Printing processing support system

Abstract

Provided is a printing process assistance system that is able to contribute to the improvement of printing quality. This printing process assistance system includes: a printing unit that executes a printing process for printing a coating material onto a substrate through an opening section formed in a mask, and a cleaning process for cleaning the lower surface of the mask at a predetermined cleaning interval and a predetermined cleaning frequency; a control unit that controls the operations of the printing process and the cleaning process; an inspecting unit that inspects the bleeding status of the coating material on the substrate after the printing process; and an information output unit that outputs, to at least one among the control unit and a reporting unit that can report the information to an operator, the inspection results and assistance information for mending the bleeding when bleeding occurs continuously. The information output unit outputs information for increasing the frequency of the cleaning process as the assistance information.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing process support system that supports improvement of the quality of printing processes for printing a coating material such as solder onto a substrate such as a printed wiring board. [Background technology]

[0002] A screen printing apparatus is known as a printing apparatus for printing a coating material such as cream solder onto a substrate such as a printed wiring board. The screen printing apparatus includes a mask that is placed on the substrate and a squeegee (spatula member) that slides along the upper surface of the mask. The coating material is supplied to the upper surface of the mask and moves with the squeegee, printing the coating material onto the substrate through pattern holes (openings) formed in the mask.

[0003] Screen printing devices (hereafter referred to as "printing devices") have a problem with "bleeding," which is one of the issues affecting print quality. "Bleeding" is a phenomenon in which the coating material seeps into the gap between the mask and the substrate through the pattern holes, causing the coating material to be printed in the area surrounding the land. "Bleeding" tends to occur more easily as the number of printing processes (number of sheets) increases, and depending on the level of bleeding, it can cause a bridging phenomenon in which the coating material crosses over adjacent lands, causing an electrical short circuit between the two lands.

[0004] Therefore, in order to prevent bleeding, printing devices equipped with a cleaning mechanism that periodically cleans the underside of the mask have been developed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing device that can selectively perform dry cleaning (cleaning without using a solvent) and wet cleaning (cleaning with a solvent). In this printing device, dry cleaning is normally performed, and if no improvement in quality is observed, the device switches to wet cleaning and performs the cleaning process.

[0005] This printing device can be said to be able to clean the mask more reliably, that is, to improve the accuracy of each cleaning. However, if bleeding occurs continuously, it may be difficult to suppress or eliminate the bleeding simply by improving the accuracy of each cleaning. Therefore, there is room for improvement here. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-162042 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a printing processing support system that can contribute to improving print quality by more effectively suppressing the occurrence of bleeding in screen printing processing.

[0008] A printing process support system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a printing unit that performs a printing process in which a mask is placed on a substrate supported by a plurality of backup pins and a coating material is moved over the mask with a squeegee to print the coating material onto the substrate through openings formed in the mask, and a cleaning process that cleans the underside of the mask at predetermined cleaning intervals and times; a control unit that controls the operation of the printing process and the cleaning process; an inspection unit that inspects the bleeding state of the coating material on the substrate after the printing process; and an information output unit that, if bleeding is found to be occurring continuously as a result of the inspection, outputs support information to improve the bleeding to a target unit that is at least one of the control unit and a notification unit that can notify an operator of the information, and is characterized in that the information output unit outputs information to the target unit as the support information to increase the frequency of the cleaning process. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a board production system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a printing device in the board production system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the main body of the printing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a management device in the board production system. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of a printing support process. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between a printing area of ​​a substrate and a backup pin. [Figure 7] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between bleeding tendency and cleaning processing. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of the print support process. [Figure 9] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between bleeding tendency and cleaning processing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] [Configuration of circuit board production system] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a board production system including a printing processing support system according to the present invention. The board production system 1 is a system for producing component-mounted boards, such as printed wiring boards, on which components are mounted. The board production system 1 includes a printing device 2, a print inspection device 3, a component mounting device 4, a reflow device 5, and a management device 6 that manages these devices in an integrated manner.

[0012] The printing device 2 is a device that performs a printing process to print cream solder (an example of a coating material; hereinafter simply referred to as solder) on the lands of the board. The print inspection device 3 is a device that performs an inspection process to inspect the solder printing state of the board that has been subjected to a printing process. The component mounting device 4 is a device that performs a mounting process to mount (place) components on the board after the printing process. The reflow device 5 is a device that performs a reflow process to melt and harden the solder by heating the board on which the components have been mounted.

[0013] The production line is made up of a printing device 2, a print inspection device 3, a component mounting device 4, and a reflow device 5, all connected in a line in this order in the conveying direction of the board. As the board is conveyed in this order, it undergoes the processes described above in each of the devices 2 to 5. The printing device 2, the print inspection device 3, the component mounting device 4, and the reflow device 5 are connected to a management device 6 so as to be able to communicate data.

[0014] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the printing device 2. The printing device 2 includes a device main body 2A, a print control unit 2B, a print communication unit 30, a storage device 31, a display unit 40, and an operation unit 41.

[0015] The device main body 2A performs a printing process to print solder on the substrate P. The print communication unit 30 is an interface for performing data communication with the management device 6, and has the function of inputting and outputting various data and information to and from the management device 6. The print control unit 2B controls operations such as the print process in the device main body 2A, and also controls data communication of the print communication unit 30.

[0016] Fig. 3 is a schematic side view showing the apparatus main body 2A. To clarify the directional relationships, Fig. 3 shows an XYZ rectangular coordinate system in which the horizontal direction is the X direction and the Y direction, and the vertical direction is the Z direction. The X direction is the transport direction of the substrate P.

[0017] The device main body 2A is a screen printing device that prints solder on the substrate P using a mask (screen plate) that has pattern holes (openings) that correspond to the lands on the substrate P. The device main body 2A includes a substrate transport unit 10, a mask holding unit 11, a substrate support unit 12, a squeegee unit 16, a cleaning unit 17, a camera unit 18, and a pin replacement unit 19.

[0018] The substrate transport unit 10 has the function of transporting the substrate P in the device main body 2A. In this example, the substrate transport unit 10 is a pair of belt-type conveyors that support both ends of the substrate P and transport it. The substrate transport unit 10 includes three conveyors that are independent of each other: an input conveyor, a working conveyor 10a, and an output conveyor (only the working conveyor 10a is shown in Figure 3). The input conveyor carries the substrate P into the machine before printing processing. The working conveyor 10a receives the substrate P from the input conveyor and places it at a predetermined printing work position, and passes the substrate P after printing processing to the output conveyor. The output conveyor carries the substrate P after printing processing out of the machine (to the print inspection device 3).

