Screen printing fabric stretching device and screen printing fabric stretching method

Abstract

To improve the efficiency of gauze stretching work and to manufacture high-quality plates with high efficiency. [Solution] The screen printing mesh stretching device is divided into multiple tables and has a table section on which a screen frame can be placed, a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers each of the multiple tables independently, a control unit that controls the lifting action of the lifting mechanism, and clamps that are arranged around the table section and clamp the peripheral edge of the mesh that covers the top of the table section.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a screen printing screen tensioning device and a screen printing screen tensioning method. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, in the manufacturing process of a screen printing plate (stencil), a mesh is adhered to a screen frame using a tensioning device. That is, the screen frame is placed on the table of the tensioning device, and the entire table is raised to press the screen frame against the underside of the mesh to which tension is applied, and the mesh, which is maintained at a uniform tension, is adhered to the screen frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-207379 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-109362 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-106373 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, stretching multiple screen frames simultaneously can result in poor work efficiency. Specifically, if multiple screen frames with different thicknesses are placed on the table of the stretching device, pressing these screen frames against the underside of a single common mesh will result in the mesh not fully abutting on the screen frames with lower upper edges. This requires additional work, such as inserting spacers under some of the screen frames to align the heights of their upper edges, or placing weights on the tops of the mesh to press it against the upper edges of the screen frames.

[0005] Furthermore, if the heights of the upper ends of the multiple screen frames are not uniform, the tension of the mesh attached to the screen frames will also vary, which may result in a deterioration in the quality of the plate. Thus, the stretching process using a stretching device may become a rate-limiting factor in the productivity of the plate.

[0006] The technology disclosed herein has been developed in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a screen printing screen stretching device and a screen printing screen stretching method that improve the efficiency of screen stretching work and enable high-quality plates to be produced with high efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a screen printing mesh stretching device includes a table section divided into multiple tables on whose upper surface a screen frame can be placed, a lifting mechanism for independently raising and lowering each of the multiple tables, a control unit for controlling the lifting operation of the lifting mechanism, and clamps arranged around the table section for clamping the peripheral edge of a mesh covering the top of the table section.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, the lifting unit includes a table portion divided into multiple tables on whose upper surface a screen frame can be placed, a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers each of the multiple tables independently, and a control unit that controls the lifting operation of the lifting mechanism.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, a screen printing screen stretching method uses a screen stretching device having a table portion on whose upper surface a screen frame can be placed, and the table portion is divided into a lattice table having a plurality of openings formed in a lattice pattern and a plurality of individual tables that fit into the plurality of openings in the lattice table. The method includes the steps of: placing a screen frame on each of the plurality of individual tables; raising a group of individual tables that are not adjacent to each other at a first timing; and raising the remaining group of individual tables at a second timing different from the first timing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a fabric stretching device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the fabric tensioning. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another example of the gauze tensioning. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a lifting mechanism provided on the mounting table. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a screen tensioning device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of lift control. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another lift control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment described below is an example and should not be construed as being limited by this description.

[0012] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a cloth stretching device 100 according to one embodiment. The cloth stretching device 100 shown in FIG.

[0013] The base 110 is a box-shaped structure that serves as the base of the fabric stretching device 100, and wheels are provided at the four corners of the bottom surface to enable movement of the fabric stretching device 100. Various parts, including the mounting table 120, clamp 130, and operating unit 140, are fixed to the base 110.

[0014] The mounting table 120 has a table portion 121 on which the screen frame is placed, and a main body portion 122 including a lifting mechanism for the table portion 121. The table portion 121 is divided into a lattice table 121a with openings formed in a lattice pattern, and a plurality of individual tables 121b that fit into each opening of the lattice table 121a. In the example shown in Fig. 1, eight openings are formed in two rows and four columns in the lattice table 121a, and eight individual tables 121b fit into the respective openings.

