Frame receiving unit and printing device

Abstract

This frame receiving unit is used in a printing device that prints a viscous fluid placed on the top surface of a screen mask onto a processing object with a squeegee, and is provided with a fixation unit that fixes the screen mask to be removable and a mask support unit that supports the screen mask from a bottom surface side of the screen mask.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] A frame receiving unit and a printing device are disclosed herein. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, for example, in a printing device that uses a screen mask to perform a printing process of a viscous fluid on a printing object such as a substrate, a device has been proposed that includes a pair of screen support members that support the periphery of a printing area formed on the screen mask from below the screen mask, and that these screen support members are provided independently of a lift table that raises and lowers the substrate (see, for example, Patent Document 1).In this printing device, because the pair of screen support members are provided separately from the lift table, the load on the lift table can be reduced and the degree of freedom in designing the components and devices mounted on the lift table can be increased. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2017 / 163360 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the printing device described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, a pair of screen support members are arranged on the housing side of the printing device, and when the screen mask is separated from the substrate, the screen mask can bend, resulting in variations in printing quality.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such problems, and has as its main object to provide a frame receiving unit and a printing device that can further reduce variations in print quality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The frame receiving unit and printing apparatus disclosed in this specification employ the following means to achieve the above-mentioned main object.

[0007] The frame receiving unit of the present disclosure comprises: A frame receiving unit used in a printing device that prints a viscous fluid placed on an upper surface of a screen mask onto a processing object using a squeegee, a fixing portion that removably fixes the screen mask; a mask support portion that supports the screen mask from the lower surface side of the screen mask; It is equipped with the following.

[0008] In this frame support unit, the fixing portion fixes the screen mask, and the mask support portion integrally supports the screen mask from below. That is, the screen mask is always fixed and supported integrally by the fixing portion and the mask support portion. Therefore, with this frame support unit, deflection of the screen mask can be further suppressed even when the screen mask is separated from the processing object, and variation in printing quality can be further suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of a mounting system 10 and a printing device 11. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a printing unit 22, a mask working unit 26, and a substrate processing unit 50. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of a frame receiving unit 30. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print processing routine. [Figure 5] 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the operation of the frame receiving unit 30 in the printing process. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of another frame receiving unit 30B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] This embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of a mounting system 10 and a printing device 11 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a printing unit 22, a masking unit 26, and a substrate processing unit 50. FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of a frame receiving unit 30. The mounting system 10 includes a printing device 11, a print inspection device 12, a storage device 13, a mounting device 15, a mounting inspection device 16, a loader 18, a reflow device (not shown), and a management computer (PC) 19. The mounting system 10 is configured as a production line in which, for example, mounting devices 15 that mount components P on substrates S (objects to be processed) downstream of the printing device 11 are arranged in the transport direction of the substrates S. In this embodiment, the left-right direction (X-axis), the front-rear direction (Y-axis), and the up-down direction (Z-axis) are as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0011] The print inspection device 12 is a device that inspects the state of viscous fluids such as solder paste printed on the board S by the printing device 11. The storage device 13 is a temporary storage location for feeders holding components. The mounting device 15 is a device that performs mounting processing to place components on the board S. The mounting inspection device 16 is a device that inspects the state of components mounted on the board S. The loader 18 is a device that moves left and right along the X-axis rail 17 on the front side of the mounting device 15, and automatically attaches, detaches, collects, and replenishes mounting-related components used in the mounting device 15, such as feeders. The reflow device is a device that reflows boards on which solder has been printed and components P have been mounted. The management PC 19 is a device that manages information about each device in the mounting system 10. This management PC 19 manages the progress status of each device on the production line that performs mounting processing.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printing device 11 uses a squeegee 25 to push solder on a screen mask M into pattern holes formed in the screen mask M, thereby applying (printing) the solder as a viscous fluid onto a substrate S serving as a processing object below through the pattern holes. Examples of the "processing object" include a substrate S on which components are mounted and a three-dimensional base material. Examples of the "viscous fluid" include solder paste, conductive paste, and adhesive. The following description uses the substrate S and solder paste as examples. The screen mask M is fixed inside a frame 29. As shown in FIG. 2, the printing device 11 includes a control unit 20, a printing unit 22, a mask working unit 26, and a substrate processing unit 50.