[0019] The mask holding unit 11 is disposed above the substrate transport unit 10. The mask holding unit 11 includes a mask 113 and a clamp member 111 that holds the mask 113. The mask 113 is disposed parallel to the XY plane by a frame 112 provided on the periphery of the mask being clamped by the clamp member 111.

[0020] The substrate supporting unit 12 is a unit that positions the substrate P with respect to the mask 113, and is disposed below the mask holding unit 11. The substrate supporting unit 12 includes a substrate supporting portion 13, a movable table 14, and a table driving mechanism 15.

[0021] The substrate support unit 13 is attached to a movable table 14 together with the work conveyor 10a. The substrate support unit 13 includes a lift table 131 having a plurality of backup pins 133 provided thereon, and a slide support 132 that supports the lift table 131 so that it can be raised and lowered relative to the movable table 14.

[0022] The lifting table 131 is raised and lowered relative to the movable table 14 by the driving force of a motor or the like. By raising and lowering the lifting table 131, the substrate P is transferred between the working conveyor 10a and the backup pins 133. For example, when the lifting table 131 rises from the home position, the substrate P is lifted from the working conveyor 10a by the backup pins 133. As a result, the substrate P is transferred from the working conveyor 10a to the backup pins 133.

[0023] The substrate support section 13 is equipped with a pair of clamp plates 134. The pair of clamp plates 134 are arranged above the working conveyor 10a at a distance in the Y direction, and move between a close position and a separate position by the driving force of an air cylinder or the like. When the clamp plates 134 move to the close position, the substrate P lifted from the working conveyor 10a by the backup pins 133 is clamped horizontally from both sides in the Y direction. At this time, the upper surface of the substrate P and the upper surfaces of the clamp plates 134 are flush with each other.

[0024] The table drive mechanism 15 includes a Y-axis table 151 installed on the base of the apparatus main body 2A, an X-axis table 152 installed on the upper surface of the Y-axis table 151, an R-axis table 153 installed on the upper surface of the X-axis table 152, and a slide support 154 that supports the movable table 14 so that it can be raised and lowered relative to the R-axis table 153. The Y-axis table 151, the X-axis table 152, the R-axis table 153, and the movable table 14 each move in a predetermined direction by the driving force of a motor or the like. Specifically, the Y-axis table 151 moves in the Y direction relative to the base of the apparatus main body 2A, and the X-axis table 152 moves in the X direction relative to the Y-axis table 151. Furthermore, the R-axis table 153 moves in the R direction (a rotational direction about an axis parallel to the Z direction) relative to the X-axis table 152, and the movable table 14 rises and falls relative to the R-axis table 153.

[0025] That is, the table driving mechanism 15 moves the work conveyor 10a and the substrate support parts 13, which are assembled to the movable table 14, in the X, Y, Z, and R directions, thereby bringing the substrate P supported by the substrate support parts 13 (substrate P clamped by the clamp plate 134) into contact with the lower surface of the mask 113. As a result, the substrate P is superimposed on the mask 113.

[0026] The squeegee unit 16 is disposed above the mask holding unit 11. The squeegee unit 16 includes a squeegee head 161 and a squeegee 162 supported thereby.

[0027] The squeegee head 161 moves horizontally in the Y direction by the driving force of a motor or the like, and also moves up and down relative to the mask 113 (mask holding unit 11). The squeegee 162 is a plate-shaped spatula member extending in the X direction, and is supported so as to be swingable relative to the squeegee head 161 around an axis extending in the X direction. The squeegee 162 swings relative to the squeegee head 161 by the driving force of a motor or the like. The squeegee 162 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the mask 113 at a predetermined angle (attack angle) and printing pressure (pressing pressure), and moves along the mask 113 together with the squeegee head 161 at a predetermined speed (squeegee speed). As a result, the solder S is printed on the substrate P through the pattern holes while moving along the upper surface of the mask 113.

[0028] The cleaning unit 17 , the camera unit 18 and the pin replacement unit 19 are disposed below the mask 113 .

[0029] The cleaning unit 17 moves in the Y direction along the underside of the mask 113 by the driving force of a motor or the like. The cleaning unit 17 has a cleaning head 171, and moves while pressing gauze provided on the cleaning head 171 against the underside of the mask 113, thereby cleaning the mask 113. The cleaning unit 17 can selectively perform wet cleaning, in which the mask 113 is cleaned by impregnating the gauze with a solvent, and dry cleaning, in which the mask 113 is cleaned without being impregnated with a solvent.

[0030] The camera unit 18 is a unit that captures images of marks affixed to the upper surface of the substrate P supported by the backup pins 133 and to the lower surface of the mask 113. Based on these mark images, the positions of the mask 113 and the substrate P are recognized. The camera unit 18 is equipped with cameras on both the top and bottom sides. The camera unit 18 moves in the X and Y directions between the substrate P before it is superimposed on the mask 113 and the lower surface of the mask 113 by the driving force of a motor or the like. In this way, images of each mark are captured.

[0031] Like the camera unit 18, the pin exchange unit 19 moves in the X and Y directions below the mask 113 by the driving force of a motor or the like. The pin exchange unit 19 is a unit that changes the arrangement of the backup pins 133 erected on the lift-up table 131 by transporting the backup pins 133 between the lift-up table 131 and the pin stocker 191. A plurality of pin holes in which the backup pins 133 can be erected are provided in a matrix on the lift-up table 131. Of these plurality of pin holes, the backup pins 133 are inserted into pin holes at positions suitable for supporting the substrate P.

[0032] The basic operation of the printing process in the above-described apparatus main body 2A (printing apparatus 2) is as follows. First, with the lifting table 131 positioned at its lowest end position, the substrate P is carried into the apparatus by the substrate transport unit 10 and positioned at the printing work position. Next, the lifting table 131 rises, and the substrate P is transferred from the substrate transport unit 10 (work conveyor 10a) to the substrate support section 13 (backup pins 133), and then the substrate P is clamped by the clamp plate 134.

[0033] When the substrate P is clamped, the camera unit 18 moves from a predetermined retracted position to between the mask 113 and the substrate P, and images of the marks on the mask 113 and the substrate P are captured. Based on these mark images, the positions of the mask 113 and the substrate P are recognized.

[0034] Thereafter, the camera unit 18 is reset to the retracted position, and the table driving mechanism 15 is operated to overlay the substrate P supported by the substrate support part 13 on the lower surface of the mask 113. At this time, the position of the substrate support part 13 is adjusted in the X, Y, and R directions based on the above-mentioned position recognition results of the mask 113 and the substrate P. Through this adjustment, the substrate P is overlaid on the predetermined position of the mask 113 without any misalignment.

