Printing system and replacement method

Abstract

To enable automatic replacement of a replaceable member of a printing apparatus.SOLUTION: A printing apparatus performing printing processing of viscous fluid on a printing object using a screen mask comprises: a cartridge that stores the viscous fluid; a squeegee; a cleaning member used for cleaning the screen mask; a moving part that performs, for each of replaceable members of two or more types including at least either type of the cartridge, the squeegee, or the squeegee, of the screen mask and a support member fixing the printing object, at least either one of moving to a replacement position for the replaceable members or carrying in / out the replaceable members; and a replacement control part that executes replacement processing for replacing the replaceable members by controlling the moving part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing device and a storage device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, among printing devices that use a screen mask to perform a printing process of a viscous fluid on a printing target such as a substrate, there are known devices that automatically replace the screen mask. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a printing device that includes a rod that protrudes downward and a slider that slides the screen mask in and out of the main frame by moving the rod. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 04-107146 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In addition to the screen mask, printing devices also have other components that require replacement, such as squeegees. Conventionally, these components have been replaced manually by workers, which has led to the problem of increased labor for the workers.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has as its main object to enable automatic replacement of replaceable parts of a printing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned main object, the present disclosure has adopted the following means.

[0007] The printing device of the present disclosure includes: A printing device that performs a printing process of a viscous fluid on a printing object using a screen mask, a moving unit that moves each of two or more replaceable members, including at least one of the cartridge that stores the viscous fluid, the squeegee, a cleaning member used to clean the screen mask, the screen mask, and a support member that fixes the printing target, to a replacement position and / or carries in and out the replaceable member; a replacement control unit that controls the moving unit to perform a replacement process for replacing the replaceable member; It is equipped with the following.

[0008] This printing device is equipped with a moving unit that moves each of two or more types of replaceable components to a replacement position and / or transports the replaceable components in and out. The printing device then uses the moving unit to perform a replacement process for replacing the replaceable components. This allows the printing device to automatically replace two or more types of replaceable components. Here, the "replacement position" includes a delivery position and a receiving position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a printing system 1. FIG. [Figure 2] Schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the printing device 10 and the storage device 100 [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical connections of the printing system 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a squeegee fixing portion 24, a squeegee 30, and a squeegee transport jig 110. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a supply unit 40 and a cartridge transport jig 120. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a supply unit 40 and a holder 122. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a substrate support member 70 and a support member transport jig 130. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cleaning unit 80 and the cleaning member transport jig 140 in a protruding state. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cleaning part 80 in a non-protruding state. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing how printing and reading processes are performed in parallel. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an exchange processing routine. [Figure 12] 4A to 4C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of mounting the cartridge 49 on the supply head 41. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a cleaning member carrying-out process. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a cleaning member carrying-in process. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a mask carrying-out process. [Figure 16] FIG. [Figure 17] 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of attaching the squeegee 30 to the squeegee fixing portion 24. [Figure 18] FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Next, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a printing device 10 and a storage device 100. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical connections of the printing system 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a squeegee fixing unit 24, a squeegee 30, and a squeegee transport jig 110. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a supply unit 40 and a cartridge transport jig 120. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the supply unit 40 and a holder 122. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a substrate support member 70 and a support member transport jig 130. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit 80 and a cleaning member transport jig 140 in a protruding state. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cleaning unit 80 in a non-protruding state. The printing system 1 includes a printing device 10 that prints a viscous fluid, i.e., solder paste (hereinafter simply referred to as solder), onto a printing target (here, a substrate S) using a screen mask 55. The printing system 1 also includes a storage device 100 that stores one or more replaceable components 13 used in the printing device 10, and a management computer (PC) 150 that manages information related to processing by the printing device 10. The printing system 1 may also be configured as a mounting system that further includes other substrate-related processing devices, such as a mounting device (not shown) that mounts electronic components on the substrate S. Examples of viscous fluids include solder, conductive paste, adhesive, and the like. The printing device 10 is configured as a device that can automatically replace the replaceable components 13 used in the printing process when changing the printing target to a different type of substrate S. The replaceable components 13 include one or more of a cartridge 49 that stores solder, a squeegee 30, a cleaning member 82, a screen mask 55, and a substrate support member 70. In the printing device 10 of this embodiment, all five of these replaceable components 13 are automatically replaceable. Furthermore, the replacement process for these five types of masks other than the screen mask 55 is performed using a squeegee transport jig 110, a cartridge transport jig 120, a support member transport jig 130, and a cleaning member transport jig 140 shown in Fig. 2. 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.

[0011] 1 and 2, the printing device 10 is an apparatus that uses a squeegee 30 to push solder on a screen mask 55 into pattern holes 58 formed in the screen mask 55, thereby applying (printing) the solder onto a substrate S below through the pattern holes 58. The printing device 10 includes a print control unit 11 (an example of a replacement control unit, FIG. 3), a print processing unit 20, a supply unit 40, a mask work unit 50, a substrate fixing unit 60, a cleaning unit 80, and a reading unit 97. The printing device 10 also includes a display operation unit 98 (FIG. 3) configured as an operation panel that displays a display screen and allows an operator to perform various input operations, and a communication unit (not shown) that communicates with other connected devices.

[0012] The print control unit 11 is configured as a microprocessor centered around a CPU, and includes a ROM for storing processing programs, a RAM used as a work area, and a HDD for storing various data. The print control unit 11 controls the entire printing device 10.

[0013] The print processing unit 20 is disposed on the upper level of the printing device 10 and is a unit that prints a viscous fluid onto a substrate S using a screen mask 55. As shown in FIG. 3, the print processing unit 20 includes a print head 21, a print moving unit 22, a squeegee lifting / lowering unit 23, a squeegee fixing unit 24, a squeegee 30, and a transport rod 38. The print moving unit 22 moves the print head 21 in a predetermined printing direction (here, the front-to-rear direction) and 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 lifting / lowering unit 23 is configured as an air cylinder with a piston rod 23a (FIGS. 2 and 4). By raising and lowering the piston rod 23a, the squeegee fixing unit 24 and the squeegee 30 are raised and lowered. The print processing unit 20 includes two squeegees 30, first and second squeegees 30a and 30b, and correspondingly includes two piston rods 23a and two squeegee fixing units 24.

[0014] The two squeegee fixing parts 24 have the same configuration except for being arranged symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction, so the front squeegee fixing part 24 will be described below with reference to Fig. 4. Note that Fig. 4 shows the state before the squeegee 30 is attached to the squeegee fixing part 24, and in Fig. 4 the squeegee 30 is attached to a squeegee transport jig 110 that is used in the squeegee replacement process described below.

[0015] The squeegee fixing portion 24 is a mechanism configured to switch between a fixed state in which the squeegee 30 (here, the first squeegee 30a) is fixed and a released state in which the squeegee 30 is not fixed. As shown in FIG. 4, the squeegee fixing portion 24 is connected to the lower end of the piston rod 23a and includes an air cylinder 25 and a regulating member 26. The air cylinder 25 is a mechanism for raising and lowering a cylinder shaft 25a that protrudes downward. A flange 25b is formed at the lower end of the cylinder shaft 25a, and the upper surface of the flange 25b is configured to support the squeegee 30 from below. The regulating member 26 is a member that engages with the protruding portion 34 of the squeegee 30 in the fixed state to regulate the forward and backward movement of the squeegee 30. One regulating member 26 is disposed on each of the left and right sides of the air cylinder 25. Each regulating member 26 has claws 27a, 27b that protrude forward. The lower surfaces of the claw portions 27a, 27b are respectively formed with upwardly recessed recesses 28a, 28b. The squeegee fixing portion 24 is in a fixed state when the air cylinder 25 raises the flange 25b, and in a released state when the air cylinder 25 lowers the flange 25b compared to the fixed state. As the flange 25b rises and falls, the squeegee fixing portion 24 clamps the mounting member 32 of the squeegee 30 between the upper surface of the flange 25b and the lower surface of the regulating member 26 in the fixed state. In addition, in the released state, the flange 25b and the regulating member 26 are spaced apart vertically relative to each other compared to the fixed state, thereby releasing the fixation of the squeegee 30.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 4, the squeegee 30 includes a squeegee blade 31 that is formed with a length longer in the left-right direction than the pattern holes 58 (FIG. 2), and an attachment member 32 for attaching the squeegee blade 31 to the squeegee fixing portion 24. The attachment member 32 includes a positioning member 33, a protrusion 34, a shaft member 35, and a flange portion 36. The positioning member 33 is a member that is formed in a U-shape when viewed from above, and has an opening 33a through which the cylinder shaft 25a of the squeegee fixing portion 24 can pass in the front-rear direction, and a gripped surface 33b that is the lower surface of the positioning member 33 and protrudes horizontally toward the opening 33a (toward the inside of the U). When the cylinder shaft 25a of the squeegee fixing portion 24 enters the opening 33a of the positioning member 33 from rear to front, the upper surface of the flange 25b faces the gripped surface 33b in the vertical direction. The gripped surface 33b and the gripped surface 32a, which is the upper surface of the mounting member 32, are sandwiched between the upper surface of the cylinder shaft 25a of the squeegee fixing portion 24 and the lower surface of the regulating member 26, thereby gripping and fixing the squeegee 30 to the squeegee fixing portion 24. One protrusion 34 is provided on each of the left and right sides of the positioning member 33, and each protrusion 34 is configured to fit into the recesses 28a, 28b of the squeegee fixing portion 24 and engage with the regulating member 26. Engagement of the regulating member 26 with the protrusion 34 restricts movement of the squeegee 30 in the front-to-rear direction relative to the squeegee fixing portion 24. One shaft member 35 is provided on each of the left and right sides of the positioning member 33, and each protrudes upward from the upper surface of the protrusion 34. A flange portion 36 is formed on the upper end of each shaft member 35. The flange portion 36 is a member that engages with the engagement portion 115 of the squeegee transport jig 110.

