 104f and 104g, and the support member transfer jig 130 is placed on the eighth and ninth conveyors 104h and 104i. The intervals between the vertically adjacent conveyors 104 are adjusted according to the height of the transfer jig placed on each conveyor 104 and the replaceable member 13 attached to the transfer jig. Note that the widths of the transfer jigs 110 to 140 and the screen mask 55 in the left - right direction are determined so that they can be placed on any of the multiple conveyors 104. For example, the widths in the left - right direction are substantially the same.

[0038] The storage control unit 106 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU, and includes a ROM that stores a processing program, a RAM used as a work area, an HDD that stores various data, and the like. The storage control unit 106 controls the entire storage device 100.

[0039] Next, the operation of the printing system 1 configured in this way will be described. First, the printing process executed by the printing device 10 and the reading process of reading the identification information of the replaceable member 13 stored in the storage device 100 in parallel with the printing process will be described. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing how the printing process and the reading process are performed in parallel.

[0040] First, the printing process will be described. The printing process routine for performing the printing process is stored in the HDD of the printing control unit 11. After the printing control unit 11 inputs an execution instruction for the printing process from the operator via the display operation unit 98, or after the printing control unit 11 inputs an execution command for the printing process from the management PC 150, it is executed. When starting the printing process routine, the printing control unit 11 first performs a substrate transfer and fixing process of fixing the substrate S by the substrate fixing unit 60 and bringing it into contact with the screen mask 55. Specifically, the printing control unit 11 first drives the substrate transfer conveyor 61 to transfer the substrate S to the substrate fixing unit 60, and clamps and fixes the substrate S by the substrate guide 62. In addition, the printing control unit 11 adjusts the position of the screen mask 55 by the mask working unit 50 as necessary to align the pattern holes 58 with the substrate S. Next, the printing control unit 11 raises the support base 67 to bring the upper surface of the substrate support member 70 into contact with the lower surface of the substrate S, and adsorbs and fixes the substrate S to the substrate support member 70 by the negative pressure from the decompression device. Then, the printing control unit 11 raises the substrate fixing unit 60 to bring the upper surface of the substrate S into contact with the lower surface of the screen mask 55. After performing the substrate transfer and fixing process, the printing control unit 11 performs a solder supply process. Specifically, the printing control unit 11 moves the supply head 41 onto the screen mask 55, supplies air from the air supply unit 42, and discharges solder from the cartridge 49 onto the screen mask 55. After performing the solder supply process, the printing control unit 11 performs a squeegee movement process. Specifically, the printing control unit 11 moves the printing head 21 and lowers the squeegee 30 (the first squeegee 30a in FIG. 10) to bring the squeegee 30 into contact with the upper surface of the screen mask 55, and moves the squeegee 30 in the front-rear direction to print the solder onto the substrate S. The printing control unit 11 performs at least one of the process of moving the first squeegee 30a backward on the screen mask 55 and the process of moving the second squeegee 30b forward. In this way, the printing control unit 11 performs a printing process including a substrate transfer and fixing process, a solder supply process, and a squeegee movement process to print on the substrate S. The printing control unit 11 repeats this printing process until the production process is completed. Note that the printing process may include the cleaning process and the sheet feeding process described above.The printing control unit 11 performs a cleaning process and a sheet feeding process at a predetermined timing, such as every time a predetermined time has elapsed or every time a printing process of a substrate S of a predetermined number of sheets is performed, to clean the back surface of the screen mask 55.

[0041] While the printing apparatus 10 is performing this printing process, the operator stores the replaceable members 13 for replacement in the storage device 100 in advance in case one or more of the replaceable members 13 need to be replaced, such as during a setup change. For example, when all five types of replaceable members 13 need to be replaced during the next setup change, the operator stores each transfer jig and the replaceable member 13 attached thereto in the storage device 100 as shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the operator stores the cartridge transfer jig 120 with the replacement cartridge 49 attached to the holder 122 in the first storage area 103a. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the operator leaves at least one of the plurality of holders 122 of the cartridge transfer jig 120 in an empty state. The operator stores the squeegee transfer jig 110 in an empty state in the second storage area 103b, and stores the squeegee transfer jig 110 with two replacement squeegees 30 attached thereto in the third storage area 103c. The operator stores the cleaning member transfer jig 140 in an empty state in the fourth storage area 103d, and stores the cleaning member transfer jig 140 with the replacement module 81 for replacement attached thereto in the fifth storage area 103e. The operator leaves the sixth storage area 103f empty for carrying out the used screen mask 55 from the printing apparatus 10, and stores the replacement screen mask 55 in the seventh storage area 103g. The operator stores the support member transfer jig 130 in an empty state in the eighth storage area 103h, and stores the support member transfer jig 130 with one replacement substrate support member 70 attached thereto in the ninth storage area 103i. In this way, the operator only needs to store the replaceable members 13 for replacement in the storage device 100 in advance while the printing apparatus 10 is performing the printing process, rather than when the replaceable members 13 need to be replaced, such as during a setup change. Therefore, the operator can perform the work of preparing the replaceable members 13 for replacement during a time period with a light workload.

[0042] The operator shall pre-attach a barcode representing the identification information of the replaceable member 13 attached to each transfer jig. For example, the operator shall ensure that the identification information included in the barcode 126 of the cartridge transfer jig 120 includes information representing the type of the cartridge 49 attached to the cartridge transfer jig 120. Similarly, the operator shall ensure that the identification information included in the barcode 57a of the screen mask 55 includes information representing the type of the screen mask 55. By doing so, the printing control unit 11 can identify which of the five types of replaceable members 13 the barcode of each transfer jig and the screen mask 55 pertains to by having the reading unit 97 read the barcode. Further, the printing control unit 11 can also identify the detailed type among the same type of replaceable members 13, such as which type of the plurality of types of cartridges 49 is attached to the cartridge transfer jig 120. Note that the barcode may also include information representing the state of each transfer jig (such as the presence or absence of an empty holder). For example, the barcode 126 of the cartridge transfer jig 120 may include information on which of the plurality of holders 122 of the cartridge transfer jig 120 the cartridge 49 is attached to (which holder 122 is empty).