[0035] When the substrate P is superimposed on the mask 113, the squeegee unit 16 is placed at a predetermined movement start position. When the squeegee head 161 is lowered at this position, the squeegee 162 is pressed against the upper surface of the mask 113 at a predetermined angle (attack angle) and printing pressure (pressing pressure), and in this state, the squeegee 162 moves in the Y direction at a predetermined movement speed (squeegee speed) together with the movement of the squeegee head 161. As this movement occurs, the solder S is printed onto the substrate P through the pattern holes.

[0036] When the squeegee unit 16 has moved to the movement end position, the table drive mechanism 15 is operated to reset the substrate support section 13 to its original position. This causes the substrate P to be released from the mask 113. Thereafter, the clamping of the substrate P by the clamp plate 134 is released, and the lift table 131 is lowered, thereby transferring the substrate P from the substrate support section 13 (backup pins 133) to the substrate transport unit 10 (work conveyor 10a). Then, the substrate P is carried out of the apparatus by the substrate transport unit 10, thereby completing the series of printing processes in the apparatus main body 2A.

[0037] When the printing process has been performed on a preset number of substrates P, at the timing when the substrates P are released from the mask 113, the cleaning unit 17 moves back and forth along the underside of the mask 113 from a home position (position shown in FIG. 3) set outside the printing area of ​​the mask 113. In this way, the cleaning process of the mask 113 is performed.

[0038] Returning to Fig. 2, the display unit 40 is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays various information related to the printing process and cleaning process performed by the device main body 2A. The display operation of the display unit 40 is controlled by the display control unit 26, which will be described later. The operation unit 41 is configured with a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel provided on the display unit 40, or the like. The operation unit 41 receives input operations of various commands from the operator to the print control unit 2B.

[0039] The print control unit 2B is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a control program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area for the CPU, etc. The print control unit 2B controls the operation of each component of the device main body 2A and also controls the data communication operation of the print communication unit 30 by the CPU executing the control program stored in the ROM.

[0040] The print control unit 2B includes, as its main functional components, an arithmetic processing unit 20, a print processing control unit 21, a cleaning control unit 22, an imaging control unit 23, a pin exchange control unit 24, a communication control unit 25, and a display control unit 26. In other words, by executing the control program, the print control unit 2B functions as each of the control units 20 to 26.

[0041] The calculation processing unit 20 executes various calculation processes and judgment processes related to the printing process and cleaning process of the device main body 2A. The printing process control unit 21 controls the series of printing process operations in the device main body 2A. The cleaning control unit 22 controls the cleaning process operation by the cleaning unit 17. The imaging control unit 23 controls the mark imaging operation by the camera unit 18. The pin replacement control unit 24 controls the replacement operation of the backup pin 133 by the pin replacement unit 19. The communication control unit 25 controls the print communication unit 30 to control data communication between the printing device 2 and the management device 6. The display control unit 26 controls the display by the display unit 40 to display various information and images related to the printing process and cleaning process of the device main body 2A.

[0042] Various types of information that are referenced when controlling each part of the apparatus main body 2A are stored in the storage device 31. The various types of information include substrate data D11, printing condition data D12, cleaning condition data D13, and management data D14.

[0043] The board data D11 is information relating to the boards P (component-mounted boards) to be produced, and includes information such as the type (ID) of the boards P to be produced, the printing positions (coordinates of pads and lands) on the boards P of each type, and the type (ID) of the mask 113 used in the printing process. The board data D11 also includes data such as the type and mounting (installation) coordinates of the components to be mounted by the component mounting device 4.

[0044] The printing condition data D12 includes information regarding the conditions (reference values) of the printing process, such as the attack angle, printing pressure, movement speed (squeegee speed) of the squeegee 162 in the printing process, and the arrangement of the backup pins 133. Information such as the attack angle, printing pressure, and movement speed is stored in association with the type (ID) of the solder, and the arrangement of the backup pins 133 is stored in association with the type (ID) of the substrate P.

[0045] The cleaning condition data D13 includes information (reference values) on the conditions of the cleaning process, such as the type of cleaning process (dry or wet), cleaning frequency, etc. The cleaning frequency includes the "cleaning interval" and the "number of cleanings."

[0046] The cleaning interval is defined by the number of printing processes (the number of processed substrates P), and in this example, for example, the reference value (default value) is set to "10." That is, it is set so that 10 printing processes are executed as one cycle. The number of cleanings is also defined by the number of reciprocating movements of the cleaning head 171 in one cleaning process (one cycle), and in this example, for example, the reference value (default value) is set to "1." That is, it is set so that the cleaning head 171 makes one reciprocating movement along the underside of the mask 113 from the home position (the position shown in FIG. 3).

[0047] The management data D14 is a history of the printing process for each board, and includes the results of the printing process, the type of solder and mask used in the printing process, and the production conditions (printing conditions and cleaning conditions). The management data D14 is cumulatively stored in the storage device 31, and is also sequentially transmitted to the management device 6 via the print communication unit 30. As will be described later, the production conditions (printing conditions and cleaning conditions) may be changed based on the inspection results by the print inspection device 3, and in such cases, the changed conditions are stored as the management data D14.

[0048] Next, the configuration of the management device 6 will be described. The management device 6 is composed of, for example, a personal computer connected to the printing device 2, the print inspection device 3, the component mounting device 4, and the reflow device 5 so as to be able to communicate data with them. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management device 6. The management device 6 includes a management control unit 60, a management storage unit 61, a management communication unit 62, a display unit 63, and an operation unit 64.

[0049] The management communication unit 62 is an interface for communicating data with each of the devices 2 to 5. In addition to the management data D14 input from the printing device 2, the management communication unit 62 acquires management data input from the print inspection device 3, the component mounting device 4, and the reflow device 5. For example, the management storage unit 61 acquires, as management data, the inspection results of each board P by the print inspection device 3, the results of the component mounting process on each board P by the component mounting device 4, the results of the reflow process on each board P by the reflow device 5, and the like.

[0050] The management storage unit 61 stores production plan data D21 and production history data D22. The production plan data D21 includes data such as the production number and production sequence of the boards P. The production history data D22 is production history data for each board, and includes management data input from each of the devices 2 to 5.

[0051] Management control unit 60 is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. In management control unit 60, the CPU executes a control program stored in the ROM to perform various processes for managing the operation of each of devices 2 to 5 in board production system 1, and also controls management communication unit 62 to control data communication between each of devices 2 to 5 and management device 6.