[0017] FIG. 4 also illustrates a squeegee transport jig 110 used by the printing apparatus 10 for automatic replacement of the squeegee 30. The squeegee transport jig 110 includes a frame 111, a holder 112 to which the squeegee 30 can be attached, and a barcode 116 located near the rear end of the right side of the frame 111. The squeegee transport jig 110 includes two holders 112 that are symmetrical from front to back. Each holder 112 includes a main body portion that is located across the frame 111 from side to side, and a support portion 113 that protrudes from the main body portion toward the inside of the frame 111 in the front-to-rear direction. Two support portions 113 are arranged side by side on the left and right sides of each holder 112. As shown in the enlarged view in the upper right of FIG. 4, the support portion 113 has an opening 114 through which the shaft member 35 of the squeegee 30 can pass in the front-to-rear direction. The support portion 113 also has an engagement portion 115 that engages with the flange portion 36 of the squeegee 30 to secure the squeegee 30. The engagement portion 115 is a recess formed on the edge of the opening of the support portion 113, into which the underside of the flange portion 36 fits. When the flange portion 36 fits into the engagement portion 115, the squeegee 30's own weight restricts its movement in the X and Y directions relative to the squeegee transport jig 110. When the squeegee 30 is moved upward and the flange portion 36 is disengaged from the engagement portion 115 (also referred to as the removal position), the restriction on movement in the X and Y directions is released, and the squeegee 30 can be removed from the opening 114. The barcode 116 is identification information for identifying the squeegee 30 attached to the squeegee transport jig 110, and is attached in advance by, for example, an operator.

[0018] The transport rod 38 is disposed on the print head 21 so as to be movable up and down by a motor (not shown) (FIG. 2). This transport rod 38, protruding below the squeegee 30, is moved back and forth by the print moving unit 22, thereby pushing back and forth the screen mask 55 and each transport jig placed on the transport rail 53. This allows the transport rod 38 to transport the screen mask 55 and each transport jig from the storage device 100 to the printing device 10.

[0019] The supply unit 40 supplies solder contained in a cartridge 49 onto a screen mask 55. The supply unit 40 includes a supply head 41 and a supply moving unit 46. The supply head 41 positions and holds the cartridge 49, and dispenses solder. The supply moving unit 46 moves the supply head 41 in the X-axis direction (left and right). As shown in FIG. 3 and other figures, the supply head 41 includes an air supply unit 42, a clamp unit 43, and a rotation motor 44. As shown in FIG. 6, the supply head 41 also includes a back plate 41a disposed on the supply moving unit 46 and a fixing member 41b formed to protrude forward from the upper end of the back plate 41a. The supply head 41 moves between a solder dispensing position on the screen mask 55 and a holder 122 of a cartridge transport jig 120 in which a replacement cartridge 49 is placed. The air supply unit 42 is connected to the cartridge 49 and supplies air to the cartridge 49 for discharging solder from the cartridge 49. The air supply unit 42 is cylindrical and is inserted into a hole-shaped connection portion 49d formed in the cartridge 49. The position of the cartridge 49 is fixed by inserting the air supply unit 42 into the connection portion 49d, so the air supply unit 42 also serves as a positioning unit for the cartridge 49. The air supply unit 42 has an opening on the bottom and is disposed on the bottom surface of the fixing member 41b. The air supply unit 42 exhausts air supplied via a pipe (not shown) from the opening.

[0020] The clamp 43 is a member that secures the cartridge 49. The clamp 43 is rotatably supported on the underside of the back plate 41a and moves (here, rotates) between a fixed position where the cartridge 49 is secured and a release position where the secured cartridge 49 is released by the driving force of a rotation motor 44. The release position is a position where the clamp 43 is vertically aligned with the direction in which the back plate 41a is formed. The secure position is a position where the clamp 43 is horizontally aligned with the direction in which the back plate 41a is formed. When the air supply unit 42 is connected to the connection portion 49d of the cartridge 49, when the clamp 43 moves to the fixed position, the clamp 43 supports and secures the cartridge 49 from below. The clamp 43 is formed in a hollow, disc-like shape, and the bottom of the cartridge 49 fits into the hollow portion.

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

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

[0023] FIG. 5 also illustrates a cartridge transport jig 120 used by the printing device 10 for automatic replacement of the cartridge 49. The cartridge transport jig 120 includes a frame 121, multiple holders 122 to which the cartridges 49 can be attached, and a barcode 126. A plurality of holders 122 (five in FIG. 5) are arranged in the X direction, and each holder 122 is attached to the rear of the frame 121. As shown in FIG. 6, the holder 122 includes a support portion 123 having an opening 124 through which the main body 49a of the cartridge 49 can pass, and an engagement portion 125 formed on the support portion 123 and engaged with the upper flange portion 49b of the cartridge 49 to secure the cartridge 49. The support portion 123 is a C-shaped plate-like member. The engagement portion 125 is a recess formed on the edge of the opening of the support portion 123, into which the lower surface of the upper flange portion 49b fits. When the flange portion 49b engages with the engaging portion 125, the cartridge 49's own weight restricts its movement in the X and Y directions relative to the cartridge transport jig 120. When the cartridge 49 is moved upward and the flange portion 49b disengages from the engaging portion 125 (also referred to as the removal position), the restriction on its movement in the X and Y directions is released, and the cartridge 49 becomes removable through the opening 124. When the clamp portion 43 of the supply head 41 described above rotates to the fixed position, the clamp portion 43 pushes up the cartridge 49 attached to the holder 122, positioning the cartridge 49 at the removal position of the holder 122. That is, the clamp portion 43's action of fixing the cartridge 49 also serves as an action of releasing the restriction on the movement of the cartridge 49 from the holder 122. The barcode 126 is disposed near the rear end of the right side surface of the cartridge transport jig 120, more specifically, on the right side surface of the rightmost holder 122. The barcode 126 is identification information for identifying the cartridge 49 attached to the cartridge transport jig 120, and is attached in advance by, for example, an operator.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the mask working unit 50 is disposed between the printing processing unit 20 and the substrate fixing unit 60 in the vertical direction and serves to fix and secure a screen mask 55. As shown in FIG. 3 and other figures, the mask working unit 50 includes a mask fixing unit 51, a position adjustment unit 52, and a transport rail 53. The mask fixing unit 51 positions the screen mask 55 and supports and fixes it in a horizontal orientation. The position adjustment unit 52 adjusts the position of the mask fixing unit 51 in the XY directions so that the pattern holes 58 of the screen mask 55 are positioned appropriately relative to the substrate S fixed to the substrate fixing unit 60. The transport rails 53 are a pair of left and right rails extending in the front-rear direction and guide the screen mask 55 and each transport jig pushed by the transport rod 38 so that they move in the front-rear direction. The screen mask 55 includes a mask body 56 in which pattern holes 58, such as a desired wiring pattern, are formed, and a frame 57 that holds the mask body 56 with a predetermined tension. The mask body 56 is, for example, a thin metal plate. An identification portion (e.g., a mark) for position recognition is formed on the underside of the screen mask 55. A barcode 57a (FIG. 5) representing identification information of the screen mask 55 is disposed near the rear end of the right side surface of the screen mask 55. This barcode is attached in advance by, for example, an operator.

[0025] The substrate fixing unit 60 is disposed below the mask working unit 50 and is a unit that loads the substrate S, positions and supports the loaded substrate S, and brings the substrate S into contact with or away from the screen mask 55. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the substrate fixing unit 60 includes a substrate transport conveyor 61, a substrate guide 62, a substrate guide moving unit 63 (see FIG. 3), a support base lifting unit 65, a fixing unit lifting unit 66, a support base 67, and a substrate support member 70. The substrate transport conveyor 61 is provided on each of the pair of side frames 60b and transports the substrate S in the X direction. The substrate guide 62 is a plate-like member provided on the upper surface of each of the pair of side frames 60b. The substrate guide moving unit 63 is a mechanism that moves the pair of side frames 60b in the front-rear direction to move them closer to or away from each other. As a result, the board guide 62 also moves in the front-to-rear direction, clamping and fixing the board S in a state where the top surface of the board S and the top surface of the board guide 62 are flush with each other. The support table lifting unit 65 is a mechanism that raises and lowers the support table 67 relative to the main body 60a of the board fixing unit 60. The fixing unit lifting unit 66 is a mechanism that raises and lowers the entire board fixing unit 60 relative to the main body of the printing device 10. The support table 67 is a member on which the board support member 70 can be positioned. The board fixing unit 60 is equipped with fixing units and position adjustment units (not shown) that fix and position the board support member 70 on the support table 67.

[0026] The substrate support member 70 is disposed on a support stand 67 and connected to a pressure reducing device (not shown) via piping. The substrate support member 70 supports and fixes the substrate S from below by suction using negative pressure. As shown in FIG. 7, the substrate support member 70 includes a main body 70a, a pair of cylindrical protrusions 71, 71 protruding from the left and right sides of the main body 70a, a pair of protrusions 72, 72 disposed forward of the protrusions 71, and a plurality of suction ports 73 opening on the upper surface of the main body 70a. The plurality of protrusions 71, 72 function as engaging portions that engage with first to fourth protrusion holders 132 to 135 of a support member transport jig 130 shown in FIG. 7. An identification portion 75 (e.g., a mark) for position identification and a barcode 76 for identifying the type of the substrate support member 70 are formed on the upper surface of the main body 70a. The substrate support member 70 is replaced depending on the substrate S.

