Printing system

Abstract

To reduce the number of masks to be cleaned and to improve productivity.SOLUTION: A printing system comprises: a printing part for performing a printing work that prints a paste onto a base plate via a mask in which a pattern opening is formed; a mask storge part in which the mask is stored; and a mask movement mechanism which moves the mast stored in the mask storage part and installs the same on the printing part, and moves the mask used in the printing part and returns the same to the mask storage part. In the system, when it is required to install again the mask, which has been returned to the mask storage part from the printing part, on the printing part, a determination part determines whether a prescribed condition is satisfied or not, and as a result thereof, when it is determined that the prescribed condition is satisfied ("Y" in all of ST3, ST5, ST6, ST7 and ST8), a control part controls the mask movement mechanism so that the mask returned to the mask storage part is installed again on the printing part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing system including a printing unit that prints paste on a substrate via a mask, a mask storage unit that stores the mask, and a mask moving mechanism that moves the mask between the printing unit and the mask storage unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a printing system that prints a paste such as solder paste on the surface of a substrate using a mask having a pattern opening formed therein. In such a printing system, the mask is usually replaced when the type of substrate changes. While mask replacement is generally performed manually by an operator, there is also known a system that includes a mask storage section for storing replacement masks in addition to a printing section, and that automatically moves the mask between the printing section and the mask storage section using a mask moving mechanism (see, for example, Patent Document 1 listed below).

[0003] In such a printing system, once printing work is completed by the printing unit, the used mask is automatically returned to the mask storage unit, but once a mask has been used, it is not reused; the worker removes it from the mask storage unit, cleans it, removes any remaining paste, and then stores it back in the mask storage unit. Therefore, when production is carried out in which the same type of mask is frequently taken in and out between the printing unit and the mask storage unit, the worker needs to prepare multiple masks of the same type and store these masks in the mask storage unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-299812 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, even if a mask is used in the printing section and returned to the mask storage section, the remaining paste has not hardened or deteriorated, and yet it cannot be reused without undergoing a cleaning process. This results in an unnecessary increase in the number of masks that need to be cleaned, and therefore it is desirable to improve this situation.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a printing system that can improve productivity by reducing the number of masks that need to be cleaned. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The printing system of the present disclosure includes a printing unit that performs printing work of printing paste on a substrate through a mask having pattern openings formed therein; a mask storage unit that stores the mask; and a mask moving mechanism that moves the mask stored in the mask storage unit to install it in the printing unit and moves the mask used in the printing unit back to the mask storage unit, the printing system also including: a determination unit that determines whether or not a predetermined condition is met when the mask returned to the mask storage unit from the printing unit needs to be reinstalled in the printing unit; and a control unit that controls the mask moving mechanism so that the mask returned to the mask storage unit is reinstalled in the printing unit when the determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is met. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the number of masks to be cleaned can be reduced, thereby improving productivity. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a rear view of a portion of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of a mask movement mechanism of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of a mask movement mechanism of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] A flowchart showing a procedure for determining whether a mask can be installed, performed by a determination unit of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a notification unit included in a printing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings as appropriate, detailed descriptions will be given of embodiments that specifically disclose the configuration and operation of a chip collection device, a component mounting system, and a chip collection method according to the present disclosure. However, unnecessary detailed descriptions may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters or redundant descriptions of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

[0011] 1 and 2 show a printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The printing system 1 is a system that performs a printing operation of printing a paste Pst such as solder paste on the upper surface of a substrate KB as a printing target, and includes a printing unit 2, a mask storage unit 3, and a mask moving mechanism 4.

[0012] 1 and 2, the printing unit 2 includes a transfer conveyor 12 on a base 11 covered by a housing 11K. For ease of explanation, the horizontal direction (left-right direction) in which the transfer conveyor 12 transfers the board KB is referred to as the X direction, the direction perpendicular to the X direction in the horizontal plane (front-rear direction) is referred to as the Y direction, and the up-down direction is referred to as the Z direction. In addition, the side of the front-rear direction (Y direction) facing the worker OP is referred to as the front side, and the side away from the worker OP is referred to as the back side.