[0015] The upper surfaces of the lattice table 121a and the individual tables 121b are flat because screen frames are placed on them. Therefore, the size of the screen frame placed on the table portion 121 may be any size, and it is possible to stretch the screen onto a screen frame of a size that can be placed on one individual table 121b, or to stretch the screen onto a screen frame of a size that can be placed across the lattice table 121a and multiple individual tables 121b.

[0016] The lattice table 121a and the individual tables 121b are both formed using hollow square pipe material made of stainless steel or aluminum alloy, and the individual table 121b has a square frame shape with an opening in the center. In this way, because the table portion 121 is formed using a metal square pipe material, it is possible to achieve both light weight and strength.

[0017] In addition, each part of the lattice table 121a may be made extendable by joining multiple square pipe materials of different diameters, thereby making it possible to change the dimensions of the lattice table 121a and change the number of openings into which the individual tables 121b fit.

[0018] The main body 122 supports the table 121 from below and raises and lowers the lattice table 121a and the individual tables 121b independently. That is, the main body 122 has a lifting mechanism that supports the lattice table 121a so that it can be raised and lowered, and a lifting mechanism that supports each of the individual tables 121b so that they can be raised and lowered. These lifting mechanisms raise and lower the multiple screen frames placed on the lattice table 121a and the individual tables 121b independently, enabling efficient screen stretching.

[0019] The clamps 130 are arranged on all four sides surrounding the table portion 121 of the mounting table 120, and clamp the four sides of the mesh so as to cover the upper part of the table portion 121. In this way, the clamps 130 apply a predetermined tension to the mesh stretched over the screen frame.

[0020] The operation unit 140 includes a switch and the like, and receives operation inputs for the lifting mechanism in the main body 122 of the mounting table 120. That is, the operation unit 140 receives, for example, operation inputs for lifting and lowering the lattice table 121a, and operation inputs for lifting and lowering each of the individual tables 121b.

[0021] When stretching a screen frame using the thus configured screen stretching device 100, the screen frame is placed on the table portion 121 of the mounting stand 120. Figure 2 is a plan view showing the state in which the screen frame 10 is placed on the table portion 121.

[0022] 2, the screen frames 10 each having approximately the same size as the individual table 121b are placed on the separate individual tables 121b. At this time, the screen frames 10 may be placed at a predetermined angle relative to the individual tables 121b, which enables bias stretching in which the meshes adhered to the screen frames 10 are arranged in an oblique direction.

[0023] The individual table 121b is engraved or printed with angle reference lines that serve as references when placing the screen frame 10 at angles of, for example, 0 degrees, 15 degrees, 22.5 degrees, 30 degrees, and 45 degrees. The angle reference lines allow for highly accurate bias angle setting, improving printing accuracy and plate release. In particular, in fine pattern printing, adjusting the bias angle can suppress moiré.

[0024] When the screen frames 10 are placed on the individual tables 121b, the four sides of the mesh covering these screen frames 10 from above are clamped by clamps 130, and a predetermined tension is applied to the mesh. Then, the individual tables 121b are raised and lowered by independent lifting mechanisms for each individual table 121b, so that the mesh comes into contact with the upper ends of each screen frame 10 and the mesh is stretched. At this time, because adjacent individual tables 121b are arranged with a gap between them, the effect of differences in thickness of the screen frames 10 placed on adjacent individual tables 121b is small, and the mesh can be reliably attached to all of the screen frames 10.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which another screen frame 15 is placed on the table portion 121. As shown in FIG.

[0026] 3, the screen frame 15, which is larger than the individual tables 121b, is placed across the lattice table 121a and the individual tables 121b. In this case, the screen frame 15 may be placed at a predetermined angle to the lattice table 121a and the individual tables 121b for bias tensioning, similar to the screen frame 10.

[0027] When the screen frame 15 is placed across the lattice table 121a and the individual tables 121b, the four sides of the mesh covering the screen frame 15 from above are clamped by clamps 130, and a predetermined tension is applied to the mesh. Then, the lattice table 121a is raised and lowered by a lifting mechanism corresponding to the lattice table 121a, so that the mesh abuts against the upper end of the screen frame 15 and the mesh is stretched. Note that instead of raising and lowering only the lattice table 121a, the individual tables 121b on which the screen frame 15 is placed may be raised and lowered simultaneously with the lattice table 121a.