[0027] 7 also illustrates a support member transport jig 130 used by the printing apparatus 10 for automatically replacing the substrate support member 70. The support member transport jig 130 includes a frame 131, first to fourth protrusion holders 132 to 135 disposed inside the frame 131, and a barcode 136 disposed near the rear end of the right side of the frame 131. The first to fourth protrusion holders 132 to 135 are disposed in this order from front to rear. The first to fourth protrusion holders 132 to 135 are disposed in pairs on the left and right sides, and are disposed at the ends of arms extending downward from the frame 131. The support member transport jig 130 can attach one substrate support member 70 using the first and second protrusion holders 132 and 133, and can attach one substrate support member 70 using the third and fourth protrusion holders 134 and 135. Recesses slightly larger than the outer diameter of the protrusions 71 and 72 of the substrate support member 70 are formed on the upper surfaces of the first to fourth protrusion holders 132 to 135. By placing the protrusions 71 and 72 in these recesses, the support member transport jig 130 can transport the substrate support member 70 while fixing the relative position of the substrate support member 70 in the front-to-rear direction. The barcode 136 is identification information for identifying the substrate support member 70 attached to the support member transport jig 130, and is attached in advance by, for example, an operator.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2 , the cleaning unit 80 is disposed between the mask working unit 50 and the substrate fixing unit 60 in the vertical direction. It is a unit that performs a cleaning process to clean the back surface of the screen mask 55. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the cleaning unit 80 includes a replacement module 81 that includes a cleaning member 82 and can be exchanged between the storage device 100, a mounting member 84 on which the replacement module 81 is placed, a support member 86 that supports the replacement module 81 and the mounting member 84, and a cleaning movement unit 87 that moves the replacement module 81 and the mounting member 84. Note that FIG. 8 also illustrates a cleaning member transport jig 140 used by the printing apparatus 10 for automatic replacement of the replacement module 81. The cleaning movement unit 87 can be switched between a protruding state in which the replacement module 81 and the mounting member 84 protrude forward and a non-protruding state in which they do not protrude. FIG. 8 illustrates the protruding state, and FIG. 9 illustrates the non-protruding state.

[0029] The replacement module 81 includes a first roller 81a, a second roller 81b, a cleaning member 82, and an attachment member 83. The cleaning member 82 is a member for cleaning the screen mask 55, and in this embodiment is a wiping sheet that cleans the screen mask 55 by wiping it. The cleaning member 82 is wound around the first roller 81a. The second roller 81b is disposed forward of the first roller 81a and retracts the cleaning member 82 reeled out from the first roller 81a. The portion of the cleaning member 82 that is reeled out by the first roller 81a and reeled in by the second roller 81b is used to clean the screen mask 55.

[0030] The mounting member 83 is a member for mounting the first and second rollers 81a, 81b and the cleaning member 82. The mounting member 83 has a box-shaped member 83a that is open at the top and bottom. Two pairs of bearings 83b (a total of four bearings 83b, only three of which are shown) are arranged inside the box body 83a, facing each other on the left and right. The shaft ends of the first and second rollers 81a, 81b can be inserted into each of the two pairs of bearings 83b, thereby rotatably supporting the first and second rollers 81a, 81b. The right front bearing 83b, not shown, is coaxially connected to a gear 83c arranged on the outside of the box body 83a, thereby allowing the second roller 81b and gear 83c to rotate integrally. The gear 83c is positioned to mesh with a gear 86b of the winding motor 86a when in the non-protruding state, thereby rotating the second roller 81b with the driving force from the winding motor 86a and winding up the cleaning member 82. The box body 83a also has protrusions 83d that protrude from the mounting member 83 on both the left and right sides. In this embodiment, one protrusion 83d is provided on the right side of the box body 83a, and two protrusions 83d are provided on the left side of the box body 83a. These multiple protrusions 83d function as engaging portions that engage with the protrusion holding portion 142 of the cleaning member transport jig 140 shown in FIG. 8. Receiving members 83e are provided on both the left and right ends of the front surface of the box body 83a. The receiving members 83e have recesses that open outward on the left and right sides and are configured to engage with locking members 86d of the locking mechanism 86c when in the non-protruding state. Openings 83f are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the box body 83a, and an engagement shaft 83g extending in the Y direction is disposed within the openings 83f. The engagement shaft 83g is configured to engage with a claw member 84c of the mounting member 84 (enlarged view at the upper right of FIG. 8).

[0031] The mounting member 84 is configured as a plate-like member that places the replacement module 81 on and supports it from below. The mounting member 84 and the attachment member 83 function as a cleaning head and are moved back and forth by a cleaning movement unit 87. An abutting member 84a, a lifting device 84b, claw members 84c, and a connecting unit 84d are arranged on the upper surface of the mounting member 84. The abutting member 84a is a member that supports the cleaning member 82 from below. The lifting device 84b is configured as, for example, an air cylinder, and raises and lowers the abutting member 84a while supporting it from below. When the lifting device 84b raises the abutting member 84a, the abutting member 84a lifts the cleaning member 82 upward, allowing the upper surface of the cleaning member 82 to abut against the back surface of the screen mask 55. In this state, the cleaning movement unit 87 moves the mounting member 84, and the cleaning unit 80 performs a cleaning process in which the cleaning member 82 wipes away the solder on the back surface of the screen mask 55. The claw members 84c are members for preventing the replacement module 81 from falling off the mounting member 84 when the mounting member 84 moves in the Y direction, and one is disposed on each side of the mounting member 84. The claw members 84c are generally rectangular prism-shaped members whose longitudinal direction runs along the up-down direction. The claw members 84c have inclined surfaces on the inner side of the upper end in the left-right direction (on the inner side of the mounting member 83), and a recess is formed below the inclined surfaces to engage with the engagement shaft 83g of the mounting member 83. The claw members 84c are rotatably supported around a rotation shaft disposed near the lower end and running along the Y direction, and the upper ends of the claw members 84c are biased in a direction in which they rotate inward in the left-right direction by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown). As a result, when the replacement module 81 descends from above the mounting member 84, the engagement shaft 83g of the mounting member 83 of the replacement module 81 is guided by the inclined surface of the claw member 84c and engages with the recessed portion of the claw member 84c, thereby restricting the relative movement in the Y direction between the mounting member 83 and the mounting member 84. Note that the elastic force of the elastic member that biases the claw member 84c is adjusted so that the engagement between the engagement shaft 83g and the claw member 84c is released when the replacement module 81 attempts to move upward from the mounting member 84. The connection portion 84d is a member that is connected to the connection portion 89b of the mounting member moving mechanism 89, and is disposed on the rear side of the mounting member 84.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the support member 86 is a plate-shaped member whose left and right ends are supported by guide rails 88b. This allows the support member 86 to support the mounting member 84 from the left and right directions along the horizontal direction. The support member 86 is provided with a winding motor 86a and a locking mechanism 86c. The winding motor 86a is located on the right side of the mounting member 83 of the support member 86 and rotates the gear 83c and the second roller 81b via the gear 86b. In the cleaning unit 80, for example, for a certain period of time after the cleaning process, the winding motor 86a rotates the second roller 81b to perform a sheet feeding process in which the cleaned portion of the cleaning member 82, i.e., the portion with solder attached, is fed onto the second roller 81b. The locking mechanism 86c is, for example, an air cylinder and protrudes a locking member 86d in the X direction via the cylinder. One locking mechanism 86c is located on each of the left and right sides of the mounting member 83 of the support member 86. 9, when the locking mechanism 86c causes the locking member 86d to protrude toward the mounting member 83 while the replacement module 81 and the mounting member 84 are in a non-protruding state, the locking member 86d is inserted into a recess in the receiving member 83e of the mounting member 83, and the two engage with each other. This restricts the relative movement of the replacement module 81 and the mounting member 84 in the Y direction with respect to the support member 86, and the replacement module 81 and the mounting member 84 are fixed in a non-protruding state. On the other hand, when the locking mechanism 86c does not cause the locking member 86d to protrude as shown in FIG. 8, the replacement module 81 and the mounting member 84 can be switched between a protruding state and a non-protruding state by the mounting member moving mechanism 89.

[0033] The cleaning movement unit 87 includes a support member movement mechanism 88 and a mounting member movement mechanism 89. As shown in FIG. 1, the support member movement mechanism 88 includes a Y-axis slider 88a and a pair of left and right guide rails 88b extending in the front-rear direction. The Y-axis slider 88a is disposed on the support member 86, and the Y-axis slider 88a moves along the guide rails 88b to move the support member 86 in the Y direction. The support member movement mechanism 88 moves the replacement module 81 and the mounting member 84 in the Y direction by moving the support member 86 in the Y direction. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the mounting member movement mechanism 89 includes a drive source 89a configured as, for example, an air cylinder, and a connection part 89b disposed at the tip of the cylinder rod of the drive source 89a and connected to the connection part 84d of the mounting member 84. The mounting member movement mechanism 89 also includes an extendable rail 89c disposed on the support member 86 and having multiple rails that slide in the Y direction. When a driving force in the Y direction from the driving source 89a acts on the mounting member 84 via the connecting portions 89b and 84d, the telescopic rails 89c extend and retract, causing the mounting member 84 to move in the Y direction relative to the support member 86. This allows the mounting member moving mechanism 89 to switch between a protruding state (FIG. 8) in which the replacement module 81 and the mounting member 84 protrude forward relative to the support member 86 and a non-protruding state (FIG. 9) in which the replacement module 81 and the mounting member 84 do not protrude forward relative to the support member 86. The cleaning moving unit 87, using the support member moving mechanism 88 and the mounting member moving mechanism 89, moves the cleaning member 82 between a cleaning position where the cleaning member 82 cleans the screen mask 55 and a replacement position where the cleaning member 82 is replaced between the cleaning member transport jig 140 and the cleaning member moving jig 140. The cleaning position is, for example, a position directly below the screen mask 55 fixed to the mask fixing portion 51. The replacement position is a position where the replacement module 81 is transferred between the cleaning member transport jig 140 and the cleaning unit 80. The cleaning transfer unit 87 carries in and out the cleaning members 82 and the replacement module 81 including the cleaning members 82.