[0013] 1 and 2, a pair of mask guides 13 are provided above the transport conveyor 12, facing each other in the X direction. Each of the pair of mask guides 13 is made up of an L-angle member extending in the Y direction.

[0014] 1 and 2, a mask 14 is placed at a predetermined position (the mask placement position, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) determined on a mask guide 13. The mask 14 is made of a rectangular metal plate, and has a plurality of pattern openings 14K (FIG. 1) in the center, arranged in accordance with the arrangement of the electrode pattern (not shown) formed on the surface of the substrate KB.

[0015] 1, the peripheral portion of the mask 14 is supported by a rectangular mask frame 14W. The lower surfaces of two sides of the mask frame 14W that face each other in the X direction are supported by a pair of mask guides 13, and the remaining portions of the mask 14 are exposed at the top and bottom. A pattern opening 14K corresponding to an electrode pattern (not shown) formed on the surface of the substrate KB is provided in the center of the mask 14 (FIG. 1).

[0016] In Figure 2, a print head 15 is provided above the mask guide 13. The print head 15 is equipped with a squeegee 15S consisting of a spatula-shaped member extending in the X direction. The entire print head 15 can be moved in the Y direction.

[0017] 1 and 2, the mask storage unit 3 is provided at the rear side of the printing unit 2. The mask storage unit 3 includes a magazine 21 and a magazine elevator 22, as shown in FIG.

[0018] The magazine 21 stores replacement masks 14. The magazine 21 has a rectangular cylindrical shape that is open on both the front and back sides, and has multiple slots 21S arranged in the Z direction inside (Fig. 2). Each slot 21S stores one mask 14 in a horizontal position. The magazine elevator 22 raises and lowers the magazine 21.

[0019] Fig. 3 is a rear view of a portion of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In Fig. 3, a mask entrance 11H is provided on the rear surface (the surface facing the operator) of a housing 11K. Slots 21S of a magazine 21 face the mask entrance 11H, and an operator OP can insert or remove a mask 14 from the slots 21S of the magazine 21 through the mask entrance 11H. A notification unit 16 is provided on the side of the mask entrance 11H, and includes a plurality of indicator lamps L corresponding to each slot 21S.

[0020] The mask entrance 11H is configured so that all slots 21S of the magazine 21 are visible when the magazine 21 is positioned at a standby position at a predetermined height. Therefore, the operator OP inserts and removes masks 14 into and from the magazine 21 (slots 21S) when the magazine 21 is positioned at the standby position by the magazine elevator 22.

[0021] 1 and 2, the mask moving mechanism 4 is provided between the printing unit 2 and the mask storage unit 3. The mask moving mechanism 4 consists of an operating rod 4a and a suction moving unit 4b. The operating rod 4a moves in the Y direction while in contact with the mask frame 14W of the mask 14 on the mask guide 13, thereby moving the mask 14 to the rear side (towards the magazine 21) or the front side (towards the mask installation position). The suction moving unit 4b moves in the Y direction while adsorbing the underside of the mask frame 14W, thereby moving the mask 14 to the rear side (the side to be stored in the magazine 21) or the front side (the side to be pulled out of the magazine 21).

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4, the operations of the transport conveyor 12, print head 15, magazine elevator 22, and mask movement mechanism 4 (operating rod 4a and suction movement unit 4b) provided in the printing unit 2 are controlled by a control unit 17 (see also FIG. 1) provided in the base 11 of the printing unit 2. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The control unit 17 performs printing operations by controlling the operations of the transport conveyor 12, print head 15, magazine elevator 22, mask movement mechanism 4, etc. in accordance with a printing operation program stored in a memory unit 31 (FIG. 4).