[0043] Next, the reading process will be described. The reading process routine for performing the reading process is stored in the HDD of the print control unit 11 and is executed, for example, every time a predetermined time elapses or after an operator inputs an instruction to execute the reading process. When the reading process routine is started, the print control unit 11 outputs a command to the storage control unit 106 of the storage device 100 to sequentially move the replaceable member 13 stored in the storage unit 102 or the empty transfer jig to a position where it can be read by the reading unit 97. Upon receiving this command, the storage control unit 106 first raises and lowers the storage unit 102 by the conveyor elevating unit 105 so that the cartridge transfer jig 120 on the first transfer conveyor 104a is positioned at the same height as the reading unit 97. In addition, the storage control unit 106 transports the cartridge transfer jig 120 in the Y direction by the first transfer conveyor 104a as necessary to move the barcode 126 to a position where it can be read by the reading unit 97, and then transports the cartridge transfer jig 120 back to its original position. During this time, the print control unit 11 causes the reading unit 97 to read the barcode 126 and stores the acquired information in the HDD. The storage control unit 106 sequentially performs the same process for the second transfer conveyor 104b to the ninth transfer conveyor 104i. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the storage device 100 has transported the squeegee transfer jig 110 stored in the second storage area 103b to a position where it can be read by the reading unit 97. Thus, in the reading process, the print control unit 11 causes the storage device 100 to perform at least one of the conveyance and elevation of the replaceable member 13 as a movement to a position where the reading unit 97 can read. Through this reading process, the print control unit 11 acquires and stores information necessary for the replacement process described later, such as information on the replaceable member 13 stored in each of the storage areas 103 of the storage device 100 and information on what type of transfer jig is stored in each of the storage areas 103. In addition, the print control unit 11 can also identify an empty storage area 103 (the sixth storage area 103f in FIG. 10) where the transfer jig is not stored by detecting that the state where the reading unit 97 cannot read information continues for a predetermined time even when, for example, the transfer is performed by the transfer conveyor 104. As shown in FIG. 10, the reading unit 97 is disposed on the front side of the printing device 10.Therefore, even if the replaceable member 13 or the like is conveyed from the front storage device 100 to the reading position of the reading unit 97, the operations of the printing processing unit 20, the supply unit 40, the mask working unit 50, the substrate fixing unit 60, and the cleaning unit 80 in the above-described printing process are not hindered. Therefore, the print control unit 11 can perform the reading process in parallel with the printing process. Thereby, the print control unit 11 can acquire the information of the replaceable member 13 and the transfer jig stored in the storage device 100 without stopping the printing process.

[0044] Regarding the operation on the storage device 100 side during the reading process, an operation routine during the reading process may be stored in advance in the storage unit of the storage control unit 106, and the print control unit 11 may only output a start command for the operation routine. Alternatively, the print control unit 11 may sequentially output individual operation commands for the conveyor lifting unit 105 and the transfer conveyor 104 to the storage control unit 106.

[0045] Next, an exchange process for automatically exchanging the replaceable member 13 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of an exchange process routine. This exchange process routine is stored in the HDD of the print control unit 11. The print control unit 11 determines whether one or more of the replaceable members 13 required for the next printing process are different from the current printing process each time the printing process ends, based on the information regarding the printing process acquired from, for example, the management PC 150, and determines whether an exchange process is necessary. Then, when the print control unit 11 determines that an exchange process is necessary, the print control unit 11 starts the exchange process routine. The print control unit 11 performs the exchange process routine while appropriately referring to the information acquired in the above-described reading process.

[0046] When the printing control unit 11 starts the replacement process routine, it performs one or more of the following processes as necessary: cartridge replacement process (step S100), cleaning member replacement process (step S110), mask unloading process (step S120), squeegee replacement process (step S130), substrate support member replacement process (step S140), and mask loading process (step S150). Since the cartridge 49 and the cleaning member 82 are consumables, at least one of the cartridge replacement process and the cleaning member replacement process may be performed together not only when the type of each changes, but also when replacement is necessary, and the type of the consumables may be replenished without changing the type. For example, when replacement of one or more of the squeegee 30, the screen mask 55, and the substrate support member 70 is necessary, at least one of the cartridge 49 and the cleaning member 82 may also be replaced together. In the present embodiment, when replacing the screen mask 55, the squeegee 30, and the substrate support member 70, in each case, the transfer jig is transferred using the transfer rail 53. Therefore, when it is necessary to perform at least one of the squeegee replacement process and the substrate support member replacement process, the mask unloading process is performed prior to these processes to retract the screen mask 55 from the transfer rail 53, and the mask loading process is performed after these processes. Also, the process including the mask unloading process and the mask loading process corresponds to the mask replacement process. When there is no need to replace the screen mask 55, the screen mask 55 unloaded in the mask unloading process is loaded in the mask loading process. Hereinafter, each process of steps S100 to S150 will be described by taking the case of replacing all five types of replaceable members 13 as an example.

[0047] The cartridge replacement process in step S100 will be described. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of mounting the cartridge 49 on the supply head 41. When starting the cartridge replacement process, the print control unit 11 performs a cartridge unloading process of unloading the cartridge 49 attached to the supply head 41 and a cartridge loading process of loading a replacement cartridge 49. In the cartridge unloading process, first, the print control unit 11 operates the conveyor elevating unit 105 so that the cartridge transfer jig 120 having the empty holder 122 on the first transfer conveyor 104a is positioned at the height (unloading height) for unloading the cartridge 49. The unloading height of the cartridge 49 is such that the cartridge 49 attached to the supply head 41 can be attached to the empty holder 122, and is such that the main body 49a can be inserted into the opening 124. Next, the print control unit 11 controls the print movement unit 22 and the supply movement unit 46 to move the cartridge 49 attached to the supply head 41 to a handover position where it can be attached to the empty holder 122 of the cartridge transfer jig 120. Subsequently, the print control unit 11 releases the attachment of the cartridge 49 by the supply head 41 and attaches the cartridge 49 to the empty holder 122. In the cartridge loading process, first, the print control unit 11 operates the conveyor elevating unit 105 so that the cartridge transfer jig 120 is positioned at the height (loading height) for loading the replacement cartridge 49. In this embodiment, the loading height and the unloading height of the cartridge 49 are the same, and the process of operating the conveyor elevating unit 105 is omitted. Next, the print control unit 11 moves the supply head 41 to a receiving position where it can receive the replacement cartridge 49 attached to the holder 122, and attaches the replacement cartridge 49 to the supply head 41. When performing the cartridge unloading process and the cartridge loading process as described above, the print control unit 11 ends the cartridge replacement process.

[0048] When attaching the cartridge 49 to the empty holder 122 in the cartridge ejection process, the print control unit 11 first rotates the clamp unit 43 to the release position with the main body 49a inserted into the opening 124 of the holder 122 (an example of the handover position). Then, as the clamp unit 43 rotates, the cartridge 49 descends, and the cartridge 49 is supported by the support unit 123 with the flange unit 49b engaged with the engaging unit 125. When attaching the replacement cartridge 49 to the supply head 41 in the cartridge loading process, the print control unit 11 first rotates the clamp unit 43 to the fixed position with the connection unit 49d of the replacement cartridge 49 positioned directly below the air supply unit 42 (an example of the receiving position, Fig. 12A) (Fig. 12B). When the clamp unit 43 is in the fixed position, the clamp unit 43 pushes up the cartridge 49 to release the engagement between the flange unit 49b and the engaging unit 125 and positions the cartridge 49 at the removal position. At this time, the air supply unit 42 is inserted into the connection unit 49d, the cartridge 49 is positioned, and the supply head 41 becomes capable of supplying air to the main body 49a. Then, the print control unit 11 moves the supply head 41 so that the main body 49a passes through the opening 124 (Fig. 12B).

