Apparatus for manufacturing 3D screen-printed workpieces

Abstract

An apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional screen-printed workpiece, comprising: a printing device for manufacturing at least one screen-printed workpiece in layers through a plurality of printing operations; and a transport device for automatically transporting at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier toward and away from the printing device, wherein the transport device comprises at least one transport rail and a transport vehicle for at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or at least one workpiece carrier, which is movably arranged on the transport rail.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional screen printing workpiece. The present invention similarly relates to a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional screen printing workpiece.

Background Art

[0002] A system for manufacturing a three-dimensional screen printing workpiece is known from the prior art in International Publication No. 2020 / 212371. In this system concept, a transport device designed as a belt conveyor is provided for automatically transporting at least one workpiece carrier. By means of such a transport device, the workpiece carrier can advantageously be automatically transported in a circuit between the printing device and at least one position spaced apart from the printing device. As a result, a high overall utilization rate of the printing device, and thus high productivity, can be ensured.

[0003] However, a transport device designed as a belt conveyor cannot be adapted or modified later without relatively great effort, either with regard to the concept or with regard to the transport layout. Therefore, a system equipped with such a transport device is only suitable within a limited range for various purposes of use or manufacturing conditions.

[0004] The operation of the belt conveyor may furthermore be associated with relatively high friction or high slip. Particles released as a result may introduce impurities, and as a result, depending on the application, deterioration of the quality of the screen printing workpiece produced in each case may occur.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Given the above background, the object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for manufacturing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces that ensures increased flexibility of use while simultaneously guaranteeing high productivity and improved cleanliness conditions during manufacturing. Similarly, the object is to provide a method for manufacturing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] With respect to the apparatus, this objective is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1. The method according to the present invention is the subject of claim 46. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and are described below.

[0007] According to the present invention, an apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional screen-printed workpiece is provided. The apparatus is, in particular, a 3D screen printing machine, and preferably an automatic 3D screen printing machine.

[0008] The apparatus according to the present invention comprises a printing device for manufacturing at least one screen-printed workpiece in layers in at least one or more printing operations, and a transport device for automatically transporting at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier toward and away from the printing device. The transport device has at least one transport rail and a transport vehicle for at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or at least one workpiece carrier, which is movably positioned on the transport rail.

[0009] Therefore, screen-printed workpieces can be manufactured in layers using at least one or more printing operations. Before or after any printing operation on a screen-printed workpiece, each workpiece carrier can be moved toward and / or away from the printing device by a transport device. Thus, different workpiece carriers can be loaded into the printing device during operation, thereby ensuring a high overall utilization rate of the printing device. As a result, downtime for the printing device can be avoided or at least kept low. Overall, this ensures high overall productivity of the system.

[0010] Simultaneously, the configuration of the transport device, comprising transport rails and transport vehicles movably positioned on the transport rails, can avoid or at least reduce relative motion of contacting surfaces. Thus, such a configuration completely avoids or minimizes wear of particles associated with the operation. Consequently, improved cleanliness conditions can be generated with respect to individual manufacturing steps.

[0011] A transport device configured according to the present invention can prevent undesirable contamination of screen-printed workpieces produced in each case by particles resulting from friction. As a result, the apparatus according to the present invention can produce screen-printed workpieces that meet high cleanliness or hygiene requirements.

[0012] Finally, the configuration of the transport device according to the present invention, comprising at least one transport rail and transport vehicles positioned on the transport rail, ensures a high degree of flexibility. The system layout can be adapted with minimal effort, or newly or later to a different configuration. Adaptation of the equipment layout can be performed, for example, in-line, via switches and / or bypasses. In this way, depending on the purpose of the application and manufacturing requirements, additional devices can be integrated with the printing device with minimal effort, or removed from the equipment again.

[0013] In this case, three-dimensional screen printing can be understood as an additive manufacturing method in which a powder-based suspension is transferred onto a substrate through a solid printing mask using a doctor blade and then dried. This procedure can be repeated multiple times until the desired height or shape of the component is achieved in each case. In the final process step, the components thus manufactured can be sintered. As a result, a screen-printed workpiece can be produced.

[0014] In this case, three-dimensional screen printing can also be understood as an additive manufacturing method in which a powder-based suspension is transferred onto a substrate through a solid printing mask using a doctor blade and dried, and the desired component height or shape in each case is already achieved by a single print. In the final process step, the components thus manufactured can be sintered to produce a screen-printed workpiece. Although multiple printing operations are mentioned in this case, there may be cases where a single printing operation is already sufficient and appropriate.

[0015] In this case, the screen-printed workpiece can, in a preferred form, be understood as a workpiece that undergoes or has undergone a sintering step, or as a three-dimensional printed product. This is particularly true for workpieces made of metal, ceramic, glass, and / or plastic materials. For this purpose in particular, alloys made of steel, nickel, copper, titanium, and / or ceramic alloys are considered.

[0016] Printed products made from plastic materials may be excluded or included by the term "3D screen printed workpieces." In particular, it may be possible to perform a sintering step on the printed workpiece layers made from plastic materials.

[0017] In this case, the screen-printed workpiece can also be understood as a workpiece or 3D printed product that is manufactured without a sintering step, or that can be finished without a sintering step, or that is to be finished without a sintering step. As a result, the final curing of the printed layers can also be done without a sintering step. The curing of the screen-printed workpiece can also be advantageously carried out by UV curing and / or polymerization reaction and / or drying, particularly convection drying. Such curing is particularly preferred when the final curing of the printed layers is intended to be done without a sintering step.

[0018] Screen-printed workpieces in the sense of the present invention may further be pharmaceuticals and / or biological preparations. Such screen-printed workpieces can be manufactured, among other things, from pharmaceutical powder materials and / or powder mixtures and / or granules and / or biological materials. In particular, pharmaceuticals and / or biological preparations can be finished without a sintering step or can be sufficiently cured to suit their respective applications.

[0019] Screen-printed workpieces manufactured from pharmaceutical powder materials and / or powder mixtures and / or granules may contain pharmaceuticals, active substances, auxiliaries, and especially fillers and / or binders and / or disintegrants and / or lubricants.

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

[0021] More preferably, the apparatus according to the present invention for manufacturing screen-printed workpieces can be designed and / or configured for applications in medical technology, optical technology and / or laser technology, aerospace technology, semiconductor technology, biotechnology, and / or medical and / or pharmacological research.

[0022] Similarly, the apparatus according to the present invention for manufacturing screen-printed workpieces may also be designed and / or configured for use and / or application as medical products and / or pharmaceuticals, implants and / or sterile products and / or drugs, and / or tablets for the administration of active substances.

[0023] In a more preferred configuration, the transport device can be configured to automatically transport at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier toward and away from the print table of the printing device. Such a print table may, in particular, have a print table plate.

[0024] The printing table or printing table plate can advantageously be brought into contact with the underside of the workpiece carrier for performing the printing operation and can support the workpiece carrier during the printing operation. Thus, the printing table or printing table plate preferably does not function for direct printing or as a direct printing base or for providing a surface to be printed. Instead, the printing table or printing table plate can advantageously be designed and / or arranged to temporarily contact, lift, and / or support the workpiece carrier.

[0025] According to the teachings of the present invention, the workpiece carrier can more advantageously be provided and / or designed for direct printing. In this case, the workpiece carrier in the sense of the teachings of the present invention can also have a coating on which a printed layer can be applied. Thus, the workpiece carrier or the coating of such a workpiece carrier can be provided for use as a direct printing base or for providing a surface to be printed and / or arranged within the device.

[0026] According to the present invention, the screen printing workpiece can be a workpiece constructed on the workpiece carrier by three-dimensional screen printing in one or more printing operations. In this case, the screen printing workpiece is in particular a workpiece that can be released again from the workpiece carrier, in particular non-destructively, after completion of the printing operation and / or after completion of the sintering operation following the printing operation.

[0027] Between any printing operations for the screen printing workpiece, each workpiece carrier can be released from or can be releasable from the printing table or printing table plate. The individual layers of the screen printing workpiece (in the case of a multi-layer structure) can be dried at a position remote from the printing table or printing table plate during the interval between two successive printing operations.

[0028] In a further preferred form, the transport device can be formed separately from and / or independently of the printing device. As a result, the overall modular configuration of the device is enabled or further facilitated. The transport device can be configured independently of the printing device and can be arranged to connect the printing device to at least one further device or location within the device.

[0029] Furthermore, a transport device formed separately from and / or independently of the printing device can simplify the replenishment and / or replacement of the printing device, particularly the replenishment of further units within the device, or the replacement of the printing device by another printing device.

[0030] Although the transport device is formed separately from and / or independently of the printing device, it can be adapted to the printing device, particularly to enable reliable transport of the workpiece carrier and / or the screen printing workpiece towards and / or away from the printing device.

[0031] The transport device can particularly preferably run through the printing device. In this way, it is possible to ensure particularly advantageous space-saving transport of the workpiece carrier and / or the screen printing workpiece towards and / or away from the printing device. As a result, the printing device can be particularly advantageously connected to further devices or device modules. In the case of an overall modular device structure, a high degree of integration of each device or device module can be ensured in this way.

[0032] In a further preferred configuration, the transport vehicle may have at least one drive device, the drive device having a drive roller and / or a drive motor for the drive roller, which is positioned on the transport vehicle to move together with the transport vehicle and / or rolls on a transport rail. Thus, such transport vehicles can move or be driven on their respective transport rails independently of further transport vehicles. This allows for the individual movement of transport vehicles within the apparatus and thus also allows for the individual transport of workpiece carriers positioned on the transport vehicles in each case, or screen printing workpieces positioned on the transport vehicles in each case.

[0033] In a more preferred configuration, the transport vehicle may have at least one support device for support on the transport rail, in particular a support roller that rolls on the transport rail for supporting the transport vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the transport vehicle may be supported on the transport rail via roller contact points, in particular via only the roller contact points of one drive roller and / or support roller, or via the roller contact points of multiple drive rollers and / or support rollers. In this way, safe and stable guidance of the transport vehicle on the transport rail can be achieved, and thus particularly safe transport of the workpiece carrier and / or screen-printed workpieces can be achieved.

[0034] The transport rail can preferably be designed as a monorail and / or have multiple monorail sections connected to one another, particularly monorail sections connected to one another in the longitudinal direction. More preferably, the transport rail is assembled in a modular manner and / or consists of multiple rail modules.

[0035] Monorails are provided, in particular, as so-called single rails or to form individual travel paths for each transport vehicle. In a monorail configuration, transport vehicles are supported only on the transport rails that form their individual travel paths. Therefore, in the case of monorails, no further transport rails extending parallel to support each transport vehicle simultaneously are provided. Such monorails ensure a compact and stable structure and, by connecting multiple monorail sections and / or multiple rail modules, various transport configurations and route profiles can be realized at minimal expense and low cost.

[0036] More preferably, the transport vehicle can be positioned on the transport rail so as to engage with the transport rail on multiple sides, particularly on three sides, along the longitudinal section of the transport rail. As a result, advantageously, the stability of the transport vehicle on the transport rail can be improved.

[0037] In a more preferred embodiment, the transport vehicle may have at least one position sensor and / or one distance sensor. As a result, highly reliable position monitoring and / or position control of the transport vehicle can be achieved. In particular, such a configuration can prevent collisions between two transport vehicles.

[0038] Furthermore, the transport vehicle can be designed to communicate with a control module located on the transport rail. Communication via such a control module allows signals to be sent to the transport vehicle in each case to define the desired transport route and / or transport speed or course.

[0039] Therefore, according to a further preferred configuration, at least one control module can be placed on the transport rail. Such a control module can be configured to communicate with a higher-level device controller and / or with at least one transport vehicle to control the transport route and / or transport speed of each transport vehicle. Through such a control module, each transport vehicle, in particular multiple transport vehicles, can be controlled in a particularly advantageous manner, i.e., by the higher-level device controller. The transport routes and / or transport speeds of multiple transport vehicles can be coordinated with each other. Similarly, the transport routes and / or transport speeds of the transport vehicles can be adapted to the processing and processing time of each screen-printed workpiece.

[0040] As an addition or alternative, at least one control unit, particularly a control cam, for controlling the speed of the transport vehicle can be placed on the transport rail. Such a control unit can preferably be specifically designed for controlling the speed of the transport vehicle. In this way, the transport speed and / or transport course of the transport vehicle can be influenced with only minimal equipment effort.

[0041] A more preferred configuration allows for the placement of at least one position sensor and / or one distance sensor on the transport rail. The position and / or distance sensors enable highly reliable avoidance of collisions between transport vehicles, particularly adjacent transport vehicles, or between transport vehicles positioned one behind the other on the transport rail.

[0042] More preferably, the transport device may have a collision monitoring system to avoid collisions between transport vehicles. In this case, the collision monitoring system may be configured for signal processing of distance and / or position sensors and / or control modules and / or control units for transport rails. In this way, the operational reliability of the device can be further improved and the degree of automation can be further increased.

[0043] In a further preferred configuration, the transport vehicle may have a superstructure for housing a workpiece carrier for screen printing workpieces. Similarly, the transport vehicle may have a runner device having a drive device. The superstructure may preferably be located on the runner device of the transport vehicle. Thus, the drive and receiving functions for the workpiece carrier can be provided by different sections or parts of the transport vehicle. In particular, a functional subdivision of the transport vehicle, namely, a subdivision into drive and receiving functions for the workpiece carrier, can be realized in this way.

[0044] In a more preferred embodiment, the superstructure and / or the transport section of the superstructure may define a receiving plane for a workpiece carrier, the receiving plane extending at a certain distance from the runner device and / or drive device, and in particular at a vertical distance.

[0045] The transport section may be a superstructure section capable of transporting or housing a workpiece carrier. During the operation of the transport device, such a configuration allows for maintaining a sufficient distance between the workpiece carrier to be transported and the runner device or drive device in each case.

[0046] To the extent that particles are released as a result of friction within the drive device and / or runner direction region, this occurs at a location away from the workpiece carrier and therefore away from the screen-printed workpiece positioned on the workpiece carrier. In this way, the risk of undesirable contamination of the screen-printed workpiece can be further reduced. As a result, there is an even greater improvement in the suitability of the equipment for use under cleanroom conditions.

[0047] In a more preferred embodiment, the superstructure, particularly the one containing the workpiece carrier, can, in a plan view, at least partially cover the runner device and / or the drive device, and / or protrude beyond at least one side end of the runner device. Such covering and / or protrusion can reduce, with minimal structural effort, the risk of particles released at the level of the runner device and / or drive device rising to a level above the superstructure and accumulating on the workpiece carrier or the screen-printed workpiece located thereon. Thus, cleanliness conditions for the manufacture of three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces can be further improved.