[0023] Next, the operation of the printing system 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the mask movement mechanism of the printing system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Also, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the mask movement mechanism of the printing system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The printing system 1 performs a printing operation in which the paste Pst is printed on the substrate KB while automatically replacing the mask 14. When performing a printing operation, the control unit 17 first removes the type of mask 14 specified in the printing operation program from the mask storage unit 3 (magazine 21) and places it in the mask placement position on the mask guide 13.

[0024] To do this, first, the magazine 21 is raised and lowered by the magazine elevator 22 so that the mask 14 to be placed in the printing unit 2 is positioned at the same height as the mask guide 13. Then, the suction and movement unit 4b is moved to the rear side, and the lower surface of the mask frame 14W of the mask 14 to be placed (more specifically, the lower surface of the front part of the mask frame 14W) is suctioned to the suction and movement unit 4b (FIG. 5(a)).

[0025] Once the suction / movement unit 4b has suctioned the underside of the mask frame 14W, the suction / movement unit 4b is moved forward to place the mask 14 on the mask guide 13 (FIG. 5(b)). Once the mask 14 is placed on the mask guide 13, the operating rod 4a is brought into contact with the rear portion of the mask frame 14W from the rear side (FIG. 5(c)), releasing the suction by the suction / movement unit 4b, and then the operating rod 4a is moved forward. Then, once the mask 14 is positioned at the mask installation position, the movement of the operating rod 4a is stopped (FIG. 5(d)). This places the mask 14 in the mask installation position.

[0026] Once the mask 14 has been placed at the mask placement position, the control unit 17 operates the transport conveyor 12 to bring in the substrate KB from outside and position it below the mask 14. Then, the control unit 17 operates the substrate lifting unit (not shown) to lift the substrate KB and bring the upper surface of the substrate KB into contact with the lower surface of the mask 14. Once the substrate KB has come into contact with the mask 14, the control unit 17 causes the print head 15 to perform squeegeeing.

[0027] Squeegeeing involves supplying the paste Pst to the upper surface of the mask 14, then moving the print head 15 in the Y direction, and using the squeegee 15S to scrape up the paste Pst on the mask 14. This causes the paste Pst to be applied to the electrode pattern on the substrate KB through the pattern openings 14K of the mask 14 (i.e., via the mask 14).

[0028] Once the paste Pst has been applied to the substrate KB by squeegeeing, the control unit 17 operates the substrate lifting unit described above to lower the substrate KB and separate it from the mask 14. Once the substrate KB has separated from the mask 14 (released from the mask), the transfer conveyor 12 is operated to transport the substrate KB to the outside. This completes the printing operation for one substrate KB.

[0029] During the printing operation described above, it may become necessary to change the type of mask 14 due to a change in the type of substrate KB (model change), etc., which requires replacing the mask 14. When replacing the mask 14, first, the magazine elevator 22 raises and lowers the magazine 21 so that the slot 21S in which the mask 14 to be returned to the magazine 21 should be stored is positioned at the same height as the mask guide 13. Once the target slot 21S is positioned at the same height as the mask guide 13, the operating rod 4a is brought into contact with the rear portion of the mask frame 14W from the front side (FIG. 6(a)). Then, the operating rod 4a is moved rearward to bring the rear portion of the mask 14 closer to the magazine 21 (FIG. 6(b)).

[0030] When the rear portion of the mask 14 approaches the mask guide 13, the suction / movement unit 4b is moved forward to suction the underside of the mask frame 14W of the mask 14 (more specifically, the underside of the front portion of the mask frame 14W) onto the suction / movement unit 4b (FIG. 6(c)). Then, once the suction / movement unit 4b has suctioned the underside of the mask frame 14W, the suction / movement unit 4b is moved backward to store the mask 14 in the slot 21S (FIG. 6(d)). This returns the mask 14 to the magazine 21 (i.e., to the mask storage unit 3).