[0028] Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the lifting mechanism 150 provided in the main body 122 of the mounting table 120. Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main body 122 as seen from the side.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 4, each individual table 121b is supported from below by an independent lifting mechanism 150. Although not shown in Fig. 4, the lattice table 121a is also supported from below by an independent lifting mechanism. Furthermore, when viewed from the side, the individual table 121b has a square frame shape with an opening in the center. In other words, the individual table 121b is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, with each side made of hollow square pipe material.

[0030] The lifting mechanism 150 is housed in the main body 122 of the mounting table 120, and includes a lifting unit 151 that supports and lifts the individual table 121b, and a guide unit 152 that raises and lowers the lifting unit 151 and guides the up and down movement of the lifting unit 151. The lifting unit 151 raises or lowers the individual table 121b supported on its upper surface. When the lifting unit 151 is in its lowest position, the upper surface of the individual table 121b is at the same height as the upper surface of the lattice table 121a, and the upper surfaces of the lattice table 121a and the individual table 121b are flush with each other. When the lifting unit 151 is in its raised position, the upper surface of the individual table 121b is higher than the upper surface of the lattice table 121a, and as a result, the screen frame 10 placed on the individual table 121b rises and comes into contact with the underside of the mesh 20. The height by which the lifting section 151 rises from the lowest position to the highest position may be, for example, about 3 to 20 mm.

[0031] The guide unit 152 has a cylindrical structure through which the lifting unit 151 passes, and raises or lowers the lifting unit 151. The guide unit 152 may raise or lower the lifting unit 151 using a mechanism similar to a pneumatic cylinder or an electric cylinder, or may raise or lower the lifting unit 151 using a mechanism using a servo motor and a ball screw, or may raise or lower the lifting unit 151 using a mechanism using a linear motor. The guide unit 152 may also be disposed above a pressure sensor (not shown). This pressure sensor makes it possible to measure the pressure from the mesh 20 when the screen frame 10 abuts against the mesh 20. Then, the abutment state between the screen frame 10 and the mesh 20 may be determined based on the pressure measurement value, and the lifting or lowering of the lifting unit 151 may be controlled.

[0032] Next, we will explain the lifting and lowering control of the lattice table 121a and the individual tables 121b in the fabric stretching device 100 configured as described above. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration related to the lifting and lowering control of the fabric stretching device 100. As shown in Fig. 5, the fabric stretching device 100 has a main body 122 of the mounting table 120, an operation unit 140, and a display unit 180. The main body 122 also has multiple lifting mechanisms 150, a lifting and lowering control unit 160, and a sensor unit 170.

[0033] The plurality of lifting mechanisms 150 are lifting mechanisms 150 corresponding to the lattice table 121a and the individual tables 121b, and lift and lower the lattice table 121a or the individual tables 121b, respectively, independently of the other lifting mechanisms 150.

[0034] The lifting control unit 160 controls the lifting operations of the multiple lifting mechanisms 150 in accordance with operation inputs received by the operation unit 140. That is, the lifting control unit 160 selects which lattice tables 121a and individual tables 121b to raise or lower based on operation inputs related to the size of the screen frame to be placed on the table unit 121, for example, and operates the lifting mechanisms 150 corresponding to the selected lattice tables 121a and individual tables 121b to be raised or lowered. At this time, the lifting control unit 160 may detect the screen frame to be placed on the table unit 121 and select the lattice table 121a or individual table 121b to be raised or lowered that is located below the area of ​​the detected screen frame. The lifting control unit 160 may also select the lattice table 121a or individual table 121b to be raised or lowered that is specified by operation inputs received by the operation unit 140.