[0048] Furthermore, it may be advantageous if the superstructure is C-shaped and / or forms free space for accommodating the printing table of the printing device. In this case, in the cross-section of the superstructure, the center of the surface can be positioned laterally offset with respect to the center of gravity of the superstructure. Such a configuration can be easily realized structurally and at the same time ensures that the workpiece carrier positioned in the superstructure can be made contact with the printing table with high safety and stability, especially for performing printing operations.

[0049] In a more preferred embodiment, the superstructure may have a base section for fastening to a runner device, a transport section for housing a workpiece carrier, and a connecting section for connecting the transport section to the base section, and a free space for housing a printing table and / or for contacting the underside of the workpiece carrier may preferably be formed between the base section and the transport section and / or defined laterally by the connecting section. At the same time, a stable structure of the superstructure is ensured, and at the same time, good access from below to the workpiece carrier positioned in the superstructure is also provided.

[0050] In a more preferred embodiment, the height of the free space and / or the distance between the base section and the transport section may be up to 150 mm, more preferably up to 140 mm, more preferably up to 130 mm, more preferably up to 120 mm, more preferably up to 110 mm, more preferably up to 100 mm, more preferably up to 95 mm, particularly up to 90 mm, or about 90 mm. Such a configuration ensures a sufficiently compact structure and, at the same time, advantageously ensures the temporary accommodation of device components in the free space between the base section and the transport section.

[0051] In a more preferred embodiment, the height of the free space and / or the distance between the base section and the transport section may be at least 20 mm, more preferably at least 30 mm, more preferably at least 40 mm, more preferably at least 50 mm, more preferably at least 60 mm, more preferably at least 70 mm, more preferably at least 80 mm, more preferably at least 85 mm, and particularly at least 90 mm. As a result, the free space between the base section and the transport section can advantageously function to temporarily accommodate equipment components while reducing the risk of collision.

[0052] In a more preferred embodiment, the height of the free space and / or the distance between the base section and the transport section may be between 20 mm and 150 mm, more preferably between 30 mm and 140 mm, more preferably between 40 mm and 130 mm, more preferably between 50 mm and 120 mm, more preferably between 60 mm and 110 mm, more preferably between 70 mm and 100 mm, more preferably between 80 mm and 100 mm, more preferably between 85 mm and 95 mm, and particularly about 90 mm. Such dimensional settings for the free space, or the distance between the base section and the transport section, ensure a compact and robust structure while reducing the risk of collisions during the process of arranging the device components in the free space.

[0053] Furthermore, it may be advantageous if the superstructure and / or the transport section of the superstructure are mounted to be vertically movable relative to the runner device and / or arranged to be height adjustable. Additionally or alternatively, the superstructure and / or the transport section of the superstructure may be arranged to be raised relative to the runner device by the print table of the printing device.

[0054] Such a configuration allows the superstructure and / or the transport section of the superstructure to be moved or raised vertically relative to the runner device to perform printing operations. As a result, when performing printing operations, the superstructure and / or the transport section of the superstructure can be raised relative to the runner device along with their respective workpiece carriers, thereby increasing stability and positioning. The forces generated during printing operations can be adequately absorbed by the printing table in the raised state, while the transmission or absorption of forces by the runner device and / or transport rails can be avoided.

[0055] The vertically movable arrangement or mounting of the superstructure to the runner device can be provided independently of the vertical adjustability of the superstructure and / or the transport section of the superstructure to the runner device.

[0056] The vertical adjustability of the superstructure and / or the transport section of the superstructure relative to the runner device can be ensured, in particular by at least one adjustment screw, and especially by multiple adjustment screws. As a result, proper orientation and adjustment of the height of the superstructure and / or support section can be ensured. Therefore, the lifting operation of the superstructure and / or the transport section of the superstructure by the printing table can be performed starting from the correctly set initial height of the superstructure and / or the transport section of the superstructure.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, vertical adjustability of at least 5 mm, preferably at least 10 mm, more preferably at least 15 mm, even more preferably at least 20 mm, and even more preferably at least 30 mm can be provided. As a result, even with relatively large adjustment requirements, it is possible to ensure sufficiently precise height adjustment of the superstructure relative to the runner device and / or the transport section of the superstructure.

[0058] Furthermore, it can provide vertical adjustability of up to 30 mm, preferably up to 20 mm, more preferably up to 15 mm, and even more preferably up to 10 mm. Such a configuration can be achieved in a small installation space while simultaneously ensuring high stability.

[0059] A more preferred configuration allows for limiting the stroke and / or vertical movement of the superstructure and / or the transport section of the superstructure relative to the runner device. Such limiting can be formed particularly by a mechanical stroke limiting device, and especially preferably by stroke limiting claws. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the superstructure or the transport section of the superstructure does not undesirably detach from the runner device. As a result, a high degree of operational reliability is ensured.

[0060] In a more preferred embodiment, the stroke limiting device can limit the stroke of the superstructure and / or the transport section of the superstructure relative to the runner device to a stroke distance of up to 20 mm, more preferably up to 15 mm, more preferably up to 10 mm, and more preferably up to 5 mm.

[0061] In a more preferred embodiment, the stroke limiting device and / or stroke limiting claws can be positioned on the superstructure and / or shape-fitted to engage behind the runner device. By raising the superstructure, the stroke limiting device and / or stroke limiting claws can be shape-fitted to contact and engage with the runner device. In this way, a suitable transport and securing means for the superstructure can be provided with minimal structural effort.

[0062] In a more preferred configuration, the superstructure can be fastened to the runner device via multi-point bearings, particularly three-point or four-point bearings, and / or guided to move vertically. At least one bearing between the superstructure and the runner device can be formed by a bearing mandrel and a mandrel receptacle for the bearing mandrel. In this way, during transport, the safe positioning of the superstructure on the runner device can be ensured. In particular, the superstructure can be positioned horizontally with no play relative to the runner device at the installation position or on the runner device. At the same time, the safe raising of the superstructure can be ensured by the vertically movable guide.

[0063] In a more preferred configuration, multi-point bearings, and / or at least one bearing between the superstructure and the runner device, can be designed for self-alignment and / or self-alignment of the superstructure with respect to the runner device. As a result, correct positioning can be ensured with high reliability and minimal effort during the installation or lowering of the superstructure on the runner device.

[0064] In a more advantageous manner, at least one bearing mandrel may be conically tapered, and / or at least one mandrel receptacle may be conically tapered. As a result, self-alignment of the superstructure relative to the runner device can be achieved in a structurally simple manner. In a more advantageous manner, at least one mandrel receptacle may be conically tapered complementary to the bearing mandrel, resulting in planar contact between the tapered, mutually facing surfaces. Similarly, at least one mandrel receptacle may have a different conical shape than each bearing mandrel, resulting in a particularly small contact surface between the mandrel receptacle and each bearing mandrel.

[0065] More preferably, a mandrel receptacle can be formed on the underside of an adjustment screw for vertical adjustment of the superstructure relative to the runner device. Such an adjustment screw can be screwed into the base section of the superstructure in particular and can be screw-in configurable for vertical adjustment.

[0066] In a more preferred configuration, the transport vehicle, particularly the transport section of the transport vehicle and / or the transport section of the superstructure, can be designed to accommodate and / or secure the workpiece carrier by shape fitting and / or force fitting and / or material joining, and / or at least partially. With respect to the transport of workpiece carriers by such a transport vehicle, a high level of transport reliability can be obtained. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the undesirable dropping or sliding of each workpiece carrier from the transport vehicle during transport.

[0067] In a more preferred configuration, a transport vehicle, particularly the superstructure of the transport vehicle and / or the transport section of the superstructure, can be designed to accommodate and / or at least partially house and / or secure a workpiece carrier having one or more side edge lengths of at least 50 mm, preferably at least 100 mm, preferably at least 150 mm, preferably at least 200 mm, preferably at least 250 mm, preferably at least 300 mm, preferably at least 350 mm, preferably at least 400 mm, preferably at least 450 mm, and more preferably at least 475 mm, in a shape-fit and / or force-fit and / or material-bonded manner. The accommodation and / or securing and / or enclosing of such a dimensioned workpiece carrier enables printing on a relatively large print base or a printable surface of sufficient size.

[0068] In a more preferred configuration, a transport vehicle, particularly the superstructure of the transport vehicle and / or the transport section of the superstructure, can be designed to accommodate and / or secure, at least partially, workpiece carriers having one or more side edge lengths of up to 1000 mm, preferably up to 900 mm, preferably up to 800 mm, preferably up to 700 mm, preferably up to 600 mm, preferably up to 550 mm, more preferably up to 525 mm, and more preferably up to 500 mm, in a shape-fit and / or force-fit and / or material-bonded manner. The accommodation and / or securing and / or enclosure of such dimensioned workpiece carriers allows for a compact and stable overall structure and good handling of each workpiece carrier during positioning in or on the transport vehicle and during removal from the transport vehicle.

[0069] In a more preferred configuration, the transport vehicle, particularly the superstructure of the transport vehicle and / or the transport section of the superstructure, can be designed to accommodate and / or secure, at least partially, a workpiece carrier having one or more side edge lengths of 50mm to 1000mm, preferably 100mm to 900mm, preferably 150mm to 850mm, preferably 200mm to 800mm, preferably 250mm to 750mm, preferably 300mm to 700mm, preferably 350mm to 650mm, preferably 400mm to 600mm, preferably 450mm to 550mm, and more preferably 475mm to 525mm, in a shape-fit and / or force-fit and / or material-bonded manner. Such dimensional settings make it possible to provide a well-dimended print base or a well-dimended print surface, while at the same time enabling a compact and robust structure for the transport vehicle, particularly the superstructure of the transport vehicle.

[0070] In particular, the superstructure of a transport vehicle, and / or the transport section of the superstructure, can be designed to accommodate and / or secure rectangular, square, or substantially square workpiece carriers.

[0071] As an addition or alternative, the superstructure and / or the transport section of the superstructure may be designed to accommodate and / or enclose the workpiece carrier in a defined and / or play-free manner. The enclosure of the workpiece carrier may be provided all around, completely, or partially around all side edges of the workpiece carrier. Such a configuration can further improve the fixed reliability with respect to the workpiece carrier.

[0072] It may also be advantageous if the superstructure of the transport vehicle, and / or the transport section of the superstructure, has a frame device. Such a frame device may be a frame device for housing and / or securing a workpiece carrier, in particular by shape fitting and / or force fitting and / or material joining, and / or at least in part. Such a frame device ensures particularly secure housing and / or securing of the workpiece carrier, and at the same time provides good access to the workpiece carrier for handling during placement within and / or removal from the frame device.

[0073] In a more preferred configuration, the frame device can be designed to accommodate and / or secure a workpiece carrier having one or more side lengths of at least 50 mm, preferably at least 100 mm, preferably at least 150 mm, preferably at least 200 mm, preferably at least 250 mm, preferably at least 300 mm, preferably at least 350 mm, preferably at least 400 mm, preferably at least 450 mm, and more preferably at least 475 mm. The accommodation and / or securing and / or enclosing of the thus-dimensionally sized workpiece carrier enables printing on relatively large print bases or surfaces of sufficiently large dimensions. Therefore, in the printing operation, a large number of screen-printed workpieces can be manufactured in layers, thus ensuring high economic efficiency.

[0074] In a more preferred configuration, the frame device can be designed to accommodate and / or secure a workpiece carrier having one or more side lengths of up to 1000 mm, preferably up to 900 mm, preferably up to 800 mm, preferably up to 700 mm, preferably up to 600 mm, preferably up to 550 mm, more preferably up to 525 mm, and even more preferably up to 500 mm. The accommodation and / or securing and / or enclosing of such dimensioned workpiece carriers enables a compact and stable overall structure of the frame device and also allows for good handling of each workpiece carrier during positioning within each frame device.

[0075] In a more preferred configuration, the frame device can be designed to accommodate and / or secure a workpiece carrier having one or more side lengths of 50mm to 1000mm, preferably 100mm to 900mm, preferably 150mm to 850mm, preferably 200mm to 800mm, preferably 250mm to 750mm, preferably 300mm to 700mm, preferably 350mm to 650mm, preferably 400mm to 600mm, preferably 450mm to 550mm, and more preferably 475mm to 525mm. Such dimensional settings make it possible to provide a well-diminated print base or print surface, while simultaneously enabling a compact and robust structure for the frame device.

[0076] In a more preferred embodiment, the opposing inner edges of the frame device may be at least 50 mm, preferably at least 100 mm, preferably at least 150 mm, preferably at least 200 mm, preferably at least 250 mm, preferably at least 300 mm, preferably at least 350 mm, preferably at least 400 mm, preferably at least 450 mm, and more preferably at least 475 mm apart from each other. Such a configuration allows the frame device to accommodate or enclose a workpiece carrier of sufficiently large dimensions.

[0077] In a more preferred embodiment, the opposing inner edges of such a frame device may be spaced at a distance of up to 1000 mm, preferably up to 900 mm, preferably up to 800 mm, preferably up to 700 mm, preferably up to 600 mm, preferably up to 550 mm, more preferably up to 525 mm, and even more preferably up to 500 mm from each other. As a result, a relatively stable and sufficiently compact workpiece carrier can be housed or enclosed within the frame device.

[0078] More preferably, the opposing inner edges of the frame device can be spaced 50mm to 1000mm, preferably 100mm to 900mm, preferably 150mm to 850mm, preferably 200mm to 800mm, preferably 250mm to 750mm, preferably 300mm to 700mm, preferably 350mm to 650mm, preferably 400mm to 600mm, preferably 450mm to 550mm, and more preferably 475mm to 525mm apart from each other. Such dimensional settings make it possible to house or enclose a workpiece carrier of a size suitable for printing within the printing device, while simultaneously providing a sufficiently stable structure and good handling. In particular, the frame device can be designed to house a square and / or rectangular, or substantially square and / or rectangular, workpiece carrier.

[0079] In a more advantageous manner, the frame device can be designed to accommodate and / or enclose the workpiece carrier in a defined and / or play-free manner. In this way, the position of each workpiece carrier within or on the frame device can be fixed with high precision and reliably maintained throughout subsequent process steps in the apparatus.

[0080] As an addition or alternative, the frame device can define free space for contact with the underside of the workpiece carrier housed and / or enclosed within it. This ensures good access to the underside of the workpiece carrier for contact and / or lifting by the printing table. In this way, direct contact between the printing table of the printing device and each workpiece carrier can be generated with minimal effort for each printing operation.

[0081] In a more preferred embodiment, the transport vehicle, particularly the superstructure and / or transport section and / or frame device of the transport vehicle, may have workpiece carrier mounting sections for force-fitting and / or shape-fitting fixing and / or clamping and / or fastening the workpiece carrier. By such workpiece carrier mounting sections, the workpiece carrier can be fastened particularly securely to or within the transport vehicle and can remain fastened within the device during transport.