[0031] Once the mask 14 has been returned to the magazine 21 as described above, the magazine elevator 22 raises and lowers the magazine 21 so that the mask 14 to be newly installed at the mask installation position is positioned at the same height as the mask guide 13. Once the mask 14 to be newly installed at the mask installation position is positioned at the same height as the mask guide 13, the mask 14 is installed at the mask installation position in the manner described above (FIG. 5(a) → FIG. 5(b) → FIG. 5(c) → FIG. 5(d)).

[0032] In this embodiment, the mask moving mechanism 4 moves the mask 14 stored in the mask storage section 3 and places it in the printing section 2, and also moves the mask 14 used in the printing section 2 and returns it to the mask storage section 3.

[0033] When the mask 14 is returned to the mask storage unit 3 (magazine 21) by the above-described replacement operation of the mask 14, the control unit 17 generally does not reinstall the mask 14 in the printing unit 2 unless the mask 14 is once taken out from the magazine 21 for cleaning (this can be realized by the control unit 17 storing the address of the slot 21S in which the mask 14 returned from the printing unit 2 is stored). And when reinstallation of the mask 14 returned to the magazine 21 becomes necessary, the control unit 17 installs another mask 14 of the same type stored in the magazine 21 at the mask installation position.

[0034] However, in the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment, even for the mask 14 that has been once used in the printing unit 2 and returned to the mask storage unit 3, it can be reinstalled in the printing unit 2 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The explanation thereof will be given below.

[0035] In FIG. 4, the control unit 17 includes, in addition to the above-described storage unit 31, a determination unit 32, an elapsed time measurement unit 33 after return, a cumulative elapsed time measurement unit 34 after return, an elapsed time measurement unit 35 after installation, a cumulative elapsed time measurement unit 36 after installation, an execution count unit 37, and a return count unit 38. The determination unit 32 determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied when it is necessary to reinstall the mask 14 returned from the printing unit 2 to the mask storage unit 3 in the printing unit 2, and various values necessary for the determination are stored in the storage unit 31.

[0036] The elapsed time measurement unit 33 after return measures an elapsed time after return T1, which is the elapsed time since the mask 14 was returned to the mask storage unit 3 by the mask moving mechanism 4. Then, the determination unit 32 compares the elapsed time after return T1 measured by the elapsed time measurement unit 33 after return with a reference elapsed time after return Tk1 (for example, 30 minutes) that is predetermined and stored in the storage unit 31, and when it is determined that the elapsed time after return T1 is shorter than the reference elapsed time after return Tk1 (T1 < Tk1), it is determined that one of the above-described predetermined conditions is satisfied.

[0037] The elapsed time measuring unit 34 after cumulative return accumulates the elapsed time T1 after return measured by the elapsed time measuring unit 33 after return to calculate the cumulative elapsed time T2 after return. Then, the determination unit 32 compares the cumulative elapsed time T2 after return measured by the cumulative elapsed time measuring unit 34 with a reference cumulative elapsed time Tk2 (for example, 2 hours) that is predetermined and stored in the storage unit 31. When it is determined that the cumulative elapsed time T2 after return is shorter than the reference cumulative elapsed time Tk2 (T2 < Tk2), it is determined that one of the above predetermined conditions is satisfied.

[0038] The elapsed time measuring unit 35 after installation measures the elapsed time after installation, which is the elapsed time since the mask 14 was installed in the printing unit 2 by the mask moving mechanism 4. Further, the cumulative elapsed time measuring unit 36 after installation accumulates the elapsed time after installation measured by the elapsed time measuring unit 35 after installation to calculate the cumulative elapsed time T3 after installation. Then, the determination unit 32 compares the cumulative elapsed time T3 after installation measured by the cumulative elapsed time measuring unit 36 after installation with a reference cumulative elapsed time Tk3 (for example, 6 hours) that is predetermined and stored in the storage unit 31. When it is determined that the cumulative elapsed time T3 after installation is shorter than the reference cumulative elapsed time Tk3 (T3 < Tk3), it is determined that one of the above predetermined conditions is satisfied.