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

[0035] The reading unit 97 is a device that reads information about one or more of the replaceable members 13, and in this embodiment is configured as a barcode reader. As shown in FIG. 1, the reading unit 97 is located in the front right portion of the printing apparatus 10, with the reading direction facing left. The reading unit 97 is located at the same height as the height at which the screen mask 55 is carried in and out (the carrying-in height and the carrying-out height), and can read the barcode 57a (FIG. 5) attached to the right side of the screen mask 55. The reading unit 97 can also read the barcodes 116, 126, 136, and 146 attached to each of the transport jigs 110, 120, 130, and 140, if they are transported to the same height.

[0036] The storage device 100 is disposed in front of the printing device 10, stores one or more types (five types in this case) of replaceable members 13, and transports one or more types (five types in this case) of replaceable members 13 to and from the printing device 10. The storage device 100 includes a housing 101, a storage unit 102, a transport conveyor 104, a conveyor lifting unit 105, and a storage control unit 106. The housing 101 is a roughly rectangular box-shaped body and has the storage unit 102 inside. A moving unit such as casters is disposed on the underside of the housing 101, allowing, for example, an operator to move the storage device 100. The storage unit 102 is a box-shaped body that can store the replaceable members 13 and transport jigs, and has multiple transport conveyors 104 disposed inside. The transport conveyors 104 are arranged in multiple tiers in the vertical direction, and in this embodiment, first to ninth transport conveyors 104a to 104i are arranged in order from top to bottom as shown in FIG. 2. Each of the first to ninth transport conveyors 104a to 104i is configured as a pair of left and right belt conveyors, and transports placed objects in the front-to-back direction. For convenience of illustration, only four tiers of the transport conveyors 104 are shown in FIG. 1. The storage unit 102 is configured so that at least one exchangeable member 13 can be placed on each of the first to ninth transport conveyors 104a to 104i. The storage unit 102 also has multiple storage areas 103 in the vertical direction, which are divided by the first to ninth transport conveyors 104a to 104i. The storage area 103 includes a first storage area 103a above the first transport conveyor 104a, and second to ninth storage areas 103b to 103i above the second to ninth transport conveyors 104b to 104i, respectively. The storage area 103 does not necessarily have to be located inside the storage unit 102. For example, the cartridge transport jig 120 placed on the first transport conveyor 104a shown in FIG. 2 partially protrudes rearward from the storage unit 102, and the area where this protruding portion exists is also included in the first storage area 103a. The storage unit 102 is open at the front and rear. This allows an operator to insert an exchangeable member 13 into the storage unit 102 from the front, and allows the storage device 100 to transport the exchangeable member 13 into and out of the printing device 10 through the rear of the storage unit 102.The conveyor lifting unit 105 is a mechanism for raising and lowering the storage unit 102, and includes, for example, a guide, a ball screw, and a drive motor (not shown). When the conveyor lifting unit 105 raises and lowers the storage unit 102, the transfer conveyor 104 rises and lowers.

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

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

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

[0040] First, the printing process will be described. The printing process routine for performing the printing process is stored in the HDD of the printing control unit 11 and is executed after the printing control unit 11 receives an instruction to perform the printing process from the operator via the display operation unit 98 or after the printing control unit 11 receives a command to perform the printing process from the management PC 150. When the printing process routine starts, the printing control unit 11 first performs a substrate transport and fixation process in which the substrate S is fixed by the substrate fixing unit 60 and abutted against the screen mask 55, as shown in FIG. 10. Specifically, the printing control unit 11 first drives the substrate transport conveyor 61 to transport the substrate S to the substrate fixing unit 60, and then clamps and fixes the substrate S between the substrate guides 62. The printing control unit 11 also adjusts the position of the screen mask 55 using the mask work unit 50 as necessary to align the pattern holes 58 with the substrate S. Next, the printing control unit 11 raises the support table 67 to bring the upper surface of the substrate support member 70 into contact with the lower surface of the substrate S, and then adsorbs and fixes the substrate S to the substrate support member 70 using negative pressure from the pressure reducing device. The printing control unit 11 then raises the substrate fixing unit 60 to bring the upper surface of the substrate S into contact with the lower surface of the screen mask 55. After the substrate transport and fixing process has been completed, the printing control unit 11 performs a solder supply process. Specifically, the printing control unit 11 moves the supply head 41 above the screen mask 55, supplies air from the air supply unit 42, and discharges solder from the cartridge 49 onto the screen mask 55. After the solder supply process has been completed, the printing control unit 11 performs a squeegee movement process. Specifically, the printing control unit 11 moves the print head 21 and lowers the squeegee 30 (first squeegee 30a in FIG. 10 ) to bring the squeegee 30 into contact with the upper surface of the screen mask 55, and moves the squeegee 30 back and forth to print the solder on the substrate S. The printing control unit 11 performs at least one of a process of moving the first squeegee 30a backward and a process of moving the second squeegee 30b forward on the screen mask 55. In this way, the printing control unit 11 performs a printing process including a substrate transport and fixing process, a solder supply process, and a squeegee movement process to print on the substrate S. The printing control unit 11 repeats this printing process until the production process is completed. Note that the printing process may also include the cleaning process and sheet feeding process described above.The print control unit 11 cleans the rear surface of the screen mask 55 by performing the cleaning process and the sheet feeding process at a predetermined timing, for example, every time a predetermined time has elapsed or after a predetermined number of substrates S have been printed.

[0041] The operator stores replacement replaceable members 13 in the storage device 100 in advance in preparation for the possibility that one or more of the replaceable members 13 will need to be replaced, for example, during a changeover while the printing device 10 is performing this printing process. For example, if all five types of replaceable members 13 need to be replaced during the next changeover, the operator stores each transport jig and the replaceable members 13 attached thereto in the storage device 100 as shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the operator stores the cartridge transport jig 120 with a replacement cartridge 49 attached to the holder 122 in the first storage area 103a. At this time, the operator leaves at least one of the multiple holders 122 of the cartridge transport jig 120 empty as shown in FIG. 5. The operator stores the empty squeegee transport jig 110 in the second storage area 103b and stores the squeegee transport jig 110 with two replacement squeegees 30 attached in the third storage area 103c. The worker stores an empty cleaning member transport jig 140 in the fourth storage area 103d and stores the cleaning member transport jig 140 with a replacement replacement module 81 attached in the fifth storage area 103e. The worker leaves the sixth storage area 103f open for removing the currently used screen mask 55 from the printing apparatus 10 and stores the replacement screen mask 55 in the seventh storage area 103g. The worker stores an empty support member transport jig 130 in the eighth storage area 103h and stores the support member transport jig 130 with one replacement substrate support member 70 attached in the ninth storage area 103i. In this way, the worker can store the replacement replaceable member 13 in the storage device 100 in advance while the printing apparatus 10 is performing printing processing, rather than when the replaceable member 13 needs to be replaced due to a changeover, etc. This allows the worker to prepare the replacement replaceable member 13 during a time period when the worker's workload is low.

[0042] The worker pre-attaches a barcode to each transport jig, indicating the identification information of the replaceable member 13 attached to that transport jig. For example, the worker ensures that the identification information included in the barcode 126 of the cartridge transport jig 120 includes information indicating the type of cartridge 49 attached to that cartridge transport jig 120. Similarly, the worker ensures that the identification information included in the barcode 57a of the screen mask 55 includes information indicating the type of that screen mask 55. By doing so, the print control unit 11 can identify which of the five types of replaceable member 13 it relates to by having the reader 97 read the barcodes on each transport jig and screen mask 55. The print control unit 11 can also identify the specific types of replaceable members 13 of the same type, such as which of multiple types of cartridges 49 is attached to the cartridge transport jig 120. The barcodes may also include information indicating the status of each transport jig (e.g., whether or not a holder is available). For example, the barcode 126 of the cartridge transport jig 120 may include information as to which of the multiple holders 122 of the cartridge transport jig 120 the cartridge 49 is attached (which holder 122 is empty).

[0043] Next, the reading process will be described. The reading process routine for performing the reading process is stored in the HDD of the print control unit 11 and is executed, for example, every predetermined time period or after an operator inputs an instruction to execute the reading process. When the reading process routine starts, the print control unit 11 outputs a command to the storage control unit 106 of the storage device 100 to sequentially move the replaceable members 13 or empty transport jigs stored in the storage unit 102 to positions where the reading unit 97 can read them. Upon receiving this command, the storage control unit 106 first controls the conveyor lift unit 105 to raise and lower the storage unit 102 so that the cartridge transport jig 120 on the first transport conveyor 104a is positioned at the same height as the reading unit 97. Furthermore, the storage control unit 106 also controls the first transport conveyor 104a to transport the cartridge transport jig 120 in the Y direction as necessary to a position where the reading unit 97 can read the barcode 126, and then transports the cartridge transport jig 120 back to its original position. During this time, the print control unit 11 causes the reading unit 97 to read the barcode 126 and stores the obtained information in the HDD. The storage control unit 106 sequentially performs the same process for the second transport conveyor 104b to the ninth transport conveyor 104i. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the storage device 100 has transported the squeegee transport jig 110 stored in the second storage area 103b to a position where the reading unit 97 can read it. Thus, in the reading process, the print control unit 11 causes the storage device 100 to transport or elevate the replaceable member 13 to move it to a position where the reading unit 97 can read it. Through this reading process, the print control unit 11 obtains and stores information necessary for the replacement process (described later), such as information about the replaceable members 13 stored in each of the storage areas 103 of the storage device 100 and information about the type of transport jig stored in each of the storage areas 103. Furthermore, the print control unit 11 can also identify an empty storage area 103 (sixth storage area 103f in FIG. 10) in which no transport jig is stored, by detecting that the reading unit 97 has not read information for a predetermined period of time, even though transport is being performed by the transport conveyor 104. As shown in FIG. 10, the reading unit 97 is disposed on the front side of the printing device 10.Therefore, even if the replaceable members 13 and the like are transported from the storage device 100 in front to the reading position of the reading unit 97, there is no disruption to the operation of the print processing unit 20, supply unit 40, mask work unit 50, substrate fixing unit 60, and cleaning unit 80 in the above-mentioned printing process. Therefore, the print control unit 11 can perform the reading process in parallel with the printing process. This allows the print control unit 11 to obtain information about the replaceable members 13 and transport jigs stored in the storage device 100 without stopping the printing process.

