Screen printer and screen printing method

Abstract

To provide a screen printer which allows a storage section for storing exchange members to be precisely attached to an exchange section which supplies the exchange members to a print section, and to provide a screen printing method.SOLUTION: A screen printer includes: a print section which conducts printing operation; an exchange section 30 which supplies masks M to the print section; and a storage section 70A which stores the masks M and is provided so as to be attachable to or detachable from the exchange section 30. The exchange section 30 has an attachment part 90 for holding the attached storage section 70A. The storage section 70A has an attached part 91 which is provided corresponding to the attachment part 90.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a screen printing apparatus and a screen printing method for printing a paste on a substrate using a mask. [Background technology]

[0002] A screen printing apparatus prints a paste such as solder paste on the surface of a substrate using a mask having a printing pattern. In such a screen printing apparatus, the mask to be used is changed depending on the type of substrate. Patent Document 1 discloses a screen printing apparatus in which, in order to automatically and continuously change the mask, a magazine (storage unit) holding multiple masks (replacement members) horizontally is attached through an attachment opening provided on the rear surface of a housing, and a mask changer (replacement unit) is provided to supply one of the multiple masks held in the magazine to the screen printing apparatus (printing unit). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-107329 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the prior art including Patent Document 1, although replacement parts stored in the storage unit can be automatically supplied to the screen printing device, in order to remove thin replacement parts from the storage unit and supply them to the printing unit, it is necessary to accurately position the storage unit relative to the replacement unit, and there is room for further improvement.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a screen printing apparatus and a screen printing method that can accurately attach a storage section that stores a replacement part to a replacement section that supplies the replacement part to a printing section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The screen printing device disclosed herein is a screen printing device that prints paste on a substrate using a mask having a predetermined printing pattern, and includes a printing unit that performs printing operations, a replacement unit that supplies replacement parts to the printing unit, and a storage unit that stores the replacement parts and is detachably attached to the replacement unit, wherein the replacement unit has an attachment portion for gripping the attached storage unit, and the storage unit has an attachment receiving portion that is provided corresponding to the attachment portion.

[0007] The screen printing method disclosed herein is a screen printing method using a screen printing apparatus that prints paste on a substrate using a mask having a predetermined printing pattern, the screen printing apparatus comprising: a printing unit that performs a printing operation; a replacement unit that supplies a replacement part to the printing unit; and a storage unit that stores the replacement part and is detachably attached to the replacement unit, the replacement part having an attachment part for gripping the attached storage part, the storage part having an attachment receiving part that is provided corresponding to the attachment part, an attachment detection part that detects an attachment state in which the storage part is attached to the replacement part, and a grip detection part that detects a gripping state in which the attachment part grips the attachment receiving part, and when the attachment detection part detects the attachment state and the grip detection part detects the gripping state, the replacement part can supply the replacement part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the storage section that stores the replacement part can be accurately attached to the replacement part that supplies the replacement part to the printing part. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a screen printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective side view showing a configuration of a main part of a replacement unit and a printing unit to which a storage unit is attached according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3](a) A perspective plan view showing the configuration of the main parts of the replacement part to which the storage part of one embodiment of the present disclosure is attached, (b) A perspective rear view showing the configuration of the main parts of the replacement part to which the storage part of one embodiment of the present disclosure is attached. [Figure 4] FIG. 1A is a perspective plan view illustrating the function of an exchange unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 1B is a perspective rear view illustrating the function of an exchange unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are enlarged plan views illustrating the configuration of a holding mechanism of a holding part included in a replacement part according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] (a) An oblique view showing the configuration of the main parts of the mounting portion provided in the replacement part of one embodiment of the present disclosure, (b) an oblique view showing the configuration of the main parts of the mounted portion provided in the storage part of one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a process of attaching a storage unit to a replacement unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a process in which a storage part according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is gripped by a replacement part. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the function of the attitude changing unit when the replacing unit supplies a mask to the printing unit according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating angles at which the attitude changing unit swings the mask when the replacement unit supplies the mask to the printing unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a screen printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are explanatory views of a process of recovering a mask from a printing unit by a replacement unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 1A is an explanatory diagram of a process of recovering a mask from a printing unit by an exchange unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram of a process of supplying a mask to a printing unit by an exchange unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a process of supplying a mask to a printing unit by an exchange unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] 10(a) and 10(b) are explanatory views of a process for removing the storage unit from the replacement unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] (a) A side view showing the configuration of the main parts of a storage section of another embodiment of the present disclosure, (b) a schematic diagram showing the configuration near the mounting part of a replacement section corresponding to the storage section of another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] 10A is an explanatory diagram of a process in which a storage section according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is attached to a replacement section; FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram of a process in which a storage section according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is gripped by a replacement section; [Figure 18] (a) An explanatory diagram of another example of a shutter part of an exchange part according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a closed position that covers the opening, (b) An explanatory diagram of another example of a shutter part of an exchange part according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in an open position that opens the opening. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The configurations, shapes, etc. described below are examples for explanatory purposes and can be modified as appropriate depending on the specifications of the screen printing device, printing unit, replacement unit, storage unit, etc. In the following, corresponding elements in all drawings will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. In FIG. 1 and in some parts described below, two axes that are orthogonal to each other in a horizontal plane are shown: an X-axis in the substrate transport direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2) and a Y-axis that is orthogonal to the substrate transport direction (a left-right direction in FIG. 2). In addition, in FIG. 1 and in some parts described below, a Z-axis that is orthogonal to the horizontal plane (a vertical direction in FIG. 2) is shown.

[0011] First, the configuration of the screen printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The screen printing apparatus 1 is configured to include a printing unit 10 that performs printing operations, an exchange unit 30 that supplies exchange members such as masks M to the printing unit 10 and collects the exchange members from the printing unit 10, and a storage unit 70 that stores the masks M (exchange members) and is detachably provided with respect to the exchange unit 30.

[0012] An exchange unit 30 is arranged behind the printing unit 10 to supply masks M to the printing unit 10 and collect the masks M from the printing unit 10. A storage unit 70 for storing masks M (replacement members) is detachably attached to the exchange unit 30. Details of the exchange unit 30 and the storage unit 70 will be described later. The mask M is configured by extending a screen Ms on which a predetermined printing pattern (not shown) is formed on a frame Mf. The printing unit 10 has the function of printing a paste P, such as cream solder, on a substrate B using the mask M on which the predetermined printing pattern is formed.

[0013] In FIG. 2, the printing unit 10 includes a substrate transport and holding unit 13 on a base 12 covered by a printing unit cover 11. The substrate transport and holding unit 13 has a conveyor 13a that transports a substrate B along the X axis. The substrate transport and holding unit 13 includes a multi-stage table 13b that is disposed on the base 12 below the center of the conveyor 13a in the X axis direction, and a substrate holding unit 13c that is supported by the multi-stage table 13b. The multi-stage table 13b moves the substrate holding unit 13c in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction (horizontal direction), and raises and lowers the substrate holding unit 13c in the Z axis direction (up and down direction). The substrate holding unit 13c receives the substrate B transported by the conveyor 13a, and lifts and holds the received substrate B from the conveyor 13a.

[0014] 2, a guide unit 14 extending along the Y axis (front-rear direction) is disposed above the substrate transport and holding unit 13. On the guide unit 14, a mask M is placed with a screen Ms (main surface of the exchange member) stretched across a frame Mf in a horizontal position and moves back and forth along the Y axis. A mask holding unit 14a is disposed in front of the guide unit 14 and above the substrate holding unit 13c.

[0015] A mask moving unit 15 is disposed above the guide unit 14 and includes a contact member 16, an elevation cylinder 17 that raises and lowers the contact member 16 up and down (arrow a), and a front-to-back movement mechanism 18 (FIG. 11) that moves the elevation cylinder 17 back and forth (arrow b) along the guide unit 14. The mask moving unit 15 brings the lowered contact member 16 into contact with the frame Mf of the mask M, and moves the mask M back and forth along the guide unit 14.