[0039] The execution count unit 37 counts the execution count N1, which is the number of times the printing operation (squeezing) is performed using the mask 14. Then, the determination unit 32 compares the execution count N1 counted by the execution count unit 37 with a reference execution count Nk1 that is predetermined and stored in the storage unit 31. When it is determined that the execution count N1 is less than the reference execution count Nk1 (N1 < Nk1), it is determined that one of the above predetermined conditions is satisfied.

[0040] The return count unit 38 counts the number of times the mask 14 is returned to the mask storage unit 3 by the mask transfer mechanism 4. Then, the determination unit 32 compares the return count N2 counted by the return count unit 38 with the reference return count Nk2 that is predetermined and stored in the storage unit 31. When it is determined that the return count N2 is less than the reference return count Nk2 (N2 < Nk2), it is determined that one of the above predetermined conditions is satisfied.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the above-described notification unit 16 is provided so as to be communicable with the determination unit 32, and is configured to perform a notification corresponding to the state of the mask 14 stored in the mask storage unit 3. Specifically, the notification unit 16 is configured to notify the mask 14 determined by the determination unit 32 to satisfy a predetermined condition and the mask 14 determined not to satisfy the predetermined condition in different manners (described later).

[0042] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of mask installation availability determination. This mask installation availability determination is performed by the determination unit 32 provided in the control unit 17. First, the determination unit 32 determines whether or not there is a usage history (whether or not it has been used even once) for the mask 14 for which an installation request has been made from the upper system that controls the entire printing operation by the printing system 1 to the printing unit 2 (step ST1). As a result, when there is no usage history, it can be seen that the mask 14 has not been used, and it is determined that the installation (reuse) of the mask 14 is possible (step ST2).

[0043] In contrast, when the determination unit 32 determines in step ST1 that there is a usage history for the mask 14 for which an installation request was made, it determines whether the elapsed time since the mask 14 was returned immediately before is shorter than the reference time, based on whether the elapsed time T1 after return (the elapsed time since the mask 14 was returned to the mask storage unit 3 by the mask moving mechanism 4) measured by the elapsed time measurement unit 33 after return is shorter than the reference elapsed time Tk1 after return stored in the storage unit 31 (T1 < Tk1) (step ST3). As a result, when it is determined that the elapsed time T1 after return is longer than the reference elapsed time Tk1 after return, for the mask 14 for which an installation request was made, the elapsed time since it was returned to the mask storage unit 3 is longer than the reference time. Therefore, it is determined that the installation (reuse) of the mask 14 is not possible, assuming that the curing or deterioration of the paste Pst remaining on the mask 14 has progressed (step ST4).

[0044] In contrast, in step ST3 above, when the determination unit 32 determines that the elapsed time T1 after return is shorter than the reference elapsed time Tk1 after return, subsequently, for the mask 14 for which an installation request was made, it determines whether the cumulative elapsed time after return since it was returned is shorter than the reference time, based on whether the cumulative elapsed time T2 after return (the integrated time of the elapsed time T1 after return measured by the elapsed time measurement unit 33 after return) measured by the cumulative elapsed time measurement unit 34 after return is shorter than the reference cumulative elapsed time Tk2 after return stored in the storage unit 31 (T2 < Tk2) (step ST5). As a result, when it is determined that the cumulative elapsed time T2 after return is longer than the reference cumulative elapsed time Tk2 after return, for the mask 14 for which an installation request was made, the cumulative elapsed time after return of the elapsed time since it was returned to the mask storage unit 3 is longer than the reference time. Therefore, it is determined that the installation (reuse) of the mask 14 is not possible, assuming that the curing or deterioration of the paste Pst remaining on the mask 14 has progressed (step ST4).