[0052] In this example, the management control unit 60 executes a printing support process as one of various processes for managing the above operations. This printing support process is a process that supports improving the print quality of the printing device 2. More specifically, it is a process that supports improving bleeding on the substrate P. "Bleeding" is a phenomenon in which solder seeps into the gap between the mask 113 and the substrate P through the pattern holes during the printing process, causing the solder to be printed up to the area surrounding the land. This printing support process will be described in detail later.

[0053] The display unit 63 displays information on the data D21, D22 stored in the management memory unit 61. The display operation of the display unit 63 is controlled by the management control unit 60. The operation unit 64 is configured by a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel provided on the display unit 63, or the like.

[0054] [First embodiment of printing support process] 5 is a flowchart showing the control of the printing support process (first embodiment) by the management control unit 60. The printing support process is started before the start of printing processing of the substrate P by the printing device 2. When this flowchart starts, the management control unit 60 determines whether the substrate P to be produced has been produced in the past by referring to the production plan data D21 and production history data D22 in the management storage unit 61 (step S1).

[0055] If the determination is No, the management control unit 60 acquires the printing condition data D12 and cleaning condition data D13 from the printing device 2 via the management communication unit 62, and sets new production conditions for the substrate P based on this data D12, D13 (steps S3, S5). In this case, the management control unit 60 sets the reference values ​​of the printing conditions (attack angle, printing pressure, pin arrangement) determined in the printing condition data D12 and the reference values ​​of the cleaning conditions (content of treatment, cleaning interval, number of cleanings) determined in the cleaning condition data D13 as initial values ​​of the production conditions.

[0056] In this case, the management control unit 60 may further acquire the board data D11 from the printing device 2 and execute a predetermined simulation process based on the pattern layout of the board to be produced, thereby setting the initial values ​​of the production conditions.

[0057] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1 is Yes, that is, if it is determined that the substrate P to be produced is the same as a substrate produced in the past, the management control unit 60 sets the production conditions based on the production history data D22. Specifically, the production conditions recorded in, for example, the most recent management data D14 of the past management data D14 for the substrate P are set as initial values.

[0058] In this case, too, the management control unit 60 may set the initial values ​​of the production conditions by executing a predetermined simulation process based on the past management data D14.

[0059] After setting the production conditions, the management control unit 60 transmits the production condition data to the printing device 2 via the management communication unit 62 (step S7). The printing device 2 (print control unit 2B) acquires the production condition data via the print communication unit 30 and starts the printing process for the substrate P based on this production condition data.

[0060] The management control unit 60 waits for the printing process to be executed (Yes in step S9), and when the printing process is executed, it determines (step S11) whether the printing process has been completed for the planned number (all) of substrates P. If the determination here is No, the management control unit 60 obtains the printing results for the substrates P from the print inspection device 3 via the management communication unit 62 (step S13).

[0061] The print inspection device 3 is equipped with a camera unit that captures a planar image of the substrate P after printing processing, inspects the solder printing state based on the image data, and sends the results as management data to the management device 6. Inspection items include "inspection of the bleeding state." Bleeding can be evaluated by the ratio R (%) of the actual printing area to the reference solder printing area (= area of ​​the land). In the bleeding state inspection, if this area ratio R (hereinafter referred to as the area ratio R) exceeds a preset upper limit value Rn, the printing is determined to be defective. The management data sent to the management device 6 also includes the image data and area ratio R data.

[0062] When the inspection results are acquired in the process of step S13, the management control unit 60 determines whether or not bleeding is on the rise (an example of a state in which bleeding is occurring continuously) based on the acquired inspection results (step S15). For example, the management control unit 60 compares the area ratio R of the currently acquired inspection results with the area ratio R of the previously acquired inspection results (inspection results of the preceding substrate), and performs the determination process of step S15 based on the difference. In this case, the management control unit 60 may perform the determination process of step S15 based on the area ratio R of multiple consecutive inspection results prior to the currently acquired print result.

[0063] If it is determined in the process of step S15 that bleeding is not on the rise (No in step S15), the management control unit 60 proceeds to step S9. On the other hand, if it is determined that bleeding is on the rise (Yes in step S15), the management control unit 60 determines whether the inspection result acquired in the process of step S13 is the inspection result immediately before or close to the time of the cleaning process (hereinafter, for convenience, referred to as the inspection result immediately before the cleaning process) (step S17). In this example, the management control unit 60 determines whether it is the inspection result of the printing process two times before the cleaning process. Specifically, if the cleaning conditions are set to the reference values, that is, if the cleaning process is performed with 10 printing processes as one cycle, it determines whether it is the inspection result of the ninth time (9th sheet).

[0064] If the inspection result is not the inspection result obtained immediately before the cleaning process (No in step S17), the management control unit 60 proceeds to step S9. On the other hand, if the inspection result is the inspection result obtained immediately before the cleaning process (Yes in step S17), the management control unit 60 determines whether the cleaning interval under the cleaning conditions is long or not, that is, whether the cleaning interval is appropriate (step S19). Specifically, it determines whether the value of the area ratio R in the inspection result obtained in the processing of step S13 is equal to or greater than a preset warning value Rw and equal to or less than an upper limit value Rn. The range from equal to or greater than the warning value Rw to equal to or less than the upper limit value Rn is the limit level of allowable bleeding.

[0065] If it is determined that the cleaning interval is long (inappropriate) (Yes in step S19), the management control unit 60 proceeds to step S21, and changes the production conditions set in the processes of steps S5 and S6, as will be described later.

[0066] On the other hand, if it is determined that the cleaning interval is not long (appropriate) (No in step S19), the management control unit 60 identifies an area of ​​the printing area of ​​the substrate P where bleeding is tending to increase (hereinafter simply referred to as a bleeding increase area) based on the image data of the inspection results, and determines whether the backup pins 133 are arranged in the bleeding increase area (step S27). In other words, it determines whether the pin arrangement under the printing conditions is appropriate.

[0067] For example, consider a substrate P on which printing has been performed on multiple areas Ar1 to Ar4, as shown in Fig. 6. The management control unit 60 identifies the bleeding increase area based on the area ratio R of each of the areas Ar1 to Ar4, and further determines whether or not a backup pin 133 is placed in the identified bleeding increase area based on the pin placement of the printing conditions.

[0068] If it is determined that the backup pins 133 are not arranged in the bleeding increase region (No in step S27), the management control unit 60 shifts the process to step S21 and changes the production conditions as described below.