[0082] The workpiece carrier mounting section can be designed, in particular, as a multi-point bearing, especially a three-point bearing. Such multi-point or three-point bearings can achieve secure fastening with only minimal or small contact area with the workpiece carrier to be mounted in each case. In this way, the risk of particle release due to wear and the resulting increase in airborne particle concentration can be further reduced. Multi-point or three-point bearings can reliably avoid wear-related particle formation.

[0083] More preferably, the workpiece carrier mounting section can be formed by at least one fixed mounting section and / or at least one locking mechanism, particularly by multiple fixed mounting sections and a locking mechanism located on the opposite side. Such a configuration is structurally simple and allows for simple handling or automation in a structurally cost-effective implementation.

[0084] More preferably, the workpiece carrier mounting section can be designed to secure and / or clamp and / or fasten the workpiece carrier by force and / or shape fitting, with a thickness of at least 0.5 mm, particularly at least 0.8 mm, more preferably at least 1 mm, even more preferably at least 1.5 mm, particularly at least 2 mm, or about 2 mm. Such a workpiece carrier mounting section can enable the use of a workpiece carrier with sufficient stability and thus ensure high operational reliability.

[0085] More preferably, the workpiece carrier mounting section can be designed to secure and / or clamp and / or fasten the workpiece carrier by force and / or shape fitting, with a maximum thickness of 10 mm, particularly 8 mm, even more preferably 6 mm, even more preferably 5 mm, even more preferably 4 mm, even more preferably 3 mm, even more preferably 2.5 mm, particularly 2 mm. Such a workpiece carrier mounting section offers particularly high stability and allows the use of relatively lightweight workpiece carriers.

[0086] More preferably, the workpiece carrier mounting section can be designed to secure and / or clamp and / or fasten the workpiece carrier by force and / or shape fitting, with a thickness of 0.5 mm to 10 mm, particularly 0.8 mm to 8 mm, more preferably 1 mm to 6 mm, even more preferably 1 mm to 5 mm, even more preferably 1 mm to 4 mm, even more preferably 1 mm to 3 mm, even more preferably 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm, particularly about 2 mm. A workpiece carrier mounting section for a workpiece carrier sized in this way provides high stability while being relatively lightweight, thus enabling the use of a workpiece carrier with good handling.

[0087] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism can be formed by a slide having a chamfered and / or inclined contact surface with respect to the sliding direction of the slide. The chamfered configuration, or the inclined contact surface with respect to the sliding direction of the slide, allows for particularly simple and advantageous geometry-fit fastening of each workpiece carrier. In particular, it is possible to apply a pressing or holding force to the workpiece carrier, and thus ensure secure positioning of the slide in the closed position.

[0088] As an addition or alternative, the locking mechanism can be formed by a slide under spring pretension and / or as a snap closure. The spring pretension of the slide can orient the slide in the closing direction, and as a result the slide moves automatically to the closed position. Similarly, a snap closure can perform an automatic closing motion if no reverse motion is initiated manually or automatically.

[0089] In a more preferred embodiment, at least one mounting portion may be formed with a chamfered and / or inclined contact surface with respect to the sliding direction of the slide. The chamfered configuration of the mounting portion, or the inclined contact surface of the mounting portion with respect to the sliding direction of the slide, allows for particularly simple and advantageous shape-fit fastening of each workpiece carrier. In particular, a pressing or holding force can be applied to the workpiece carrier, and therefore, as a result, the mounting portion can ensure secure positioning of the slide in the closed position.

[0090] In a more preferred configuration, the superstructure, particularly the transport section and / or frame device, may have multiple support sections or at least one support section for contacting and / or lifting the superstructure by the printing table of the printing device. Such support sections may preferably be formed on the underside of the transport section and / or frame device. Such support sections allow the superstructure of the transport vehicle, particularly the transport section and / or frame device, to be contacted and lifted by the printing table, independently of each workpiece carrier. The underside configuration of the transport section allows for good access to the printing table, and therefore an overall robust and cost-effective structure.

[0091] In a more preferred embodiment, the support section may be formed and / or positioned so as to be in contact with the print table without any load relative to the workpiece carrier mounting portion. The superstructure may be contactable and / or liftable by the print table via the support section without any load relative to the workpiece carrier mounting portion. Thus, contact and lifting of the superstructure and the workpiece carrier by the print table of the printing device can be performed without any load or additional force acting on the workpiece carrier mounting portion of the superstructure. Secure fastening of each workpiece carrier within or on the superstructure of the transport vehicle is not impaired by contact, lifting, and lowering of the superstructure and the workpiece carrier.

[0092] In a more preferred configuration, the printing device may have a printing table designed as a liftable printing table and / or a vacuum printing table, in particular a liftable vacuum printing table.

[0093] A printing table designed as a vacuum printing table may have grooves and / or openings on the underside of the workpiece carrier to be fixed and positioned on the printing table to generate vacuum and / or negative pressure. Using a vacuum printing table allows the workpiece carrier to be fixed in place for printing operations with minimal effort and high safety, especially temporarily.

[0094] In a more preferred configuration, the printing table of the printing device can be designed to make planar contact with the workpiece carrier housed in the transport vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the printing table can also be designed to make contact with the support section of the superstructure of the transport vehicle. In this way, particularly safe and reliable lifting of the superstructure, and also of the workpiece carrier positioned in each case within the superstructure, can be achieved.

[0095] In a particularly preferred form, the printing table of the printing device can be designed to raise the superstructure via a support section without load on the workpiece carrier mounting section, especially with simultaneous contact of the workpiece carrier. As a result, undesirable release of the workpiece carrier from the workpiece carrier mounting section can be avoided, thus ensuring high operational reliability. Raising the workpiece carrier mounting section without load further prevents undesirable relative movement between the workpiece carrier mounting section and the workpiece carrier held therein in each case, thereby preventing undesirable wear and thus the release of airborne particles.

[0096] In a more preferred form, the center of gravity of the transport vehicle can be offset relative to the transport rail in the plan view of the transport device. In particular, the center of gravity of the transport vehicle can be offset horizontally relative to the transport rail. In this way, the risk of tilting motion of the transport vehicle can be advantageously reduced during predefined cornering, particularly in a predefined cornering direction. This is especially true when a superstructure and / or transport section of the superstructure is mounted to be vertically movable relative to the runner device. Vertically movable mounting of the superstructure and / or transport section of the superstructure may result in tilting motion during cornering, and this tilting motion can be advantageously counteracted by the offset placement of the center of gravity of the transport vehicle, particularly by a horizontally offset placement relative to the transport rail. As a result, undesirable release or dropping of the workpiece carrier being transported in each case can be prevented as a whole.

[0097] In a more preferred embodiment, in the plan view of the transport device, the center of gravity of the transport vehicle can be offset from the transport rail by at least 10 mm, preferably at least 15 mm, more preferably at least 20 mm, more preferably at least 25 mm, more preferably at least 30 mm, more preferably at least 40 mm, more preferably at least 50 mm, more preferably at least 60 mm, more preferably at least 70 mm, or at least 80 mm. As a result, tilting motion during cornering can be avoided particularly reliably.

[0098] In a more preferred embodiment, in a plan view of the transport device, the center of gravity of the transport vehicle can be offset from the transport rail by a maximum of 80 mm, preferably 70 mm, more preferably 60 mm, more preferably 50 mm, more preferably 40 mm, more preferably 30 mm, more preferably 25 mm, more preferably 20 mm, more preferably 15 mm, and especially 10 mm. Such placement of the center of gravity ensures sufficient stability on the transport rail with respect to the straight-line travel and stationary position of the transport vehicle.

[0099] More preferably, in the plan view of the transport vehicle, the center of gravity of the superstructure can be offset from the center of gravity of the runner device. In particular, the center of gravity of the superstructure can be offset horizontally from the center of gravity of the runner device. Such a configuration can further reduce the risk of tilting motion of the transport vehicle. The offset center of gravity of the superstructure can generate a moment particularly well, which can safely cancel out any tilting motion of the superstructure during cornering. This is especially true when the superstructure and / or transport section of the superstructure is mounted to be vertically movable relative to the runner device. Vertically movable mounting of the superstructure and / or transport section of the superstructure can result in tilting motion during cornering, which can be advantageously canceled out by the offset placement of the center of gravity of the superstructure, particularly by a horizontal offset placement relative to the center of gravity of the runner device.

[0100] In a more preferred embodiment, in the plan view of the transport vehicle, the center of gravity of the superstructure can be offset from the center of gravity of the runner device by at least 10 mm, preferably at least 15 mm, more preferably at least 20 mm, more preferably at least 25 mm, more preferably at least 30 mm, more preferably at least 40 mm, more preferably at least 50 mm, more preferably at least 60 mm, more preferably at least 70 mm, or at least 80 mm. As a result, tilting motion during cornering can be particularly reliably avoided.

[0101] In a more preferred embodiment, in the plan view of the transport vehicle, the center of gravity of the superstructure can be offset from the center of gravity of the runner device by up to 80 mm, preferably up to 70 mm, more preferably up to 60 mm, more preferably up to 50 mm, more preferably up to 40 mm, more preferably up to 30 mm, more preferably up to 25 mm, more preferably up to 20 mm, more preferably up to 15 mm, and especially up to 10 mm. Such placement of the center of gravity ensures sufficient stability on the transport rail with respect to the straight-line travel and stationary position of the transport vehicle.

[0102] In a more preferred embodiment, the transport vehicle and / or the superstructure of the transport vehicle and / or the frame device of the transport vehicle may define and / or have a center point for housing the workpiece carrier. Similarly, such a center point for housing the workpiece carrier may be defined by a workpiece carrier mounting portion. When the workpiece carrier is positioned and / or fixed on the transport vehicle and / or on the superstructure and / or within the frame device of the superstructure, the center point of the workpiece carrier may be positioned, in particular, on the center point for housing and / or aligned with the center point for housing in a plan view of the transport vehicle.

[0103] In a more preferred form, in the plan view of the transport vehicle, the center point for housing the workpiece carrier can be offset with respect to the transport rail. In particular, in the case of a transport vehicle, the center point for housing the workpiece carrier can be offset horizontally with respect to the transport rail. In this way, particularly good accessibility of the workpiece carrier, or the possibility of contact with the workpiece carrier by the printing table, can be ensured.

[0104] In a more preferred embodiment, in the plan view of the transport vehicle, the center point for housing the workpiece carrier can be offset from the runner device. In particular, in the case of a transport vehicle, the center point for housing the workpiece carrier can be offset horizontally from the runner device. In this way, particularly good accessibility of the workpiece carrier, or the possibility of contact of the workpiece carrier with the printing table, can also be ensured.

[0105] In a more preferred configuration, the transport device and / or rail system can be formed as a transport circuit and / or configured to automatically transport at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier within the circuit between the printing device and a position spaced apart from the printing device. Such a design ensures high productivity. Such a transport device advantageously allows different devices or stations within the entire apparatus to be connected to one another. As a result, a substantially uninterrupted manufacturing sequence with continuous steps at each device or station can be ensured.

[0106] In a more preferred configuration, multiple printing devices may be provided, with a transport device traveling between these printing devices and / or transporting screen-printed workpieces and / or workpiece carriers between these printing devices. Multiple or different printing devices can further enhance productivity or manufacturing flexibility.

[0107] In particular, by providing multiple printing devices, different materials or material compositions can be printed continuously with minimal effort, and / or different printing screens or stencils can be used during the production of individual screen-printed workpieces. In such an arrangement, complex conversions and adaptations of each printing device can be avoided with respect to the production of printed layers of different designs for individual screen-printed workpieces.

[0108] In a more preferred embodiment, at least one drying device, and in particular multiple drying devices, may be provided for at least one screen-printed workpiece. Such drying devices ensure that the last printed layer is thoroughly dried after application of the printed layer, and then the next printed layer can be applied to the screen-printed workpiece again.

[0109] At least one drying device can preferably be configured for continuous drying passage and / or static drying. The drying device can, in particular, be configured to have a drying section for continuous drying passage of screen-printed workpieces and / or workpiece carriers.

[0110] Continuous drying passes enable a continuous manufacturing process for multiple screen-printed workpieces, or for use with multiple workpiece carriers that can accommodate multiple screen-printed workpieces. Continuous drying passes allow both printing and drying to be performed virtually uninterrupted, resulting in further improvements to the overall productivity of the equipment.

[0111] Static drying devices can be configured to be particularly compact and space-saving. In static drying, the screen-printed workpiece, or the workpiece carrier on which the screen-printed workpiece is placed, can be temporarily positioned or stopped to perform the drying step.

[0112] In a more preferred configuration, the transport device can be configured to transport screen-printed workpieces and / or workpiece carriers toward and away from the drying device and / or through the drying device. Additionally or alternatively, the transport device can be configured to transport screen-printed workpieces and / or workpiece carriers between the printing device and the drying device. In this way, the workpiece carrier with screen-printed workpieces can be fed into the drying operation with minimal effort and then moved again, for example, to perform further printing steps.

[0113] More preferably, the transport device can travel through the drying device, thereby completely eliminating manual handling of the workpiece carrier. Additionally or alternatively, the transport device may be formed separately and / or independently of the drying device. This may enable and further facilitate an overall modular structure. The transport device may be configured independently of the drying device and may be positioned to connect to at least one further device or location within the apparatus.

[0114] Although the transport device is formed separately and / or independently of the drying device, it can be adapted to the drying device in particular to ensure reliable transport of the workpiece carrier and / or screen-printed workpiece toward and away from the printing device.

[0115] In a more preferred embodiment, the workpiece carrier may be movable through a drying device by a transport device, independently of the printing device or printing table plate, and in particular, may be automatically movable through the drying device.

[0116] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the drying device can be configured to dry at least one screen-printed workpiece while simultaneously cooling the workpiece carrier that carries each screen-printed workpiece to be dried. This allows for proper drying of each screen-printed workpiece, or the last printed layer of each screen-printed workpiece, while simultaneously keeping the workpiece carrier at a relatively low temperature through cooling. As a result, undesirable heating of the workpiece carrier, and therefore excessive heating of the already printed and pre-dried layers of each screen-printed workpiece, can be avoided. In this way, the reliability of the process can be further improved.

[0117] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the drying device may have a drying section for drying screen-printed workpieces and a cooling section for cooling the workpiece carrier. Preferably, the drying device can be divided into a drying section and a cooling section. Such a subdivision can avoid or minimize mutual interference between the drying function and the cooling function.

[0118] In a preferred embodiment, the subdivision of the drying device into a drying section and a cooling section can be defined by the plane on which the workpiece carrier is positioned during positioning within the drying device and / or during transport through the drying device.

[0119] Furthermore, preferably, at least one nozzle device and / or perforation plate for supplying a cooling airflow, particularly compressed cooling air, can be placed within the cooling section. In particular, the drying section can be placed above the nozzle device and / or perforation plate for supplying the cooling airflow. As a result, effective cooling is possible with minimal structural effort.