[0035] When multiple screen frames are placed on individual tables 121b, the lift control unit 160 lifts the multiple individual tables 121b on which the screen frames are placed. At this time, the lift control unit 160 staggers the timing of lifting each individual table 121b so that adjacent individual tables 121b are not lifted at the same time. For example, when screen frames 10 are placed on all eight individual tables 121b as shown in FIG. 6, the lift control unit 160 lifts the four individual tables 121b shown in black in FIG. 6(a) at the first timing. Then, the lift control unit 160 lifts the four individual tables 121b shown in black in FIG. 6(b) at the next timing.

[0036] In this way, the lifting control unit 160 prevents adjacent individual tables 121b from rising at the same time, thereby ensuring spacing between screen frames 10 that rise at the same time and abut against the mesh 20, and allowing all screen frames 10 to be in close contact with the mesh 20 even if the thicknesses of the multiple screen frames 10 are different.

[0037] Furthermore, the lifting control unit 160 acquires a measurement value relating to the operating state of each lifting mechanism 150 from the sensor unit 170, and controls the operation of the lifting mechanism 150 based on the acquired measurement value. For example, the lifting control unit 160 may acquire a measurement value from a pressure sensor that measures the pressure when the screen frame 10 abuts against the mesh 20, and stop the lifting operation of the corresponding lifting mechanism 150 when the measured value reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure. The lifting control unit 160 may also acquire a measurement value from a position sensor that measures the vertical position of the lifting mechanism 150, and stop the lifting operation of the corresponding lifting mechanism 150 when the measured value reaches a predetermined threshold position.

[0038] Furthermore, the lift control unit 160 notifies the operating state of each lift mechanism 150 to the display unit 180, which displays the state using a lamp, a screen, or the like.

[0039] The sensor unit 170 includes a pressure sensor or a position sensor that detects the operating state of each lifting mechanism 150. That is, the sensor unit 170 includes, for example, a pressure sensor that abuts on the bottom surface of the guide unit 152 of each lifting mechanism 150, and measures the pressure that the screen frame 10, being raised by the lifting mechanism 150, receives when it abuts on the mesh 20. The sensor unit 170 may also include, for example, a position sensor that is provided on the guide unit 152 of each lifting mechanism 150 and detects the position of the lifting unit 151, and measure the amount of lift of the lifting unit 151 from the lowered position. The sensor unit 170 notifies the lifting control unit 160 of the measured value related to the detected operating state of each lifting mechanism 150.

[0040] The display unit 180 includes various lamps, a liquid crystal display, and the like, and displays operation inputs received by the operation unit 140, the operating states of the lifting mechanisms 150, and the like.

[0041] As described above, according to this embodiment, the mounting base on which the screen frames are placed is provided with a lattice table and multiple individual tables, and a lifting mechanism is provided to support each table from below and independently raise and lower it. Therefore, when multiple screen frames are placed on the mounting base, even if the screen frames have different thicknesses, each screen frame can be raised to an optimal height to abut against the mesh. As a result, the efficiency of the screen tensioning process is improved, and high-quality stencils can be produced with high efficiency.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the table portion 121 of the mounting table 120 includes a lattice table 121a with eight openings arranged in two rows and four columns, and eight individual tables 121b that fit into the openings. However, the configuration of the table portion 121 is not limited to this. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7(a), the table portion 121 may include a lattice table with five openings arranged in one row and five columns, and five individual tables that fit into the openings. In this case, the five individual tables also rise and fall independently. When a screen frame is placed on each of the five individual tables, the individual tables indicated by solid black in the figure and the individual tables indicated by diagonal lines in the figure rise at different times to bring the screen frame into contact with the mesh. In other words, every other individual table from the edge rises at a first timing, and the remaining every other individual tables rise at a second timing.

[0043] 7(b), the table unit 121 may have a lattice table with nine openings arranged in three rows and three columns, and nine individual tables that fit into each opening. In this case, the nine individual tables also rise and fall independently, and when a screen frame is placed on each, the individual tables indicated by black dots in the figure and the individual tables indicated by diagonal lines in the figure rise at different times to bring the screen frame into contact with the mesh. In other words, of the individual tables arranged in a checkerboard pattern, the individual tables corresponding to one color of the checkerboard pattern rise at a first timing, and the individual tables corresponding to the other color rise at a second timing.