[0069] If the determination in step S27 is Yes, that is, if it is determined that the backup pin 133 is placed in the permeation increase region, the management control unit 60 determines whether the inspection result acquired in step S13 is the inspection result after the placement of the backup pin 133 has been changed (after the backup pin 133 has been added) (step S29). If the determination here is No, the management control unit 60 proceeds to step S21 and changes the production conditions as described below. In short, if the backup pin 133 was originally (originally) placed in the permeation increase region identified in the processing of step S27, the management device 6 determines No in the processing of step S29.

[0070] On the other hand, if it is determined that the inspection result acquired in step S13 is the inspection result after changing the arrangement of the backup pins 133 (Yes in step S29), the management device 6 determines whether the tendency of bleeding in the bleeding-increasing region has improved (step S31). For example, the management control unit 60 compares the current inspection result in the bleeding-increasing region with the previous inspection result (the inspection result of the preceding substrate P), and if the area ratio R is the same or has decreased, it determines that the tendency of bleeding has improved.

[0071] If it is determined in the process of step S31 that the tendency of bleeding has improved (Yes in step S31), the management control unit 60 proceeds to step S9. On the other hand, if it is determined that the tendency of bleeding has not improved (No in the process of step S31), the management control unit 60 proceeds to step S21 and changes the production conditions as described below.

[0072] In the process of step S21, the management device 6 updates the production conditions set in the process of step S5 or S6. In this case, the conditions to be changed differ depending on whether the process is through step S19, S27, S29, or S31, as follows:

[0073] First, if the determination in step S19 is Yes, that is, if the cleaning interval is determined to be long (inappropriate), the management control unit 60 shortens the cleaning interval in the cleaning conditions. For example, the management device 6 shortens the cleaning interval by a preset number of printing processes. In this case, the number of printing processes to be shortened may be determined according to the specific tendency of the increase in bleeding (the rate of increase in the area ratio R). The cause of the increase in bleeding is often insufficient cleaning of the mask 113. Therefore, if the area ratio R immediately before the cleaning process is equal to or greater than the warning value Rw and equal to or less than the upper limit value Rn, the cleaning interval is shortened.

[0074] Next, if the result of the processing in step S27 is No, that is, if it is determined that the backup pin 133 is not placed in the bleeding increase area, the management control unit 60 changes the pin placement of the printing conditions so as to add the backup pin 133 to the bleeding increase area and / or its surroundings.

[0075] If the cleaning interval is appropriate (not long), the increase in smearing is likely due to bending of the substrate P caused by insufficient support force of the backup pins 133. Therefore, if it is determined that smearing is on the rise and the cleaning interval is appropriate, backup pins 133 are added to the smear increase region and / or its surroundings. For example, if region Ar4 in Figure 6 is a smear increase region, backup pins 133 are added to region Ar4 and / or its surroundings.

[0076] Next, if the determination in step S29 is No, that is, if the inspection result is determined not to be the inspection result after the placement of the backup pin 133 has been changed, the management control unit 60 changes printing conditions other than the pin placement (the attack angle and / or the printing pressure). In other words, if the backup pin 133 was originally (initially) placed in the bleeding increase area identified in the processing of step S27, the management control unit 60 changes the attack angle and / or the printing pressure of the squeegee 162 so that bleeding can be reduced. For example, the management device 6 increases the attack angle and / or decreases the printing pressure by a preset adjustment amount. In this case, the specific adjustment amount of the attack angle and / or the printing pressure may be determined depending on the specific tendency of bleeding increase (the rate of increase in the area ratio R).

[0077] Next, if the determination in step S31 is No, that is, if it is determined that the tendency of bleeding has not improved, the management control unit 60 changes the printing conditions other than the pin arrangement (attack angle and / or printing pressure). Specifically, this is the same as the change in the printing conditions (attack angle and / or printing pressure) when the determination in step S29 is No.

[0078] When the processing in steps S29 and S31 returns "No," it means that it can be determined that the cleaning interval and pin placement are appropriate. In this case, the increase in bleeding may be caused by printing conditions other than the pin placement. Therefore, when the processing in steps S29 and S31 returns "No," the management control unit 60 changes printing conditions other than the pin placement (the attack angle and / or printing pressure).

[0079] When the production conditions are changed in the process of step S21, the management control unit 60 transmits the changed production condition data to the printing device 2 via the management communication unit 62.

[0080] The changed production condition data transmitted from the management control unit 60 to the printing device 2 in this manner corresponds to the "support information" of the present invention. More specifically, the production condition data in which the cleaning interval has been changed (shortened) corresponds to the "first support information" of the present invention, and the production condition data in which the arrangement of the backup pins 133 has been changed corresponds to the "second support information" of the present invention. Furthermore, production condition data in which the printing conditions (other than the pin arrangement) have been changed and which have been changed because the processing in step S29 has determined No also corresponds to the "second support information" of the present invention. Furthermore, production condition data in which the printing conditions (other than the pin arrangement) have been changed and which have been changed because the processing in step S31 has determined No also corresponds to the "third printing information" of the present invention.

[0081] The print control unit 2B updates the production conditions based on the production condition data acquired via the print communication unit 30. In this case, if the acquired production condition data involves a change in pin arrangement, the print control unit 2B controls the pin replacement unit 19 and executes a process of adding backup pins 133 to the lift table 131.

[0082] Next, the management control unit 60 determines whether the change in production conditions has been completed in the printing device 2 based on whether a completion signal has been input from the printing device 2 (step S25). If the determination is Yes, the management control unit 60 proceeds to step S9. Then, if the determination is finally Yes in the processing of step S11, that is, if it is determined that printing processing for the planned number (all) of boards P has been completed, the management control unit 60 ends the printing support processing.

[0083] Here, the relationship between the above-mentioned print support process and the operation of changing the cleaning interval in the printing device 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0084] FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between bleeding tendency and cleaning process. The vertical axis shows the inspection results (area ratio R) of the print inspection device 3, and the horizontal axis shows the number of printing process cycles (number of substrates). In the same figure, the solid line shows the change in area ratio R (bleed tendency) when the cleaning conditions are set to the standard value, that is, when 10 printing processes constitute one cycle and this one cycle is the cleaning interval Iv1 (CL indicates cleaning process). In the figure, (1) to (4) indicate numbers that distinguish between printing process cycles.