[0049] The cleaning member replacement process in step S110 will be described. When starting the cleaning member replacement process, the print control unit 11 performs a cleaning member unloading process of unloading the replacement module 81 and a cleaning member loading process of loading a replacement module 81 for replacement. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the cleaning member unloading process. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the cleaning member loading process. In the cleaning member unloading process, first, the print control unit 11 operates the conveyor elevating unit 105 so that the empty cleaning member transfer jig 140 is positioned at the height (unloading height) for unloading the replacement module 81 (FIG. 13A). Here, the print control unit 11 raises and lowers the fourth conveyor 104d on which the empty cleaning member transfer jig 140 is placed to the unloading height. The unloading height of the replacement module 81 is such that the protrusion holding portion 142 of the cleaning member transfer jig 140 is positioned below the protrusion 83d of the replacement module 81 attached to the mounting member 84. Further, the print control unit 11 controls the support member moving mechanism 88 to move the replacement module 81 forward of the printing apparatus 10 (FIG. 13A). Note that the position of the replacement module 81 at this time may be, for example, the front end position in the region where the replacement module 81 can be moved by the support member moving mechanism 88, or may be the initial position of the replacement module 81. Next, the print control unit 11 controls the mounting member moving mechanism 89 to make the mounting member 84 protrude, thereby moving the replacement module 81 to a handover position where it can be attached to the cleaning member transfer jig 140 (FIG. 13B). The handover position is inside the storage unit 102 in this embodiment, and the operation of the print control unit 11 moving the replacement module 81 to the handover position also serves as the unloading operation of the replacement module 81. In this state, each of the plurality of protrusions 83d of the replacement module 81 is positioned directly above each of the plurality of protrusion holding portions 142 of the cleaning member transfer jig 140. Subsequently, the print control unit 11 raises the storage unit 102 by the conveyor elevating unit 105. Thereby, the protrusion holding portion 142 and the protrusion 83d are engaged, the replacement module 81 is attached to the cleaning member transfer jig 140 and rises, and the replacement module 81 is removed from the mounting member 84 (FIG. 13C). As described above, the replacement module 81 is unloaded and handed over to the cleaning member transfer jig 140. Thereafter, the print control unit 11 makes the mounting member 84 non-protruding (FIG. 13D).

[0050] In the cleaning member loading process, first, the printing control unit 11 operates the conveyor elevating unit 105 so that the replacement module 81 for replacement on the conveyor 104 (here, the fifth conveyor 104e) is positioned above the height of the uppermost end of the placement member 84 in the protruding state (here, the upper end of the contact member 84a) (see FIG. 13C) (FIG. 14A). Next, the printing control unit 11 controls the placement member moving mechanism 89 to put the placement member 84 in the protruding state, thereby moving the placement member 84 to a receiving position where the replacement module 81 can be received from the cleaning member transfer jig 140 (FIG. 14B). At this receiving position, the placement member 84 is positioned directly below the replacement module 81 for replacement. Subsequently, the storage unit 102 is lowered so that the cleaning member transfer jig 140 on the fifth conveyor 104e is positioned at the height (loading height) for loading the replacement module 81, and then further lowered below the loading height (FIG. 14C). As a result, the replacement module 81 is attached to the placement member 84, and the cleaning member transfer jig 140 further descends to release the engagement between the protrusion holding portion 142 and the protrusion 83d. Note that the loading height of the replacement module 81 is the height when the replacement module 81 for replacement descends and attaches to the placement member 84. Then, the printing control unit 11 moves the placement member 84 to the non-protruding state, thereby loading the replacement module 81 into the printing apparatus 10 (FIG. 14D). As described above, the replacement module 81 is received from the cleaning member transfer jig 140 and loaded into the printing apparatus 10. When the cleaning member unloading process and the cleaning member loading process are performed as described above, the printing control unit 11 ends the cleaning member replacement process.

[0051] The mask unloading process in step S120 will be described. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the mask unloading process. When starting the mask unloading process, the printing control unit 11 first operates the conveyor lifting unit 105 so that the available transport conveyor 104 (here, the sixth transport conveyor 104f) is positioned at the height (unloading height) for unloading the screen mask 55. The unloading height of the screen mask 55 is a position where the sixth transport conveyor 104f and the transport rail 53 are at the same height. Next, the printing control unit 11 protrudes the transport rod 38 downward and controls the printing movement unit 22 to transport the screen mask 55 forward along the transport rail 53 (FIG. 15). Then, the printing control unit 11 transports the screen mask 55 to the sixth transport conveyor 104f by the transport rod 38 and unloads the screen mask 55. Further, the printing control unit 11 further transports the screen mask 55 forward by the sixth transport conveyor 104f and stores the screen mask 55 in the storage unit 102. As a result, the screen mask 55 is removed from the transport rail 53, making it easier to transport other transport jigs on the transport rail 53. In FIG. 15, the transport rod 38 transports the screen mask 55 by pushing the end (here, the rear end) of the screen mask 55 from the outside, but it is not limited to this. For example, the screen mask 55 may be transported by pushing the inside of the frame body 57. Similarly, in the transport of transport jigs such as the squeegee transport jig 110 described later, the transport rod 38 may push the end of the transport jig from the outside, or may push the inside of the transport jig (for example, the inside of the frame 111) or the replaceable member 13 attached to the transport jig.

[0052] The squeegee replacement process in step S130 will be described. When starting the squeegee replacement process, the print control unit 11 performs a squeegee unloading process for unloading the squeegee 30 and a squeegee loading process for loading a replacement squeegee 30. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the squeegee unloading process. In the squeegee unloading process, the print control unit 11 first operates the conveyor elevating unit 105 so that the conveyor 104 (here, the second conveyor 104b) on which the squeegee transfer jig 110 having an empty holder 112 is placed and the transfer rail 53 are at the same height (unloading height). That is, the print control unit 11 positions the second conveyor 104b at the same height as the unloading height of the above-described screen mask 55. Then, the print control unit 11 controls the second conveyor 104b and the transfer rod 38 to carry the squeegee transfer jig 110 into the printing apparatus 10 (FIG. 16A). Next, the print control unit 11 controls the print moving unit 22 and the squeegee elevating unit 23 to move the first squeegee 30a attached to the squeegee fixing unit 24 forward, and attaches the first squeegee 30a to the empty holder 112 on the front side of the squeegee transfer jig 110 (FIG. 16B). Similarly, the print control unit 11 moves the second squeegee 30b backward and attaches the second squeegee 30b to the empty holder 112 on the rear side of the squeegee transfer jig 110 (FIG. 16C). Then, the print control unit 11 conveys the squeegee transfer jig 110 to which the squeegee 30 is attached to the second conveyor 104b by the transfer rod 38 and unloads the squeegee transfer jig 110 (FIG. 16D). Further, the print control unit 11 further conveys the squeegee transfer jig 110 forward by the second conveyor 104b and stores the squeegee transfer jig 110 in the storage unit 102.