[0013] The control unit 20 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU 21 and controls the entire printing apparatus 11. The control unit 20 outputs signals to the printing unit 22, the masking unit 26, the substrate processing unit 50, and the management PC 19, which serves as an external device. The control unit 20 also receives signals from the printing unit 22, the masking unit 26, the substrate processing unit 50, and the management PC 19, which serves as an external device. The control unit 20 has a memory unit that stores information about the substrate S to be printed and a printing processing program for printing the substrate S. The control unit 20 controls the print head 23 to contact the squeegee 25 with the screen mask M in one of the following states: a transport state in which the substrate S is transported by the transport unit 51; a plate-separated state in which the substrate S is not in contact with the screen mask M; and a plate-aligned state in which the substrate S is in contact with the screen mask M, as will be described in detail later. The control unit 20 also controls the squeegee 25 to perform a predetermined operation on the screen mask M when the substrate S is not in contact with the screen mask M.

[0014] The printing unit 22 is disposed on the upper stage of the printing device 11 and is a unit that prints a viscous fluid onto a substrate S using a screen mask M. As shown in FIG. 2, the printing unit 22 includes a print head 23, a head moving unit 24, a squeegee lifting unit (not shown), and a squeegee 25. The print head 23 is a unit in which the squeegee 25 is arranged to be movable up and down. The head moving unit 24 moves the print head 23 in a predetermined printing direction B (here, the front-to-rear direction) to print the viscous fluid placed on the upper surface of the screen mask M onto the substrate S using the squeegee 25. The head moving unit 24 includes a guide formed in the front-to-rear direction, a slider that moves along the guide, and a motor that drives the slider. The squeegee 25 is disposed below the print head 23 and is raised and lowered by the squeegee lifting unit. The printing unit 22 has two squeegees 25, one for the front and one for the rear.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mask working section 26 is disposed between the printing section 22 and the substrate processing section 50 in the vertical direction and is a unit that fixes and holds the screen mask M. The mask working section 26 includes a frame support unit 30 and a pressure supply unit 42. The mask working section 26 positions the screen mask M and supports and fixes it in a horizontal orientation. The frame support unit 30 receives the frame 29 on which the screen mask M is disposed and removably fixes it. The frame support unit 30 includes a fixing portion 31 and a mask support portion 33. The fixing portion 31 removably fixes the screen mask M. The fixing portion 31 includes a fixing rod 32. The fixing rod 32 is a columnar member that abuts against the frame 29 to fix the screen mask M. The fixing rod 32 is raised and lowered by a linear actuator (not shown). As shown in FIG. 3 , the fixing portion 31 is disposed at the tip of the upper horizontal portion of a slide member 37. The fixed portion 31 moves along the sliding direction C together with the sliding member 37 .

[0016] The mask support section 33 supports the screen mask M from its underside. The mask support section 33 is disposed on the frame receiving unit 30 side. Therefore, in the printing apparatus 11, the screen mask M is always supported by the mask support section 33 regardless of the position of the transport section 51. The mask support section 33 is disposed on the outer periphery of the printing area of ​​the screen mask M, outside the transport lane of the transport section 51, and supports the screen mask M (see FIG. 5C , described later). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the mask support section 33 has a support member 34, a slide member 37, a clamp section 38, a guide section 39, and a slide movement section 40. The support member 34 is a member whose longitudinal direction is the transport direction A and contacts and supports the underside of the screen mask M. The support member 34 is a long, plate-like member. The support member 34 has suction holes 36 formed therein, which supply negative pressure to a support surface 35 that contacts and supports the screen mask M, thereby suction-holding and fixing the screen mask M. The slide members 37 are a pair of members connected to both ends of the support member 34 to support the support member 34. The slide member 37 is a C-shaped member having an upper horizontal portion, a lower horizontal portion, and a vertical connecting portion where the two horizontal portions are connected. As shown in FIG. 3 , the upper horizontal portion of the slide member 37 is inserted into the guide portion 39. The connecting portion of the slide member 37 is located outside a wall portion formed vertically along the front-rear direction of the frame support unit 30. The lower horizontal portion of the slide member 37 is located below the wall portion, and the support member 34 is disposed thereon. The clamp portion 38 can restrict and release the sliding of the support member 34. The clamp portion 38 may be a locking mechanism that can secure and release the support member 34 and / or a member connected to the support member 34. The mask support unit 33 has at least a pair of support members 34, and the support members 34 are secured to both sides of the transport unit 51 by the clamp portions 38, respectively. The guide portion 39 is configured to allow the support member 34 to slide in a sliding direction C that intersects with the conveying direction A. The guide portion 39 is a through groove formed in a wall portion that is formed vertically along the front-rear direction of the frame receiving unit 30. The support member 34 moves in the sliding direction C (front-rear direction) along the guide portion 39.The slide moving unit 40 is a drive unit that moves the support member 34 along the sliding direction C. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 , the slide moving unit 40 may include a drive shaft, a driven shaft, a belt stretched between the drive shaft and the driven shaft, and a motor that rotates the drive shaft. The slide member 37 is fixed to the belt and moves with the movement of the belt. The frame support unit 30 includes the slide moving unit 40 that moves each of the pair of support members 34. A connecting pipe 41 is disposed on the slide member 37. The connecting pipe 41 is connected to the suction holes 36 via the slide member 37. A pressure supply unit 42 is connected to the connecting pipe 41. The pressure supply unit 42 may be, for example, a pump that generates negative pressure. The pressure supply unit 42 supplies negative pressure to the suction holes 36 via the connecting pipe 41 and the slide member 37. The support member 34 more firmly fixes the screen mask M by the negative pressure from the pressure supply unit 42.