[0085] As shown in Figure 7, bleeding is least immediately after the cleaning process and tends to gradually increase as the number of printing processes increases. In the printing support process described above, if bleeding is on the rise in this way, the appropriateness of the cleaning interval Iv1 is determined based on the bleeding trend immediately before the cleaning process. Specifically, as described above, the appropriateness of the cleaning interval Iv1 is determined based on the inspection results of the ninth printing process (9th sheet) (steps S17 and S19).

[0086] For example, if the area ratio R of the ninth printing process is greater than the warning value Rw and less than the upper limit Rn, as in the bleeding tendency of the third cycle shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure, the cleaning interval from the fourth cycle onwards is shortened from Iv1 to Iv2. In the example shown, the interval Iv1, which takes 10 printing processes as one cycle, is shortened to Iv2, which takes 7 printing processes as one cycle. By shortening the cleaning interval in this way, it is possible to suppress an increase in bleeding thereafter.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, the printing device 2 corresponds to the "printing unit" of the present invention, and the print inspection device 3 corresponds to the "inspection unit" of the present invention. Furthermore, the management control unit 60 (management device 6) corresponds to the "information output unit" of the present invention, and the print control unit 2B corresponds to the "control unit (target unit)" of the present invention. Therefore, in the above-described embodiment, the printing device 2, the print inspection device 3, and the management control unit 60 (management device 6) correspond to the "print processing support system" of the present invention. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the management memory unit 61 corresponds to the "memory unit" of the present invention, and the management control unit 60 corresponds to the "production condition determination unit" of the present invention.

[0088] [Actions and effects] As described above, in this board production system (printing processing support system), after printing processing by the printing device 2, the printing inspection device 3 inspects the bleeding state. Then, if it is determined based on the inspection results that bleeding is on the rise (Yes in step S15) and that the cleaning interval is long (Yes in step S19), the production conditions are changed to shorten the cleaning interval, and the production condition data (first support information) is sent to the printing device 2. This shortens the cleaning interval. Therefore, if a long (inappropriate) cleaning interval is the cause of bleeding, shortening the cleaning interval will suppress the occurrence of bleeding, and as a result, print quality will improve.

[0089] Furthermore, if it is determined that the cleaning interval is not long (appropriate) (No in step S19), the area on the substrate P where bleeding will increase is further identified, and the presence or absence of backup pins 133 in that area of ​​increased bleeding is determined. Then, if it is determined that there are no backup pins 133 (No in step S27), the production conditions are changed so that backup pins 133 are placed in that area of ​​increased bleeding and / or its surroundings, and that production condition data (second support information) is sent to the printing device 2. As a result, backup pins 133 are added in the printing device 2, and the insufficient support force of the substrate P is resolved. Therefore, if insufficient support force of the substrate P is the cause of bleeding, adding backup pins 133 will suppress the occurrence of that bleeding, and as a result, print quality will improve.

[0090] Furthermore, if it is determined that the backup pin 133 was originally (originally) present in the bleeding increase region (No in step S29), printing conditions such as the attack angle and printing pressure of the squeegee 162 are changed, and the production condition data (second support information) is sent to the printing device 2. Similarly, if it is determined that the print quality has not improved despite the addition of the backup pin 133 (No in step S31), printing conditions such as the attack angle and printing pressure of the squeegee 162 are changed, and the production condition data (third support information) is sent to the printing device 2. This changes the attack angle and printing pressure of the squeegee 162 in the printing device 2. Therefore, if the attack angle or printing pressure of the squeegee 162 is a cause of bleeding, changing the attack angle or printing pressure will suppress the occurrence of bleeding, and as a result, print quality will improve.

[0091] Furthermore, in this board production system (printing processing support system), if the substrate P to be produced is the same as a board produced in the past, the past production conditions for that substrate P stored in the production history data D22 are set as initial values. Then, printing processing by the printing device 2 is started based on those production conditions. Therefore, for substrates P that have been produced in the past, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of bleeding from the start of printing processing.

[0092] In the printing support process described above, the management control unit 60 determines whether the cleaning interval is appropriate based on the inspection results immediately before or close to the cleaning process (steps S17 and S19 in FIG. 5). Specifically, the management control unit 60 determines whether the cleaning interval is appropriate based on the inspection results of the printing process two print processes before the cleaning process (the ninth print process in one cycle). However, this determination may also be made based on the bleeding tendency (area ratio R) of the printing process executed from approximately the middle of the cleaning interval onwards. Specifically, the determination may also be made based on the inspection results of multiple printing processes from the fifth print process in one cycle onwards.

[0093] Furthermore, in the above-described printing support process, the cleaning interval is judged to be appropriate to determine whether the frequency of the cleaning process is appropriate (step S19 in FIG. 5), and if it is judged to be inappropriate, production condition data (first support information) modified to shorten the cleaning interval is sent to the printing device 2 (steps S21, S23).

[0094] However, the appropriateness of the frequency of the cleaning process may be determined by determining whether the number of cleanings is appropriate, and if it is determined to be inappropriate, production condition data modified to increase the number of cleanings may be transmitted to the printing device 2. Specifically, production condition data may be transmitted in which the number of cleanings is changed from one round trip to two or more round trips. In this case, instead of determining whether the cleaning interval is appropriate, the appropriateness of the number of cleanings may be determined, or in addition to determining whether the cleaning interval is appropriate, the appropriateness of the number of cleanings may be determined.

[0095] [Second embodiment of print support process control] 8 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of print support process control by the management control unit 60. The process contents of steps S41 to S53 in the figure are the same as the process contents of steps S1 to S13 in the first embodiment (FIG. 5), and detailed explanations will be omitted here to avoid duplication. The following mainly explains the process from step S53 onwards.

[0096] When the inspection results are acquired in the process of step S53, the management control unit 60 determines whether or not irregular (sudden) bleeding has occurred based on the acquired inspection results (step S55). For example, the management control unit 60 determines that irregular bleeding has occurred if the area ratio R of the inspection results acquired in step S53 increases by a certain value or more compared to the area ratio R of the inspection results acquired previously and exceeds a warning value Rw (corresponding to the "threshold value" of the present invention).

[0097] If the determination in step S55 is No, the management control unit 60 proceeds to step S49. On the other hand, if the determination is Yes, the management control unit 60 increments (+1) the counter value n that counts the occurrence of irregular bleeding, and further transmits an execution command to the printing device 2 via the management communication unit 62 to forcibly perform cleaning (step S59).

[0098] The print control unit 2B acquires the execution command via the print communication unit 30. Having acquired the execution command, the print control unit 2B executes a cleaning process after the ongoing printing process has finished and before the start of printing process for the subsequent substrate P. If the timing of this forced cleaning process overlaps with the timing of a normal cleaning process based on the cleaning conditions, the print control unit 2B executes only one of the cleaning processes. Furthermore, the forced cleaning process is executed based on the cleaning conditions (conditions other than the cleaning interval) set in the production conditions.