[0053] In the squeegee loading process, the printing control unit 11 loads the squeegee 30 in the reverse procedure of the above-described squeegee unloading process. That is, the printing control unit 11 first operates the conveyor lifting unit 105 so that the third conveyor 104c on which the squeegee carrier jig 110 with the replacement squeegee 30 attached is placed and the transfer rail 53 are at the same height (loading height). Next, the printing control unit 11 loads the squeegee carrier jig 110 by the third conveyor 104c and the transfer rod 38. Subsequently, the printing control unit 11 controls the printing moving unit 22 and the squeegee lifting unit 23 to move the front squeegee fixing unit 24 forward, and attaches the squeegee 30 attached to the front holder 112 of the squeegee carrier jig 110 to the front squeegee fixing unit 24. Similarly, the printing control unit 11 moves the rear squeegee fixing unit 24 backward, and attaches the squeegee 30 attached to the rear holder 112 of the squeegee carrier jig 110 to the rear squeegee fixing unit 24. Thereafter, the printing control unit 11 unloads the squeegee carrier jig 110 from which the squeegee 30 has been removed by the transfer rod 38, and stores the squeegee carrier jig 110 in the storage unit 102 by the third conveyor 104c.

[0054] Here, the delivery of squeegee 30 from squeegee fixing part 24 to holder 112 and the reception of replacement squeegee 30 from holder 112 to squeegee fixing part 24 will be described in detail. For the convenience of explanation, the reception of squeegee 30 will be described first. FIG. 17 is an explanatory view of the operation of attaching squeegee 30 to squeegee fixing part 24. Note that FIG. 17 shows the state where the front squeegee fixing part 24 receives squeegee 30. Also, the left column of FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the vertical and longitudinal directions of positioning member 33 and air cylinder 25, the central column of FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the vertical and longitudinal directions of regulating member 26 and shaft member 35, and the right column of FIG. 17 is a perspective view of squeegee fixing part 24 and squeegee 30 as seen from the upper right front. When receiving squeegee 30, print control unit 11 first lowers squeegee fixing part 24 to release it, and then moves squeegee fixing part 24 forward from behind the squeegee 30 to be received (FIGS. 16B and 17A). As a result, cylinder shaft 25a is inserted into opening 33a of squeegee 30. At this time, shaft member 35 of squeegee 30 is inserted between claw parts 27a and 27b of regulating member 26. Then, when cylinder shaft 25a abuts against positioning member 33 and the forward movement of cylinder shaft 25a is regulated by positioning member 33, the positioning in the front-rear direction of the two is performed (FIG. 17B). This position is the receiving position of squeegee 30. In this embodiment, the receiving position is set as the position where the rear surface (the end portion of opening 33a) of positioning member 33 facing opening 33a abuts against the front surface of cylinder shaft 25a. However, the receiving position may be set as the position where flange 25b abuts against positioning member 33 and the forward movement of flange 25b is regulated by positioning member 33. Also, when squeegee fixing part 24 is in the receiving position, recess 28a of regulating member 26 is located directly above protrusion 34 of squeegee 30 (FIG. 17B). Subsequently, print control unit 11 controls air cylinder 25 to switch squeegee fixing part 24 from the released state to the fixed state (FIG. 17C). As a result, flange 25b rises to the position in the fixed state and pushes up gripping surface 33b of positioning member 33.As a result, the flange portion 36 is pushed upward, the engagement between the flange portion 36 and the engagement portion 115 of the holder 112 is released, and the squeegee 30 moves to the removal position. Further, as a result, the protruding portion 34 of the squeegee 30 rises and fits into the recesses 28a and 28b of the squeegee fixing portion 24 and engages with the regulating member 26. When the regulating member 26 and the protruding portion 34 engage with each other, the forward and backward movement of the squeegee 30 with respect to the squeegee fixing portion 24 is restricted. Also, in the fixed state, the gripped surface 33b which is the lower surface of the positioning member 33 and the gripped surface 32a which is the upper surface of the mounting member 32 are sandwiched between the upper surface of the cylinder shaft 25a of the squeegee fixing portion 24 and the lower surface of the regulating member 26, whereby the squeegee 30 is gripped and fixed to the squeegee fixing portion 24. Then, the print control unit 11 controls the print moving unit 22 to move the squeegee fixing portion 24 backward. As a result, the flange portion 36 of the squeegee 30 passes through the opening 114, and the squeegee 30 is completely removed from the holder 112 (FIG. 17D). When receiving the replacement second squeegee 30b from the holder 112 on the rear side of the squeegee transfer jig 110, the print control unit 11 may perform operations that are symmetric with the above operations in the front-back direction.

[0055] The delivery of the squeegee 30 from the squeegee fixing portion 24 to the holder 112 can be performed in the reverse procedure of the above receiving. When delivering the first squeegee 30a to the holder 112 on the front side of the squeegee transfer jig 110, the print control unit 11 first lowers the front squeegee fixing portion 24 and moves the squeegee fixing portion 24 forward from behind the holder 112. As a result, the flange portion 36 is positioned directly above the engagement portion 115 of the empty holder 112. This position is the delivery position of the squeegee 30. Next, the print control unit 11 switches the squeegee fixing portion 24 from the fixed state to the released state. As a result, the engagement portion 115 and the flange portion 36 engage with each other, the squeegee 30 is positioned at the attachment position, and the squeegee 30 is attached to the holder 112. Also, the engagement between the regulating member 26 and the protruding portion 34 is released. Then, the print control unit 11 moves the squeegee fixing portion 24 backward. When delivering the second squeegee 30b to the holder 112 on the rear side of the squeegee transfer jig 110, the print control unit 11 may perform operations that are symmetric with the above operations in the front-back direction.

[0056] The substrate support member replacement process in step S140 will be described. When starting the substrate support member replacement process, the printing control unit 11 performs a substrate support member unloading process for unloading the substrate support member 70 and a substrate support member loading process for loading a replacement substrate support member 70. FIGS. 18 and 19 are explanatory diagrams of the substrate support member unloading process. In the substrate support member unloading process, the printing control unit 11 first operates the conveyor lifting unit 105 so that the conveyor 104 (here, the eighth conveyor 104h) on which the support member transfer jig 130 is placed, where at least one of the first and second protrusion holders 132 and 133 and the third and fourth protrusion holders 134 and 135 is empty, and the transfer rail 53 are at the same height (unloading height). That is, the printing control unit 11 positions the eighth conveyor 104h at the same height as the unloading height of the above-described screen mask 55. Next, the printing control unit 11 controls the eighth conveyor 104h and the transfer rod 38 to transfer the support member transfer jig 130 into the printing apparatus 10 (FIG. 18A). Note that the printing control unit 11 transfers the support member transfer jig 130 so that the protrusion holders (here, the third and fourth protrusion holders 134 and 135) for attaching the substrate support member 70 are displaced in the front-rear direction (here, the rear direction) from directly above the protrusions 71 and 72 of the substrate support member 70. Subsequently, the printing control unit 11 separates the pair of side frames 60b and 60b in the front-rear direction by the substrate guide moving unit 63, and controls the support base lifting unit 65 and the fixing unit lifting unit 66 to lift the substrate support member 70 (FIG. 18B). As a result, the protrusions 71 and 72 of the substrate support member 70 rise above the first to fourth protrusion holders 132 to 135. The position of the substrate support member 70 at this time is the handover position of the substrate support member 70. Subsequently, the printing control unit 11 moves the support member transfer jig 130 forward by the transfer rod 38 so that the third and fourth protrusion holders 134 and 135 are positioned directly below the protrusions 71 and 72 of the substrate support member 70 (FIG. 18C). Then, the printing control unit 11 lowers the support base 67. As a result, the protrusions 71 and 72 of the substrate support member 70 engage with the third and fourth protrusion holders 134 and 135, and the substrate support member 70 is attached to the support member transfer jig 130 (FIG. 19A).Thereafter, the printing control unit 11 lowers the entire substrate fixing unit 60 and conveys the support member transfer jig 130 to which the substrate support member 70 is attached forward by the transfer rod 38 to carry out the support member transfer jig 130 (FIG. 19B). Further, the printing control unit 11 further conveys the support member transfer jig 130 forward by the eighth transfer conveyor 104h and stores the support member transfer jig 130 in the storage unit 102. Note that the printing control unit 11 may perform the next substrate support member loading process without lowering the substrate fixing unit 60 as it is.