[0016] In Figure 2, a rear opening 19 is formed on the rear side of the printing unit cover 11. An opening 32 (see also Figure 4(b)) is formed on the front side of the housing 31 of the replacement unit 30, through which the mask M (replacement member) can pass and which communicates with the interior of the printing unit 10. The mask moving unit 15 moves the mask M between the replacement unit 30 and the mask holding unit 14a via the rear opening 19 and the opening 32. The mask M that has moved to the mask holding unit 14a is held by a holding mechanism (not shown) of the mask holding unit 14a with the main surface of the mask M horizontal.

[0017] A print head 20 is disposed above the mask holding unit 14a and is moved along the Y-axis by a print head moving mechanism 24 (FIG. 11). The print head 20 extends along the X-axis and has two squeegees 20a that move up and down. With the substrate B held by the substrate holding unit 13c pressed from below against the mask M held by the mask holding unit 14a, the print head 20 lowers one of the squeegees 20a to abut on the mask M. The print head moving mechanism 24 then moves the print head 20 in the Y-axis direction and slides one of the squeegees 20a over the mask M, thereby printing the paste P supplied onto the mask M onto the substrate B via the printing pattern (openings) formed in the mask M.

[0018] 1 and 2, the printing unit 10 is equipped with an air conditioning unit 81 (FIG. 11) that supplies temperature- and humidity-controlled air to the interior of the printing unit 10 via a duct 80 connected to an air intake port 11a formed in the upper part of the printing unit cover 11. The printing unit 10 also has an exhaust unit 82 that has a blower that exhausts air from the interior of the printing unit 10 to the outside through an exhaust port 11b formed in the lower part of the printing unit cover 11. By controlling the amount of air exhausted by the exhaust unit 82 (exhaust volume), the air pressure inside the printing unit 10 is maintained higher than that outside the printing unit 10. This prevents air (outside air) whose temperature and humidity have not been adjusted from flowing into the interior of the printing unit 10.

[0019] Next, the replacement unit 30 and the storage unit 70 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the rear side of the replacement unit 30 is provided with an attachment opening 33 into which the storage unit 70 is inserted from the rear side. The storage unit 70 has a slot portion 73 having a plurality of bottomed slots 71 to 72 for storing the masks M. The masks M (replacement members) are stored in the slots 71 to 72 with their main surfaces standing upright. The depth L1 of the slots 71 to 72 is shallower than the length L2 of the main surface of the mask M. As a result, the masks M stored in the slots 71 to 72 are partially protruding from the top of the slots 71 to 72.

[0020] A back panel 74 is disposed behind the slot portion 73, and extends at least above and to the left and right of the slot portion 73. Wheels 75 are provided on the bottom of the storage unit 70. This allows the storage unit 70 to be moved on the floor F within the floor on which the printing unit 10 is installed by a worker or an automated guided vehicle (not shown). The replacement unit 30 is formed with a storage space 34 in which the slot portion 73 of the storage unit 70 inserted through the mounting opening 33 is positioned.

[0021] In Fig. 1, a right-side mounting portion 90R is disposed on the right wall 34R of the storage space 34 of the replacement part 30. A left-side mounting portion 90L is disposed on the left wall 34L of the storage space 34 of the replacement part 30. A right-side mounted portion 91R corresponding to the right-side mounting portion 90R is disposed on the right side surface 73R of the slot portion 73 of the storage part 70 (Fig. 6(b)). A left-side mounted portion 91L corresponding to the left-side mounting portion 90L is disposed on the left side surface 73L of the slot portion 73 of the storage part 70.

[0022] The right-side mounting portion 90R has a function of gripping the right-side mounted portion 91R of the storage portion 70 attached to the replacement portion 30. The left-side mounting portion 90L has a function of gripping the left-side mounted portion 91L of the storage portion 70 attached to the replacement portion 30. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the right-side mounting portion 90R and the left-side mounting portion 90L, they will be simply referred to as "mounting portion 90." When there is no need to distinguish between the right-side mounted portion 91R and the left-side mounted portion 91L, they will be simply referred to as "mounting portion 91." In this way, the replacement portion 30 has a mounting portion 90 for gripping the attached storage portion 70, and the storage portion 70 has a mounting portion 91 provided corresponding to the mounting portion 90.

[0023] The configurations of the mounting portion 90 and the mounted portion 91 will now be described with reference to Figure 6. The right mounting portion 90R and the left mounting portion 90L have the same configuration except that the components are arranged symmetrically, and will be described with reference to the right mounting portion 90R. The right mounting portion 91R and the left mounting portion 91L have the same configuration except that the components are arranged symmetrically, and will be described with reference to the right mounting portion 91R.

[0024] 6(a), the right-side mounting part 90R is provided with a linear motion mechanism 92 including a guide rail 92a that extends in the Y-axis direction (the direction in which the storage part 70 is attached) fixed to the right wall 34R of the storage space 34 of the replacement part 30, and a slide unit 92b that moves back and forth along the Y-axis along the guide rail 92a. The slide unit 92b moves along the Y-axis by a ball screw, a linear motor, or the like (not shown).

[0025] A gripping cylinder 93 that projects a cylinder 93a upward is disposed on an upper portion 92c of the slide unit 92b. A connecting plate 94 is disposed on the upper portion of the cylinder 93a, and a generally cylindrical shaft member 95 is fixed so as to hang down from the connecting plate 94 on the side facing the storage space 34. A tapered portion 95a that narrows downward is formed on the lower portion of the shaft member 95 that extends in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0026] In FIG. 6(a), a shaft guide member 96 is disposed on a side surface 92d of the slide unit 92b facing the storage space 34. A guide hole 96a is formed inside the shaft guide member 96, penetrating vertically. The shaft member 95 is inserted into the guide hole 96a from above. When the gripping cylinder 93 retracts the cylinder 93a, the shaft member 95 fixed to the connecting plate 94 moves vertically along the guide hole 96a. When the gripping cylinder 93 retracts the cylinder 93a, the shaft member 95 moves downward, and a portion of the shaft member 95 protrudes from a lower opening 96b of the shaft guide member 96 (see FIG. 8).

[0027] A protruding portion 96c that protrudes downward is formed on the front side of the lower surface of the shaft guide member 96, and an abutment surface 96d is formed on the rear side of the protruding portion 96c in the Y-axis direction. A front surface 91a of the right-side mounted portion 91R that is disposed in the storage portion 70 inserted through the mounting opening 33 abuts against the abutment surface 96d (see FIG. 7(b)).

[0028] 6(b), a through-hole 91b that passes through vertically and into which a shaft member 95 is inserted is formed in the right-side mounting portion 91R that is fixed to the right side surface 73R of the slot portion 73 of the storage portion 70. A dish portion 91c that widens upward is formed above the through-hole 91b. When the shaft member 95 is lowered with the front surface 91a of the right-side mounting portion 91R approximately abutting against the abutment surface 96d of the shaft guide member 96, the tapered portion 95a descends along the dish portion 91c, and the position of the right-side mounting portion 91R moves so that the center of the through-hole 91b coincides with the center of the shaft member 95.

[0029] The right-side mounting portion 91R may have a through-hole 91b that is open downward, or a bottomed recess (not shown) that is sealed downward. Alternatively, the right-side mounting portion 91R may have a shaft member 95, and the right-side mounting portion 90R may have a through-hole 91b or a recess. Thus, one of the mounting portion 90 and the mounting portion 91 has the shaft member 95, and the other of the mounting portion 90 and the mounting portion 91 has a recess or through-hole 91b into which the shaft member 95 is inserted.