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

[0045] Next, a replacement process for automatically replacing the replaceable parts 13 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a replacement process routine. This replacement process routine is stored in the HDD of the print control unit 11. Each time a print process is completed, the print control unit 11 determines whether one or more of the replaceable parts 13 required for the next print process are different from those in the current print process, based on information about the print process obtained from the management PC 150, for example, and determines whether replacement is necessary. If the print control unit 11 determines that replacement is necessary, it starts the replacement process routine. The print control unit 11 performs the replacement process routine while appropriately referencing the information obtained in the reading process described above.

[0046] When the print control unit 11 starts the replacement process routine, it performs one or more of the following processes as needed: cartridge replacement process (step S100), cleaning member replacement process (step S110), mask removal process (step S120), squeegee replacement process (step S130), substrate support member replacement process (step S140), and mask installation process (step S150). Because the cartridges 49 and cleaning members 82 are consumables, when replacement processes are required, not only when the respective types of the cartridges 49 and cleaning members 82 are changed, but also when replacement processes are required, at least one of the cartridge replacement process and cleaning member replacement process may be performed simultaneously, thereby replenishing the consumables without changing the type of the consumables. For example, when replacement of one or more of the squeegee 30, screen mask 55, and substrate support member 70 is required, at least one of the cartridges 49 and cleaning member 82 may also be replaced. In this embodiment, when replacing the screen mask 55, squeegee 30, and substrate support member 70, the transport jig is transported using the transport rail 53. Therefore, when it is necessary to perform at least one of the squeegee replacement process and the substrate support member replacement process, the mask carry-out process is performed before these processes to remove the screen mask 55 from the transport rails 53, and the mask carry-in process is performed after these processes. A process including the mask carry-out process and the mask carry-in process corresponds to the mask replacement process. Note that when it is not necessary to replace the screen mask 55, the screen mask 55 carried out in the mask carry-out process is carried in in the mask carry-in process. Below, each process of steps S100 to S150 will be described using an example in which all five types of replaceable members 13 are replaced.

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

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

[0049] The cleaning element replacement process of step S110 will be described. When the cleaning element replacement process starts, the print control unit 11 performs a cleaning element carry-out process to carry out the replacement module 81 and a cleaning element carry-in process to carry in a replacement replacement module 81. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the cleaning element carry-out process. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the cleaning element carry-in process. In the cleaning element carry-out process, the print control unit 11 first operates the conveyor lift unit 105 so that an empty cleaning element transport jig 140 is positioned at a height (export height) for carrying out the replacement module 81 (FIG. 13A). Here, the print control unit 11 raises and lowers the fourth transport conveyor 104d, on which the empty cleaning element transport jig 140 is placed, to the export height. The export height of the replacement module 81 is a height such that the protrusion holder 142 of the cleaning element transport jig 140 is positioned below the protrusion 83d of the replacement module 81 attached to the mounting member 84. The print control unit 11 also controls the support member moving mechanism 88 to move the replacement module 81 to the front of the printing device 10 ( FIG. 13A ). The position of the replacement module 81 at this time may be, for example, the front end position of the area within which the replacement module 81 can be moved by the support member moving mechanism 88, or may be the initial position of the replacement module 81. Next, the print control unit 11 controls the mounting member moving mechanism 89 to place the mounting member 84 in a protruding state, thereby moving the replacement module 81 to a delivery position where it can be attached to the cleaning member transport jig 140 ( FIG. 13B ). In this embodiment, the delivery position is inside the storage unit 102, and the operation of the print control unit 11 to move the replacement module 81 to the delivery position also serves as the removal operation of the replacement module 81. In this state, each of the multiple protrusions 83d of the replacement module 81 is positioned directly above each of the multiple protrusion holders 142 of the cleaning member transport jig 140. Next, the print control unit 11 causes the conveyor lift unit 105 to raise the storage unit 102. As a result, the protrusion holding unit 142 and the protrusion 83d engage, and the replacement module 81 is attached to the cleaning member transport jig 140 and raised, and the replacement module 81 is removed from the mounting member 84 (FIG. 13C). As a result, the replacement module 81 is carried out and handed over to the cleaning member transport jig 140. Thereafter, the print control unit 11 causes the mounting member 84 to be in a non-protruding state (FIG. 13D).

[0050] In the cleaning element loading process, the print control unit 11 first operates the conveyor lifting unit 105 so that the replacement module 81 on the transport conveyor 104 (here, the fifth transport conveyor 104e) is positioned above the height (see FIG. 13C) of the uppermost end of the mounting member 84 in the protruding state (here, the upper end of the abutting member 84a) (FIG. 14A). Next, the print control unit 11 controls the mounting member moving mechanism 89 to bring the mounting member 84 into the protruding state, thereby moving the mounting member 84 to a receiving position where the replacement module 81 can be received from the cleaning element transport jig 140 (FIG. 14B). At this receiving position, the mounting member 84 is positioned directly below the replacement module 81. Next, the storage unit 102 is lowered so that the cleaning element transport jig 140 on the fifth transport conveyor 104e is positioned at a height (loading height) for loading the replacement module 81, and then the storage unit 102 is further lowered below the loading height (FIG. 14C). As a result, the replaceable module 81 is attached to the mounting member 84, and the cleaning element transport jig 140 is further lowered, disengaging the protrusion holder 142 from the protrusion 83d. The carry-in height of the replaceable module 81 is the height when the replacement module 81 is lowered and attached to the mounting member 84. The print control unit 11 then places the mounting member 84 in a non-protruding state, thereby carrying the replaceable module 81 into the printing device 10 (FIG. 14D). As a result, the replaceable module 81 is received from the cleaning element transport jig 140 and carried into the printing device 10. After completing the cleaning element carry-out process and the cleaning element carry-in process as described above, the print control unit 11 ends the cleaning element replacement process.

[0051] The mask unloading process of step S120 will now be described. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the mask unloading process. When the mask unloading process starts, the print control unit 11 first operates the conveyor lifting unit 105 so that an empty transport conveyor 104 (here, the sixth transport conveyor 104f) is positioned at a height (unloading height) for unloading the screen mask 55. The unloading height of the screen mask 55 is a position where the sixth transport conveyor 104f and the transport rail 53 are at the same height. Next, the print control unit 11 protrudes the transport rod 38 downward and controls the print moving unit 22 to transport the screen mask 55 forward along the transport rail 53 (FIG. 15). Then, the print control unit 11 causes the transport rod 38 to transport the screen mask 55 to the sixth transport conveyor 104f, and unloads the screen mask 55. Furthermore, the printing control unit 11 causes the sixth transport conveyor 104f to transport the screen mask 55 further forward and store the screen mask 55 in the storage unit 102. This removes the screen mask 55 from the transport rails 53, making it easier to transport other transport jigs on the transport rails 53. Note that in FIG. 15 , the transport rod 38 transports the screen mask 55 by pushing the end (here, the rear end) of the screen mask 55 from the outside, but this is not limiting and the screen mask 55 may be transported by, for example, pushing the inside of the frame 57. Similarly, when transporting a transport jig such as a squeegee transport jig 110 (described later), the transport rod 38 may push the end of the transport jig from the outside, or may push the inside of the transport jig (for example, the inside of the frame 111) or the replaceable member 13 attached to the transport jig.

[0052] The squeegee replacement process of step S130 will now be described. When the squeegee replacement process begins, the print control unit 11 performs a squeegee removal process to remove the squeegee 30 and a squeegee installation process to install a replacement squeegee 30. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the squeegee removal process. In the squeegee removal process, the print control unit 11 first operates the conveyor lift unit 105 so that the transport conveyor 104 (here, the second transport conveyor 104b) carrying the squeegee transport jig 110 having the empty holder 112 and the transport rail 53 are at the same height (exit height). That is, the print control unit 11 positions the second transport conveyor 104b at the same height as the ejection height of the above-mentioned screen mask 55. Then, the print control unit 11 controls the second transport conveyor 104b and the transport rod 38 to load the squeegee transport jig 110 into the printing apparatus 10 (FIG. 16A). Next, the printing control unit 11 controls the printing movement unit 22 and the squeegee lifting unit 23 to move the first squeegee 30a attached to the squeegee fixing unit 24 forward, and attach the first squeegee 30a to the empty holder 112 on the front side of the squeegee transport jig 110 (FIG. 16B). Similarly, the printing control unit 11 moves the second squeegee 30b rearward, and attaches the second squeegee 30b to the empty holder 112 on the rear side of the squeegee transport jig 110 (FIG. 16C). Then, the printing control unit 11 transports the squeegee transport jig 110 to which the squeegee 30 is attached to the second transport conveyor 104b using the transport rod 38, and removes the squeegee transport jig 110 (FIG. 16D). The printing control unit 11 also transports the squeegee transport jig 110 further forward using the second transport conveyor 104b, and stores the squeegee transport jig 110 in the storage unit 102.

[0053] In the squeegee carrying-in process, the printing control unit 11 carries in the squeegee 30 in the reverse order of the squeegee carrying-out process described above. That is, the printing control unit 11 first operates the conveyor lifting unit 105 so that the third transport conveyor 104c, on which the squeegee transport jig 110 to which the replacement squeegee 30 is attached, and the transport rail 53 are at the same height (carry-in height). Next, the printing control unit 11 carries in the squeegee transport jig 110 using the third transport conveyor 104c and the transport rod 38. Next, the printing control unit 11 controls the printing movement unit 22 and the squeegee lifting unit 23 to move the front squeegee fixing unit 24 forward, and attaches the squeegee 30 attached to the front holder 112 of the squeegee transport jig 110 to the front squeegee fixing unit 24. Similarly, the print control unit 11 moves the rear squeegee fixing unit 24 rearward and attaches the squeegee 30 attached to the rear holder 112 of the squeegee transport jig 110 to the rear squeegee fixing unit 24. Thereafter, the print control unit 11 uses the transport rod 38 to transport the squeegee transport jig 110 from which the squeegee 30 has been removed, and causes the third transport conveyor 104c to store the squeegee transport jig 110 in the storage unit 102.