[0017] The substrate processing unit 50 is disposed below the mask working unit 26 and is a unit that loads the substrate S, positions and supports the loaded substrate S, and brings the substrate S into contact with and away from the screen mask M. The substrate processing unit 50 includes a transport unit 51, a backup member 52, and an elevation unit. The transport unit 51 is a unit that can bring the substrate S into contact with and away from the screen mask M fixed to the frame receiving unit 30. The transport unit 51 transports or fixes the substrate S along a predetermined transport direction A (the left-right direction in FIGS. 1 to 3). The backup member 52 is a member that supports the substrate S from below. The backup member 52 includes a backup plate, which is a flat member, and backup pins arranged on the backup plate. The elevation unit raises and lowers the entire substrate processing unit 50 and the backup member 52.

[0018] Next, an overview of the printing process of the printing device 11 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a printing process routine executed by the CPU 21 of the control unit 20. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the operation of the frame receiving unit 30 during the printing process, with FIG. 5A illustrating the movement process of the support member 34, FIG. 5B illustrating the operation by the squeegee 25 during the transport state, and FIG. 5C illustrating the plate alignment state. This routine is executed by the CPU 21 after the printing device 11 is started. When this routine starts, the CPU 21 first acquires information about the width of the substrate S or the width of the transport unit 51 (S100). The CPU 21 acquires this information from a print job or the like in which printing conditions are defined. Next, the CPU 21 moves the mask support unit 33 to the slide movement unit 40 in accordance with the acquired width information and fixes the support member 34 with the clamp unit 38 (S110, FIG. 5A).

[0019] Next, regardless of the state of the substrate processing unit 50, the CPU 21 causes the solder supply unit to supply solder onto the screen mask M and causes the print head 23 to perform a solder kneading operation (S120, FIG. 5B). In the printing unit 22 in which the mask support unit 33 is disposed on the substrate processing unit 50 side, this kneading operation can only be performed in a plate-aligned state in which the transport unit 51 abuts against the screen mask M. In this printing unit 22, the mask support unit 33 always supports the screen mask M from below, so the squeegee 25 can be lowered onto the screen mask M in any of the substrate S transport state, plate-aligned state, and plate-released state.

[0020] Next, the CPU 21 causes the substrate processing unit 50 to transport the substrate S and fix it at the printing position (S130). Next, the CPU 21 causes the substrate processing unit 50 to align the substrate S with the screen mask M and bring it into contact with it, and then causes the print head 23 to execute a printing process in which solder is applied to the substrate S (S140, FIG. 5C). Next, the CPU 21 causes the substrate processing unit 50 to perform a plate release process in which the substrate S is separated from the screen mask M and the substrate S is carried out (S150). The CPU 21 then determines whether all of the substrate types currently being printed have been completed (S160). If all of the current substrate types have not been completed, the CPU 21 executes the processes from S130 onward. On the other hand, when all of the current substrate types have been completed, the CPU 21 determines whether there is a printing process for the next substrate type (S170). If there is a next substrate type, the CPU 21 executes the processes from S100 onward. On the other hand, if there is no next substrate type, the CPU 21 ends this routine.