[0030] In FIG. 6(b), a magnet 97 is disposed on the right side surface 73R of the slot portion 73 below the right-side mounting portion 91R. In FIG. 6(a), a magnetic sensor 98 is disposed on the right wall 34R of the storage space 34 at a position facing the magnet 97 when the storage portion 70 is attached to the replacement portion 30 and the front surface 91a of the right-side mounting portion 91R abuts against the abutment surface 96d of the shaft guide member 96 (mounted state). The magnetic sensor 98 is an attachment detector that detects the attached state in which the storage portion 70 is attached to the replacement portion 30. Note that the attachment detector is not limited to the magnetic sensor 98 and may be a toggle switch or an optical sensor. The attachment detector may also be disposed in the storage portion 70.

[0031] In an attached state in which the front surface 91a of the right-side mounted portion 91R abuts against the abutment surface 96d of the shaft guide member 96, when the gripping cylinder 93 lowers the shaft member 95, the shaft member 95 is inserted into the through-hole 91b of the right-side mounted portion 91R (FIG. 8(a)). As a result, the right-side mounted portion 91R is gripped by the right-side mounting portion 90R. The right-side mounting portion 90R is equipped with a gripping detection unit 99 (FIG. 11) that detects a gripping state in which the right-side mounting portion 90R grips the right-side mounted portion 91R after the shaft member 95 has been lowered until it is inserted into the through-hole 91b. The gripping detection unit 99 can be configured, for example, by a toggle switch or height sensor that detects the height of the connecting plate 94, or a sensor that detects the position of the cylinder 93a of the gripping cylinder 93.

[0032] Next, with reference to Figures 7 and 8, a process of attaching and gripping the storage unit 70 to the replacement unit 30 will be described. Figures 7 and 8 schematically show the storage unit 70, replacement unit 30, attachment unit 90, and attached unit 91. Here, a storage unit (hereinafter referred to as "storage unit 70A") having four slots for storing the mask M (replacement member) with its main surface standing up will be described as an example. The four slots are referred to as a first slot S1, a second slot S2, a third slot S3, and a fourth slot S4 from the front.

[0033] The replacement unit 30 also has two removal positions along the Y axis for removing the mask M from the storage unit 70. The two removal positions are referred to as the first removal position Q1 and the second removal position Q2, from the front to the back. The distance between the first removal position Q1 and the second removal position Q2 is an integer multiple of the distance between adjacent slots from the first slot S1 to the fourth slot S4. In this example, the distance between the first removal position Q1 and the second removal position Q2 is twice the distance between the slots.

[0034] 7, when mounting the storage unit 70A to the replacement unit 30, the linear motion mechanism 92 in the replacement unit 30 moves the slide unit 92b rearward to move the shaft member 95 and shaft guide member 96 to the mounting position R1, and the gripping cylinder 93 raises the shaft member 95 to a mounting standby state in which the shaft guide member 96 does not protrude from the lower opening 96b. The storage unit 70A is inserted into the storage space 34 from the mounting opening 33 of the replacement unit 30 in the mounting standby state (arrow e1 in FIG. 7(a)). The storage unit 70A inserted into the storage space 34 stops when the front surface 91a of the attached portion 91 abuts against the abutment surface 96d of the shaft guide member 96 (FIG. 7(b)).

[0035] In this state, the magnet 97 of the storage unit 70A is positioned opposite the magnetic sensor 98 of the replacement unit 30, and the magnetic sensor 98 (mounting detection unit) detects the mounted state in which the storage unit 70A is mounted in the replacement unit 30. Note that the magnet 97 and the magnetic sensor 98 are not limited to a configuration in which they face each other entirely. For example, the magnet 97 and the magnetic sensor 98 may be configured so that at least a portion of them face each other, as long as the positional relationship allows the insertion state to be detected. Furthermore, in the mounted state, the back plate 74 of the storage unit 70A covers the mounting opening 33, and the position of the rear surface 74a of the back plate 74 is approximately aligned with the position of the rear surface 31a of the housing 31 of the replacement unit 30.

[0036] In FIG. 8, when the attached state is detected, the gripping cylinder 93 lowers the shaft member 95, and the shaft member 95 is inserted into the through-hole 91b of the mounting portion 91 (arrow e2 in FIG. 8(a)). In this state, the gripping detection unit 99 detects the gripping state in which the mounting portion 90 grips the mounting portion 91. In this state, the first slot S1 is located at the first removal position Q1, and the third slot S3 is located at the second removal position Q2. This makes it possible to collect or remove the mask M (replacement member) from the first slot S1 and the third slot S3. In this way, the storage unit 70A that stores the mask M can be accurately attached to the replacement unit 30 that supplies the mask M to the printing unit 10.

[0037] In the gripped state, when the linear motion mechanism 92 moves the slide unit 92b forward, the shaft member 95 and the shaft guide member 96 move forward together with the slide unit 92b (arrow e3 in FIG. 8(b)). That is, the mounting part 90, while gripping the mounted part 91, can move the mounted part 91 in the mounting direction (Y-axis direction) of the storage part 70A. As a result, the mounted part 91 gripped by the mounting part 90 moves forward, and the storage part 70A moves in the mounting direction (Y-axis direction) of the storage part 70A in conjunction with the movement of the mounted part 91 (arrow e4 in FIG. 8(b)).

[0038] 8(b), the linear motion mechanism 92 moves the slide unit 92b forward by the distance between adjacent slots, thereby moving the shaft guide member 96 to the second position R2. As a result, the second slot S2 is positioned at the first removal position Q1, and the fourth slot S4 is positioned at the second removal position Q2.

[0039] In this way, in the replacing unit 30, the linear motion mechanism 92 moves the slide unit 92b back and forth between the mounting position R1 and the second position R2, thereby moving the storage unit 70A back and forth. As a result, any of the first slot S1 to the fourth slot S4 moves to the first removal position Q1 or the second removal position Q2. In this state, the replacing unit 30 stores the mask M (replacement member) in the first slot S1 to the fourth slot S4 or removes the mask M from the first slot S1 to the fourth slot S4.

[0040] By moving the storage section 70A to store or remove the mask M, the replacement section 30 can store or remove the replacement member (mask M) from each slot, even if the number of slots in the storage section 70A (four in this example) is greater than the number of removal positions in the replacement section 30 (two in this example).

[0041] When removing the storage unit 70A from the replacement unit 30, the linear motion mechanism 92 of the replacement unit 30 moves the slide unit 92b to the mounting position R1, moving the storage unit 70A in the gripped state backward (FIG. 8(a)). Next, the gripping cylinder 93 of the replacement unit 30 raises the shaft member 95 to set the shaft member 95 to a mounting standby state in which it does not protrude from the lower opening 96b (FIG. 7(b)). In this state, the worker or the automated guided vehicle moves the storage unit 70A backward, thereby removing the storage unit 70A from the replacement unit 30 (FIG. 7(a)).

[0042] Next, the detailed configuration of the replacement part 30 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5. Below, the replacement part 30 to which the storage part 70 is attached will be described. In addition, below, when the storage part 70 is attached to the replacement part 30, the front slot 71 of the slot part 73 will be referred to as the "front slot Sf" and the rear slot 72 will be referred to as the "rear slot Sb."

[0043] 2 and 3, a holder 39 is disposed inside the housing 31 of the replacement unit 30. The holder 39 rotatably holds the mask M (replacement member) stored in the front slot Sf or the rear slot Sb of the slot portion 73 of the storage unit 70 attached to the replacement unit 30, and moves the mask M along the Z axis to lift it up to a predetermined position. The holder 39 has a plurality of (two in this example) pairs of holding mechanisms that grip both side surfaces of the frame Mf of the mask M to hold the mask M, corresponding to a plurality of (two in this example) slots.