[0057] The printing control unit 11 can perform the substrate support member loading process in the reverse procedure of the above-described substrate support member unloading process. In the substrate support member loading process, first, the printing control unit 11 operates the conveyor lifting unit 105 so that the ninth transfer conveyor 104i on which the support member transfer jig 130 to which the replacement substrate support member 70 is attached is placed and the transfer rail 53 are at the same height (loading height). Next, the printing control unit 11 conveys the support member transfer jig 130 by the ninth transfer conveyor 104i and the transfer rod 38 and conveys the replacement substrate support member 70 above the support base 67. Subsequently, the printing control unit 11 raises the support base 67 to raise the substrate support member 70 and releases the engagement between the protrusions 71 and 72 and the protrusion holding portions (here, the third and fourth protrusion holding portions 134 and 135). The position of the substrate support member 70 at this time is the receiving position of the substrate support member 70. Thereafter, the printing control unit 11 moves the support member transfer jig 130 forward or backward to shift the positions of the protrusions 71 and 72 and the third and fourth protrusion holding portions 134 and 135 back and forth, and then lowers the support base 67. Then, the printing control unit 11 lowers the entire substrate fixing unit 60 and conveys the support member transfer jig 130 forward by the transfer rod 38 to carry out the support member transfer jig 130. Further, the printing control unit 11 further conveys the support member transfer jig 130 forward by the ninth transfer conveyor 104i and stores the support member transfer jig 130 in the storage unit 102.

[0058] The mask loading process in step S150 will be described. The printing control unit 11 can perform the mask loading process in the reverse procedure of the above-described mask unloading process. In the mask loading process, first, the printing control unit 11 operates the conveyor elevating unit 105 so that the transport conveyor 104 (here, the seventh transport conveyor 104g) is positioned at the height (loading height) for loading the replacement screen mask 55. The loading height of the screen mask 55 is the same as the unloading height of the screen mask 55. Next, the printing control unit 11 transports the replacement screen mask 55 rearward by the seventh transport conveyor 104g and the transport rod 38 to load the replacement screen mask 55. After performing the above steps S100 to S150, the printing control unit 11 ends the replacement process routine.

[0059] The printing apparatus 10 described in detail above includes, among a cartridge 49, a squeegee 30, a cleaning member 82, a screen mask 55, and a substrate support member 70, at least two types (all five types in this embodiment) including at least any one of the cartridge 49, the squeegee 30, and the cleaning member 82. For each of the replaceable members 13, it is provided with a moving unit that performs at least one of moving the replaceable member 13 to the replacement position and loading and unloading the replaceable member 13. More specifically, the moving unit includes a printing moving unit 22 and a supply moving unit 46 that move the cartridge 49 to the replacement position and perform loading and unloading of the cartridge 49, a printing moving unit 22 and a squeegee lifting unit 23 that move the squeegee 30 to the replacement position, and a printing moving unit 22, a transfer rod 38, and a transfer rail 53 that perform loading and unloading of the squeegee 30. Further, the moving unit includes a cleaning moving unit 87 that moves the cleaning member 82 to the replacement position and performs loading and unloading of the cleaning member 82, a printing moving unit 22, a transfer rod 38, and a transfer rail 53 that perform loading and unloading of the screen mask 55, a support base lifting unit 65 and a fixing unit lifting unit 66 that move the substrate support member 70 to the replacement position, and a printing moving unit 22, a transfer rod 38, and a transfer rail 53 that perform loading and unloading of the substrate support member 70. And the printing apparatus 10 is provided with a printing control unit 11 that controls this moving unit to execute an exchange process for exchanging the replaceable member 13. Therefore, the printing apparatus 10 can automatically exchange two or more types (five types in this embodiment) of replaceable members 13.

[0060] Also, in the printing apparatus 10, the moving unit has a common moving mechanism for moving two or more types of members included in the replaceable member 13. Specifically, the printing moving unit 22 is a common moving mechanism for the movement of the cartridge 49, the squeegee 30, the screen mask 55, and the substrate support member 70. The transfer rod 38 and the transfer rail 53 are a common moving mechanism for the movement of the squeegee 30, the screen mask 55, and the substrate support member 70. Therefore, the printing apparatus 10 can perform automatic exchange of each of two or more types of members among the replaceable members 13 using the same moving mechanism. Therefore, the printing apparatus 10 can make the apparatus configuration more compact compared to a case where the printing apparatus 10 is provided with separate moving mechanisms for each type of the replaceable member 13, for example.

[0061] Furthermore, the printing apparatus 10 includes a reading unit 97 that reads each of the barcodes 57a, 116, 126, 136, and 146 attached to at least one of the members included in the replaceable member 13 and the transport jigs for the members (the screen mask 55 and each of the transport jigs 110, 120, 130, and 140 in this embodiment). Thereby, since the printing apparatus 10 can identify the replaceable member 13 by reading each barcode, it can perform the replacement process more appropriately. Also, since the printing apparatus 10 reads the barcodes of two or more types (all five types in this embodiment) of members using the same reading unit 97, the apparatus configuration can be made more compact compared to a case where the printing apparatus 10 includes separate reading units for each type of the replaceable member 13, for example.

[0062] Furthermore, the printing apparatus 10 can carry in and out the replaceable member 13 to and from a storage apparatus 100 that stores the replaceable member 13, and the print control unit 11 causes the reading unit 97 to read the identification information of one or more of the replaceable members 13 stored in the storage apparatus 100 during the printing process. Therefore, the printing apparatus 10 can pre-read one or more of the barcodes 57a, 116, 126, 136, and 146 of the replaceable member 13 before the replacement process. Therefore, the printing apparatus 10 can perform the replacement process in a shorter time compared to the case where all barcodes are read during the replacement process.

[0063] Furthermore, when the printing control unit 11 causes the reading unit 97 to read one or more barcodes of the replaceable member 13, it outputs a command to the storage device 100 to move the replaceable member 13 stored in the storage device 100 to a position where the reading unit 97 can read it. Therefore, even if the reading unit 97 cannot read each of the barcodes 57a, 116, 126, 136, and 146 while the replaceable member 13 is stored in the storage device 100, the printing control unit 11 can move the replaceable member 13 to the storage device 100 so that the reading unit 97 can read each of the barcodes 57a, 116, 126, 136, and 146. Also, since the barcode reading is performed during the printing process, even if the storage device 100 moves the replaceable member 13 for reading, the impact on the required time for the replacement process is small.