[0120] In a more preferred configuration, the drying device can be configured for convection drying of screen-printed workpieces and / or air-cooling of workpiece carriers. In particular, the drying device can be configured to convection dry screen-printed workpieces while simultaneously air-cooling the workpiece carriers that transport each screen-printed workpiece.

[0121] Convection drying, and simultaneously forced-air cooling, can be achieved relatively simply with minimal structural effort. In this case, the simultaneous convection drying of the screen-printed workpiece and forced-air cooling of the respective workpiece carrier ensures improved operational reliability, as it reliably avoids undesirable overheating of the workpiece carrier, and therefore overheating of the layers already printed on the workpiece carrier, despite the convection drying process.

[0122] As an addition or alternative, the drying device may be provided with a contact cooling function for the workpiece carrier, preferably a contact cooling function for the workpiece carrier moving with it. Such a contact cooling function ensures that the degradation of the drying function is very small.

[0123] In a more preferred embodiment, the drying device can be configured to activate and / or deactivate cooling positions depending on the position of the workpiece carrier within the drying device, particularly activating the cooling position below each current position of the workpiece carrier. In this way, cooling can be performed only within the region of the current position of the workpiece carrier. As a result, undesirable interruptions between drying and cooling can be avoided, and overall energy consumption related to cooling and drying can be kept low.

[0124] More preferably, the cooling position can be configured to be actuated by the selective operation of individual or multiple cooling nozzles and / or compressed air openings in and / or on the nozzle device and / or perforation plate.

[0125] Therefore, the cooling position can be configured to be actuated by the selective activation of individual or multiple cooling nozzles and / or compressed air openings in and / or on the nozzle device and / or perforating plate. In particular, deactivation can be achieved by selectively shutting down or blocking one or more pre-activated cooling nozzles and / or compressed air openings in and / or on the nozzle device and / or perforating plate.

[0126] In a more preferred configuration, the drying device may have at least one air filter and / or multiple nozzles for filtered dry air. Thus, the risk of air pollution, and consequently the risk of introducing undesirable particles into each screen-printed workpiece, can be further reduced.

[0127] As an addition or alternative, the drying device can be configured as a circulating air dryer and / or to supply fresh air and / or room air continuously and / or periodically. Such a circulating air dryer can operate with relatively little energy consumption while simultaneously ensuring efficient drying of screen-printed workpieces.

[0128] In a more preferred configuration, the drying device can direct a drying airflow onto a single screen-printed workpiece, particularly at an angle with respect to the transport axis formed by the transport rail, or at an angle with respect to the transport direction of each screen-printed workpiece and / or each workpiece carrier, and / or laterally with respect to that transport direction, and / or upward on each screen-printed workpiece.

[0129] The transport axis or transport direction of each screen-printed workpiece and / or each workpiece carrier extends, in particular, along the longitudinal range of the transport rail. If a dry airflow is directed relative to a screen-printed workpiece at a certain angle, this may be a direction of dry airflow different from the transport axis or the transport direction of each screen-printed workpiece and / or each workpiece carrier. Thus, the direction of dry airflow may be inclined with respect to the transport axis or transport direction of each screen-printed workpiece and / or each workpiece carrier, i.e., inclined by a specific angle or a predetermined angle. A direction of dry airflow perpendicular to the transport axis of the transport rail, or perpendicular to the transport direction of each screen-printed workpiece and / or each workpiece carrier, extends, in particular, at an angle of right or 90° with respect to the transport axis or the transport direction of each screen-printed workpiece and / or each workpiece carrier.

[0130] Such a configuration of the drying device ensures, on the one hand, proper drying by a drying airflow, while simultaneously reducing the risk of undesirable relative motion between the screen-printed workpiece and its respective workpiece carrier. Furthermore, the subdivision of the cooling and drying sections by such a drying airflow can be advantageously defined by the plane on which the workpiece carrier is positioned during positioning within the drying device and / or during transport through the drying device.

[0131] More preferably, the drying device can be configured to extract airflow at an angle with respect to the transport axis formed by the transport rail, or at an angle with respect to the transport direction of each screen-printed workpiece and / or each workpiece carrier, particularly laterally with respect to the transport direction and / or horizontally from each screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier.

[0132] If the extraction is performed such that the airflow is established at an angle with respect to the transport axis formed by the transport rail, or at an angle with respect to the transport direction of each screen-printed workpiece and / or each workpiece carrier, this direction may be different from the transport axis or transport direction of each screen-printed workpiece and / or each workpiece carrier. Thus, it may be inclined with respect to the transport axis formed by the transport rail, or with respect to the transport direction of each screen-printed workpiece and / or each workpiece carrier, i.e., inclined by a specific angle or a predetermined angle. The direction of the extraction airflow perpendicular to the transport axis, or the transport direction of each screen-printed workpiece and / or each workpiece carrier, extends, in particular, at an angle of right or 90° with respect to the transport axis, or with respect to the transport direction of each screen-printed workpiece and / or each workpiece carrier.

[0133] Such a configuration makes it possible to avoid undesirable obstructions between the dry airflow directed towards the workpiece carrier and the dry airflow drawn from or directed away from the workpiece carrier.

[0134] Furthermore, the drying device can be advantageously configured to direct the extracted dry air and / or cooling air back to the screen printing workpiece to be dried as dry air again. In this case, the extracted dry air and / or cooling air can be directed, entirely or at least partially, back onto the screen printing workpiece to be dried as dry air again. In the latter case, the drying device can be designed and / or configured for a so-called mixing operation. The extracted dry air and / or cooling air can be mixed with fresh air or newly supplied air before the respective mixed air volume is directed onto the screen printing workpiece to be dried. In this way, an overall energy-efficient operation can be ensured.

[0135] Furthermore, the drying device may advantageously have a heat exchanger, particularly for heat recovery of the extracted dry air and / or cooling air. As a result, the extracted dry air and / or cooling air can be fed into the heat exchanger, and the recovered thermal energy can be used to heat the dry air stream. When such a heat exchanger is used, the extracted dry air and / or cooling air, after being guided through the heat exchanger, can be directed at least partially or completely to the outdoors or outside the drying device.

[0136] Such a configuration can, on the one hand, ensure energy-efficient operation. However, at the same time, the risk of particle contamination is reduced because the extracted dry air and / or cooling air, which may already be contaminated with particles by being guided through each screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier, can be directed outside the drying device. In such a configuration, energy recovery can recover only the thermal energy of the dry air and / or cooling air, without requiring the circulation of the dry air and / or cooling air itself.

[0137] In a further preferred configuration, when the transport vehicle is positioned within the drying device, the nozzle device and / or perforating plate can at least partially protrude into the free space of the superstructure for housing the printing table and / or between the base section and the transport section of the superstructure and / or at least partially protrude below the workpiece carrier housed by the transport vehicle. In this way, the cooling airflow can be directed to the underside of the workpiece carrier with particularly little effort. At the same time, as a result, the runner device can be at least partially covered by the nozzle device and / or perforating plate.

[0138] Such a configuration can reduce the risk of contamination of screen-printed workpieces by particles emitted within or at the level of the runner device, or by particles freely floating there.

[0139] More preferably, the drying device may have an opening at at least one longitudinal end, which is formed at least partially complementary to the cross-sectional shape, particularly geometrically, and / or complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the transport vehicle, particularly geometrically. Thus, each opening at the longitudinal end may be relatively small. Thus, the outflow of air from the openings can be limited to a low degree, and thus energy-efficient operation of the drying device can be ensured.

[0140] In a more preferred configuration, the device may have a sluice device for loading and / or unloading from the transport vehicle. As a result, the replacement, replenishment, and / or removal of the transport vehicle, for example for maintenance and / or repair work and / or for the purpose of reconfiguring the transport device, can be performed with minimal handling effort and high operational reliability.

[0141] In a more preferred configuration, the device may have at least one detection module for detecting transport vehicles that are to be loaded into and / or unloaded from the transport device. As a result, reliable monitoring of the stock of transport vehicles in the device can be ensured, and replenishment and / or removal of transport vehicles can be performed in response to the detection of loaded or unloaded transport vehicles.

[0142] In a more preferred configuration, the apparatus may have at least one positioning and / or removal device for positioning the workpiece carrier on and / or removing the workpiece carrier from the transport vehicle. Thus, manual handling of the workpiece carrier is completely eliminated or reduced to at least a low degree. Process reliability is thus further improved.

[0143] Further independent aspects of the present invention relate to an apparatus for manufacturing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular a 3D screen printing machine, comprising a printing device for manufacturing at least one screen-printed workpiece in layers by a plurality of printing operations, and a drying device formed to dry at least one screen-printed workpiece and, at the same time, to cool a workpiece carrier that transports each screen-printed workpiece to be dried.

[0144] A further independent aspect of the present invention relates to a drying device for a three-dimensional screen printing workpiece, particularly for an apparatus according to one of the preceding embodiments, comprising a drying section for drying at least one screen printing workpiece and a cooling section for simultaneously cooling a workpiece carrier that transports each screen printing workpiece to be dried.

[0145] A further independent aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional screen-printed workpiece, in particular a 3D screen printing machine, comprising: a printing device for manufacturing at least one screen-printed workpiece in layers by a plurality of printing operations; and a transport device for automatically transporting at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier toward and away from the printing device, wherein the transport device comprises a transport section for housing the workpiece carrier at least in a shape-fitting manner.

[0146] Further independent aspects of the present invention relate to an apparatus and / or 3D screen printing machine for manufacturing a three-dimensional screen-printed workpiece according to one of the preceding embodiments, comprising a printing device for manufacturing at least one screen-printed workpiece in layers by a plurality of printing operations, and a transport device for automatically transporting at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier toward and away from the printing device, wherein the transport device has a workpiece carrier mounting portion for fixing and / or clamping the workpiece carrier.

[0147] Further independent aspects of the present invention relate to a transport device for transport in an apparatus for manufacturing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, comprising a transport vehicle for automatically transporting at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier, wherein the transport vehicle comprises a transport section for housing the workpiece carrier in at least a shape-fit and / or force-fit and / or material-bonded manner, and / or a workpiece carrier mounting section for fixing and / or clamping the workpiece carrier.

[0148] A further independent aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional screen-printed workpiece using an apparatus according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein at least one screen-printed workpiece is manufactured in layers by a printing device through a plurality of printing operations, and at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier having the screen-printed workpiece is automatically transported by a transport device toward and / or away from the printing device, wherein the transport by the transport device is carried out by a transport vehicle on a transport rail.

[0149] Transport by transport vehicles on transport rails can prevent or reduce to a low degree the relative movement of surfaces positioned to come into contact. Thus, particle abrasion due to the movement of transport vehicles on transport rails can be avoided or significantly reduced. Consequently, improved cleanliness conditions can be generated with respect to individual manufacturing steps. The method according to the present invention can prevent undesirable contamination of screen-printed workpieces generated in each case by particles resulting from friction. As a result, the method according to the present invention can produce screen-printed workpieces that meet high cleanliness or hygiene requirements.

[0150] A further independent aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional screen-printed workpiece using an apparatus according to one of the prior aspects, wherein at least one screen-printed workpiece is manufactured in layers by a printing device through a plurality of printing operations, the screen-printed workpiece is dried by a drying device, and a workpiece carrier that transports the screen-printed workpiece is simultaneously cooled.

[0151] A further independent aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional screen-printed workpiece using an apparatus according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein at least one screen-printed workpiece is manufactured in layers by a printing device through a plurality of printing operations, the at least one screen-printed workpiece on a workpiece carrier is automatically transported by a transport device toward and / or away from the printing device, and the workpiece carrier is at least geometry-fitted to and within a transport section for transport by the transport device.

[0152] A further independent aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional screen-printed workpiece using an apparatus according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein at least one screen-printed workpiece is manufactured in layers by a printing device through a plurality of printing operations, the at least one screen-printed workpiece on a workpiece carrier is automatically transported by a transport device toward and / or away from the printing device, and the workpiece carrier is fixed and / or clamped to a workpiece carrier mounting portion for transport by the transport device.

[0153] The details and independent embodiments described above relating to the apparatus, including independent embodiments relating to drying devices and independent embodiments relating to transport devices, also apply to the methods according to the present invention described above in accordance with further independent embodiments. Similarly, the details and independent embodiments described above relating to the apparatus also apply to the independent embodiments relating to drying devices and also relating to transport devices.

[0154] The present invention will be described below, with reference to the attached drawings, based on an advantageous embodiment.

[0155] The diagrams are schematic representations of each case. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0156] [Figure 1] A perspective view of the device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device, showing the transport device in an open state without the housing. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a plan view of the apparatus. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the apparatus according to the present invention, showing the printing device and drying device in an open state without the housing. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a plan view of the apparatus. [Figure 7] Figures 1-6 show perspective views of the transport device of the apparatus. [Figure 8] Figures 1-6 show perspective views of the transport device of the apparatus. [Figure 9] This is a top perspective view of a transport device having a transport vehicle and transport rails, shown in cross-section. [Figure 10] This is a bottom perspective view of a transport device having a transport vehicle and transport rails, shown in cross-section. [Figure 11] Figures 9 and 10 show side views of the transport device along the longitudinal direction of the transport rail. [Figure 12] Figures 9 and 10 are plan views of the transport device. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view of a conveyor vehicle in an embodiment in which a workpiece carrier is housed. [Figure 14] Figure 13 is a plan view of the conveyor vehicle. [Figure 15] Figures 13 and 14 show side views of the conveyor vehicle in a direction lateral to the transport direction. [Figure 16] Figures 13 and 14 are side views of the conveyor vehicle in the direction of transport. [Figure 17] This is a cross-sectional view of a conveyor vehicle along the AA section line from Figure 14. [Figure 18] This is a cross-sectional view of a conveyor vehicle along the BB section line in Figure 14. [Figure 19] This is a top perspective view of a conveyor vehicle in an embodiment where the workpiece carrier is not housed. [Figure 20] This is a bottom perspective view of a conveyor vehicle in an embodiment where the workpiece carrier is not housed. [Figure 21] Figures 19 and 20 are plan views of the conveyor vehicle without the workpiece carrier. [Figure 22] This is a detailed perspective view of the locking mechanism for the workpiece carrier mounting portion according to one embodiment. [Figure 23]This is a detailed perspective view of the fixed mounting portion of the workpiece carrier mounting portion, as seen from below, according to one embodiment. [Figure 24] Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism of the workpiece carrier mounting section. [Figure 25] Figure 23 is a detailed perspective view of the fixed mounting section of the workpiece carrier mounting section, as seen from above. [Figure 26] This is a top perspective view of a runner device according to one embodiment. [Figure 27] This is a bottom perspective view of a runner device according to one embodiment. [Figure 28] This is a side view of a liftable printing table and conveyor vehicle according to one embodiment. [Figure 29] Figure 28 shows a detailed view of a liftable printing table and conveyor vehicle. [Figure 30] This is a perspective cross-sectional view of the multi-point mounting portion between the upper structure of a conveyor vehicle and a runner device according to one embodiment. [Figure 31] This is a perspective view of a drying device and a cross-sectional view of a transport device according to one embodiment. [Figure 32] Figure 31 is a side view of the drying device in the longitudinal direction. [Figure 33] Figure 33 is a cross-sectional view of the drying device along the CC cross-sectional line. [Figure 34] This is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a drying device according to one embodiment, with the airflow illustrated. [Figure 35] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a drying device according to one embodiment, with the airflow illustrated. [Figure 36] This is a perspective cross-sectional view of a drying device according to one embodiment. [Figure 37] This is a perspective longitudinal cross-sectional view of a drying device according to one embodiment. [Figure 38] This is a detailed diagram of a drying device along a longitudinal section according to one embodiment. [Figure 39] This is a detailed view of a drying device in a perspective longitudinal section according to one embodiment. [Figure 40]This is a perspective view of a positioning and / or removal device for a conveyor vehicle and a workpiece carrier according to one embodiment. [Figure 41] This is a further perspective view of a positioning and / or removal device for a conveyor vehicle and a workpiece carrier according to one embodiment. [Figure 42] Figures 41 and 42 are plan views of a conveyor vehicle and a positioning and / or removal device for a workpiece carrier. [Figure 43] This is a side view of a conveyor vehicle and a positioning and / or removal device for a workpiece carrier along the transport direction of the conveyor vehicle. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0157] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of apparatus 10 for manufacturing a three-dimensional screen-printed workpiece according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a plan view of apparatus 10 of Figure 1. Apparatus 10 may be a 3D screen printing machine in particular, and more preferably a 3D screen printing machine for manufacturing pharmaceuticals.