[0044] Hereinafter, the holding mechanism corresponding to the front slot Sf on the front side (the side closer to the printing unit 10) will be referred to as the "front holding mechanism 40," and the holding mechanism corresponding to the rear slot Sb on the rear side will be referred to as the "rear holding mechanism 41." In addition, in the description of Figures 2 to 5, the slot portion 73 of the storage unit 70 attached to the replacement unit 30 may be simply referred to as the slot portion 73.

[0045] 3 and 4, the front holding mechanism 40 and the rear holding mechanism 41 are arranged side by side in the front and rear along the Y axis on a lifting plate 42. The lifting plate 42 is provided so as to be able to move up and down along a linear guide 43 that extends vertically (in the Z axis direction) and is fixed to the housing 31. A nut 44 is fixed to the lifting plate 42. A ball screw 45 that extends vertically is engaged with the nut 44. The ball screw 45 is rotated around the Z axis by a lifting motor 46 that is fixed to the housing 31.

[0046] The lift motor 46 is controlled by an exchange control unit 60 (FIG. 11) provided in the exchange unit 30. When the lift motor 46 rotates the ball screw 45, the lift plate 42 moves up and down (arrow d in FIG. 4), and the front holding mechanism 40 and the rear holding mechanism 41 move up and down. In this way, the lift motor 46, the ball screw 45, and the lift plate 42 constitute a lift mechanism E (FIG. 11) that moves the holding mechanisms (front holding mechanism 40, rear holding mechanism 41) along the Z axis.

[0047] Here, the detailed configurations and functions of the front holding mechanism 40 and the rear holding mechanism 41 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5(a) is an enlarged view of the vicinity of one (left) of the front holding mechanism 40 and the rear holding mechanism 41 indicated by circle A in FIG. 3(a). FIG. 5(b) is an enlarged view of the vicinity of one (left) of the front holding mechanism 40 and the rear holding mechanism 41 indicated by circle C in FIG. 4(a). FIG. 4 shows a state in which the pair of rear holding mechanisms 41 hold and lift up the mask M (replacement member) stored in the rear slot Sb of the slot portion 73. The other (right) of the front holding mechanism 40 and the rear holding mechanism 41 have the same configuration as the one (left) of the front holding mechanism 40 and the rear holding mechanism 41 except that the components are arranged symmetrically with respect to the front slot Sf and the rear slot Sb, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0048] 5, the front holding mechanism 40 includes a front cylinder 47 having a piston connected to a joint 49 at its tip that can be extended and retracted toward the front slot Sf. The rear holding mechanism 41 includes a rear cylinder 48 having a piston 48a connected to a joint 49 at its tip that can be extended and retracted toward the rear slot Sb. A shaft 50 extending along the X-axis is attached to each joint 49 so as to be rotatable about the X-axis. A locking portion 50a provided at the end of the shaft 50 is held in an internal space 49a of the joint 49 so as to be movable within a play G.

[0049] The shaft 50 is held by a rotary bearing 51 so as to be rotatable about the X-axis and movable back and forth along the X-axis. A pad 52 that abuts against the frame body Mf of the mask M is connected to the end of the shaft 50 opposite the locking portion 50a side. A compression spring 53, which is an elastic body, is inserted into the shaft 50 and disposed between the rotary bearing 51 and the pad 52. The elastic force of the compression spring 53 urges the shaft 50 toward the front slot Sf or the rear slot Sb. The front cylinder 47 and the rear cylinder 48 are controlled by a replacement control unit 60.

[0050] 4 and 5(b), when the rear cylinder 48 of each of the pair of rear holding mechanisms 41 protrudes the piston 48a, the shaft 50 is pushed by the joint 49 and moves toward the rear slot Sb, and the pads 52 of each shaft 50 come into contact with both side surfaces of the mask M housed in the rear slot Sb. As a result, both side surfaces of the mask M are gripped by the pair of rear holding mechanisms 41. The mask M is stably gripped by the elastic force of the compression springs 53 of the rear holding mechanisms 41.

[0051] It is desirable that the spring constant of one of the compression springs 53 of the pair of rear holding mechanisms 41 be greater than that of the other. This prevents the position of the mask M from fluctuating or vibrating due to the left and right rear holding mechanisms 41 pushing against each other. The same applies to the compression springs 53 of the pair of front holding mechanisms 40. Alternatively, the amount of play G of one of the joints 49 may be set to zero to fix the position of the pad 52.

[0052] When the mask M held by the pair of rear holding mechanisms 41 is placed in the rear slot Sb, the pistons 48a of the rear cylinders 48 are retracted, and the pair of pads 52 move away from both sides of the mask M, thereby releasing the mask M. As a result, the mask M is stored in the rear slot Sb.

[0053] In Figure 4(b), while the pair of rear holding mechanisms 41 are holding the mask M, the lifting motor 46 is operated to raise and lower the lifting plate 42 (arrow d), whereby the mask M is removed from the rear slot Sb, raised and lowered within the housing 31, and stored in the rear slot Sb.

[0054] Similarly, when the front cylinders 47 of the pair of front holding mechanisms 40 extend their pistons while the mask M is stored in the front slot Sf, both end surfaces of the mask M are gripped by the pair of front holding mechanisms 40. When the mask M held by the front holding mechanisms 40 lands in the front slot Sf and each front cylinder 47 retracts its piston, the pair of pads 52 move away from both side surfaces of the mask M, releasing the mask M. When the pair of front holding mechanisms 40 grip the mask M, the lift motor 46 is operated to lift and lower the lift plate 42, whereby the mask M is removed from the front slot Sf, lifted up and down within the housing 31, and stored in the front slot Sf.

[0055] 2 to 4, a shutter unit 37 made up of a plate member or the like is disposed on the lift plate 42. When the lift plate 42 is lowered and the height of the front holding mechanism 40 and the rear holding mechanism 41 is lowered to a position where they can grip the mask M (replacement member) stored in the front slot Sf and the rear slot Sb, the shutter unit 37 disposed on the lift plate 42 covers the opening 32 (FIG. 3(b)). When the opening 32 is covered by the shutter unit 37, access from the replacement unit 30 to the inside of the printing unit 10 is restricted. The height of the lift plate 42 at this time is defined as the "closed position H1."

[0056] When the lifting plate 42 rises and the front holding mechanism 40 and the rear holding mechanism 41 rise to a position where the mask M (replacement member) they are holding can be removed from the front slot Sf or the rear slot Sb, the shutter unit 37 arranged on the lifting plate 42 moves above the opening 32, opening the opening 32 (FIG. 4(b)). Once the opening 32 is open, access to the inside of the printing unit 10 becomes possible from the replacement unit 30. The height of the lifting plate 42 at this time is defined as the "open position H2."

[0057] In this way, the shutter unit 37 moves up and down integrally with the holding mechanisms (front holding mechanism 40, rear holding mechanism 41). That is, the lifting mechanism E that lifts and lowers the holding mechanisms also functions as a shutter drive unit that moves the shutter unit 37 between a closed position H1 that covers the opening 32 and an open position H2 that opens the opening 32. In other words, the replacement unit 30 has a holder 39 that moves the mask M (replacement member) along the movement direction (Z-axis direction) of the shutter unit 37 that moves between the closed position H1 and the open position H2, and the holding mechanism of the holder 39 moves in the movement direction of the shutter unit 37 by the shutter drive unit (lifting mechanism E).

[0058] The exchange unit 30 also includes a blocking detection unit 38 (FIG. 11) that detects whether the shutter unit 37 is positioned at the blocking position H1. The blocking detection unit 38 can be configured, for example, by a toggle switch, a magnetic sensor, a height sensor, or the like that detects whether the lift plate 42 is positioned at the blocking position H1.

[0059] 2 to 4, a gasket T made of hard rubber or the like is provided between the replacement unit 30 and the printing unit 10, surrounding the periphery of the opening 32 of the replacement unit 30 and the periphery of the rear opening 19 of the printing unit 10 (see FIG. 18). By filling the gap between the replacement unit 30 and the printing unit 10 with the gasket T, it is possible to prevent outside air from flowing in through the rear opening 19 of the printing unit 10 when the opening 32 is closed by the shutter unit 37.