[0064] Moreover, the storage device 100 includes a storage unit 102 that stores the above-described replaceable member 13, and a transport conveyor 104 that transports in and out one or more (three types in this embodiment: squeegee 30, screen mask 55, and substrate support member 70) of the replaceable members 13 between the storage unit 102 and the printing device 10. Therefore, the printing device 10 only needs to transfer the replaceable member 13 to and from this storage device 100 instead of an operator, which makes it easier for the printing device 10 to perform automatic replacement of the replaceable member 13. Also, the printing control unit 11 performs the in and out operations of the cartridge 49 and the replacement module 81 that are not transported by the transport conveyor 104 using the mechanism on the printing device 10 side.

[0065] Furthermore, the storage device 100 includes a conveyor lifting unit 105 that raises and lowers the storage unit 102. The storage unit 102 has nine storage areas 103 in the vertical direction for storing at least one type (all five types in this embodiment) of the replaceable members 13. Therefore, since each of the plurality of storage areas 103a to 103i can store the replaceable members 13, the storage unit 102 can easily store two or more types of replaceable members 13. Also, since the conveyor lifting unit 105 can adjust the height of the replaceable member 13 when transferring the replaceable member 13 to and from the printing device 10, this storage device 100 can transfer the replaceable member 13 at an appropriate height for each printing device 10 or for each type of replaceable member 13.

[0066] Furthermore, the storage unit 102 stores the replaceable member 13 (cartridge 49 here) with the highest loading height into the printing device 10 in the uppermost first storage area 103a among the plurality of storage areas 103. Therefore, it is easy to reduce the lifting range required for the conveyor lifting unit 105 as compared with the case of storing the cartridge 49 with the highest loading height in a storage area other than the uppermost first storage area 103a.

[0067] Furthermore, the storage unit 102 stores the replacement module 81 including the cleaning member 82 attached to the protrusion holding portion 142 of the cleaning member transfer jig 140. The conveyor lifting unit 105 attaches the replacement module 81 received from (delivered by) the printing device 10 to the cleaning member transfer jig 140 by raising and lowering the cleaning member transfer jig 140 as the storage unit 102 is raised and lowered. Also, the conveyor lifting unit 105 removes the replacement module 81 attached to the cleaning member transfer jig 140 and delivers it to the printing device 10 by raising and lowering the cleaning member transfer jig 140 as the storage unit 102 is raised and lowered. Therefore, the conveyor lifting unit 105 can also serve as a mechanism for transferring the replacement module 81 between the storage device 100 and the printing device 10.

[0068] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments at all, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0069] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the storage unit 102 stores the cartridge 49, which has the highest loading height into the printing apparatus 10 among the replaceable members 13, in the uppermost first storage area 103a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Further, the storage unit 102 may store, in the lowermost stage among the plurality of storage areas, the member having the lowest loading height into the printing apparatus 10 among the replaceable members 13. For example, the cleaning member 82 may be stored in the ninth storage area 103i on the ninth transport conveyor 104i.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, the print control unit 11 performs the reading process during the printing process. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the print control unit 11 may first perform the reading process before steps S100 to S150 when executing the replacement process of FIG. 11. Alternatively, instead of performing the reading process, the print control unit 11 may input information regarding the replaceable member 13 stored in the storage unit 102 or the transport jig from the management PC 150, or may input it from the operator via the display operation unit 98. Further, rules may be predetermined regarding which empty transport jig is to be stored in which storage area 103, or rules may be predetermined regarding which type of replaceable member 13 is to be stored in which storage area 103. In this case, the print control unit 11 stores the rules in advance, and if the operator stores the transport jig and the replaceable member 13 in the storage area 103 according to the rules, the print control unit 11 may not perform the reading process.

[0071] In the above-described embodiment, the printing apparatus 10 includes the reading unit 97. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the storage apparatus 100 may include the reading unit 97. In this case, instead of the print control unit 11, the storage control unit 106 may perform the above-described reading process and output the acquired information to the print control unit 11. Also in this case, the storage control unit 106 can perform the reading process without stopping the printing process by the print control unit 11.

[0072] In the above-described embodiments, the barcode was attached to the transfer jig for the replaceable member 13 transferred by the transfer jig. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a barcode may be attached to the replaceable member 13. Further, in the above-described embodiments, the barcode was attached to the transfer jig and the screen mask 55. However, the present invention is not limited to the barcode, and a two-dimensional code or the like may be attached.

[0073] In the above-described embodiments, the printing apparatus 10 had the printing moving unit 22 as a moving mechanism common to the movement of four out of the five types of replaceable members 13. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the printing apparatus 10 may have a moving mechanism common to the movement of all five types. For example, the mounting member moving mechanism 89 switched between the protruding state and the non-protruding state of the replacement module 81 and the mounting member 84. However, the transfer rod 38 may perform this switching. For example, the transfer rod 38 may be configured to protrude downward to the same height as the replacement module 81, and the protruding state and the non-protruding state may be switched by moving the transfer rod 38 back and forth by the printing moving unit 22. In this case, the printing moving unit 22 becomes a moving mechanism common to the movement of all five types of replaceable members 13. Further, the printing apparatus 10 may have a moving mechanism (for example, the printing moving unit 22, the transfer rod 38, and the transfer rail 53) common to the movement of two or more members including the squeegee 30 among the squeegee 30, the screen mask 55, and the substrate support member 70. Alternatively, the printing apparatus 10 may have a moving mechanism (for example, the printing moving unit 22 and the transfer rod 38) common to the movement of two or more members including at least one of the squeegee 30 and the cleaning member 82 among the squeegee 30, the screen mask 55, the substrate support member 70, and the cleaning member 82.

[0074] In the above-described embodiments, the printing control unit 11 performed the mask unloading process before performing the squeegee replacement process in the replacement process routine. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the squeegee transfer jig 110 and the squeegee fixing unit 24 can transfer the squeegee 30 in a region in front of the screen mask 55 without retracting the screen mask 55, the printing control unit 11 does not need to perform the mask unloading process before the squeegee replacement process.

[0075] Although not particularly described in the above-described embodiments, the print control unit 11 may determine, at the start of the replacement process routine, whether or not all necessary replaceable members 13 for replacement are stored in the storage device 100 based on the information acquired in the reading process. Then, when the print control unit 11 determines that the necessary replaceable members 13 for replacement are not stored, it may output error information indicating this to at least one of the display operation unit 98 and the management PC 150 to notify the operator that the replaceable members 13 are insufficient. Note that when the print control unit 11 determines that the necessary replaceable members 13 for replacement are not stored, it may perform a replacement process for replaceable members 13 of a type other than the replaceable members 13. For example, even when the replacement cartridge 49 is not stored in the storage device 100, if a replacement process for any of the other four types of replaceable members 13 is necessary, the print control unit 11 may execute those replacement processes. In this way, while the operator is preparing the missing replaceable members 13, the replacement process for the other replaceable members 13 can be performed.