[0054] Here, the transfer of the squeegee 30 from the squeegee fixing portion 24 to the holder 112 and the reception of a replacement squeegee 30 from the holder 112 to the squeegee fixing portion 24 will be described in detail. For ease of explanation, the reception of the squeegee 30 will be described first. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of attaching the squeegee 30 to the squeegee fixing portion 24. FIG. 17 also shows the state in which the front squeegee fixing portion 24 receives the squeegee 30. The left column of FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the positioning member 33 and the air cylinder 25 taken along the vertical, front-rear direction, the center column of FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the regulating member 26 and the shaft member 35 taken along the vertical, front-rear direction, and the right column of FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the squeegee fixing portion 24 and the squeegee 30 as viewed from the upper right front. When receiving the squeegee 30, the print control unit 11 first lowers the squeegee fixing unit 24, releasing the squeegee fixing unit 24, and then moves the squeegee fixing unit 24 forward from behind the squeegee 30 to be received (FIGS. 16B and 17A). This causes the cylinder shaft 25a to be inserted into the opening 33a of the squeegee 30. At this time, the shaft member 35 of the squeegee 30 is inserted between the claws 27a and 27b of the regulating member 26. The cylinder shaft 25a then contacts the positioning member 33, and the cylinder shaft 25a is restricted from moving forward by the positioning member 33, whereby the two are positioned in the front-to-rear direction (FIG. 17B). This position is the receiving position for the squeegee 30. In this embodiment, the receiving position is the position where the rear surface of the positioning member 33 facing the opening 33a (the dead end portion of the opening 33a) contacts the front surface of the cylinder shaft 25a. However, the receiving position may be a position where flange 25b and positioning member 33 abut against each other and where the forward movement of flange 25b is restricted by positioning member 33. Furthermore, when squeegee fixing portion 24 is located at the receiving position, recess 28a of restricting member 26 is located directly above protrusion 34 of squeegee 30 (FIG. 17B). Next, print control unit 11 controls air cylinder 25 to switch squeegee fixing portion 24 from the released state to the fixed state (FIG. 17C). This causes flange 25b to rise to a position in the fixed state and push up gripped surface 33b of positioning member 33.This pushes up the flange portion 36, disengaging it from the engaging portion 115 of the holder 112, and moves the squeegee 30 to the removal position. This also causes the protruding portion 34 of the squeegee 30 to rise and fit into the recesses 28a, 28b of the squeegee fixing portion 24, engaging with the regulating member 26. The engagement of the regulating member 26 with the protruding portion 34 restricts the movement of the squeegee 30 in the front-to-rear direction relative to the squeegee fixing portion 24. In the fixed state, the gripped surface 33b, which is the lower surface of the positioning member 33, and the gripped surface 32a, which is the upper surface of the mounting member 32, are sandwiched between the upper surface of the cylinder shaft 25a of the squeegee fixing portion 24 and the lower surface of the regulating member 26, thereby gripping and fixing the squeegee 30 to the squeegee fixing portion 24. The print control unit 11 then controls the print moving unit 22 to move the squeegee fixing portion 24 rearward. This causes the flange portion 36 of the squeegee 30 to pass through the opening 114, and the squeegee 30 is completely removed from the holder 112 (FIG. 17D). When receiving a replacement second squeegee 30b from the holder 112 on the rear side of the squeegee transport jig 110 to the squeegee fixing portion 24, the printing control unit 11 may perform an operation that is symmetrical in front and rear to the above operation.

[0055] The transfer of the squeegee 30 from the squeegee fixing portion 24 to the holder 112 can be performed by reversing the procedure for receiving the squeegee. When transferring the first squeegee 30a to the front holder 112 of the squeegee transport jig 110, the printing control unit 11 first lowers the front squeegee fixing portion 24 and moves it forward from the rear of the holder 112. This positions the flange portion 36 directly above the engagement portion 115 of the empty holder 112. This position is the transfer position for the squeegee 30. Next, the printing control unit 11 switches the squeegee fixing portion 24 from the fixed state to the released state. This engages the engagement portion 115 and the flange portion 36, positioning the squeegee 30 in the attachment position and attaching it to the holder 112. Additionally, the engagement between the regulating member 26 and the protrusion 34 is released. The printing control unit 11 then moves the squeegee fixing portion 24 rearward. When transferring the second squeegee 30b to the holder 112 on the rear side of the squeegee transport jig 110, the print control unit 11 may perform an operation that is symmetrical in the front-to-back direction to the above operation.

[0056] The board support member replacement process of step S140 will now be described. When the board support member replacement process starts, the print control unit 11 performs a board support member carry-out process to remove the board support member 70 and a board support member carry-in process to bring in a replacement board support member 70. FIGS. 18 and 19 are explanatory diagrams of the board support member carry-out process. In the board support member carry-out process, the print control unit 11 first operates the conveyor lift unit 105 so that the conveyor 104 (here, the eighth conveyor 104h) carrying the support member transport jig 130 in which at least one of the first and second protrusion holding units 132, 133 and the third and fourth protrusion holding units 134, 135 is open is at the same height (carry-out height) as the conveyor rail 53. That is, the print control unit 11 positions the eighth conveyor 104h at the same height as the carry-out height of the screen mask 55 described above. Next, the printing control unit 11 controls the eighth transport conveyor 104h and the transport rod 38 to load the support member transport jig 130 into the printing apparatus 10 (FIG. 18A). The printing control unit 11 transports the support member transport jig 130 so that the protrusion holders (here, the third and fourth protrusion holders 134 and 135) that attach the substrate support member 70 are positioned offset in the front-to-rear direction (here, rearward) from directly above the protrusions 71 and 72 of the substrate support member 70. Next, the printing control unit 11 causes the substrate guide moving unit 63 to separate the pair of side frames 60b and 60b from each other in the front-to-rear direction, and controls the support platform lifting unit 65 and the fixed unit lifting unit 66 to lift the substrate support member 70 (FIG. 18B). As a result, the protrusions 71 and 72 of the substrate support member 70 are elevated above the first to fourth protrusion holders 132 to 135. The position of the substrate support member 70 at this time is the transfer position of the substrate support member 70. Next, the print control unit 11 moves the support member transport jig 130 forward using the transport rod 38 until the third and fourth protrusion holders 134, 135 are positioned directly below the protrusions 71, 72 of the substrate support member 70 (FIG. 18C). Then, the print control unit 11 lowers the support base 67. As a result, the protrusions 71, 72 of the substrate support member 70 engage with the third and fourth protrusion holders 134, 135, and the substrate support member 70 is attached to the support member transport jig 130 (FIG. 19A).Thereafter, the print control unit 11 lowers the entire substrate fixing unit 60, and transports the support member transport jig 130, to which the substrate support members 70 are attached, forward using the transport rod 38, thereby removing the support member transport jig 130 (FIG. 19B). The print control unit 11 also causes the eighth transport conveyor 104h to transport the support member transport jig 130 further forward, and stores the support member transport jig 130 in the storage unit 102. Note that the print control unit 11 may also perform the next substrate support member loading process without lowering the substrate fixing unit 60.

[0057] The print control unit 11 can perform the board support member carry-in process by reversing the procedure of the board support member carry-out process. In the board support member carry-in process, the print control unit 11 first operates the conveyor lift unit 105 so that the ninth transport conveyor 104i, on which the support member transport jig 130 with the replacement board support member 70 attached, and the transport rail 53 are at the same height (carry-in height). Next, the print control unit 11 uses the ninth transport conveyor 104i and the transport rod 38 to carry the support member transport jig 130 and transport the replacement board support member 70 above the support base 67. Next, the print control unit 11 raises the support base 67 to raise the board support member 70 and disengage the protrusions 71 and 72 from the protrusion holders (here, the third and fourth protrusion holders 134 and 135). The position of the board support member 70 at this time is the board support member 70 receiving position. Thereafter, the printing control unit 11 moves the support member transport jig 130 forward or backward to shift the positions of the protrusions 71, 72 and the third and fourth protrusion holders 134, 135 forward or backward, and then lowers the support base 67. Then, the printing control unit 11 lowers the entire substrate fixing unit 60 and transports the support member transport jig 130 forward using the transport rod 38, thereby carrying out the support member transport jig 130. The printing control unit 11 also transports the support member transport jig 130 further forward using the ninth transport conveyor 104i, and stores the support member transport jig 130 in the storage unit 102.

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

[0059] The printing device 10 of this embodiment described above in detail includes a moving unit that moves the replaceable member 13 to a replacement position and / or transports the replaceable member 13 in and out of the cartridge 49, squeegee 30, cleaning member 82, screen mask 55, and substrate support member 70, for each of the replaceable members 13, which include two or more types (all five types in this embodiment) including at least one of the cartridge 49, squeegee 30, and cleaning member 82. More specifically, the moving unit includes a printing moving unit 22 and a supply moving unit 46 that move the cartridge 49 to the replacement position and transport the cartridge 49 in and out, a printing moving unit 22 and a squeegee lifting and lowering unit 23 that move the squeegee 30 to the replacement position, and a transport rod 38 and a transport rail 53 that transport the squeegee 30 in and out. The moving unit also includes a cleaning moving unit 87 that moves the cleaning member 82 to the replacement position and carries the cleaning member 82 in and out, a printing moving unit 22, transport rod 38, and transport rails 53 that carry the screen mask 55 in and out, a support platform lifting unit 65 and a fixing unit lifting unit 66 that move the substrate support member 70 to the replacement position, and a printing moving unit 22, transport rod 38, and transport rails 53 that carry the substrate support member 70 in and out. The printing device 10 also includes a printing control unit 11 that controls the moving unit to execute a replacement process to replace the replaceable member 13. Therefore, the printing device 10 can automatically replace two or more types of replaceable members 13 (five types in this embodiment).