[0021] Here, the correspondence between the components of this embodiment and the components of the present disclosure will be clarified. The frame support unit 30 of this embodiment corresponds to the frame support unit of the present disclosure, the fixing portion 31 corresponds to the fixing portion, the mask support portion 33 corresponds to the mask support portion, the support member 34 corresponds to the support member, the support surface 35 corresponds to the support surface, the suction holes 36 correspond to the suction holes, the clamp portion 38 corresponds to the clamp portion, and the guide portion 39 corresponds to the guide portion. Also, the printing device 11 corresponds to the printing device, the print head 23 corresponds to the print head, the squeegee 25 corresponds to the squeegee, the head moving portion 24 corresponds to the head moving portion, the transport portion 51 corresponds to the transport portion, the control portion 20 corresponds to the control portion, the screen mask M corresponds to the screen mask, the solder corresponds to the viscous fluid, and the substrate S corresponds to the processing object.

[0022] The frame receiving unit 30 of the present embodiment described above is used in a printing apparatus 11 that uses a squeegee 25 to print a viscous fluid placed on the upper surface of a screen mask M onto a substrate S as a processing target. This frame receiving unit 30 includes a fixing portion 31 that removably fixes the screen mask M, and a mask support portion 33 that supports the screen mask M from its underside. In this frame receiving unit 30, the fixing portion 31 fixes the screen mask M, and the mask support portion 33 supports the screen mask M from its underside integrally with the fixing portion 31. That is, the screen mask M is always fixed and supported integrally by the fixing portion 31 and the mask support portion 33. Therefore, with this frame receiving unit 30, deflection of the screen mask M can be further suppressed even when the screen mask M and the substrate S are separated, thereby further suppressing variations in printing quality.

[0023] The printing apparatus 11 also includes a transport section 51 that transports the substrate S in a predetermined transport direction A. The mask support section 33 includes support members 34 that contact and support the screen mask M, with the transport direction A as its longitudinal direction, a guide section 39 that allows the support members 34 to slide in a sliding direction C that intersects with the transport direction A, and a clamp section 38 that can regulate and release the sliding of the support members 34. In the frame support unit 30, the spacing between the support members 34 can be adjusted to match the transport section 51, allowing the screen mask M to be supported in a more optimal state. Furthermore, the mask support section 33 includes at least a pair of support members 34, which are fixed to both sides of the transport section 51 by clamp sections 38. In the frame support unit 30, the screen mask M can be supported in an optimal state from both sides of the transport section 51. Furthermore, the mask support section 33 includes suction holes 36 that apply negative pressure to a support surface 35 that contacts and supports the screen mask M, thereby suctioning the screen mask M. This frame receiving unit 30 can suck the screen mask M and support it more reliably.

[0024] The printing apparatus 11 also includes the frame receiving unit 30 described above, a transport section 51 that can move the substrate S toward and away from the screen mask M fixed to the frame receiving unit 30 and transports and fixes the substrate S along a predetermined transport direction A, a print head 23 having a squeegee 25 arranged to be movable up and down, and a head moving section 24 that moves the print head 23 along a predetermined printing direction B and prints the viscous fluid placed on the upper surface of the screen mask M onto the substrate S using the squeegee 25. Because the printing apparatus 11 includes the frame receiving unit 30 described above, the screen mask M can be more reliably supported regardless of the position or state of the substrate S, thereby further suppressing variation in printing quality. The printing apparatus 11 also includes a control section 20 that controls the print head 23 to bring the squeegee 25 into contact with the screen mask M in any of the following states: a transport state in which the substrate S is transported by the transport section 51, a plate-separating state in which the substrate S is not in contact with the screen mask M, and a plate-aligning state in which the substrate S is in contact with the screen mask M. In this printing apparatus 11, the frame receiving unit 30 can support the screen mask M regardless of the position or state of the substrate S. Therefore, the printing apparatus 11 can bring the squeegee 25 into contact with the screen mask M regardless of the state of the substrate S. Furthermore, the control unit 20 causes the squeegee 25 to perform a predetermined operation, such as a kneading operation, on the screen mask M when the substrate S is not in contact with the screen mask M. In this printing apparatus 11, the frame receiving unit 30 can support the screen mask M regardless of the position or state of the transport unit 51, so that an operation using the squeegee 25 can be performed on the screen mask M regardless of the state of the transport unit 51.