[0099] After sending the execution command, the management control unit 60 determines whether the number of times irregular bleeding has occurred has reached a set value N (for example, N=2) (step S61). If the determination is Yes, the management control unit 60 shortens the cleaning interval of the cleaning conditions (step S63). For example, the management device 6 shortens the cleaning interval by the number of printing processes that have been set in advance. If the determination is No in the processing of step S61, the management control unit 60 proceeds to step S49.

[0100] When the cleaning interval is changed in the process of step S63, the management control unit 60 transmits the changed production condition data (corresponding to "support information" of the present invention) to the printing device 2 via the management communication unit 62 (step S65).

[0101] Then, based on whether or not a completion signal has been input from the printing device 2, it is determined whether or not the change in cleaning condition settings has been completed in the printing device 2 (step S67). If the determination here is Yes, the management control unit 60 resets the value of the counter to 0 (step S69) and proceeds to step S49. Thus, if the final determination in the processing of step S51 is Yes, that is, if it is determined that the printing processing for the planned number (all) of substrates P has been completed, the management control unit 60 ends the printing support processing.

[0102] Here, the relationship between the print support process of the second embodiment and the operation of the printing device 2 (forced cleaning and change of cleaning interval) will be described with reference to FIG.

[0103] Like Figure 7, Figure 9 is a graph showing the relationship between bleeding trends and cleaning processes. Figure 9 shows cases where irregular bleeding occurred during the fourth print process (fourth page) of the first cycle of printing and the third print process (third page) of the fourth cycle. When such bleeding trends exist, forced cleaning processes (denoted by the symbol FCL) are performed after the fourth print process of the first cycle and after the third print process of the fourth cycle.

[0104] When the set value N is 2 (step S61 in FIG. 8), the cleaning interval after the fourth cycle is shortened from Iv1 to Iv3. In the illustrated example, the cleaning interval is shortened from Iv1, which is a cycle of 10 print processes, to Iv3, which is a cycle of 7 print processes. By shortening the cleaning interval in this way, the subsequent occurrence of irregular bleeding can be suppressed.

[0105] In addition, since a forced cleaning process is performed immediately after irregular bleeding occurs, the occurrence of irregular bleeding is prevented from triggering continuous (sustained) bleeding that exceeds the warning value Rw in subsequent printing processes.

[0106] [Modifications, etc.] The board production system 1 described above is an example of a preferred embodiment of a board production system including the printing processing support system of the present invention, and the specific configuration of the board production system 1 and the specific configuration of the printing processing support system can be changed as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

[0107] For example, in the embodiment, the management control unit 60 sends changed production condition data (corresponding to "support information" of the present invention) to the printing device 2, and the printing control unit 2B changes the settings of the production conditions based on this production condition data. However, the changed production conditions may be displayed on the display unit 40 under the control of the printing control unit 2B (display control unit 26), and an operator who checks the display may manually change the settings by operating the operation unit 41. Regarding changes to the pin arrangement, the operator may manually add a backup pin 133. In this configuration, the display control unit 26 and the display unit 40 correspond to the "notification unit" of the present invention.

[0108] In other words, the operator may make the final decision on whether the changed production conditions are acceptable, and may change the settings as necessary. This configuration allows the operator to change the settings of the production conditions while making use of their experience. In this case, the changed production condition data may be sent from the management device 6 to a mobile terminal (notification unit) such as a tablet and displayed thereon, and the operator may change the production conditions by operating the operation unit 41 of the printing device 2 or the mobile terminal based on the display.

[0109] In addition, in the embodiment, the printing support process is executed by the management control unit 60 of the management device 6, which comprehensively manages the board production system 1 (printing device 2, print inspection device 3, component mounting device 4, and reflow device 5). In other words, as described above, the management control unit 60 corresponds to the information output unit of the present invention. However, the information output unit may be configured as a dedicated device that is independent from the management device 6 (management control unit 60).

[0110] [Inventions included in the above embodiments] A printing process support system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a printing unit that performs a printing process in which a mask is placed on a substrate supported by a plurality of backup pins and a coating material is moved over the mask with a squeegee to print the coating material onto the substrate through openings formed in the mask, and a cleaning process that cleans the underside of the mask at predetermined cleaning intervals and times; a control unit that controls the operations of the printing process and the cleaning process; an inspection unit that inspects the bleeding state of the coating material on the substrate after the printing process; and an information output unit that, if bleeding is found to be continuing as a result of the inspection, outputs support information for improving the bleeding to a target unit that is at least one of the control unit and a notification unit that can notify an operator of information, and the information output unit outputs information to the target unit as the support information to increase the frequency of the cleaning process.

[0111] In this printing processing support system, after printing processing by the printing unit, the inspection unit inspects for bleeding. If bleeding is found to be occurring continuously based on the inspection results, support information for improving the bleeding is output from the information output unit to the target unit (control unit and / or notification unit). Specifically, information for increasing the frequency of cleaning processing is output to the target unit. Information for increasing the frequency of cleaning processing is, for example, information for shortening the cleaning interval or information for increasing the number of cleanings per cleaning processing. Based on this information, the frequency of cleaning processing in the printing unit is increased. Alternatively, the frequency of cleaning processing is increased by an operator operating the printing unit based on the notification information from the notification unit. Therefore, the occurrence of bleeding in subsequent printing processing is more effectively suppressed, resulting in improved print quality.

[0112] In this case, the information output unit determines whether the frequency of the cleaning process is appropriate based on the tendency of bleeding, and outputs the support information to the target unit when it determines that the frequency is inappropriate.

[0113] With this configuration, the appropriateness of the cleaning frequency is determined based on the tendency of bleeding, and if it is determined to be inappropriate, support information is output to the target area. Therefore, the frequency of the cleaning process can be increased rationally according to the tendency of bleeding.

[0114] For example, when bleeding at a level exceeding a preset threshold occurs multiple times within a predetermined number of cleaning cycles, the information output unit outputs the support information to the target unit.

[0115] According to this configuration, it is possible to increase the frequency of cleaning processes in response to the occurrence of irregular (sudden) bleeding, which is effective in suppressing the occurrence of subsequent irregular (sudden) bleeding.

[0116] In this case, when bleeding of a level exceeding the threshold occurs, the information output unit outputs information to the target unit to forcibly execute the cleaning process.