[0158] The apparatus 10 has at least one printing device 12 for producing at least one screen-printed workpiece (not shown in more detail here) in layers in at least one or more printing operations. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2, the apparatus 10 has two printing devices 12. Furthermore, the apparatus 10 has at least one transport device 14 for automatically transporting at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier toward and away from the printing device 12.

[0159] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the apparatus 10 according to Figure 1, and for clarity and ease of illustration, the transport device 14 is shown in an open state, particularly without the housing and frame. Figure 4 shows a plan view of the apparatus 10 according to Figure 3.

[0160] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the apparatus 10 according to Figures 1-4, and for clarity and ease of illustration, the printing device 12 is shown in an open state, particularly without its housing. Figure 6 shows a plan view of the apparatus 10 according to Figure 5.

[0161] Figures 7 and 8 show perspective views of the transport device 14 of the apparatus 10 according to Figures 1 to 6, respectively.

[0162] The transport device 14 may have at least one transport rail 16 and a transport vehicle 18 for at least one screen-printed workpiece (not shown in more detail here) and / or at least one workpiece carrier 20, which is movably positioned on the transport rail 16.

[0163] The transport device 14 may be equipped with a housing 22, or a housing 22 extending along the transport device 14, as shown in more detail in Figures 1 and 2. The housing 22 may include an upper cover and / or side covers or cladding. Such a housing 22 can reduce the risk of particle contamination of screen printing workpieces being moved by the transport device 14.

[0164] The transport device 14 can, more preferably, be configured to automatically transport at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier 20 toward and / or away from the printing table 24 of the printing device 12. Furthermore, the transport device 14 can be formed separately from the printing device 12 and / or can travel through the printing device 12.

[0165] Individual embodiments of the transport device 14 are particularly evident from Figures 7 and 8. Thus, the transport device 14 can form a device that functions independently of the printing device 12, but despite its independent configuration, it can be configured to interact with the printing device 12, or to interact with the printing device 12, in particular to transport screen printing workpieces and / or workpiece carriers 20 toward and / or away from the printing table 24 of the printing device 12.

[0166] Figures 9-25 show more detailed illustrations and details of the transport device 14 or the transport vehicle 18 of the transport device 14 according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0167] Figure 9 shows a top perspective view of the transport vehicle 18 in cross-section of the transport rail 16, and Figure 10 shows a bottom perspective view of the transport vehicle 18 in cross-section of the transport rail 16. Figure 11 shows a side view of the transport vehicle 18 according to Figures 9 and 10 along the longitudinal range of the transport rail 16, and Figure 12 shows a top view of the transport vehicle 18 according to Figures 9-11. Figures 13-18 show further diagrams of the transport vehicle 18 without the transport rail 16.

[0168] Figures 9-18 show each transport vehicle 18 containing the workpiece carrier 20. Further diagrams of transport vehicles 18 without the workpiece carrier 20 are shown in Figures 19-21.

[0169] The transport vehicle 18 according to the embodiments shown in Figures 9-21 may have at least one drive device 26 positioned on the transport vehicle 18 so as to move with the transport vehicle 18. The drive device 26 may, in particular, have drive rollers 28 that roll on the transport rail 16 and / or drive motors for the drive rollers 28 (more details not shown here). Furthermore, the drive device 26 may have at least one current-conducting contact roller 29, in particular a plurality of current-conducting contact rollers 29, through which current can be transmitted from the transport rail 16 to the drive device 26, in particular for the purpose of supplying current to the drive motors.

[0170] Furthermore, the transport vehicle 18 may have at least one support device 30 for support on the transport rail. The support device 30 may be, in particular, a support roller 32 that rolls on the transport rail 16 for supporting the transport vehicle 18. Specifically, the transport vehicle 18 may be equipped with support rollers 32 on both sides of each transport rail 16. Similarly, instead of support rollers 32, sliding elements may be placed on one or both sides of the transport rail to provide support.

[0171] The transport vehicle 18 can be supported on the transport rail 16 via roller contact points, particularly via only the roller contact points of one drive roller 28 and / or support roller 32, or via the roller contact points of multiple drive rollers 28 and / or support rollers 32.

[0172] The transport rail 16 can also be designed as a monorail, as can be seen from Figures 8-12. In particular, the transport rail 16 may have multiple monorail sections connected to each other, preferably monorail sections connected to each other in the longitudinal direction. Such monorail sections can be assembled to form a transport or rail layout, as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0173] The transport rail 16 can be assembled in a modular manner, or it can consist of multiple rail modules.

[0174] The transport vehicle 18 according to the present invention can preferably be positioned on the transport rail 16 so as to engage with the transport rail 16 on multiple sides, and in particular so as to engage with the transport rail 16 on three sides, as can be understood from the illustration in Figure 11, for example.

[0175] Furthermore, the transport vehicle 18 may have at least one position sensor (not shown in more detail here) and / or one distance sensor (not shown in more detail here). The transport vehicle 18 may be designed to communicate with a control module 33 located on the transport rail 16.

[0176] The control module 33 positioned on the transport rail 16 can be designed to communicate with a higher-level device controller 34 and / or with at least one transport vehicle 18 to control the transport route and / or transport speed and / or to stop each transport vehicle 18.

[0177] In particular, multiple control modules 33 can be positioned at fixed locations on the transport rail 16. Such control modules 33 can be designed as optoelectronic communication modules for data exchange for communication between the transport vehicle 18 and the device controller 34. The device controller 34 can be designed to control and / or coordinate all processes and / or sequences within the device 10, particularly in the form of a so-called line controller.

[0178] At least one control unit 35 for controlling the speed of the transport vehicle 18, in particular a control unit 35 designed as a control cam, can be positioned on the transport rail 16. Furthermore, at least one position sensor and / or distance sensor (not shown in more detail here) can be positioned on the transport rail 18 and / or adjacent to or near the transport rail 18.

[0179] In particular, multiple control units 35, preferably in the form of control cams, can be arranged at fixed positions on the transport rail 16. The control units 35, especially the control cams, can preferably be designed as different control unit types or cam types.

[0180] The first control unit type or cam type can be designed to decelerate and / or stop the transport vehicle 18 when it passes and / or makes contact with it, and in particular, it can be designed to decelerate the transport vehicle 18 when it passes and / or makes contact with it on a positive rise and / or stop the transport vehicle 18 when it passes and / or makes contact with it on a negative rise. In particular, it can decelerate to speeds of less than 5 m / min, less than 4 m / min, less than 3 m / min, less than 2.5 m / min and less than 2 m / min. Such deceleration to low speeds ensures that the transport vehicle 18 can move further while reducing the risk of collision. As a result, there is also reliable further deceleration until the transport vehicle 18 comes to a stop.

[0181] A second control unit type or cam type can be designed to accelerate the transport vehicle 18 to a first predetermined speed when it passes and / or makes contact with the transport vehicle 18, if the transport vehicle 18 is approaching and / or passing at a second predetermined speed lower than the first predetermined speed. In this way, the acceleration of the transport vehicle 18 to a desired first predetermined speed can be performed with minimal effort and high operational reliability.

[0182] Such a second control unit type or cam type may also be designed to accelerate and / or decelerate the transport vehicle 18 to a second predetermined speed when the transport vehicle 18 passes and / or makes contact with it, if the transport vehicle 18 does not approach and / or pass through at this second predetermined speed. In this way, the acceleration and / or deceleration of the transport vehicle 18 to the desired second predetermined speed can be performed with minimal effort and high operational reliability.

[0183] The first predetermined speed can be, in particular, at least 10 m / min, preferably at least 15 m / min, preferably at least 20 m / min, preferably at least 25 m / min, preferably at least 30 m / min, preferably at least 35 m / min, preferably at least 40 m / min, preferably at least 45 m / min, more preferably at least 50 m / min, even more preferably at least 55 m / min, or about 55 m / min. As a result, screen printing workpieces and / or workpiece carriers can be transported between different locations or different devices within the apparatus in only a short amount of time.

[0184] Furthermore, the first predetermined speed can be set to speeds up to 100 m / min, preferably up to 90 m / min, preferably up to 80 m / min, preferably up to 70 m / min, preferably up to 65 m / min, even more preferably up to 60 m / min, and even more preferably up to 55 m / min. As a result, a high level of transport reliability for screen-printed workpieces and / or workpiece carriers can be ensured. In particular, as a result of the very high transport speed, the risk of screen-printed workpieces and / or workpiece carriers falling from the transport vehicle can be reduced.

[0185] The first predetermined speed can be, more preferably, between 10 m / min and 100 m / min, preferably between 20 m / min and 90 m / min, preferably between 30 m / min and 80 m / min, preferably between 35 m / min and 75 m / min, preferably between 40 m / min and 75 m / min, preferably between 40 m / min and 70 m / min, preferably between 45 m / min and 65 m / min, even more preferably between 50 m / min and 60 m / min, and even more preferably 55 m / min. Such speeds can ensure sufficiently high productivity of the device while simultaneously guaranteeing high operational reliability.

[0186] The second predetermined speed can be, in particular, at least 5 m / min, preferably at least 10 m / min, preferably at least 15 m / min, preferably at least 20 m / min, more preferably at least 25 m / min, even more preferably at least 30 m / min, or about 30 m / min. Such speeds ensure relatively time-saving transport within the apparatus. As a result, at the same time, a transport speed lower than the first predetermined speed can be achieved, for example, for further controlled deceleration.

[0187] More preferably, the second predetermined speed can be up to 70 m / min, preferably up to 65 m / min, preferably up to 60 m / min, preferably up to 55 m / min, preferably up to 50 m / min, preferably up to 45 m / min, preferably up to 40 m / min, even more preferably up to 35 m / min, and even more preferably up to 30 m / min. Such speeds allow for particularly easily controllable deceleration to low speeds or particularly easily controllable acceleration to high speeds.

[0188] Furthermore, the second predetermined speed can be between 5 m / min and 70 m / min, preferably between 10 m / min and 65 m / min, preferably between 15 m / min and 60 m / min, preferably between 15 m / min and 55 m / min, preferably between 15 m / min and 50 m / min, preferably between 15 m / min and 45 m / min, preferably between 20 m / min and 40 m / min, more preferably between 25 m / min and 35 m / min, and even more preferably 30 m / min. Such speeds can, on the one hand, ensure sufficiently high productivity within the apparatus, and furthermore, ensure easily controllable speed changes to higher and / or lower speeds.

[0189] A third control unit type or cam type can be designed to accelerate and / or decelerate the transport vehicle 18 to a third predetermined speed when it passes and / or makes contact, regardless of the speed at which the transport vehicle 18 approaches and / or passes. As a result, a change in speed to the third predetermined speed can be achieved with minimal effort and high safety.

[0190] The third predetermined speed can be, in particular, at least 3 m / min, preferably at least 5 m / min, preferably at least 6 m / min, preferably at least 7 m / min, preferably at least 8 m / min, preferably at least 10 m / min, even more preferably at least 12 m / min, or about 12 m / min. Such a minimum speed ensures an initial speed suitable for deceleration to a complete stop and / or acceleration to higher speeds.

[0191] The third predetermined speed can further be a maximum of 30 m / min, preferably 25 m / min, preferably 22 m / min, preferably 20 m / min, preferably 18 m / min, preferably 16 m / min, preferably 14 m / min, and even more preferably 12 m / min. Such a maximum speed ensures an initial speed suitable for deceleration and / or acceleration to higher speeds with high safety.

[0192] The third predetermined speed can be, more preferably, between 3 m / min and 30 m / min, preferably between 5 m / min and 25 m / min, preferably between 7 m / min and 22 m / min, preferably between 8 m / min and 20 m / min, preferably between 8 m / min and 18 m / min, preferably between 8 m / min and 16 m / min, preferably between 10 m / min and 14 m / min, and even more preferably 12 m / min. Such speeds are particularly suitable for complete deceleration until the transport vehicle comes to a stop, and as an initial speed for acceleration to higher speeds, while simultaneously reducing the risk of collisions and the fall of screen-printed workpieces or workpiece carriers from the transport vehicle.

[0193] The control unit 35 and / or control cam can be designed in switchable and non-switchable embodiments. The switchable control unit 35 and / or control cam can operate without current (without power).

[0194] The transport rail 16 may have predefined stopping points for the transport vehicle 18, where preferably at least one control module 33 and / or one control unit 35 are provided. The at least one control module 33 and / or at least one control unit 35 and / or device controller 34 may be designed to stop the transport vehicle 18 at the predefined stopping points only when necessary. Furthermore, at least one sensor may be provided at the predefined stopping points to detect when the transport vehicle has driven to the control module 33, regardless of whether the transport vehicle 18 has stopped at the control module 33. Such a sensor may be designed as the control module 33 or as part of the control module 33.

[0195] The transport device 14 may further have a collision monitoring system for avoiding collisions between transport vehicles 18, the collision monitoring system preferably configured for distance and / or position sensors and / or signal processing for the control module 33 and / or control unit 35 of the transport rail 16.