[0060] 2 and 3, a swinging unit 54 is disposed inside the housing 31 of the replacement unit 30 (replacement device), which is a position changing unit that swings the mask M (replacement member) that has been lifted to a predetermined position toward the printing unit 10 (printing device) and places a portion of the mask M into the printing unit 10 (see also FIG. 9). The swinging unit 54 has a swinging motor 56. The swinging motor 56 is disposed on a fixed plate 55 fixed to the housing 31, with its rotation shaft 56a facing the X-axis direction. A crank-shaped pusher 57 is connected to the rotation shaft 56a of the swinging motor 56. The swinging motor 56 is controlled by the replacement control unit 60. When the swinging motor 56 is activated, the pusher 57 rotates (arrow c in FIG. 2).

[0061] The fixed plate 55 and the swing motor 56 of the swing unit 54 are positioned so as not to interfere with the lifting plate 42 of the holder 39, which moves up and down. The pusher 57 is shaped so as not to interfere with the lifting plate 42 of the holder 39, which moves up and down, when it rotates to the retracted position (see FIG. 3(a)). The pusher 57 also extends along the X-axis to a position where it abuts against the back surface of the mask M held and lifted by the holder 39. When the pair of front holding mechanisms 40 or rear holding mechanisms 41 grips the mask M and lifts it up to a predetermined position, the swing motor 56 swings the pusher 57 from the retracted position toward the printing unit 10, whereupon the pusher 57 abuts against the back surface of the mask M and swings the mask M toward the printing unit 10 (see FIG. 10).

[0062] Next, the function of the swinging unit 54 (position changing unit) will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 10(a) is an enlarged view including the swinging unit 54 of the replacement unit 30 and the rear end 14b of the guide unit 14 of the printing unit 10, indicated by circle D in Figure 9. The swinging unit 54 has the function of tilting the mask M (replacement component) that has been removed along the Z axis from the front slot Sf or rear slot Sb by the front holding mechanism 40 or rear holding mechanism 41 of the holding unit 39 to a position where it will rest on the guide unit 14 of the printing unit 10 (printing device).

[0063] 10(a) shows a state in which the front holding mechanism 40 holds the mask M stored in the front slot Sf, the front holding mechanism 40 is raised to the open position H2, the swing motor 56 is operated to rotate the pusher 57 to the first rotation position U1, and then the front holding mechanism 40 is lowered to the first placement height H3 (predetermined height). In this state, the bottom end Mb of the mask M lands on the top surface of the guide unit 14 forward of the rear end 14b. At this time, the inclination of the main surface of the mask M with respect to the guide unit 14 is a first angle θ1.

[0064] 10(b) shows a state in which the mask M stored in the rear slot Sb is held by the front holding mechanism 40, the rear holding mechanism 41 is raised to the open position H2, the swing motor 56 is operated to rotate the pusher 57 to the second rotation position U2, and then the rear holding mechanism 41 is lowered to the second placement height H4 (predetermined height). In this state, the lower end Mb of the mask M lands on the upper surface of the guide unit 14 forward of the rear end 14b. At this time, the inclination of the main surface of the mask M with respect to the guide unit 14 is a second angle θ2. The second angle θ2 is smaller than the first angle θ1 (θ2<θ1).

[0065] In this way, when the mask M (replacement member) is lowered with a part (pusher 57) of the swinging unit 54 in contact with the mask M, the swinging unit 54 (position changing unit) swings the mask M to a position where the lower end Mb of the mask M rests on the guide unit 14 for the mask M provided in the printing unit 10 (printing device) (changing the position of the replacement member). At this time, the swinging unit 54 swings the mask M by pressing a position lower than the center of gravity V of the mask M, which has been lifted by the holding unit 39 to a predetermined height (first placement height H3, second placement height H4), away from the position held by the holding unit 39.

[0066] When the holding unit 39 has multiple holding mechanisms (front holding mechanism 40, rear holding mechanism 41), the swinging unit 54 (position changing unit) swings the mask M (replacement member) held by the holding mechanism (front holding mechanism 40) closest to the printing unit 10 (printing device) to a position (first rotation position U1) where the mask M is placed on the guide unit 14. When the lower end Mb of the mask M is placed on the guide unit 14, the swinging unit 54 rotates the pusher 57 to the retracted position, and the holding unit 39 moves the mask M to a position lower than a predetermined height (first placement height H3, second placement height H4). As a result, the lower end Mb of the mask M slides on the guide unit 14, further reducing the inclination of the main surface of the mask M, until the inclination becomes horizontal and the mask M is transferred to the guide unit 14 (see FIG. 14(b)).

[0067] In this way, the replacement unit 30 (replacement device) can be realized with a small installation area by changing the orientation of the mask M stored with its main surface upright to horizontal and supplying it to the printing unit 10. Note that if the inclination (first angle θ1, second angle θ2) of the main surface of the mask M when the lower end Mb of the mask M lands on the upper surface of the guide unit 14 is large, the frictional force generated between the lower end Mb of the mask M and the guide unit 14 becomes large, and the mask M may not slide forward even when the holding mechanism is lowered. Therefore, it is desirable that the swinging unit 54 swings the mask M so that the inclination (first angle θ1, second angle θ2) of the main surface of the mask M with respect to the guide unit 14 is 75° or less.

[0068] Next, the configuration of the control systems for the printing unit 10 and the replacement unit 30 will be described with reference to Figure 11. Note that for the printing unit 10, the portions related to the mask replacement operation will be mainly described. The printing control unit 21 provided in the printing unit 10 is connected to the lifting cylinder 17 and front-rear movement mechanism 18 of the mask movement unit 15, the air conditioning unit 81, the exhaust unit 82, and the receiving unit 26. The printing control unit 21 includes a print processing unit 22, a print memory unit 23, and a determination unit 25. The receiving unit 26 is a communication interface that receives various information transmitted from the replacement unit 30 via a signal line 59.

[0069] The print storage unit 23 is realized by, for example, a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The print storage unit 23 stores information about replacement parts such as the mask M transported by the storage unit 70 and supplied by the replacement unit 30, information about the substrate B on which the paste P is printed, and the like. The print processing unit 22, determination unit 25, and other processing units are realized by, for example, a memory that stores control programs executed by each processing unit, and a processor that executes the control programs. The print processing unit 22 executes a replacement process for the mask M used in the printing operation based on the various information stored in the print storage unit 23.

[0070] 11, the exchange control unit 60 provided in the exchange unit 30 is connected to the touch panel 36, the lifting motor 46 of the holding unit 39, the front cylinder 47, the rear cylinder 48, the swing motor 56 of the swinging unit 54 (position changing unit), the linear motion mechanism 92 of the mounting unit 90, the gripping cylinder 93, the grip detection unit 99, the magnetic sensor 98, and the transmission unit 63. The exchange control unit 60 is equipped with an exchange processing unit 61 and an exchange memory unit 62. The transmission unit 63 is a communication interface and transmits various types of information to the printing unit 10 via a signal line 59.

[0071] The exchange storage unit 62 is realized by, for example, a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc. The exchange storage unit 62 stores information about exchange parts such as the mask M that are transported by the storage unit 70 and supplied to the printing unit 10, and that are received from the printing unit 10 and stored in the storage unit 70. The exchange processing unit 61 is realized by, for example, a memory that stores a control program executed by the exchange processing unit 61, and a processor that executes the control program.

[0072] In Figure 11, the exchange processing unit 61 executes various processes based on various information stored in the exchange memory unit 62, such as a storage unit grasping process to grasp the storage unit 70, a storage unit moving process to move the storage unit 70, a storage unit release process to open the storage unit 70, a supply process to supply a mask M (replacement member) to the printing unit 10, and a recovery process to recover the mask M from the printing unit 10.