[0076] In the above-described embodiments, the storage device 100 includes the storage control unit 106, and the print control unit 11 indirectly controls the storage device 100 by outputting a command to the storage control unit 106. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the storage control unit 106 may be omitted. In this case, for example, the print control unit 11 may directly control the transport conveyor 104 and the conveyor lifting unit 105 by communication.

[0077] In the above-described embodiments, the storage device 100 includes a moving unit and is movable by an operator. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the storage device 100 may not include a moving unit. Further, the storage device 100 may be configured as an automatically movable AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle) having a drive mechanism for driving the moving unit. In this case, the storage device 100 may move to a location where the replaceable members 13 for replacement are stored and automatically store the replaceable members 13 for replacement in the storage unit 102.

[0078] In the above-described embodiments, the replacement of the replaceable member 13 mainly when changing the setup has been described, but the replacement timing is not limited to this. For example, for consumables such as the cartridge 49 and the cleaning member 82, when a sensor that detects the remaining amount detects the exhaustion of the consumable, the print control unit 11 may perform a replacement process.

[0079] In the above-described embodiments, the printing apparatus 10 performed automatic replacement of all five types of replaceable members 13 with the storage apparatus 100, but it is not limited to this. For example, for one or more of the replaceable members 13, the printing apparatus 10 itself may have two or more holders to which a replaceable member 13 for replacement can be attached. In this case, if an operator attaches a replaceable member 13 for replacement to at least one holder and leaves at least one holder in an empty state, the printing apparatus 10 can perform automatic replacement with the holder. Thus, the printing apparatus 10 may perform a replacement process that does not involve loading and unloading for one or more of the replaceable members 13.

[0080] In the above-described embodiments, the storage apparatus 100 stored all the replaceable members 13 other than the screen mask 55 in the storage unit 102 in a state of being attached to the transfer jig, but it may be stored in a state of being attached to the holder. For example, the storage apparatus 100 may store one or more replaceable members 13 other than the screen mask 55 in a state of being attached to a holder that cannot be transferred by the transfer conveyor 104. Even in this case, if the printing apparatus 10 has a mechanism for transferring the replaceable member 13 with the storage apparatus 100, automatic replacement can be performed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiments. For example, in the storage apparatus 100 of the above-described embodiments, since the storage apparatus 100 can perform automatic replacement of the cartridge 49 and the replacement module 81 without performing front and rear transfer, at least one of the cartridge 49 and the replacement module 81 may be attached to a fixed holder instead of a transfer jig.

[0081] In the above-described embodiment, the printing apparatus 10 is configured to be able to automatically replace all five types of replaceable members 13. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the printing apparatus 10 may be configured to automatically replace one or more replaceable members 13 including at least one type other than the screen mask 55. Further, when the printing apparatus 10 is capable of automatically replacing two to four types out of the five types of replaceable members 13, any combination of the five types of replaceable members 13 may be selected as the replaceable members capable of automatic replacement. Further, one or more and four or less members out of the five types of replaceable members 13 may be configured not to be replaced by an operator (that is, not to be a replaceable member). Further, the printing apparatus 10 may not include one or more of the five types of replaceable members 13. For example, the printing apparatus 10 may not include the cleaning unit 80 including the cleaning member 82.

[0082] The printing apparatus and the storage apparatus of the present disclosure may be configured as follows.

[0083] In the printing apparatus of the present disclosure, the moving unit may have a common moving mechanism that moves two or more types of members included in the replaceable member. In this case, the printing apparatus can perform automatic replacement of each of two or more types of members among the replaceable members using the same moving mechanism. Therefore, the printing apparatus can make the apparatus configuration more compact as compared with, for example, a case where the printing apparatus includes separate moving mechanisms for each type of replaceable member.

[0084] The printing apparatus of the present disclosure may include a reading unit that commonly reads identification information attached to at least one of the member and the transport jig of the member for two or more types of members included in the replaceable member. In this case, the printing apparatus can identify the replaceable member by reading the identification information, and thus can perform the replacement process more appropriately. Further, since the printing apparatus reads the identification information of each of two or more types of members using the same reading unit, the apparatus configuration can be made more compact as compared with, for example, a case where the printing apparatus includes separate reading units for each type of replaceable member.

[0085] In this case, the printing device can carry in and out the replaceable member with a storage device that stores the replaceable member, and the replacement control unit may cause the reading unit to read the identification information of one or more types among the replaceable members stored in the storage device during the printing process. By doing so, this printing device can read the identification information of one or more types among the replaceable members in advance before the replacement process. Therefore, this printing device can perform the replacement process in a shorter time compared to, for example, the case of reading the identification information of all replaceable members during the replacement process.

[0086] In this case, when causing the reading unit to read the identification information of one or more types among the replaceable members during the printing process, the replacement control unit may output a command to the storage device so as to move the replaceable member stored in the storage device to a position where the reading unit can read it. By doing so, even when the reading unit cannot read the identification information while the replaceable member is stored in the storage device, the replacement control unit can move the replaceable member to the storage device, enabling the reading unit to read the identification information. Also, since the reading of the identification information is performed during the printing process, even if the storage device moves the replaceable member for reading, the impact on the required time for the replacement process is small.

[0087] The storage device of the present disclosure is a member used in a printing device that performs a printing process of a viscous fluid using a screen mask on a printing target, and includes a storage unit that stores two or more replaceable members including at least any one of the cartridge that stores the viscous fluid, a squeegee, a cleaning member used for cleaning the screen mask, the screen mask, and a support member that fixes the printing target. a transport unit that carries in and out one or more of the replaceable members between the storage unit and the printing device, and is provided with.

[0088] This storage device stores two or more types of replaceable members and transfers in and out one or more of the replaceable members to and from a printing device. Therefore, the printing device only needs to transfer the replaceable members to and from this storage device instead of the operator, which makes it easier for the printing device to perform automatic replacement of the replaceable members. This storage device may transfer the replaceable members to and from the printing device of the present disclosure in any of the above-described aspects. In addition, if there are replaceable members that the transport unit of the storage device does not transport, the transport of such replaceable members may be performed by a mechanism on the printing device side.

[0089] The storage device of the present disclosure includes a lifting unit that lifts and lowers the storage unit, and the storage unit may have a plurality of stages in the vertical direction of a storage area for storing at least one type of the replaceable members. In this way, each of the plurality of stages of storage areas can store the replaceable members, so the storage unit can easily store two or more types of replaceable members. In addition, since the lifting unit can adjust the height of the replaceable members when transferring the replaceable members to and from the printing device, this storage device can transfer the replaceable members at an appropriate height for each printing device or for each type of replaceable member.