[0196] Furthermore, as can be seen from Figures 9-21, the transport vehicle 18 may have a superstructure 36 for housing a workpiece carrier 20 for screen printing workpieces. Similarly, the transport vehicle 18 may have a runner device 38 having a drive device 26, and the superstructure 36 is preferably located on the runner device 38 of the transport vehicle 18. Individual figures of the runner device 38 can be seen in Figures 26 and 27.

[0197] The superstructure 36 and / or the transport section 40 of the superstructure 36 may preferably define a receiving plane for the workpiece carrier 20, the receiving plane extending at a certain distance from the runner device 38 and / or the drive device 26, and in particular at a vertical distance.

[0198] In particular, the superstructure 36 housing the workpiece carrier 20 can, when viewed in a plan view as shown in Figure 12, at least partially cover the runner device 38 and / or the drive device 26, and / or protrude beyond at least one side end 42 of the runner device 38.

[0199] Overall, the superstructure 36 can be C-shaped. The C-shape can be understood, for example, from the example in Figure 11. Furthermore, the superstructure 36 can form or define a free space 44 for accommodating the printing table 24 of the printing device 12.

[0200] In the cross-section of the superstructure 36, the center of the surface of the superstructure 36 can be positioned laterally offset with respect to the center of gravity of the superstructure 36. The center of the surface of the cross-section of the superstructure 36 can be formed, in particular, from the average of all points on the cross-sectional surfaces of the base section 46, the connecting section 48, and the transport section 40. In the cross-section of the superstructure 36, the center of the surface of the superstructure 36 can be positioned laterally offset, in particular, or laterally offset with respect to the longitudinal range of the transport rail 16. Such a cross-section of the superstructure 36 can be understood, in particular from Figures 17 and 18, and advantageously, allows the printing table 24 of the printing device 12 to be positioned in free space 44 for the purpose of contacting the underside of the respective housed workpiece carriers 20.

[0201] The superstructure 36 may have a base section 46 for fastening to a runner device 38, a transport section 40 for housing the workpiece carrier 20, and a connecting section 48 for connecting the transport section 40 to the base section 46. In this case, a free space 44 for housing the printing table 24 and / or for contacting the underside of the workpiece carrier 20 may preferably be formed between the base section 46 and the transport section 40 and / or defined laterally by the connecting section 48.

[0202] The superstructure 36 and / or the transport section 40 of the superstructure 36 can be mounted to be vertically movable relative to the runner device 38 and / or positioned to be height adjustable, as shown in detail in Figures 28-30. The superstructure 36 and / or the transport section 40 of the superstructure 36 can be positioned to be raised in particular relative to the runner device 38 by the print table 24 of the print device 12.

[0203] The stroke and / or vertical mobility of the superstructure 36 and / or the transport section 40 of the superstructure 36 relative to the runner device 38 can preferably be defined by a mechanical stroke limiting device 50. Such a stroke limiting device 50 can be formed in particular as a stroke limiting claw 52, ​​as shown as an example in Figure 10.

[0204] The stroke limiting device 50 and / or stroke limiting claw 52 are preferably located on the superstructure 36 and / or can be shape-fitted to engage behind the runner device 38. By raising the superstructure 36, the stroke limiting device 50 and / or stroke limiting claw 52 can be shape-fitted to contact and engage with the runner device 38.

[0205] The superstructure 36 can be further fastened to and / or guided vertically movably via a multi-point bearing 54, particularly a four-point bearing. Such vertical mobility allows for raising without the operation of adjustment screws or the release of a locking mechanism. This can result in free vertical mobility within predefined limits. The multi-point bearing 54 can be formed in particular by a plurality of bearings 56. The bearing 56 between the superstructure 36 and the runner device 38 can be formed by a bearing mandrel 58 and a mandrel receptacle 60 for the bearing mandrel 58.

[0206] Furthermore, multi-point bearings 54 and / or at least one bearing 56 between the superstructure 36 and the runner device 38 can be designed for self-alignment and / or self-alignment of the superstructure 36 with respect to the runner device 38. For this purpose, at least one bearing mandrel 58 can be tapered conically, and / or at least one mandrel receptacle 60 can be tapered conically. The mandrel receptacle 60 can be formed complementary to the bearing mandrel 58 or with a different conical shape than the bearing mandrel 58. Such a configuration can ensure reliable self-alignment of the superstructure 36 with respect to the runner device 38 with minimal effort.

[0207] Furthermore, the bearing 56 between the superstructure 36 and the runner device 38 may be equipped with an adjustment screw 61. Such an adjustment screw 61 can be screwed to a screw 63 of the base section 46. A mandrel receptacle 60 may be formed on the adjustment screw 61, particularly at the lower end of the adjustment screw 61. Thus, vertical adjustment of the superstructure 36 relative to the runner device can be performed by screwing in or loosening the adjustment screw 61. In this way, the correct initial height can be set for raising the superstructure 36 by the printing table 24.

[0208] The transport vehicle 18, in particular the superstructure 36 of the transport vehicle 18, and / or the transport section 40 of the superstructure 36, can be designed to accommodate and / or secure the workpiece carrier 20 in a shape-fit and / or force-fit and / or material-bonded manner, and / or at least partially, as shown as examples in Figures 9-25. Additionally or alternatively, the superstructure 36 and / or the transport section 40 of the superstructure 36 can be designed to accommodate and / or enclose the workpiece carrier 20 in a defined and / or play-free manner.

[0209] More preferably, the transport vehicle 18, in particular the superstructure 36 of the transport vehicle 18, and / or the transport section 40 of the superstructure 36, may have a frame device 62, in particular shape-fit and / or force-fit and / or material-bonded, and / or at least partially, for housing and / or securing the workpiece carrier 20, as shown as an example in Figures 9-25.

[0210] Similarly, the transport vehicle 18, in particular the superstructure 36 of the transport vehicle 18, and / or the transport section 40 of the superstructure 36 may also have a transport plate (not shown in more detail here) rather than a frame device 62, in particular a shape-fit and / or force-fit and / or material-bonded and / or at least partially a transport plate for accommodating and / or securing the workpiece carrier 20. Such a transport plate may be designed, for example, to have recesses for arranging the workpiece carrier 20.

[0211] The frame device 62 can preferably be designed to house and / or surround the workpiece carrier 20 in a defined and / or playless manner. Similarly, the frame device 62 can preferably define a free space 44 for contact with the underside of the workpiece carrier 20 housed and / or surrounded therein.

[0212] As shown in detail in Figures 19-25, the transport vehicle 18, particularly the superstructure 36 and / or transport section 40 and / or frame device 62, may have workpiece carrier mounting sections 64 for force-fitting and / or shape-fitting to secure and / or clamp and / or fasten the workpiece carrier 20. The workpiece carrier mounting sections 64 may preferably be designed as multi-point bearings, particularly three-point bearings.

[0213] The workpiece carrier mounting portion 64 can be formed in a particularly preferred form by at least one fixed mounting portion 66 and / or at least one locking mechanism 68, in particular a locking mechanism 68 located on the opposite side of the multiple fixed mounting portions 66, as can be seen from Figures 19 to 25.

[0214] The locking mechanism 68 can preferably be formed by a slide 70 having a chamfered and / or inclined contact surface 72 with respect to the sliding direction of the slide 70. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism 68 can be formed by a slide 70 under spring pretension and / or as a snap closure. Furthermore, the fixing mounting portion 66 can also be formed to have a chamfered and / or inclined contact surface 74 with respect to the sliding direction of the slide 70, and in particular, a plurality of fixing mounting portions 66 can each be formed to have an inclined contact surface 74.

[0215] In a more preferred configuration, the superstructure 36, in particular the transport section 40 and / or the frame device 62, may have a support section 76 for contacting the superstructure 36 by the print table 24 of the printing device 12 and / or for lifting the superstructure 36.

[0216] The support section 76 can preferably be formed on the underside of the transport section 40 and / or the frame device 62. In particular, the support section 76 can be formed on a molding element 78 formed and / or positioned inside the frame device 62. The support section 76 can be formed on the underside of the molding element 78. In contrast, a fixed mounting portion 66 and / or an inclined contact surface 74 can be formed on the upper side of each molding element 78.

[0217] The support section 76 can be formed and / or positioned so as to be in contact with the workpiece carrier mounting section 64 by the printing table 24 in an unloaded state. The superstructure 36 may be contactable and / or liftable by the printing table 24 via the support section 76 in an unloaded state with respect to the workpiece carrier mounting section 64. Such unloaded contact with the workpiece carrier mounting section 64 is ensured, in particular, when the support section 76 is made by the printing table 24 before or simultaneously with the contact of each workpiece carrier 20 by the printing table 24.

[0218] The printing device 12 may further have a liftable printing table 24, preferably a liftable vacuum printing table. A liftable printing table 24 is shown as an example in Figure 28.

[0219] In this case, the printing table 24 of the printing device 12 can be designed to make planar contact with the workpiece carrier 20 housed in the transport vehicle 18, and / or to make contact with the support section 76 of the superstructure 36 of the transport vehicle 18. Furthermore, the printing table 24 of the printing device 12 can be designed to raise the superstructure 36 via the support section 76 when there is no load on the workpiece carrier mounting portion, particularly with simultaneous and / or continuous contact between the support section 76 and the workpiece carrier 20.

[0220] For example, in the plan view of the transport device 14 and / or cross-section of the transport device 14 shown in Figure 12, the center of gravity of the transport vehicle 18 can be positioned offset from the transport rail 16. The center of gravity of the transport vehicle 18 can be positioned offset laterally from the transport rail 16, or offset laterally from the center of gravity of the transport rail 16. In particular, the center of gravity of the transport vehicle 18 can be positioned offset laterally from the transport rail 16 in the horizontal direction and laterally from the longitudinal range of the transport rail 16. In this case, the longitudinal range of the transport rail 16 can be used to pre-define the transport direction of the transport vehicle 18 on each transport rail 16.

[0221] More preferably, in the plan view of the transport vehicle 18 shown in Figures 12 and 18, for example, the center of gravity of the superstructure 36 can be offset from the center of gravity of the runner device 38. The center of gravity of the superstructure 36 can be offset laterally from the center of gravity of the runner device 38. In particular, the center of gravity of the superstructure 36 can be offset laterally from the center of gravity of the runner device 38 in the horizontal direction and laterally from the longitudinal range of the transport rail 16, and / or horizontally and laterally from the longitudinal range of the transport vehicle 18. In this case, the longitudinal range of the transport rail 16 can again predefine the transport direction of the transport vehicle 18 on each transport rail 16. In this case, the longitudinal range of the transport vehicle 18 can extend along the transport direction of the transport vehicle 18 on each transport rail 16.

[0222] Such a weight distribution results in favorable driving behavior for the transport vehicle 18 in cornering situations, and as a result, undesirable tilting of the transport vehicle 18 or the superstructure 36 relative to the runner device 28 can be avoided.

[0223] The transport device 14 and / or the rail system of the transport device 14 can be formed in a preferred form as a transport circuit, as shown in more detail in Figures 7 and 8. In this case, the rail system of the transport device 14 may have a bypass section 80. In such a bypass section 80, the transport vehicle 18 can be temporarily positioned or stopped before being reintroduced to or moving to the main section 82 of the rail system of the transport device 14.

[0224] The transport device 14 can be configured to automatically transport at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier 20 within a circuit between the printing device 12 and a location spaced away from the printing device 12. The location spaced away from the printing device 12 may be any location outside the printing device 12 along the rail system. The location outside the printing device 12 may be located along the main section 82 or along the bypass section 80.

[0225] As shown in Figures 1-6, the apparatus 10 may have multiple printing devices 12. A transport device 14 can travel between the printing devices 12. Thus, screen printing workpieces and / or workpiece carriers 20 can be transported between the printing devices 12 by the transport device 14.

[0226] The apparatus 10 may further be equipped with at least one drying device 84 for at least one screen-printed workpiece, and in particular, multiple drying devices 84 as shown in Figures 1-6. Preferably, a drying device 84 is assigned to each printing device 12, and / or each printing device 12 can be positioned downstream of the transport device 14 in the path. Furthermore, at least one drying device 84 may preferably be configured for continuous drying and / or static drying.

[0227] The transport device 14 can more preferably travel to transport the screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier 20 toward and away from the drying device 84 and / or through the drying device 84. Similarly, the transport device 14 can be configured to transport the screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier 20 between the printing device 12 and the drying device 84.

[0228] In particular, the transport device 14 can travel at least partially through the drying device 84, and / or the transport device 14 can be formed separately from the drying device 84. As a result, an overall modular configuration of the apparatus 10 may be possible, or even facilitated. The transport device 14 can be configured independently of the drying device 84 and can be positioned to connect the drying device 84 to at least one further device or location within the apparatus 10.

[0229] Furthermore, the transport devices 14, which are formed separately and / or independently of the drying devices 84, can simplify the replenishment and / or replacement of each drying device 84, in particular the replenishment of further units in the apparatus, or the replacement of one drying device 84 with another drying device 84.

[0230] Although the transport device 14 is formed separately and / or independently of the drying device 84, it can be adapted to the drying device 84 in particular to ensure reliable transport of the workpiece carrier 20 and / or screen-printed workpiece toward and away from the drying device 84.

[0231] Details of such a drying device 84 are shown in Figures 31-39. The drying device 84 can be formed in a particularly preferred form to dry at least one screen-printed workpiece and, at the same time, to cool the workpiece carrier 20 that transports each screen-printed workpiece to be dried.

[0232] The interior of the drying device 84 is shown in the longitudinal section views of Figures 33, 34, and 37, and the cross section views of Figures 35 and 36. The drying device 84 may, in particular, have a drying section 86 for drying screen printing workpieces and a cooling section 88 for cooling the workpiece carrier 20.

[0233] For this purpose, the drying device 84 can be divided into a drying section 86 and a cooling section 88, and preferably, at least one nozzle device 90 and / or perforated plate 92 for supplying a cooling airflow, in particular compressed cooling air, can be placed in the cooling section 88.

[0234] By subdividing the drying device 84 into a drying section 86 and a cooling section 88, the risk of warm drying air reaching the underside of each workpiece carrier 20 to be cooled can be avoided or reduced. Thus, undesirable heating of the workpiece carrier 20 can be prevented.

[0235] By appropriately subdividing the drying device 84 into a drying section 86 and a cooling section 88, mixing of the drying airflow and the cooling airflow can be prevented or reduced, particularly temporarily. Such mixing of the drying airflow and the cooling airflow can be prevented or reduced in a particularly preferred manner until the respective functions of the drying airflow and the cooling airflow are achieved, i.e., until each screen-printed workpiece is dried and cooling of the workpiece carrier is ensured simultaneously with or at least temporarily during drying.