[0045] In contrast, when, in step ST5 above, the determination unit 32 determines that the elapsed time T2 after the cumulative return is shorter than the reference elapsed time Tk2 after the cumulative return, the determination unit 32 then determines, with respect to the mask 14 for which an installation request was made, whether the cumulative usage time of the mask 14 is shorter than the reference time, based on whether the cumulative elapsed time T3 after installation (the integrated time of the elapsed time after installation measured by the installation elapsed time measurement unit 35) calculated by the cumulative elapsed time measurement unit 36 after installation is shorter than the reference cumulative elapsed time Tk3 after installation stored in the storage unit 31 (T3 < Tk3) (step ST6). As a result, when it is determined that the cumulative elapsed time T3 after installation is longer than the reference cumulative elapsed time Tk3 after installation, it is determined that, with respect to the mask 14 for which an installation request was made, the cumulative usage time of the mask 14 is longer than the reference time, and thus the curing or deterioration of the paste Pst remaining on the mask 14 has progressed, and the installation (reuse) of the mask 14 is not possible (step ST4).

[0046] In contrast, when, in step ST6 above, the determination unit 32 determines that the cumulative elapsed time T3 after installation is shorter than the reference cumulative elapsed time Tk3 after installation, the determination unit 32 then determines, with respect to the mask 14 for which an installation request was made, whether the cumulative number of uses of the mask 14 is less than the reference number of times, based on whether the number of executions N1 (the number of times the printing operation was executed using the mask 14) counted by the execution number counting unit 37 is less than the reference number of executions Nk1 stored in the storage unit 31 (N1 < Nk1) (step ST7). As a result, when it is determined that the number of executions N1 is greater than the reference number of executions Nk1, it is determined that, with respect to the mask 14 for which an installation request was made, the cumulative number of uses of the mask 14 is greater than the reference number of times, and thus the curing or deterioration of the paste Pst remaining on the mask 14 has progressed, and the installation (reuse) of the mask 14 is not possible (step ST4).

[0047] In contrast, when the determination unit 32 determines in step ST7 above that the execution count N1 is less than the reference execution count Nk1, subsequently, for the mask 14 for which an installation request was made, it is determined based on whether the cumulative number of installations of the mask 14 in the printing unit 2 is less than the reference number, that is, whether the return count N2 (the number of times the mask 14 has been returned to the mask storage unit 3 by the mask transfer mechanism 4) counted by the return count counter unit 38 is less than the reference return count Nk2 stored in the storage unit 31 (N2 < Nk2) (step ST8). As a result, when it is determined that the return count N2 is greater than the reference return count Nk2, for the mask 14 for which an installation request was made, the cumulative number of installations of the mask 14 in the printing unit 2 is greater than the reference number. Therefore, it is determined that the installation (reuse) of the mask 14 is not possible as the curing or deterioration of the paste Pst remaining on the mask 14 has progressed (step ST4).

[0048] In contrast, when the determination unit 32 determines in step ST8 above that the return count N2 is less than the reference return count Nk2, it can be determined that neither curing nor deterioration has progressed for the mask 14 for which an installation request was made. Therefore, it is determined that the installation (reuse) of the mask 14 is possible (step ST2).

[0049] As a result of the determination by the determination unit 32 as described above, when a predetermined condition (the condition of satisfying all five conditions of step ST3, step ST5, step ST6, step ST7, and step ST8) is satisfied, the control unit 17 controls the mask transfer mechanism 4 so that the mask 14 returned to the mask storage unit 3 is reinstalled in the printing unit 2 as required by the upper-level system.