[0025] It goes without saying that the frame receiving unit and printing device of the present disclosure are in no way limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be embodied in various forms as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0026] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the mask support unit 33 is automatically moved by the sliding unit 40. However, this is not limited thereto. The sliding unit 40 may be omitted, and the mask support unit 33 may be manually aligned and fixed by the clamp unit 38. Furthermore, the mask support unit 33 includes two support members 34 that move along the sliding direction C. However, this is not limited thereto. At least one support member 34 may be fixed at a predetermined reference position. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the guide unit 39 is a through groove into which the upper horizontal portion of the sliding member 37 is inserted to guide the sliding member 37 in the sliding direction C. However, this is not limited to a through groove, as long as the support member 34 moves along the sliding direction C. For example, the guide unit 39 may be a non-through groove formed along the sliding direction C, or may be a rail. Even with this guide unit 39, the support member 34 can be guided along the sliding direction C. In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of circular suction holes 36 are formed in the support surface 35 of the support member 34, but this is not particularly limited, and rectangular or polygonal holes or groove-shaped holes may also be used. Note that, although the suction holes 36 are formed in the support surface 35 of the support member 34, this is not particularly limited, and the suction holes 36 may be omitted.

[0027] In the above-described embodiment, one pair of support members 34 is provided, but this is not particularly limited, and three or more support members 34 may be provided, or two or more pairs of support members 34 may be provided. FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of another frame receiving unit 30B. As shown in FIG. 6, the frame receiving unit 30B includes a mask support section 33 having two pairs of support members 34 corresponding to the two substrate processing sections 50. This frame receiving unit 30B can also further suppress variations in print quality.

[0028] In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 20 lowers the squeegee 25 onto the screen mask M regardless of the state of the substrate processing unit 50, but this is not particularly limited, and the control unit 20 may lower the squeegee 25 onto the screen mask M when the substrate processing unit 50 is in a specific state. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the solder is kneaded on the screen mask M regardless of the state of the substrate processing unit 50, but this is not particularly limited, and this operation may be omitted.

[0029] In the above-described embodiment, the printing device 11 is described as including the frame receiving unit 30, but this is not particularly limited. The printing device 11 may be configured with only the frame receiving unit 30. The frame receiving unit 30 can further suppress variations in print quality. [Industrial Applicability]

[0030] The present disclosure is applicable to the technical field of devices for mounting components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] , 10 Mounting system, 11 Printing device, 12 Printing inspection device, 13 Storage device, 14 Automatic guided vehicle, 15 Mounting device, 16 Mounting inspection device, 17 X-axis rail, 18 Loader, 19 Management PC, 20 Printing control unit, 21 CPU, 22 Printing unit, 23 Print head, 24 Printing movement unit, 25 Squeegee, 26 Mask working unit, 29 Frame, 30 Frame receiving unit, 31 Fixing unit, 32 Fixing rod, 33 Mask support unit, 34 Support member, 35 Support surface, 36 Suction hole, 37 Slide member, 38 Clamp unit, 39 Guide unit, 40 Slide movement unit, 41 Connecting pipe, 42 Pressure supply unit, 50 Substrate processing unit, 51 Transport unit, 52 Backup member, A Transport direction, B Printing direction, C Slide direction, M Screen mask, S Substrate, W Worker.

Claims

1. A frame receiving unit used in a printing device that prints a viscous fluid placed on an upper surface of a screen mask onto a processing object using a squeegee, a fixing portion that removably fixes the screen mask; a mask support portion that supports the screen mask from the lower surface side of the screen mask; A frame support unit equipped with

2. the printing device includes a transport unit that transports the processing object in a predetermined transport direction; 2. The frame support unit according to claim 1, wherein the mask support portion includes a support member that contacts and supports the screen mask with the transport direction as its longitudinal direction, a guide portion that can slide the support member in a direction intersecting the transport direction, and a clamp portion that can regulate and release the sliding of the support member.

3. 3. The frame receiving unit according to claim 2, wherein the mask support section has at least a pair of the support members, and the support members are fixed to both sides of the transport section by the clamp sections, respectively.

4. The frame support unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mask support portion has suction holes formed therein that supply negative pressure to a support surface that contacts and supports the screen mask, thereby suctioning the screen mask.

5. A frame receiving unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a conveying unit that can bring the processing object into contact with and separate from the screen mask fixed to the frame receiving unit, and that conveys and fixes the processing object along a predetermined conveying direction; a print head in which the squeegee is arranged so as to be movable up and down; a head moving unit that moves the print head along a predetermined printing direction to print the viscous fluid placed on the upper surface of the screen mask onto a processing object using the squeegee; A printing device comprising:

6. 6. The printing device according to claim 5, a control unit that controls the print head to bring the squeegee into contact with the screen mask in one of a transport state in which the object to be processed is transported to the transport unit, a plate-release state in which the object to be processed is not in contact with the screen mask, and a plate-alignment state in which the object to be processed is in contact with the screen mask.

7. The printing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the control unit causes the squeegee to perform a predetermined operation on the screen mask while the object to be processed is not in contact with the screen mask.

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