[0060] Furthermore, in the printing device 10, the moving unit has a common moving mechanism that moves two or more types of components included in the replaceable member 13. Specifically, the printing moving unit 22 is a common moving mechanism for moving the cartridge 49, squeegee 30, screen mask 55, and substrate support member 70. The transport rod 38 and transport rail 53 are common moving mechanisms for moving the squeegee 30, screen mask 55, and substrate support member 70. Therefore, the printing device 10 can automatically replace each of two or more types of components included in the replaceable member 13 using the same moving mechanism. Therefore, the printing device 10 can have a more compact device configuration than, for example, a printing device 10 that has separate moving mechanisms for each type of replaceable member 13.

[0061] Furthermore, the printing device 10 includes a reader 97 that reads barcodes 57a, 116, 126, 136, and 146 attached to at least one of the replaceable components 13 (the screen mask 55 and the transport jigs 110, 120, 130, and 140 in this embodiment) and the components, respectively. This allows the printing device 10 to identify the replaceable components 13 by reading each barcode, enabling more appropriate replacement processing. Furthermore, because the printing device 10 uses the same reader 97 to read the barcodes of two or more components (all five components in this embodiment), the printing device 10 can have a more compact configuration than, for example, a printing device 10 equipped with a separate reader for each type of replaceable component 13.

[0062] Furthermore, the printing device 10 can transport the replaceable components 13 into and out of the storage device 100 that stores the replaceable components 13, and the print control unit 11 causes the reading unit 97 to read one or more types of identification information of the replaceable components 13 stored in the storage device 100 during the printing process. Therefore, the printing device 10 can read one or more types of barcodes 57a, 116, 126, 136, and 146 of the replaceable components 13 in advance before the replacement process. Therefore, the printing device 10 can perform the replacement process in a shorter time than if all barcodes were read during the replacement process.

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

[0064] The storage device 100 also includes a storage section 102 that stores the replaceable members 13 described above, and a transport conveyor 104 that transports one or more types of replaceable members 13 (three types in this embodiment: the squeegee 30, the screen mask 55, and the substrate support member 70) between the storage section 102 and the printing device 10. Therefore, the printing device 10 only needs to transfer the replaceable members 13 between the storage device 100 and the printing device 10, rather than between an operator, making it easier for the printing device 10 to automatically replace the replaceable members 13. Furthermore, the print control unit 11 transports the cartridges 49 and the replacement modules 81, which are not transported in or out by the transport conveyor 104, in or out using a mechanism on the printing device 10 side.

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

[0066] Furthermore, the storage unit 102 stores the replaceable member 13 (here, the cartridge 49) that has the highest insertion height into the printing device 10 among the replaceable members 13 in the first storage area 103a, which is the topmost of the multiple storage areas 103. Therefore, compared to when, for example, the cartridge 49 with the highest insertion height is stored in a location other than the first storage area 103a, which is the topmost, it is easier to reduce the lifting range required for the conveyor lifting unit 105.

[0067] The storage unit 102 stores the replaceable module 81 including the cleaning element 82 attached to the protrusion holder 142 of the cleaning element transport jig 140, and the conveyor lifting unit 105 raises and lowers the cleaning element transport jig 140 by raising and lowering the storage unit 102, thereby attaching the replaceable module 81 received (delivered) from the printing device 10 to the cleaning element transport jig 140. The conveyor lifting unit 105 raises and lowers the cleaning element transport jig 140 by raising and lowering the storage unit 102, thereby removing the replaceable module 81 attached to the cleaning element transport jig 140 from the cleaning element transport jig 140 and delivering it to the printing device 10. Therefore, the conveyor lifting unit 105 can also serve as a mechanism for transferring the replaceable module 81 between the storage unit 100 and the printing device 10.

[0068] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various forms as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0069] For example, in the embodiment described above, the storage unit 102 stores the cartridge 49, which is the replaceable member 13 that can be carried into the printing device 10 at the highest height, in the first storage area 103a at the top level, but this is not limited to this. Also, the storage unit 102 may store the replaceable member 13 that is the replaceable member 13 that can be carried into the printing device 10 at the lowest level among the multiple storage areas. For example, the cleaning member 82 may be stored in the ninth storage area 103i on the ninth transport conveyor 104i.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, the print control unit 11 performs the reading process during the printing process, but this is not limited thereto. For example, when executing the replacement process of FIG. 11, the print control unit 11 may first perform the reading process before steps S100 to S150. Alternatively, instead of performing the reading process, the print control unit 11 may input information about the replaceable members 13 and transport jigs stored in the storage unit 102 from the management PC 150 or have the operator input the information via the display operation unit 98. Furthermore, rules may be predefined regarding which storage area 103 should store which empty transport jigs, or rules may be predefined regarding which storage area 103 should store which types of replaceable members 13. In this case, the print control unit 11 stores the rules in advance, and the operator stores the transport jigs and replaceable members 13 in the storage area 103 according to the rules, so that the print control unit 11 does not need to perform the reading process.

[0071] In the above-described embodiment, the printing device 10 is equipped with the reading unit 97, but this is not limiting, and for example, the storage device 100 may be equipped with the reading unit 97. In this case, the storage control unit 106 may perform the above-described reading process instead of the print control unit 11 and output the acquired information to the print control unit 11. In this case, the storage control unit 106 can also perform the reading process without stopping the print process by the print control unit 11.

[0072] In the above-described embodiment, a barcode is attached to the transport jig for the exchangeable member 13 transported by the transport jig, but this is not a limitation and the barcode may be attached to the exchangeable member 13. Also, in the above-described embodiment, a barcode is attached to the transport jig and the screen mask 55, but the barcode is not limited to a barcode and may be attached to a two-dimensional code or the like.

[0073] In the above-described embodiment, the printing apparatus 10 includes the printing moving unit 22 as a moving mechanism common to the movement of four of the five replaceable members 13. However, the printing apparatus 10 may include a moving mechanism common to the movement of all five replaceable members. For example, while the mounting member moving mechanism 89 switches the replacement module 81 and the mounting member 84 between a protruding state and a non-protruding state, this switching may be performed by the transport rod 38. For example, the transport rod 38 may be configured to protrude downward to the same height as the replacement module 81, and the printing moving unit 22 may move the transport rod 38 back and forth to switch between the protruding state and the non-protruding state. In this case, the printing moving unit 22 serves as a moving mechanism common to the movement of all five replaceable members 13. The printing apparatus 10 may also include a moving mechanism (e.g., the printing moving unit 22, the transport rod 38, and the transport rail 53) common to the movement of two or more members, including the squeegee 30, among the squeegee 30, the screen mask 55, and the substrate support member 70. Alternatively, the printing device 10 may have a movement mechanism (e.g., a printing movement section 22 and a conveying rod 38) common to the movement of two or more types of members, including at least one of the squeegee 30, the screen mask 55, the substrate support member 70, and the cleaning member 82, among which the squeegee 30 and the cleaning member 82.

[0074] In the embodiment described above, the print control unit 11 performs the mask carry-out process before performing the squeegee replacement process in the replacement process routine, but this is not limited to this. For example, if the squeegee transport jig 110 and the squeegee fixing unit 24 can transfer the squeegee 30 in an area forward of the screen mask 55 without retracting the screen mask 55, the print control unit 11 does not need to perform the mask carry-out process before the squeegee replacement process.

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

[0076] In the above-described embodiment, the storage device 100 is equipped with the storage control unit 106, and the print control unit 11 indirectly controls the storage device 100 by outputting commands to the storage control unit 106, but this is not limiting and the storage control unit 106 may be omitted. In this case, for example, the print control unit 11 may directly control the transport conveyor 104 and the conveyor lifting unit 105 via communication.

[0077] In the above-described embodiment, the storage device 100 is equipped with a moving unit and can be moved by a worker, but this is not limiting and the storage device 100 may not be equipped with a moving unit. Furthermore, the storage device 100 may be configured as a self-propelled AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle) having a drive mechanism for driving the moving unit. In this case, the storage device 100 may move to a location where the exchangeable member 13 for replacement is stored and automatically store the exchangeable member 13 for replacement in the storage unit 102.

[0078] In the above-described embodiment, the replacement of the replaceable parts 13 when a changeover is performed has been mainly described, but the timing of replacement is not limited to this. For example, for consumables such as the cartridges 49 and cleaning members 82, the print control unit 11 may perform replacement processing when a sensor that detects the remaining amount detects that the consumables have run out.

[0079] In the above-described embodiment, the printing device 10 automatically exchanged all five types of exchangeable members 13 with the storage device 100, but this is not limited to this. For example, for one or more types of exchangeable members 13, the printing device 10 itself may have two or more holders to which a replacement exchangeable member 13 can be attached. In this case, if an operator attaches a replacement exchangeable member 13 to at least one holder and leaves at least one holder empty, the printing device 10 can automatically exchange the exchangeable member 13 with the holder. In this way, the printing device 10 may perform an exchange process for one or more types of exchangeable members 13 without carrying them in or out.