[0073] 7 and 8, a storage unit mounting method (storage unit gripping process, storage unit moving process, storage unit release process) for mounting the storage unit 70A in the mounting opening 33 of the exchange unit 30, as well as control by the exchange control unit 60, will be described. Note that the mounting method for mounting the storage unit 70 to the exchange unit 30 is also similar, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0074] In Figure 7(a), first, the replacement processing unit 61 possessed by the replacement control unit 60 controls the linear motion mechanism 92 to move the shaft member 95 and the shaft guide member 96 to the mounting position R1, and controls the gripping cylinder 93 to set the shaft member 95 in a mounting standby state in which it does not protrude from the lower opening 96b of the shaft guide member 96 (mounting standby process).

[0075] Next, the storage unit 70A is inserted through the mounting opening 33 (arrow e1) by an operator or an automated guided vehicle, and the storage unit 70A is pushed into the storage space 34 until the front surface 91a of the attached portion 91 abuts against the abutment surface 96d of the shaft guide member 96 (storage unit mounting step) (FIG. 7(b)). When the magnet 97 of the storage unit 70A is positioned opposite the magnetic sensor 98 of the replacement unit 30, the magnetic sensor 98 (mounting detection unit) detects the mounted state of the storage unit 70A mounted on the replacement unit 30 (mounting detection step).

[0076] 8(a), when the magnetic sensor 98 (attachment detection unit) detects the attached state, the replacement processing unit 61 controls the gripping cylinder 93 to lower the shaft member 95 (arrow e2) and insert the shaft member 95 into the through-hole 91b of the attached portion 91 (storage portion gripping step). When the shaft member 95 is inserted into the through-hole 91b, the gripping detection unit 99 detects a gripping state in which the attaching portion 90 grips the attached portion 91 (gripping detection step).

[0077] 8, when the magnetic sensor 98 (wearing detection unit) detects the wearing state and the gripping detection unit 99 detects the gripping state, the replacement processing unit 61 of the replacement control unit 60 (control unit) enables the replacement unit 30 to execute the supplying process and the collecting process of the mask M (replacement member). In the supplying process or the collecting process, the replacement processing unit 61 controls the linear motion mechanism 92 to move the storage unit 70A (slot unit 73) back and forth in the Y-axis direction so that the multiple slots (first slot S1 to fourth slot S4) of the slot unit 73 are located at predetermined removal positions (first removal position Q1, second removal position Q2) of the replacement unit 30 (storage unit moving process).

[0078] The storage unit removal method for removing the storage unit 70A from the mounting opening 33 of the exchange unit 30 involves the reverse procedure of the storage unit mounting method described above. That is, the exchange processing unit 61 controls the linear motion mechanism 92 to move the shaft member 95 and the shaft guide member 96 to the mounting position R1 (removal position movement step) (FIG. 8(a)). Next, the exchange processing unit 61 controls the gripping cylinder 93 to raise the shaft member 95 to a mounting standby state where it does not protrude from the lower opening 96b of the shaft guide member 96, and releases the grip of the attached portion 91 (storage unit grip release step) (FIG. 7(b)). Next, the operator or the automated guided vehicle moves the storage unit 70A backward, thereby removing the storage unit 70A from the exchange unit 30 (FIG. 7(a)).

[0079] 12 and 13, a description will be given of a replacement part collection method (collection process) in which the replacement part 30 collects the mask M1 (replacement part) from the printing part 10, as well as control by the print control part 21 and the replacement control part 60. Here, an example will be described in which the replacement part 30 collects the mask M1 from the printing part 10 and stores it in the front slot Sf of the storage part 70.

[0080] First, the replacement processing unit 61 of the replacement control unit 60 controls the lifting motor 46 of the holding unit 39 to move the height of the pair of front holding mechanisms 40 to the guide unit height H5 at which the frame body Mf of the mask M1 discharged from the rear opening 19 of the printing unit 10 along the guide unit 14 is located (discharge height movement process) (Figure 12(a)).

[0081] 12(a), the print processing unit 22 included in the print control unit 21 then controls the front-rear movement mechanism 18 to move the lift cylinder 17 to the front side of the mask M1 (the side farther from the replacement unit 30), and controls the lift cylinder 17 to lower the contact member 16 (arrow f1). Next, the print processing unit 22 controls the front-rear movement mechanism 18 to move the lift cylinder 17 toward the replacement unit 30, and moves the rear frame Mf to a position where it can be held by the pads 52 of the pair of front holding mechanisms 40 (replacement member ejection step) (arrow f2).

[0082] Next, the replacement processing unit 61 controls the front cylinder 47 to protrude the piston, and holds both end surfaces of the mask M1 (replacement member) with the pair of pads 52 (replacement member holding process). In Figures 12 to 14, the states in which the pads 52 of the front holding mechanism 40 or the rear holding mechanism 41 hold both end surfaces of the mask M1 or the mask M2 are indicated by black circles.

[0083] In Figure 12(b), the replacement processing unit 61 then controls the lifting motor 46 to raise the pair of front holding mechanisms 40 to an upright height H6 at which the main surface of the mask M1 (replacement member) being held is upright (replacement member uprighting process) (arrow f3).

[0084] In Figure 13(a), when the main surface of the mask M1 is in an upright state, the replacement processing unit 61 controls the lifting motor 46 to lower the pair of front holding mechanisms 40 to a landing height H7 at which the held mask M1 (replacement member) lands in the front slot Sf (arrow f4) (replacement member landing process).

[0085] In Figure 13(b), the replacement processing unit 61 then controls the front cylinder 47 to retract the piston, moving the pair of pads 52 away from both end surfaces of the mask M1 and releasing the mask M1 from the front holding mechanism 40 (replacement member release process).

[0086] 13(b), 14, and 15, a description will be given of a replacement part supply method (supply process) in which the replacement part 30 supplies the mask M2 (replacement part) to the printing part 10, as well as control by the printing control part 21 and the replacement control part 60. Here, an example will be described in which the replacement part 30 supplies the mask M2 stored in the rear slot Sb of the storage part 70 to the printing part 10.

[0087] First, the replacement processing unit 61 of the replacement control unit 60 controls the lifting motor 46 of the holding unit 39 to move the height of the pair of rear holding mechanisms 41 to a holding height H8 at which the pads 52 of the rear holding mechanisms 41 can hold both end faces of the mask M2 stored in the rear slot Sb (holding height movement process) (Figure 13(b)).

[0088] In FIG. 13(b), the replacement processing unit 61 then controls the rear cylinder 48 to protrude the piston 48a and hold both end surfaces of the mask M2 with the pair of pads 52 (replacement member holding step).

[0089] 14(a), the replacement processing unit 61 then controls the lift motor 46 to lift the rear holding mechanism 41 to a rotation height H9 where the lower end of the rotated mask M2 enters the inside of the rear opening 19 of the printing unit 10 (replacement member lifting step) (arrow g1). Next, the replacement processing unit 61 controls the swing motor 56 to move the pusher 57 toward the mask M2 (arrow g2) and bring the pusher 57 into contact with the back surface of the mask M2. In addition, the printing processing unit 22 controls the front-rear movement mechanism 18 to move the lift cylinder 17 to a position where movement of the mask M2 begins (arrow g3).

[0090] 14(b), the replacement processing unit 61 then controls the swing motor 56 to rotate the pusher 57 to the second rotation position U2 (replacement member swinging step) (arrow g4). Next, the replacement processing unit 61 controls the lifting motor 46 to lower the pair of rear holding mechanisms 41 to the second placement height H4 (placement height lowering step) (arrow g5). As a result, the lower end Mb of the mask M2 lands on the upper surface of the guide unit 14 (see FIG. 10(b)).