[0090] In this case, the storage unit may be configured to perform at least one of storing the member with the highest loading height into the printing device among the replaceable members in the uppermost stage of the plurality of stages of storage areas, or storing the member with the lowest loading height into the printing device among the replaceable members in the lowermost stage of the plurality of stages of storage areas. In this way, for example, when storing the member with the highest loading height in the uppermost stage of the plurality of stages of storage areas, it is easier to reduce the lifting range required for the lifting unit compared to the case of storing it in other than the uppermost stage. Similarly, for example, when storing the member with the lowest loading height in the lowermost stage of the plurality of stages of storage areas, it is easier to reduce the lifting range required for the lifting unit compared to the case of storing it in other than the lowermost stage.

[0091] The storage device of the present disclosure includes a lifting unit that raises and lowers the storage unit. The storage unit stores one or more of the replaceable members in a state of being attached to a holder. The lifting unit can perform at least one of attaching the replaceable member received from the printing device to the holder or removing the replaceable member attached to the holder from the holder and delivering it to the printing device by raising and lowering the holder by raising and lowering the storage unit. In this way, the lifting unit that raises and lowers the storage unit can also serve as a mechanism for transferring the replaceable member between the storage device and the printing device. Note that the holder may be fixed to the storage unit or may be transportable. For example, the replaceable member may be attached to a holder of a transport jig that can be transported by a transport unit.

Industrial Applicability

[0092] The present invention can be used in a printing device that prints a viscous fluid on a printing object such as a substrate.

Explanation of Signs

[0093] 1 Printing system, 10 Printing device, 11 Printing control unit, 13 Replaceable member, 20 Printing processing unit, 21 Printing head, 22 Printing movement unit, 23 Squeegee lifting unit, 23a Piston rod, 24 Squeegee fixing unit, 25 Air cylinder, 25a Cylinder shaft, 25b Flange, 26 Regulation member, 27a, 27b Claw part, 28a, 28b Recess, 30 Squeegee, 30a, 30b First, second squeegee, 31 Squeegee blade, 32 Mounting member, 32a Gripped surface, 33 Positioning member, 33a Opening, 33b Gripped surface, 34 Protrusion, 35 Shaft member, 36 Flange part, 38 Conveyor rod, 40 Supply unit, 41 Supply head, 41a Back plate part, 41b Fixing member, 42 Air supply unit, 43 Clamping unit, 44 Rotation motor, 45 Remaining amount sensor, 46 Supply movement unit, 46a Guide, 46b Ball screw, 48 Drive motor, 49 Cartridge, 49a Main body part, 49b Flange part, 49d Connection part, 50 Mask working unit, 51 Mask fixing unit, 52 Position adjustment unit, 53 Conveyor rail, 55 Screen mask, 56 Mask main body, 57 Frame body, 57a Barcode, 58 Pattern hole, 60 Substrate fixing unit, 60a Main body, 60b Side frame, 61 Substrate conveyor, 62 Substrate guide, 63 Substrate guide movement unit, 65 Support base lifting unit, 66 Fixing part lifting unit, 67 Support base, 70 Substrate support member, 70a Main body part, 71,72 Protrusion, 73 Suction port, 75 Identification part, 76 Barcode, 80 Cleaning part, 81 Replacement module, 81a First roller, 81b Second roller, 82 Cleaning member, 83 Mounting member, 83a Box body, 83b Bearing, 83c Gear, 83d Protrusion, 83e Receiving member, 83f Opening, 83g Engaging shaft, 84 Placing member, 84a Contacting member, 84b Lifting device, 84c Claw member, 84d Connection part, 86 Support member, 86a Rewinding motor, 86b Gear, 86c Lock mechanism, 86d Lock member, 87 Cleaning movement part, 88 Support member movement mechanism, 88a Y-axis slider, 88b Guide rail, 89 Placing member movement mechanism, 89a Driving source, 89b Connection part, 89c Telescopic rail, 97 Reading part, 98 Display operation part, 100 Storage device, 101 Housing, 102 Storage part, 103 Storage area, 103a~103i First to ninth storage areas, 104 Conveyor, 104a~104i First to ninth conveyors, 105 Conveyor lifting part, 106 Storage control part, 110 Squeegee conveyor jig, 111 Frame, 112 Holder, 113 Support part, 114 Opening, 115 Engaging part, 116 Barcode, 120 Cartridge conveyor jig, 121 Frame, 122 Holder, 123 Support part, 124 Opening, 125 Engaging part, 126 Barcode, 130 Support member conveyor jig, 131 Frame, 132~135 First to fourth protrusion holding parts, 136 Barcode, 140 Cleaning member conveyor jig, 141 Frame, 142 Protrusion holding part, 146 Barcode, 150 Management PC, S Substrate.,

Claims

1. A printing apparatus that performs a printing process of a viscous fluid on a printing target using a screen mask, comprising: a cartridge that stores the viscous fluid, a squeegee, a cleaning member used for cleaning the screen mask, the screen mask, and a support member that fixes the printing target, and for each of two or more replaceable members including at least one of the cartridge, the squeegee, and the cleaning member, a moving unit that performs at least one of moving the replaceable member to an exchange position and loading and unloading the replaceable member; an exchange control unit that controls the moving unit to execute an exchange process for exchanging the replaceable member; A printing apparatus comprising the above.

2. The moving unit has a common moving mechanism that moves two or more members included in the replaceable member. The printing apparatus according to Claim 1.

3. A printing apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, comprising: a reading unit that reads identification information attached to at least one of the member and the transport jig of the member, which is common to two or more members included in the replaceable member. A printing apparatus comprising the above.

4. The printing apparatus is capable of loading and unloading the replaceable member between the storage device that stores the replaceable member, and the exchange control unit causes the reading unit to read identification information of one or more of the replaceable members stored in the storage device during the printing process. The printing apparatus according to Claim 3.

5. When causing the reading unit to read identification information of one or more of the replaceable members during the printing process, the exchange control unit outputs a command to the storage device so as to move the replaceable member stored in the storage device to a position where the reading unit can read it. The printing apparatus according to Claim 4.

6. A member used in a printing apparatus that performs a printing process of a viscous fluid on a printing target using a screen mask, comprising: a storage unit that stores two or more replaceable members including at least one of a cartridge that stores the viscous fluid, a squeegee, a cleaning member used for cleaning the screen mask, the screen mask, and a support member that fixes the printing target; a transport unit that performs loading and unloading of one or more of the replaceable members between the storage unit and the printing apparatus. A storage device comprising the above.

7. The storage device according to Claim 6, comprising: a lifting unit that raises and lowers the storage unit. Comprising the above. The storage unit has a plurality of vertically stacked storage areas for storing at least one type of the replaceable member. Storage device. **Claim 8** The storage unit is configured to perform at least one of storing, in the uppermost stage of the plurality of storage areas, the member having the highest loading height to the printing device among the replaceable members, or storing, in the lowermost stage of the plurality of storage areas, the member having the lowest loading height to the printing device among the replaceable members. The storage device according to claim 7. **Claim 9** The storage device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, a lifting unit for lifting the storage unit, is provided, the storage unit stores one or more types of the replaceable members in a state of being attached to a holder, the lifting unit performs at least one of attaching the replaceable member received from the printing device to the holder by lifting the holder by lifting the storage unit, or detaching the replaceable member attached to the holder from the holder and delivering it to the printing device. Storage device.

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