[0117] With this configuration, if irregular (sudden) bleeding occurs, the printing unit is forcibly cleaned, thereby suppressing or preventing continuous bleeding in subsequent printing processes triggered by the irregular bleeding.

[0118] Furthermore, when the support information is defined as first support information, if the information output unit determines that the frequency of the cleaning process is appropriate, it outputs second support information to the target unit, which is information for improving bleeding and changes the conditions of the printing process.

[0119] This configuration makes it possible to suppress or eliminate bleeding caused by inappropriate printing conditions, thereby improving the quality of subsequent prints.

[0120] In this case, if the information output unit determines that the frequency of the cleaning process is appropriate, it further determines the presence or absence of the backup pin in an area of ​​the substrate where bleeding is tending to increase, and if the backup pin is not present in that area, it outputs to the target unit, as the second support information, information for installing the backup pin in that area and / or its surroundings.

[0121] This configuration makes it possible to suppress or eliminate bleeding caused by insufficient support force of the backup pins for the substrate, that is, by inappropriate placement of the backup pins (one of the printing conditions).

[0122] In this case, if the information output unit determines that the backup pin is located in an area where the bleeding is tending to increase, it outputs to the target unit, as the second support information, information for changing the conditions of the printing process other than the installation of the backup pin.

[0123] According to this configuration, when the cause of bleeding is due to printing conditions other than the arrangement of the backup pins, it is possible to suppress or eliminate the occurrence of bleeding.

[0124] The information output unit may also be configured to determine whether the tendency for increasing bleeding has improved in the results of the inspection after the backup pin has been installed based on the second support information, and if it determines that the tendency has not improved, to output third support information to the object that changes conditions of the printing process other than the installation of the backup pin.

[0125] With this configuration, it is first verified whether the cause of bleeding is the placement of the backup pins, and if the placement of the backup pins is not the cause, information (third support information) for changing the printing process conditions other than the backup pins is provided to the object, thereby more effectively suppressing or eliminating bleeding.

[0126] In each of the above printing processing support systems, the information output unit may be configured to determine whether the frequency of the cleaning processing is appropriate based on the tendency of bleeding in the printing processing performed immediately before or near the cleaning processing. Also, the information output unit may be configured to determine whether the frequency of the cleaning processing is appropriate based on the tendency of bleeding in the printing processing performed approximately halfway through the cleaning interval or later.

[0127] According to these configurations, it becomes possible to relatively easily and appropriately determine whether the cleaning interval is appropriate.

[0128] Furthermore, each of the above printing processing support systems may further include a storage unit that cumulatively stores production conditions for previously produced substrates, which production conditions include conditions for the printing processing and the cleaning processing, and a production condition determination unit that determines, before the printing processing of a production target substrate is started, the production conditions for the production target substrate based on the production conditions stored in the storage unit and which are the production conditions for a substrate that is identical to the production target substrate, and the printing unit may be configured to start the printing processing of the production target substrate based on the production conditions determined by the production condition determination unit.

[0129] According to this configuration, the production conditions for the target substrate are determined based on the production conditions for the same substrate produced in the past, making it possible to effectively suppress bleeding from the start of the printing process for the target substrate.

[0130] Furthermore, each of the above printing processing support systems may further include a production condition determination unit that determines production conditions, including conditions for the printing processing and the cleaning processing, based on design information for the substrate before production of the substrate to be produced begins, and the printing unit may be configured to start the printing processing of the substrate to be produced based on the production conditions determined by the production condition determination unit.

[0131] According to this configuration, it is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of bleeding from the very beginning of the printing process on a new substrate.

Claims

1. a printing unit that performs a printing process in which a mask is placed on a substrate supported by a plurality of backup pins, and a coating material is moved over the mask with a squeegee to print the coating material on the substrate through openings formed in the mask, and a cleaning process in which the underside of the mask is cleaned at predetermined cleaning intervals and for predetermined number of times; a control unit that controls the printing process and the cleaning process; an inspection unit that inspects the state of bleeding of the coating material on the substrate after the printing process; an information output unit that outputs, when the inspection result indicates that bleeding continues to occur, support information for improving the bleeding to a target unit that is at least one of the control unit and a notification unit that can notify an operator of information, the information output unit determines whether the frequency of the cleaning process is appropriate based on the tendency of bleeding; When it is determined that the frequency of the cleaning process is inappropriate, first support information for increasing the frequency of the cleaning process is output to the target unit as the support information, while a print processing support system that, when it is determined that the frequency of the cleaning process is appropriate, further determines the presence or absence of the backup pin in an area of ​​the substrate where bleeding is tending to increase, and if the backup pin is not present in that area, outputs second support information to the target unit as the support information, which causes the backup pin to be installed in that area and / or its surroundings.

2. 2. The printing processing support system according to claim 1, a printing processing support system characterized in that, when the information output unit determines that the backup pin is in an area where the bleeding is tending to increase, it outputs third support information to the target unit, which changes conditions of the printing processing other than the installation of the backup pin.

3. 2. The printing processing support system according to claim 1, The information output unit determines whether the tendency for increasing bleeding has improved in the results of the inspection after the backup pin has been installed based on the second support information, and if it determines that the tendency has not improved, outputs third support information to the target unit to change conditions of the printing process other than the installation of the backup pin.

4. 4. The printing processing support system according to claim 1, The printing processing support system is characterized in that the information output unit determines whether the frequency of the cleaning processing is appropriate or inappropriate based on the tendency of bleeding in the printing processing executed immediately before or close to the cleaning processing.

5. 4. The printing processing support system according to claim 1, The printing process support system is characterized in that the information output unit determines whether the frequency of the cleaning process is appropriate or inappropriate based on a tendency of bleeding in the printing process that is executed approximately halfway through the cleaning interval.

6. 4. The printing processing support system according to claim 1, a storage unit for accumulating and storing production conditions including the conditions for the printing process and the cleaning process, the production conditions being those for substrates produced in the past; a production condition determination unit that determines, before the start of the printing process for the production target board, the production conditions for the production target board based on the production conditions stored in the storage unit and on the production conditions for a board identical to the production target board, A printing processing support system, characterized in that the printing unit starts the printing processing of the production target board based on the production conditions determined by the production condition determination unit.

7. 4. The printing processing support system according to claim 1, a production condition determination unit that determines production conditions including conditions for the printing process and the cleaning process based on design information for the substrate before production of the substrate to be produced is started; A printing processing support system, characterized in that the printing unit starts the printing processing of the production target board based on the production conditions determined by the production condition determination unit.

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