[0050] In this way, in the printing system 1 of this embodiment, when the mask 14 that has been returned from the printing unit 2 to the mask storage unit 3 needs to be reinstalled in the printing unit 2, the judgment unit 32 judges whether or not the specified conditions are met, and if it is judged as a result that the specified conditions are met (all "Y" in steps ST3, ST5, ST6, ST7 and ST8), the control unit 17 controls the mask moving mechanism 4 so that the mask 14 that has been returned to the mask storage unit 3 is reinstalled in the printing unit 2. The conditions are five conditions: (1) the time elapsed since the mask 14 was returned to the mask storage section 3 (time elapsed since return T1) is shorter than a reference time, (2) the cumulative time of the time elapsed since return T1 (cumulative time elapsed since return T2) is shorter than the reference time, (3) the cumulative time of use of the mask 14 (cumulative time elapsed since installation T3) is shorter than the reference time, (4) the cumulative number of times the mask 14 is used (number of times N1 it is executed) is less than the reference number, and (5) the cumulative number of times the mask 14 is installed in the printing section 2 (number of times N2 it is returned to the mask storage section 3) is less than the reference number.If these conditions are met, the paste Pst remaining in the mask 14 returned to the mask storage section 3 has not hardened or deteriorated, and it is considered that printing work can be performed without reducing printing accuracy even if the mask 14 is reused.

[0051] 8 shows a part of the notification unit 16. As shown in this figure, an indicator lamp L serving as a light-emitting unit that notifies the operator OP by light corresponding to each slot 21S is provided next to each slot 21S located facing the mask entrance 11H. Each indicator lamp L notifies the operator OP in different ways (by emitting different light) about a mask 14 that has been determined by the determination unit 32 to satisfy the predetermined condition (a mask 14 that has been determined to be reusable) and a mask 14 that has been determined not to satisfy the predetermined condition (a mask 14 that has been determined to be non-reusable).

[0052] For example, each indicator lamp L is turned off for a mask 14 that has been determined to satisfy the aforementioned predetermined conditions and is therefore reusable (see indicator lamp L designated by symbol "L1"), and flashes for a mask 14 that does not satisfy the predetermined conditions and needs to be cleaned (see indicator lamp L designated by symbol "L2"). Also, the slot 21S in which the mask 14 currently in use was stored (and therefore the slot 21S to which the mask 14 will be returned after use) is simply lit. However, these display modes are merely examples, and other display modes may also be used.

[0053] As described above, in the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, when the mask 14 that has been returned from the printing unit 2 to the mask storage unit 3 needs to be reinstalled in the printing unit 2, the determination unit 32 determines whether or not predetermined conditions are met, and if it is determined that the predetermined conditions are met, the control unit 17 controls the mask moving mechanism 4 so that the mask 14 that has been returned to the mask storage unit 3 is reinstalled in the printing unit 2. Therefore, according to the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, in a situation where the paste Pst remaining in the mask 14 that has been returned to the mask storage unit 3 has not hardened or deteriorated, the mask 14 can be reused, and the number of masks that need to be cleaned can be reduced, thereby significantly improving productivity.

[0054] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above and various modifications are possible. For example, the configuration of the mask moving mechanism 4 in the above embodiment is merely an example, and other configurations are possible as long as the configuration can move the mask 14 stored in the mask storage unit 3 and place it in the printing unit 2, and move the mask 14 used in the printing unit 2 and return it to the mask storage unit 3.

[0055] Furthermore, the five conditions constituting the predetermined conditions shown in the above embodiment are merely examples, and it is possible to adopt only some of these conditions, or to add other conditions, or to adopt conditions that are completely different from the above five conditions.