[0091] Next, the replacement processing unit 61 controls the swing motor 56 to rotate the pusher 57 to the retracted position (pusher retraction step). Next, the replacement processing unit 61 controls the lifting motor 46 to lower the pair of rear holding mechanisms 41 to the guide unit height H5 (mounting height lowering step). As a result, the main surface of the mask M2 becomes horizontal with a portion of the mask M2 placed on the guide unit 14.

[0092] In Figure 14(b), when the main surface of the mask M2 becomes horizontal, the printing processing unit 22 controls the lifting cylinder 17 to lower the abutment member 16 (arrow g6) and abut the abutment member 16 against the rear side of the frame body Mf on the front side of the mask M2.

[0093] 15(a), the replacement processing unit 61 then controls the rear cylinder 48 to retract the piston 48a, moving the pair of pads 52 away from both end surfaces of the mask M2 and releasing the mask M2 from the pair of rear holding mechanisms 41 (replacement member releasing step). Once the mask M2 has been released from the pair of rear holding mechanisms 41, the print processing unit 22 controls the front-rear movement mechanism 18 to move the lifting cylinder 17 toward the mask holding unit 14a, causing the abutment member 16 to press the front side of the mask M2 (arrow g7).

[0094] 15(b), the print processing unit 22 then raises the contact member 16, moves the lift cylinder 17 rearward, and lowers the contact member 16. Finally, the contact member 16 pushes the rear side of the frame Mf behind the mask M2, moving the mask M2 to the mask holding unit 14a (arrow g8). The print processing unit 22 then controls the mask holding unit 14a to have the holding mechanism hold the mask M2 (replaceable member). This makes the print unit 10 ready for printing using the mask M2.

[0095] 15(a), when the collection process or the supply process is completed, the exchange processing unit 61 included in the exchange control unit 60 controls the lift motor 46 of the holding unit 39 to move the holding mechanisms (front holding mechanism 40, rear holding mechanism 41) to the closed position H1 (arrow h1). As a result, the opening 32 is covered by the shutter unit 37 (closing step).

[0096] 11, the transmitter 63 transmits shutter position information regarding the position of the shutter unit 37 to the receiver 26. The receiver 26 receives the shutter position information transmitted from the transmitter 63. The determiner 25 determines whether the shutter unit 37 is located at the closed position H1 based on the shutter position information received by the receiver 26.

[0097] The print processing unit 22 included in the print control unit 21 (control unit) controls the print operation to be executed when the determination unit 25 determines that the shutter unit 37 is located at the closed position H1. Also, the print processing unit 22 controls the print operation not to be executed when the determination unit 25 determines that the shutter unit 37 is not located at the closed position H1.

[0098] That is, in the screen printing method of the present embodiment, when the shutter unit 37 is located in the closed position H1, the printing unit 10 executes the printing operation, and when the shutter unit 37 is not located in the closed position H1, the printing unit 10 does not execute the printing operation. This allows the printing operation to be performed safely in the printing unit 10 regardless of the state of the replacement unit 30, including work on the replacement unit 30 when the storage unit 70 is not attached to the replacement unit 30, as will be described later.

[0099] The determination unit 25 may be provided in the printing unit 10, or may be provided in the replacement unit 30 or another computer (control unit). When the replacement unit 30 is configured to include the determination unit 25, the transmission unit 63 of the replacement unit 30 transmits the determination result of the determination unit 25, and the reception unit 26 of the printing unit 10 receives the determination result transmitted from the transmission unit 63. Then, based on the determination result, the print control unit 21 (control unit) of the printing unit 10 performs control to execute a printing operation when the shutter unit 37 is located in the closed position H1, and not to execute a printing operation when the shutter unit 37 is not located in the closed position H1.

[0100] 11, when the determination unit 25 determines that the shutter unit 37 is located at the closed position H1, the print processing unit 22 controls the exhaust unit 82 to exhaust air from inside the print unit 10 at a predetermined exhaust volume. When the determination unit 25 determines that the shutter unit 37 is not located at the closed position H1, the print processing unit 22 stops the exhaust unit 82 or controls the exhaust volume to be reduced.

[0101] That is, the exhaust unit 82 exhausts a predetermined amount of air when the opening 32 is covered by the shutter unit 37, and stops exhausting air or reduces the amount of air exhausted when the opening 32 is opened. This prevents air (outside air) whose temperature and humidity have not been adjusted from flowing into the printing unit 10 through the opening 32.

[0102] Next, a method for removing the storage unit 70 by an operator from the mounting opening 33 of the replacement unit 30 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0103] 15(a), when the touch panel 36 is operated and the replacement processing unit 61 receives a command to release the lock, the replacement processing unit 61 controls the lifting mechanism E to close the opening 32 with the shutter unit 37 (closing step). Once the opening 32 is closed, the replacement processing unit 61 controls the gripping cylinder 93 to raise the shaft member 95 and release the grip on the attached portion 91 (storage unit grip release step). Once the grip release process is complete, the replacement processing unit 61 displays on the touch panel 36 the message "Preparation for removing storage unit 70 is complete."

[0104] 15(b), when preparations for removing the storage unit 70 are complete, the worker retracts the storage unit 70 (arrow h2) and removes it from the mounting opening 33 of the replacement unit 30 (storage unit removal process). In the replacement unit 30 of this embodiment, even when the storage unit 70 is not mounted in the mounting opening 33, the opening 32 is covered by the shutter 37, so the worker cannot access the inside of the printing unit 10 from the opening 32. Therefore, even when the storage unit 70 is not mounted in the mounting opening 33, the printing operation can be performed safely in the printing unit 10.

[0105] Next, another embodiment of the storage unit (hereinafter referred to as "storage unit 70B") and the replacement unit 30B corresponding to storage unit 70B will be described with reference to Figures 16 and 17. Storage unit 70B differs from storage unit 70A shown in Figures 7 and 8 in that slot portion 73B is movable in the mounting direction of storage unit 70B (Y-axis direction) relative to rear panel 74. Hereinafter, the same parts as storage unit 70A will be assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

[0106] In FIG. 16(a), the storage section 70B has a bottom plate 76 provided with wheels 75. A back plate 74 is fixed to the rear side of the bottom plate 76. Furthermore, a rail 77 is provided on the top surface of the bottom plate 76 along the mounting direction (Y-axis direction). The slot section 73B moves on the rail 77 in the mounting direction. The slot section 73B has four slots (first slot S1 to fourth slot S4) that can store a mask M (replacement member). An attachment section 91 is fixed to a right side surface 73BR of the slot section 73B.

[0107] An attachment plate 78 is provided on the back plate 74, facing the right side surface 73BR of the slot portion 73B. A second attachment portion 100 and a magnet 97 are arranged on the outer surface of the attachment plate 78 (the surface opposite the right side surface 73BR). Similar to the attachment portion 91, the second attachment portion 100 has a second through-hole 100b that penetrates vertically. The storage portion 70B is provided with a biasing means 101, such as a helical spring, one end of which is fixed to the back plate 74 and the other end of which is fixed to the slot portion 73B. The slot portion 73B is biased toward the back plate 74 by the biasing means 101, and is positioned in an initial position on the bottom plate 76 by a stopper (not shown).

[0108] In Figure 16(b), an attachment portion 90 having a linear motion mechanism 92, a gripping cylinder 93, a shaft member 95, a shaft guide member 96, and a gripping detection portion 99 is provided on the right wall 34BR of the storage space 34B of the replacement part 30B at a position corresponding to the attached portion 91 of the storage part 70B.

[0109] A second mounting portion 102 having a second gripping cylinder, a second shaft member 103, a second shaft guide member 104, and a second gripping detection unit is provided on the right wall 34BR of the storage space 34B of the replacement unit 30B at a position corresponding to the second mounted portion 100 of the storage unit 70B. The second shaft guide member 104 is fixed in position relative to the right wall 34BR of the storage space 34B. A guide hole 104a is formed in the second shaft guide member 104, which penetrates vertically and into which the second shaft member 103 is inserted. The second gripping cylinder and the second gripping detection unit are connected to the replacement control unit 60.