[0080] In the embodiment described above, the storage device 100 stores all of the replaceable members 13 other than the screen mask 55 in the storage section 102 while attached to a transport jig. However, the replaceable members may be stored attached to a holder. For example, the storage device 100 may store one or more types of replaceable members 13 other than the screen mask 55 while attached to a holder that cannot be transported by the transport conveyor 104. Even in this case, automatic replacement can be performed as in the embodiment described above as long as the printing apparatus 10 has a mechanism for transferring the replaceable members 13 between the storage device 100 and the printing apparatus 10. For example, in the storage device 100 of the embodiment described above, the cartridges 49 and the replacement module 81 can be automatically replaced without the storage device 100 being transported back and forth. Therefore, at least one of the cartridges 49 and the replacement module 81 may be attached to a fixed holder rather than to a transport jig.

[0081] In the above-described embodiment, the printing apparatus 10 is configured to be capable of automatically replacing all five types of replaceable members 13. However, this is not a limitation, and the printing apparatus 10 may be configured to automatically replace one or more types of replaceable members 13, including at least one type other than the screen mask 55. Furthermore, if the printing apparatus 10 is capable of automatically replacing two to four of the five types of replaceable members 13, any combination of the five types of replaceable members 13 may be selected. Furthermore, one to four of the five types of replaceable members 13 may be configured so that they are not replaced by an operator (i.e., they are not replaceable members). Furthermore, the printing apparatus 10 may not be equipped with one or more of the five types of replaceable members 13. For example, the printing apparatus 10 may not be equipped with a cleaning unit 80 including a cleaning member 82.

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

[0083] In the printing device disclosed herein, the moving unit may have a common moving mechanism that moves two or more types of replaceable components. This allows the printing device to automatically replace each of the two or more types of replaceable components using the same moving mechanism. Therefore, the printing device can have a more compact configuration than, for example, a printing device equipped with separate moving mechanisms for each type of replaceable component.

[0084] The printing device of the present disclosure may include a reader that reads identification information common to two or more types of replaceable components attached to the replaceable components and / or the transport jig for the replaceable components. This allows the printing device to identify the replaceable components by reading the identification information, thereby enabling more appropriate replacement processing. Furthermore, because the printing device reads the identification information for each of the two or more types of components using the same reader, the device configuration can be made more compact compared to, for example, a printing device that includes separate readers for each type of replaceable component.

[0085] In this case, the printing device may be capable of transporting the replaceable components to and from a storage device that stores the replaceable components, and the replacement control unit may cause the reading unit to read identification information for one or more of the replaceable components stored in the storage device during the printing process. In this way, the printing device can read the identification information for one or more of the replaceable components in advance before the replacement process. Therefore, the printing device can perform the replacement process in a shorter time than, for example, when reading the identification information for all of the replaceable components during the replacement process.

[0086] In this case, when the replacement control unit causes the reading unit to read one or more types of identification information of the replaceable components during the printing process, the replacement control unit may output a command to the storage device to move the replaceable components stored in the storage device to a position where the reading unit can read them. In this way, even if the reading unit cannot read the identification information while the replaceable components remain stored in the storage device, the replacement control unit can move the replaceable components to the storage device so that the reading unit can read the identification information. Furthermore, because the identification information is read during the printing process, moving the replaceable components from the storage device to read them has little impact on the time required for the replacement process.

[0087] The storage device of the present disclosure comprises: A component used in a printing device that performs a printing process of a viscous fluid on a printing target using a screen mask, the component comprising: a cartridge that stores the viscous fluid; a squeegee; a cleaning member that cleans the screen mask; and a storage section that stores two or more replaceable members, including at least one of the cartridge, the squeegee, and the cleaning member, among the screen mask and a support member that fixes the printing target; a transport unit that transports one or more of the replaceable members between the storage unit and the printing device; It is equipped with the following.

[0088] This storage device stores two or more types of replaceable parts and transports one or more of the replaceable parts to and from the printing device. Therefore, the printing device can easily automatically replace the replaceable parts because the exchangeable parts can be transferred between the storage device and the printing device, rather than between the printing device and an operator. This storage device may also transfer the replaceable parts to and from any of the printing devices disclosed above. Note that if there are any replaceable parts that are not transported by the transport unit of the storage device, the transport of those replaceable parts may be performed by a mechanism on the printing device side.

[0089] The storage device of the present disclosure includes an elevator unit that raises and lowers the storage unit, and the storage unit may have multiple storage areas in the vertical direction, each of which stores at least one type of replaceable component. In this way, each of the multiple storage areas can store a replaceable component, making it easy for the storage unit to store two or more types of replaceable components. Furthermore, the elevator unit can adjust the height of the replaceable components when transferring them to and from a printing device, so the storage device can transfer replaceable components at an appropriate height for each printing device and each type of replaceable component.

[0090] In this case, the storage unit may be configured to store the replaceable component having the highest insertion height into the printing device in the topmost storage area of ​​the multiple storage tiers, or store the replaceable component having the lowest insertion height into the printing device in the bottommost storage area of ​​the multiple storage tiers. In this way, for example, when the replaceable component having the highest insertion height is stored in the topmost storage area of ​​the multiple storage tiers, the required lifting range of the lifting unit can be reduced compared to when the replaceable component is stored in a tier other than the topmost storage tier. Similarly, for example, when the component having the lowest insertion height is stored in the bottommost storage area of ​​the multiple storage tiers, the required lifting range of the lifting unit can be reduced compared to when the replaceable component is stored in a tier other than the bottommost storage tier.

[0091] The storage device of the present disclosure may include a lifting unit that raises and lowers the storage unit, where the storage unit stores one or more of the replaceable members attached to holders. The lifting unit may raise and lower the holders by raising and lowering the storage unit, thereby at least one of attaching the replaceable members received from the printing device to the holders or removing the replaceable members attached to the holders from the holders and transferring them to the printing device. In this way, the lifting unit that raises and lowers the storage unit can also serve as a mechanism for transferring replaceable members between the storage device and the printing device. Note that the holders may be fixed to the storage unit or may be transportable. For example, the replaceable members may be attached to holders included in a transport jig that can be transported by a transport unit. [Industrial Applicability]

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

[0093] 1 Printing system, 10 Printing device, 11 Print control unit, 13 Replaceable member, 20 Print processing unit, 21 Print head, 22 Print movement unit, 23 Squeegee lifting unit, 23a Piston rod, 24 Squeegee fixing unit, 25 Air cylinder, 25a Cylinder shaft, 25b Flange, 26 Regulating member, 27a, 27b Claw portion, 28a, 28b Recessed portion, 30 Squeegee, 30a, 30b First and second squeegees, 31 Squeegee blade, 32 Mounting member, 32a Gripped surface, 33 Positioning member, 33a Opening, 33b Gripped surface, 34 Protrusion, 35 Shaft member, 36 Flange portion, 38 Transport rod, 40 Supply unit, 41 Supply head, 41a Back plate portion, 41b Fixing member, 42 Air supply unit, 43 Clamp portion, 44 Rotation motor, 45 remaining amount sensor, 46 supply moving part, 46a guide, 46b ball screw, 48 drive motor, 49 cartridge, 49a main body part, 49b flange part, 49d connection part, 50 mask working part, 51 mask fixing part, 52 position adjustment part, 53 transport rail, 55 screen mask, 56 mask main body, 57 frame body, 57a bar code, 58 pattern hole, 60 substrate fixing part, 60a main body, 60b side frame, 61 substrate transport conveyor, 62 substrate guide, 63 substrate guide moving part, 65 support base lifting part, 66 fixing part lifting part, 67 support base, 70 substrate support member, 70a main body part, 71,72 protrusion, 73 suction port, 75 identification unit, 76 barcode, 80 cleaning unit, 81 replacement module, 81a first roller, 81b second roller, 82 cleaning member, 83 mounting member, 83a box body, 83b bearing, 83c gear, 83d protrusion, 83e receiving member, 83f opening, 83g engagement shaft, 84 placing member, 84a contact member, 84b lifting device, 84c claw member, 84d connection portion, 86 support member, 86a winding motor, 86b gear, 86c locking mechanism, 86d locking member, 87 cleaning moving unit, 88 support member moving mechanism, 88a Y-axis slider, 88b guide rail, 89 placing member moving mechanism, 89a drive source, 89b connection portion, 89c telescopic rail, 97 Reading unit, 98 display operation unit, 100 storage device, 101 housing, 102 storage unit, 103 storage area, 103a to 103i first to ninth storage areas, 104 transport conveyor, 104a to 104i first to ninth transport conveyors, 105 conveyor lifting unit, 106 storage control unit, 110 squeegee transport jig, 111 frame, 112 holder, 113 support unit, 114 opening, 115 engagement unit, 116 bar code, 120 cartridge transport jig, 121 frame, 122 holder, 123 support unit, 124 opening, 125 engagement unit, 126 bar code, 130 support member transport jig, 131 frame, 132 to 135 first to fourth protrusion holding units, 136 bar code, 140 cleaning member transport jig, 141 Frame, 142 protrusion holder, 146 barcode, 150 management PC, S board.

Claims

1. a printing device that performs a printing process of a viscous fluid on a printing object using a screen mask and that is equipped with a conveying rail that guides the movement of the screen mask; an exchange control unit that performs an exchange process for at least one of the squeegee and the support member that fixes the printing target, and an exchange process for the screen mask; Equipped with the replacement control unit performs a process of removing the screen mask from the printing device by moving the screen mask using the transport rail, and then performs at least one of a process of replacing the squeegee and a process of replacing the support member by moving at least one of the squeegee and the support member using the transport rail, and then performs a process of carrying in the screen mask or the replacement screen mask that has been subjected to the process of removing it into the printing device by moving the screen mask or the replacement screen mask using the transport rail. Printing system.

2. A printing device that performs a printing process of a viscous fluid on a printing object using a screen mask, and a carrying-out process of carrying out the screen mask from the printing device by moving the screen mask using a conveying rail provided in the printing device; an exchange process for exchanging at least one of the squeegee and the support member that fixes the printing target by using the transport rail after the carry-out process; and a carry-in process of carrying the screen mask or the replacement screen mask that has been subjected to the carry-out process into the printing device by using the transport rail after the replacement process has been performed; Exchange methods including.

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