[0056] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components of the various embodiments described above may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0057] The number of masks to be cleaned can be reduced, improving productivity. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 Printing System 2 Printing Department 3 Mask storage section 4 Mask movement mechanism 13 Mask Guide 14 Mask 14K pattern aperture 15 print head 16 Notification Department 17 Control Unit 21 Magazine 31 Storage section 32 Judgment section 33 Return elapsed time counter 34 Accumulative return elapsed time counter 35 Time measurement unit after installation 36 Accumulative installation time measurement unit 37 Execution count section 38 Return count unit T1 Time elapsed after return Tk1 Time elapsed after reference return T2 Cumulative return time Tk2 Reference cumulative return time T3 Cumulative time since installation Tk3 Standard cumulative time elapsed since installation N1 execution count Nk1 Reference execution count N2 Number of returns Nk2 Reference return count L Indicator lamp (light-emitting part) KB board PST Paste

Claims

1. A printing system comprising: a printing unit that performs a printing operation of printing a paste on a substrate through a mask having a pattern opening formed therein; a mask storage unit that stores the mask; and a mask moving mechanism that moves a mask stored in the mask storage unit and sets it in the printing unit, and moves a mask used in the printing unit and returns it to the mask storage unit, a determination unit that determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied when the mask that has been returned from the printing unit to the mask storage unit needs to be placed back in the printing unit; a control unit that controls the mask moving mechanism so that the mask returned to the mask storage unit is again placed in the printing unit when the determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied; and A printing system comprising:

2. 2. The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising a post-return elapsed time measuring unit that measures a post-return elapsed time, which is the time elapsed since the mask was returned to the mask storage unit by the mask moving mechanism, and the determination unit compares the post-return elapsed time measured by the post-return elapsed time measuring unit with a predetermined reference post-return elapsed time, and determines that one of the predetermined conditions is satisfied if it determines that the post-return elapsed time is shorter than the reference post-return elapsed time.

3. 3. The printing system according to claim 2, further comprising an accumulated post-return elapsed time measuring unit that calculates an accumulated post-return elapsed time by integrating the post-return elapsed time measured by the post-return elapsed time measuring unit, wherein the determination unit compares the accumulated post-return elapsed time measured by the post-return elapsed time measuring unit with a predetermined reference post-return elapsed time, and determines that one of the specified conditions is satisfied if it determines that the accumulated post-return elapsed time is shorter than the reference reference post-return elapsed time.

4. 3. The printing system of claim 2, further comprising: a post-installation elapsed time timing unit that measures post-installation elapsed time, which is the time elapsed since the mask was installed on the printing unit by the mask moving mechanism; and a cumulative post-installation elapsed time timing unit that calculates a cumulative post-installation elapsed time by integrating the post-installation elapsed time measured by the post-installation elapsed time timing unit, wherein the determination unit compares the cumulative post-installation elapsed time measured by the cumulative post-installation elapsed time timing unit with a predetermined standard cumulative post-installation elapsed time, and determines that one of the specified conditions is satisfied if it determines that the cumulative post-installation elapsed time is shorter than the standard standard cumulative post-installation elapsed time.

5. 3. The printing system according to claim 2, further comprising an execution counting unit that counts an execution count, which is the number of times the printing operation is performed using a mask, and the determination unit compares the execution counted by the execution counting unit with a predetermined reference execution count, and determines that one of the specified conditions is satisfied if it determines that the execution count is less than the reference execution count.

6. 3. The printing system according to claim 2, further comprising a return counting unit that counts a number of returns, which is the number of times the mask is returned to the mask storage unit by the mask moving mechanism, and the determination unit compares the number of returns counted by the return counting unit with a predetermined reference number of returns, and determines that one of the predetermined conditions is satisfied if it determines that the number of returns is less than the reference number of returns.

7. 2. The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that is capable of communicating with the determination unit and that provides notification corresponding to the state of the mask stored in the mask storage unit, and the notification unit notifies, in different ways, a mask that has been determined by the determination unit to satisfy the specified condition and a mask that has been determined not to satisfy the specified condition.

8. 8. The printing system according to claim 7, wherein the notification unit is a light-emitting unit that notifies an operator by light, and the light-emitting unit notifies an operator of the mask that has been determined to satisfy the predetermined condition and the mask that has been determined to not satisfy the predetermined condition by emitting light in different states.

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