[0110] 17(a) shows an attached state in which the mounting portion 90 of the replacement part 30B is in an attachment standby state and the storage part 70B is inserted (arrow i1) through the attachment opening 33 of the replacement part 30B. In the attached state, the front surface 91a of the attached part 91 abuts against the abutment surface 96d of the shaft guide member 96, and the front surface 100a of the second attached part 100 abuts against the abutment surface 104b of the second shaft guide member 104 and is stopped. In this state, the magnet 97 of the storage part 70B is positioned opposite the magnetic sensor 98 of the replacement part 30B, and the magnetic sensor 98 (attachment detection part) detects the attached state in which the storage part 70B is attached to the replacement part 30B.

[0111] When the magnetic sensor 98 detects the attached state, the replacement processing unit 61 controls the gripping cylinder 93 to lower the shaft member 95 (arrow i2) and grip the attached portion 91. When the shaft member 95 is inserted into the through-hole 91b, the grip detection unit 99 detects the gripping state in which the attaching portion 90 grips the attached portion 91. In addition, the replacement processing unit 61 controls the second gripping cylinder to lower the second shaft member 103 (arrow i3) and grip the second attached portion 100. When the second shaft member 103 is inserted into the second through-hole 100b, the second grip detection unit detects the gripping state in which the second attaching portion 102 grips the second attached portion 100.

[0112] 17(b), when the replacement processing unit 61 controls the linear motion mechanism 92 of the mounting unit 90 in the gripped state to move the slide unit 92b back and forth between the mounting position R1 and the second position R2 (arrow i4), the slot portion 73B of the storage unit 70B moves back and forth (arrow i5). As a result, one of the first slot S1 to the fourth slot S4 moves to the first removal position Q1 or the second removal position Q2, and the mask M (replacement member) is stored in or removed from each slot. In this way, the storage unit 70B stores the mask M (replacement member) and has the slot portion 73B that is movable in the mounting direction of the storage unit 70B (Y-axis direction) in conjunction with the movement of the mounting portion 91.

[0113] Next, another embodiment of the shutter unit (hereinafter referred to as "shutter unit 37A") will be described with reference to Figure 18. The shutter unit 37A is configured with a plurality of (here, three) plate members, which differs from the shutter unit 37 configured with one plate member shown in Figures 2 to 4. Hereinafter, the same parts as those in the shutter unit 37 will be given the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted. Figure 18 is a partial perspective view of the vicinity of the opening 32 of the replacement unit 30 as seen from the front. A gasket T is provided around the periphery of the opening 32.

[0114] 18, the shutter section 37A includes a lower plate member 37Aa, a middle plate member 37Ab, and an upper plate member 37Ac. The lower plate member 37Aa, the middle plate member 37Ab, and the upper plate member 37Ac are arranged so as to overlap one another front to back in the Y-axis direction. The lower plate member 37Aa is connected to a lift plate 42 of the lift mechanism E, and is raised and lowered by a lift motor 46 between a closed position H1 and an open position H2.

[0115] When the lower plate member 37Aa descends to the closed position H1, the lower plate member 37Aa, the middle plate member 37Ab, and the upper plate member 37Ac shift vertically and spread apart, covering the opening 32 (FIG. 18(a)). Furthermore, when the lower plate member 37Aa ascends to the open position H2, the lower plate member 37Aa, the middle plate member 37Ab, and the upper plate member 37Ac move above the opening 32 and overlap, opening the opening 32 (FIG. 18(b)). In this way, the shutter unit 37A is made up of multiple plate members (the lower plate member 37Aa, the middle plate member 37Ab, and the upper plate member 37Ac) that overlap at the open position H2. This allows the height above the opening 32 of the replacement unit 30 to be lowered, making the replacement unit 30 more compact.

[0116] Note that the above description has been given using the mask M as an example of the replacement member stored in the storage unit 70 and supplied to the printing unit 10 by the replacement unit 30, but the replacement member is not limited to the mask M. For example, the replacement member may be a transport jig that transports a lower support member that is attached to the upper surface of the substrate holding unit 13c in the printing unit 10 and holds the substrate B from below, a transport jig that transports cleaning paper that wipes off the paste P adhering to the mask M, a transport jig that transports the squeegee 20a, or a transport jig that transports a substrate for test printing. In other words, the replacement member only needs to have the same external shape as the frame Mf of the mask M.

[0117] As described above, the screen printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes the printing unit 10 that performs the printing operation, the replacing unit 30 that supplies a replacement part (mask M) to the printing unit 10, and the storage unit 70 that stores the replacement part and is detachably provided on the replacing unit 30. The replacing unit 30 has an attachment part 90 for holding the attached storage part 70, and the storage part 70 has an attachment receiving part 91 provided corresponding to the attachment part 90.

[0118] This allows the storage section 70 for storing the replacement member (mask M) to be accurately attached to the replacement section 30 that supplies the replacement member to the printing section 10. [Industrial Applicability]

[0119] The screen printing apparatus and screen printing method disclosed herein have the advantage of being able to accurately attach a storage section that stores replacement parts to a replacement section that supplies the replacement parts to a printing section, and are useful in the field of component mounting, where components are mounted on a substrate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 1 Screen printing equipment 10 Printing Department 30, 30B replacement part 70, 70A, 70B storage compartment 73, 73B slot section 90 Mounting part 91 Mounting part 91b Through hole 95 Shaft member 98 Magnetic sensor (wear detection unit) 100 second mounting portion 100b 2nd through hole 102 Second mounting part 103 second shaft member B board F floor M, M1, M2 masks (replacement parts) P Paste

Claims

1. A screen printing apparatus that prints a paste on a substrate using a mask having a predetermined printing pattern, a printing unit that performs a printing operation; a replacement unit that supplies replacement parts to the printing unit; a storage section that stores the replacement member and is detachably provided with respect to the replacement section, the replacement part has an attachment part for gripping the attached storage part, The storage section has a mounting portion provided corresponding to the mounting portion.

2. one of the mounting portion and the mounted portion has a shaft member; The screen printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the other of the mounting portion and the mounted portion has a recess or a through-hole into which the shaft member is inserted.

3. The screen printing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a gripping detection unit that detects a gripping state in which the attaching unit grips the attached portion.

4. The screen printing apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising an attachment detector that detects an attachment state in which the storage unit is attached to the replacement unit.

5. a control unit that controls the supply of the replacement part by the replacement unit; The screen printing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the control unit enables supply of the replacement part when the attachment detection unit detects the attachment state and the grip detection unit detects the grip state.

6. The screen printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion is capable of moving the mounted portion in a mounting direction of the storage portion while gripping the mounted portion.

7. The screen printing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the storage section has a slot section that stores the replacement part and is movable in the mounting direction of the storage section in conjunction with movement of the mounting portion.

8. The screen printing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the storage section is movable on a floor and moves in an attachment direction of the storage section in conjunction with movement of the attachment section.

9. A screen printing method using a screen printing device that prints a paste on a substrate using a mask having a predetermined printing pattern, The screen printing device is a printing unit that performs a printing operation; a replacement unit that supplies replacement parts to the printing unit; a storage section that stores the replacement member and is detachably provided with respect to the replacement section, the replacement part has an attachment part for gripping the attached storage part, the storage section has a mounting portion provided corresponding to the mounting portion, an attachment detection unit that detects an attachment state in which the storage unit is attached to the replacement unit; a gripping detection unit that detects a gripping state in which the attaching unit grips the attached unit; The screen printing method further comprises enabling the replacement unit to supply the replacement part when the installation detection unit detects the installation state and the grip detection unit detects the grip state.

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