[0236] The subdivision of the drying device 84 into a drying section 86 and a cooling section 88 can be facilitated, in particular, preferably by positioning the transport vehicles 18 on which the workpiece carrier 20 is positioned within the drying device 84. The transport vehicles 18 or the workpiece carrier 20 positioned on them can, advantageously, contribute to the subdivision of the drying device 84 into a drying section 86 and a cooling section 88. This is especially true when multiple transport vehicles 18 are positioned one behind the other within the drying device 84.

[0237] The drying section 86 may be positioned above the nozzle device 90 and / or the perforating plate 92 for supplying a cooling airflow.

[0238] The drying device 84 can be advantageously configured to perform convection drying of the screen-printed workpieces and / or air-cooling of the workpiece carrier 20, and in particular, to perform air-cooling of the workpiece carrier 20 that transports each screen-printed workpiece simultaneously with the convection drying of the screen-printed workpieces.

[0239] In this case, forced-air cooling can be performed via a nozzle device 90 and / or a perforating plate 92 for supplying a cooling airflow. Convection drying of the screen-printed workpiece can be performed via a drying air supply source 94.

[0240] In particular, the drying device 84 can be configured to direct the drying airflow 95 to one screen-printed workpiece or to multiple screen-printed workpieces simultaneously, preferably at an angle with respect to the transport axis formed by the transport rail 16, and / or at an angle with respect to the transport line that defines the transport direction of each screen-printed workpiece and / or each workpiece carrier 20, and / or laterally with respect to that transport direction, and / or upward toward each screen-printed workpiece.

[0241] If the dry airflow 95 is directed at a certain angle to the screen-printed workpiece, this direction may be different from the transport axis formed by the transport rail 16, or the transport direction of each screen-printed workpiece and / or each workpiece carrier 20. The direction of the dry airflow 95 may be inclined with respect to the transport direction of each screen-printed workpiece and / or each workpiece carrier 20, i.e., inclined by a specific angle or a predetermined angle. The direction of the dry airflow 95 perpendicular to the transport direction of each screen-printed workpiece and / or each workpiece carrier 20 extends at an angle of right or 90° with respect to the transport axis or transport line, thereby defining the transport direction of each screen-printed workpiece and / or each workpiece carrier 20.

[0242] The schematic diagrams in Figures 34 and 35 illustrate the upward supply of the dry air flow 95 to the screen printing workpiece or workpiece carrier 20. The downward arrows illustrate the upward supply of the dry air flow 95 onto the screen printing workpiece or workpiece carrier 20.

[0243] Furthermore, the drying device 84 can be configured to extract airflow such that an extracted airflow 97 is established horizontally and / or substantially horizontally from each screen-printed workpiece and / or workpiece carrier 20, at an angle with respect to the transport axis formed by the transport rail 16 and / or with respect to the transport line that defines the transport direction of each screen-printed workpiece and / or each workpiece carrier 20, particularly laterally with respect to the transport axis and / or transport direction. The extraction of such a drying airflow 95 can also be understood from the schematic diagrams of Figures 34 and 35. The lateral and upward arrows illustrate such extracted airflow 97 from the screen-printed workpiece or workpiece carrier 20.

[0244] Furthermore, the drying device 84 can be configured to guide the extracted dry air and / or cooling air, in the form of an extracted air stream 97, back onto the screen printing workpiece to be dried as dry air, particularly as a newly supplied dry air stream 95.

[0245] Such air guides within the drying device 84 can be understood from the schematic diagrams in Figures 34 and 35, or from the illustrations of the arrows contained herein. Thus, the drying device 84 can be formed and / or configured as a circulating air dryer.

[0246] Similarly, the drying device 84 can be designed and / or configured for a mixing operation in which a partial return of the extracted dry airflow 95 and / or cooling airflow occurs. In the mixing operation, the extracted dry air and / or cooling air can be mixed with fresh air after the return, and the fresh air is then directed again to the screen-printed workpiece for drying purposes.

[0247] Similarly, the drying device 84 may be formed and / or configured to have a heat exchanger (not shown in more detail here) for heat recovery. In such a configuration, the drying device 84 can direct only fresh air to each screen-printed workpiece to be dried, and the recovered thermal energy can be used to heat the fresh air.

[0248] A heating element 96 can be provided, particularly above the heating air source 94, to heat the dry air flow 95 for convection drying, or so that the dry air flow 95 is guided to each screen printing workpiece through the dry air supply source 94.

[0249] Therefore, the dry air stream 95 delivered through the heating element 96 is properly heated and then supplied via the dry air supply source 94 to each screen printing workpiece to be dried on each workpiece carrier 20.

[0250] The drying air supply source 94 may advantageously have multiple nozzles 98 through which a flow of drying air 95 can be directed toward each screen-printed workpiece for convection drying. The nozzles 98 may be designed in particular as slotted nozzles.

[0251] The distance of the nozzle 98 to the transport vehicle 18, which can be positioned within the drying device 84, may preferably be adjustable.

[0252] The distance of the nozzle 98 to the workpiece carrier 20, which is positioned or fixed within the transport vehicle 18, may be adjustable by at least 30 mm, particularly at least 35 mm, preferably at least 40 mm, or at least 45 mm. During operation, this allows for a relatively wide range of adjustments to the distance from the nozzle 98 to the workpiece carrier 20, thus enabling numerous adjustments to suit various applications.

[0253] More preferably, the distance of the nozzle 98 to the workpiece carrier 20 located or fixed within the transport vehicle 18 is adjustable by a maximum of 90 mm, particularly a maximum of 80 mm, preferably a maximum of 70 mm or 60 mm. This ensures an overall compact and robust structure despite the adjustability.

[0254] In a more preferred configuration, the distance of the nozzle 98 to the workpiece carrier 20 positioned or fixed within the transport vehicle 18 may be between 90 mm and 30 mm, particularly between 90 mm and 35 mm, particularly between 90 mm and 40 mm, preferably between 80 mm and 30 mm, and preferably between 80 mm and 40 mm. Such adjustability ensures a wide range of adjustability, and at the same time, a robust and compact structure.

[0255] In a more preferred embodiment, the drying device 84 may be configured to activate and / or deactivate a cooling position 100 depending on the position of the workpiece carrier 20 within the drying device 84, in particular to activate a cooling position 100 below each current position of the workpiece carrier 20. In this case, the cooling position 100 may be configured to be activated by the selective activation of individual or multiple cooling nozzles 102 and / or compressed air openings 104 in and / or on the nozzle device 90 and / or perforation plate 92.

[0256] The cooling nozzle 102 and / or compressed air opening 104 can be formed as point-like openings, or as longitudinally extending openings, particularly openings having a longitudinal range at an angle with respect to the transport axis formed by the transport rail 16 that defines the transport direction of the transport vehicle 18, and / or at an angle with respect to the longitudinal range of the transport rail 16. In particular, the longitudinally extending opening of the cooling nozzle 102 and / or compressed air opening 104 can have a longitudinal range in the plan view of the drying device 84 that forms an angle with respect to the transport axis and / or transport direction of the transport vehicle 18, and / or the longitudinal range of the transport rail 16, particularly an angle of 90° or about 90°.

[0257] In this case, the cooling position 100 can be formed by one or more cooling nozzles 102 and / or compressed air openings 104 located within the drying device 84 along the transport rail 16 and / or along the transport direction of the transport vehicle 18. The cooling nozzles 102 and / or compressed air openings 104 can be formed, for example, on the supply line 105, particularly on the upper side of the supply line 105 at regular intervals. Similarly, the cooling position 100 can also be formed by longitudinally extending openings.

[0258] Multiple cooling nozzles 102 and / or compressed air openings 104 at the cooling position can be distributed at an angle or laterally with respect to the transport axis formed by the transport rail 16, or laterally with respect to the transport direction of the transport vehicle 18 and / or at an angle with respect to the longitudinal range of the transport rail 16. In particular, multiple cooling nozzles 102 and / or compressed air openings 104 at the cooling position can be distributed in a direction that forms an angle with respect to the transport direction of the transport vehicle 18 and / or the longitudinal range of the transport rail 16, in particular an angle of 90° or about 90°, in the plan view of the drying device 84.

[0259] The cooling nozzles 102 and / or compressed air openings 104 at the cooling positions, formed as longitudinally extending openings, can extend at an angle or laterally with respect to the transport axis formed by the transport rails 16, or laterally with respect to the transport direction of the transport vehicle 18, and / or at an angle with respect to the longitudinal range of the transport rails 16. In particular, the cooling nozzles 102 and / or compressed air openings 104 at the cooling positions, formed as longitudinally extending openings, can extend in a direction that forms an angle of 90° or about 90° with respect to the transport axis formed by the transport rails 16 or the transport direction of the transport vehicle 18 and / or the longitudinal range of the transport rails 16 in the plan view of the drying device 84.

[0260] In a more preferred embodiment, the drying device 84 may have at least one air filter 106 for filtering the dry air stream 95. The air filter 106 may be designed in particular as a HEPA air filter. Thus, the nozzle 98 of the dry air source 94 may be provided and / or positioned to pass through or supply filtered dry air or an already filtered dry air stream 95.

[0261] Finally, the drying device 84 can also be configured to supply fresh air and / or room air continuously and / or periodically.

[0262] When the transport vehicle 18 is positioned inside the drying device 84, the nozzle device 90 and / or perforating plate 92 can protrude, at least partially, into the free space 44 of the superstructure 36 for housing the printing table, and / or between the base section 46 and the transport section 40 of the superstructure 36. In such a position, the nozzle device 90 and / or perforating plate 92 can protrude, at least partially, below the workpiece carrier 20 housed by each transport vehicle 18. In this way, a direct supply of cooling airflow to the underside of each workpiece carrier 20 can be provided, thus ensuring adequate cooling.

[0263] In a position where it at least partially protrudes into the free space 44 of the superstructure 36 for housing the printing table, the nozzle device 90 and / or perforating plate 92 more preferably function as an insulating device between different sections of the drying device 84. In particular, the nozzle device 90 and / or perforating plate 92 can function as an insulating device between the drying section 86 and the cooling section 88. For this purpose, the nozzle device 90 and / or perforating plate 92 may extend along a horizontal plane, or substantially along a horizontal plane.

[0264] In this case, the nozzle device 90 and / or the perforating plate 92 itself may be part of the cooling section 88 of the drying device 84, but it promotes insulation between the drying section 86 and the cooling section 88. This is especially true in positions where the nozzle device 90 and / or the perforating plate 92 protrude into the free space 44 of the superstructure 36 for housing the printing table. That is, in this case, the nozzle device 90 and / or the perforating plate 92 can direct cooling air only to the underside of the workpiece carrier 20 housed in the respective superstructure 36, thereby at least temporarily avoiding, or at least reducing, undesirable mixing with the drying air directed to the respective workpiece carrier 20 on the upper side.

[0265] Furthermore, by means of the nozzle device 90 and / or the perforated plate 92, a warm dry air flow can reach the area below the nozzle device 90 and / or the perforated plate 92, where unwanted heating can be avoided. Overall, the nozzle device 90 and / or the perforated plate 92 can provide an advantageous heat insulation function.

[0266] The drying device 84 can have an opening 108 at at least one longitudinal end, which is formed at least partially complementary to the cross-sectional shape, particularly geometrically complementary, and / or complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the transport vehicle 18, particularly geometrically complementary. As a result, the leakage of the air volume from the drying device 84 can be kept low.

[0267] The apparatus 10 can further be equipped with a positioning and / or removal device 110 for positioning the workpiece carrier 20 on the transport vehicle 18 and / or for removing the workpiece carrier 20 from the transport vehicle 18. Such a positioning and / or removal device 110 is schematically shown in FIGS. 40 to 43.

[0268] The positioning and / or removal device 110 can in particular be formed to actuate the slide 70 of the locking mechanism 68, thereby unlocking the workpiece carrier 20 accommodated in the transport vehicle 18. The actuation of the slide 70 can preferably be automatically carried out by the positioning and / or removal device 110, particularly by a claw 112 engaging behind the slide 70.

[0269] Furthermore, the positioning and / or removal device 110 can be configured to perform automatic handling of the workpiece carrier 20 for the purpose of removing it from the transport vehicle 20 after unlocking the locking mechanism 68 and / or positioning it inside the transport vehicle 18 after opening the slide 70. For this purpose, for example, a pressing device 114 can be provided, by which the workpiece carrier 20 can be lifted from the transport vehicle 18 at least on one side or transferred to an inclined position. From such an inclined position of the workpiece carrier 20, manual or further automatic removal of the workpiece carrier 20 can be performed.

[0270] After different or new workpiece carriers 20 are arranged on the respective transport vehicles 18, the pressing device 114 can be lowered again, as a result of which the workpiece carrier 20 is arranged lying horizontally in a planar position on the transport vehicle 18. Thereafter, the positioning and / or removal device 110, in particular the claws 112, can release the slide 70 of the locking mechanism 68 and / or guide the slide 70 to the locked position in a controlled manner, resulting in the fixation of the respective workpiece carrier 20.

[0271] Furthermore, the positioning and / or removal device 110 can be equipped with a detection device 116, by which the workpiece carrier 20 to be removed from and / or newly positioned on the respective transport vehicle 18 can be detected.

[0272] The apparatus 10 described above is particularly preferred and suitable for carrying out a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional screen-printed workpiece. In such a method, at least one screen-printed workpiece is manufactured in layers by a printing device 12 through multiple printing operations. At least one screen-printed workpiece, and / or a workpiece carrier 20 having the screen-printed workpiece, is automatically transported by a transport device 14 toward and away from the printing device 12, where transport by the transport device 14 can be carried out by a transport vehicle 18 on a transport rail 16.

[0273] The apparatus 10 can be designed and / or configured, in particular, for the development and / or manufacture of large quantities of pharmaceuticals. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0274] 10. Apparatus for manufacturing 3D screen-printed workpieces. 12 Printing Devices 14. Transportation Devices 16 Transport Rails 18 Conveyor Vehicles 20 Workpiece Carrier 22 Housing 24 Print Table 26 Drive Devices 28 drive rollers 29 Current-conducting contact roller 30 Support devices 32 Support rollers 33 Control Module 34. Device Controller 35 Control Unit 36 Superstructure 38 Runner Devices 40 Conveying Section 42 Side edge 44 Free space 46 Base Section 48 Connection Sections 50 Stroke Limiting Device 52 Stroke Limiting Claw 54 Multi-Point Bearing 56 Bearing 58 Bearing Mandrel 60 Mandrel Receptacle 61 Adjusting Screw 62 Frame Device 63 Screw 64 Workpiece Carrier Mounting Portion 66 Fixed Mounting Portion 68 Locking Mechanism 70 Slide 72 Contact Surface 74 Contact Surface 76 Support Section 78 Forming Element 80 Bypass Section 82 Main Section 84 Drying Device 86 Drying Section 88 Cooling Section 90 Nozzle Device 92 Perforated Plate 94 Drying Air Supply Source 95 Drying Air Flow 96 Heating Element 97 Extracted Air Flow 98 Nozzle 100 Cooling Position 102 Cooling Nozzle 104 Compressed Air Opening 106 Air Filter 108 Opening at the Longitudinal End of the Drying Device 110 Positioning and / or Removing Device

Claims

1. Apparatus (10) for manufacturing a three-dimensional screen-printed workpiece, more particularly a 3D screen printer, comprising: a printing device (12) for manufacturing at least one screen-printed workpiece in layers through a plurality of printing operations; and a transport device (14) for automatically transporting at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier (20) toward and away from the printing device (12), wherein the transport device (14) comprises at least one transport rail (16) and a transport vehicle (18) for at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or at least one workpiece carrier (20) movably arranged on the transport rail (16).

2. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the transport device (18) is configured to automatically transport at least one screen printing workpiece and / or workpiece carrier (20) toward and / or away from the printing table (24) of the printing device (12), and / or the transport device (14) is formed separately from the printing device (12), and / or the transport device (14) travels through the printing device (12).

3. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the transport vehicle (18) has at least one drive device (26), the drive device (26) is positioned on the transport vehicle (18) so as to travel together with the transport vehicle (18), and / or has a drive roller (28) that rolls on the transport rail (16) and / or a drive motor for the drive roller (28).

4. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the transport vehicle (18) has at least one support device (30) for supporting on the transport rail (16), in particular a support roller (32) that rolls on the transport rail (16) for supporting the transport vehicle (18), and / or the transport vehicle (18) is supported on the transport rail (16) via roller contact points, in particular via only the roller contact points of one drive roller (28) and / or support roller (32), or via the roller contact points of a plurality of drive rollers (28) and / or support rollers (32).

5. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the transport rail (16) is designed as a monorail and / or has a plurality of monorail sections connected to one another, particularly monorail sections connected to one another in the longitudinal direction, and / or the transport rail (16) is assembled in a modular manner and / or consists of a plurality of rail modules, and / or the transport vehicle (18) is positioned on the transport rail (16) such that it engages with the transport rail (16) on a plurality of sides, particularly on three sides, along the longitudinal section of the transport rail (16).

6. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the transport vehicle (18) has at least one position sensor and / or one distance sensor, and / or the transport vehicle (18) is designed to communicate with a control module (33) located on the transport rail (16).

7. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The device (10) is characterized in that at least one control module (33) for communicating with a higher-level device controller (34) and / or with at least one transport vehicle (18) to control the transport route and / or transport speed of each transport vehicle (18) is located on the transport rail (16), and at least one control unit (35), particularly a control cam, for controlling the speed of the transport vehicles (18) is located on the transport rail (16), and / or at least one position sensor and / or distance sensor is located on the transport rail (16).

8. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The transport device (14) has a collision monitoring system for avoiding collisions between transport vehicles (18), and the collision monitoring system is preferably configured for distance and / or position sensors and / or for signal processing of the control module (33) and / or control unit (35) of the transport rail (16).

9. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the transport vehicle (18) has a superstructure (36) for housing a workpiece carrier (20) for screen printing workpieces, and / or a runner device (38) having the drive device, wherein the superstructure (36) is preferably positioned on the runner device (38) of the transport vehicle (18).

10. The apparatus (10) according to claim 9, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the superstructure (36) and / or the transport section (40) of the superstructure (36) define a receiving plane for a workpiece carrier (20), and the workpiece carrier (20) extends at a certain distance from the runner device (38) and / or the drive device (26), particularly at a vertical distance.

11. The apparatus (10) according to claim 9 or 10, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the superstructure (36) having a housed workpiece carrier (20) at least partially covers the runner device (38) and / or the drive device (26) in a plan view and / or protrudes beyond at least one side end of the runner device (38).

12. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the superstructure (36) is C-shaped and / or forms a free space (44) for housing the printing table (24) of the printing device (12), and / or in the cross-section of the superstructure (36), the center of the surface is positioned laterally offset with respect to the center of gravity of the superstructure (36).

13. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the superstructure (36) has a base section (46) for fastening to the runner device (38), a transport section (40) for housing a workpiece carrier (20), and a connecting section (48) for connecting the transport section (40) to the base section (46), and a free space (44) for housing a printing table (24) and / or for contacting the underside of the workpiece carrier (20) is preferably formed between the base section (46) and the transport section (40) and / or defined laterally by the connecting section (48).

14. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the superstructure (36) and / or the transport section (40) of the superstructure (36) are mounted so as to be movable vertically with respect to the runner device (38) and / or are arranged so as to be height adjustable, and / or the superstructure (36) and / or the transport section (40) of the superstructure (36) are arranged so as to be raised relative to the runner device (38) by the print table (24) of the printing device (12).

15. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 14, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the stroke and / or vertical mobility of the superstructure (36) and / or the transport section (40) of the superstructure (36) relative to the runner device (38) is preferably limited by a mechanical stroke limiting device (50), particularly a stroke limiting claw (52).

16. The apparatus (10) according to claim 15, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the stroke limiting device (50) and / or the stroke limiting claw (52) are arranged on the superstructure (36) and / or engage with the runner device (38) behind it in a shape-fit manner and / or can be shape-fit contact-engaged with the runner device (38) by raising the superstructure (36).

17. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 16, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the superstructure (36) is fastened to the runner device (38) and / or guided to move vertically via a multi-point bearing (54), particularly a four-point bearing, and / or at least one bearing (56) between the superstructure (36) and the runner device (38) is formed by a bearing mandrel (58) and a mandrel receptacle (60) for the bearing mandrel (58).

18. The apparatus (10) according to claim 17, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the multi-point bearing (54), and / or at least one bearing (56) between the superstructure (36) and the runner device (38) is designed for self-alignment and / or self-alignment of the superstructure (36) with respect to the runner device (38), and / or at least one bearing mandrel (58) is tapered in a conical shape, and / or at least one mandrel receptacle (60) is tapered in a conical shape, particularly complementary to the bearing mandrel (58), or with a different conical shape than the bearing mandrel (58).

19. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the transport vehicle (18), in particular the superstructure (36) of the transport vehicle (18), and / or the transport section (40) of the superstructure (36) are designed to accommodate and / or secure the workpiece carrier (20) in a shape-fit and / or force-fit and / or material-bonded manner, and / or at least partially, and / or the superstructure (36), and / or the transport section (40) of the superstructure (36) are designed to accommodate and / or surround the workpiece carrier (20) in a defined and / or play-free manner.

20. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the transport vehicle (18), in particular the superstructure (36) of the transport vehicle (18), and / or the transport section (40) of the superstructure (36) has a frame device (62), in particular a frame device (62) for shape-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or material-bonding and / or for housing and / or securing a workpiece carrier (20), wherein the frame device (62) is preferably designed to house and / or surround the workpiece carrier (20) in a defined and / or playless manner, and / or the frame device (62) preferably defines a free space (44) for contacting the underside of the workpiece carrier (20) housed and / or surrounded therein.

21. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 20, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the transport vehicle (18), particularly the superstructure (36) and / or the transport section (40) and / or the frame device (62), has a workpiece carrier mounting portion (64) for force-fitting and / or shape-fitting fixing and / or clamping and / or fastening the workpiece carrier (20), wherein the workpiece carrier mounting portion (64) is preferably designed as a multi-point mounting portion, particularly a three-point mounting portion.

22. The apparatus (10) according to claim 21, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the workpiece carrier mounting portion (64) is formed by at least one fixed mounting portion (66) and / or at least one locking mechanism (68), particularly a plurality of fixed mounting portions (66) and a locking mechanism (68) located on the opposite side.

23. The apparatus (10) according to claim 22, The device (10) is characterized in that the locking mechanism (68) is preferably formed by a slide (70) having a contact surface (72), the contact surface (72) is chamfered and / or inclined with respect to the sliding direction of the slide (70), and / or the locking mechanism (68) is formed by a slide (70) under spring pretension and / or as a snap closure, and / or at least one fixed mounting portion (66) is formed having a contact surface (74) that is chamfered and / or inclined with respect to the sliding direction of the slide (70).

24. Apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 23, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the superstructure (36), particularly the transport section (40) and / or the frame device (62), has a support section (76) that contacts the superstructure (36) with the print table (24) of the printing device (12) and / or lifts the superstructure (36), wherein the support section (76) is preferably formed below the transport section (40) and / or the frame device (62).

25. The apparatus (10) according to claim 24, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the support section (76) is formed and / or positioned so as to contact the workpiece carrier mounting portion (64) by the printing table (24) in an unloaded state, and / or the support section (76) can contact the superstructure (36) and / or lift the superstructure (36) by the printing table (24) via the support section (76) in an unloaded state.

26. Apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 25, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the printing device (12) has a liftable printing table (24), preferably a liftable vacuum printing table, and / or the printing table (24) of the printing device (12) is designed for planar contact with a workpiece carrier (20) housed in a transport vehicle (18), and / or for contact with the support section (76) of the superstructure (36) of the transport vehicle (18), and / or the printing table (24) of the printing device (12) is designed to raise the superstructure (36) via the support section (76) in an unloaded state against the workpiece carrier mounting section (64), particularly with simultaneous contact with the workpiece carrier (20).

27. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 26, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that, in a plan view of the transport device (14), the center of gravity of the transport vehicle (18) is offset with respect to the transport rail (16), and / or the center of gravity of the transport vehicle (18) is offset with respect to the transport rail (16) in the horizontal direction.

28. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 27, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that, in a plan view of the transport vehicle (18), the center of gravity of the superstructure (36) is offset from the center of gravity of the runner device (38), and / or the center of gravity of the superstructure (36) is offset from the center of gravity of the runner device (38) in the horizontal direction.

29. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 28, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the transport device (14) and / or the rail system are formed as a transport circuit and / or configured to automatically transport at least one screen printing workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier (20) within the circuit between the printing device (12) and a position spaced apart from the printing device (12).

30. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 29, An apparatus (10) comprising a plurality of printing devices (12), wherein a transport device (14) travels between the printing devices (12) and / or a screen printing workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier (20) can be transported between the printing devices (12) by the transport device (14).

31. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 30, Apparatus (10) comprising at least one drying device (84), more particularly a plurality of drying devices (84) for at least one screen-printed workpiece, wherein the at least one drying device (84) is preferably formed for continuous drying passage and / or static drying.

32. The apparatus (10) according to claim 31, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the transport device (14) is preferably formed to transport a screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier (20) toward and / or away from and / or through the drying device (84), and / or to transport the screen-printed workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier (20) between the printing device (12) and the drying device (84), and / or the transport device (14) travels through the drying device (84), and / or the transport device (14) is formed separately from the drying device (84).

33. The apparatus (10) according to claim 31 or 32, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the drying device (84) is configured to dry at least one screen-printed workpiece and, at the same time, to cool a workpiece carrier (20) that transports each of the screen-printed workpieces to be dried.

34. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 31 to 32, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the drying device (84) has a drying section (86) for drying a screen-printed workpiece and a cooling section (88) for cooling a workpiece carrier (20), and / or the drying device (84) is divided into a drying section (86) and a cooling section (88), and at least one nozzle device (90) and / or a perforating plate (92) for supplying a cooling airflow, particularly compressed cooling air, is preferably located within the cooling section (88), and / or the drying section (86) is located above the nozzle device (90) and / or perforating plate (92) for supplying a cooling airflow.

35. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 31 to 34, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the drying device (84) is formed for convection drying of screen-printed workpieces and / or air-cooling of the workpiece carrier (20), and in particular is formed to perform air-cooling of the workpiece carrier (20) that transports each of the screen-printed workpieces at the same time as convection drying of the screen-printed workpieces, and / or the drying device (84) has a contact cooling function for the workpiece carrier (20), preferably a contact cooling function for the workpiece carrier (20) that travels together with the drying device (84).

36. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 31 to 35, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the drying device (84) is configured to activate and deactivate a cooling position (100) according to the position of the workpiece carrier (20) within the drying device (84), and in particular to activate a cooling position (100) below each of the current positions of the workpiece carrier (20).

37. The apparatus (10) according to claim 36, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the cooling position (100) is operated by the selective operation of individual or multiple cooling nozzles (102) and / or compressed air openings (104) in and / or on the nozzle device (90) and / or perforation plate (92).

38. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 31 to 37, The drying device (84) is characterized in that it has at least one air filter (106) and / or a plurality of nozzles (98) for filtered dry air (95), and / or the drying device (84) is configured as a circulating air dryer and / or configured to continuously and / or periodically supply fresh air and / or room air.

39. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 31 to 38, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the drying device (84) is formed to direct a drying airflow (95) onto the screen printing workpiece, particularly at an angle with respect to the transport direction of each screen printing workpiece and / or each workpiece carrier (20), and / or laterally with respect to the transport direction, and / or upward with respect to each screen printing workpiece.

40. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 31 to 39, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the drying device (84) is configured to extract an airflow such that the extracted airflow is established at an angle with respect to the transport direction of each screen printing workpiece and / or each workpiece carrier (20), particularly laterally with respect to the transport direction, and / or horizontally from each screen printing workpiece and / or workpiece carrier (20).

41. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 31 to 40, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the drying device (84) is configured to guide the extracted dry air and / or cooling air back to the screen printing workpiece to be dried as dry air (95).

42. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 34 to 41, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that, when the transport vehicle (18) is positioned within the drying device (84), the nozzle device (90) and / or the perforating plate (92) protrude at least partially into the free space (44) of the superstructure (36) for housing the printing table (24), and / or between the base section (46) and the transport section (40) of the superstructure (36), and / or below the workpiece carrier (20) housed by the transport vehicle (18).

43. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 31 to 42, The apparatus (10) is characterized in that the drying device (84) has an opening (108) at at least one longitudinal end, and the opening is formed at least partially complementary to the cross-sectional shape and / or complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the transport vehicle (18).

44. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 43, An apparatus (10) comprising a sluice device for loading and / or unloading transport vehicles (18), and / or at least one detection module for detecting transport vehicles loaded and / or unloaded from the transport device.

45. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 44, Apparatus (10) comprising at least one positioning and / or removal device (110) for positioning a workpiece carrier (20) on a transport vehicle (18) and / or removing the workpiece carrier (20) from the transport vehicle (18).

46. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional screen-printed workpiece using an apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 45, wherein at least one screen-printed workpiece is manufactured in layers by a printing device (12) through a plurality of printing operations, and at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier (20) having the screen-printed workpiece is automatically transported by a transport device (14) toward and away from the printing device (12), wherein the transport by the transport device (14) is carried out by a transport vehicle (18) on a transport rail (16).

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