[0044] In other words, the number and arrangement of the individual tables in the table unit 121 may be arbitrary, and whatever the number and arrangement, an independent lifting mechanism lifts each individual table to perform screen tensioning so that adjacent individual tables do not rise at the same time. This ensures a certain gap between the screen frames that rise at the same time, and allows all the screen frames to fit tightly against the mesh even if the thicknesses of the multiple screen frames are different.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the fabric stretching device 100 has been described as having the base 110, the mounting table 120, the clamp 130, and the operation unit 140, but the mounting table 120 can also be separated from the other parts and implemented independently. That is, the mounting table 120 having the table portion 121 and the main body portion 122 can be installed as a lifting unit together with an existing base and clamps, etc., and efficient fabric stretching of a plurality of screen frames can be performed in the same way as in the above embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 110 Foundation 120 Mounting table 121 Table section 121a Lattice Table 121b Individual Table 122 Main body 130 Clamp 140 Operation section 150 Lifting mechanism 151 Lifting section 152 Information Department 160 Lift control section 170 Sensor unit 180 Display section

Claims

1. A plurality of individual tables on the top surface of which screen frames can be placed; a plurality of lifting mechanisms for independently lifting and lowering the plurality of individual tables; a control unit that controls the lifting and lowering operations of the plurality of lifting mechanisms; a sensor unit that detects the states of the plurality of individual tables, The control unit When there is an individual table whose state detected by the sensor unit satisfies a predetermined condition related to the contact state between the screen frame and the mesh, the lifting operation of the lifting mechanism corresponding to the individual table is stopped. Screen printing tensioning device.

2. The control unit When the plurality of individual tables are arranged in a row, the lifting mechanism is controlled so that every other individual table is lifted at a first timing and the other every other individual table is lifted at a second timing.

2. The screen printing fabric tensioning device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit When the plurality of individual tables are arranged in a checkerboard pattern, the lifting mechanism is controlled so that the individual table corresponding to one color of the checkerboard pattern is lifted at a first timing, and the individual table corresponding to the other color is lifted at a second timing.

2. The screen printing fabric tensioning device according to claim 1.

4. The sensor unit a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure when a screen frame placed on an upper surface of the individual table abuts against a mesh covering the upper part of the plurality of individual tables; The control unit When there is an individual table where the pressure measured by the pressure sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold pressure, the lifting operation of the lifting mechanism corresponding to the individual table is stopped.

2. The screen printing fabric tensioning device according to claim 1.

5. The sensor unit a position sensor for measuring the vertical position of each of the plurality of lifting mechanisms; The control unit When there is an individual table whose vertical position measured by the position sensor has risen to a height equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold position, the lifting mechanism corresponding to the individual table stops lifting.

2. The screen printing fabric tensioning device according to claim 1.

6. The control unit Detecting that a screen frame has been placed on the top surface of the plurality of individual tables 2. The screen printing fabric tensioning device according to claim 1.

7. a clamp for clamping the periphery of a mesh covering the upper part of the plurality of individual tables.

2. The screen printing fabric tensioning device according to claim 1.

8. a grid table having a plurality of openings formed in a grid pattern; The plurality of individual tables include: Each of the openings in the grid table fits into the opening.

2. The screen printing fabric tensioning device according to claim 1.

9. The plurality of lifting mechanisms include: a lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering the grid table; The sensor unit A sensor corresponding to a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the grid table is included. The screen printing mesh tensioning device according to claim 8.

10. placing screen frames on a plurality of individual tables on the upper surfaces of which the screen frames can be placed; lifting a group of individual tables that are not adjacent to each other at a first timing by a plurality of lifting mechanisms that independently lift and lower the plurality of individual tables; raising the remaining group of individual tables by the plurality of lifting mechanisms at a second timing different from the first timing; When a sensor that detects the states of the plurality of individual tables detects that a state of the individual table satisfies a predetermined condition, stopping the lifting operation of the lifting mechanism corresponding to the individual table; A method for stretching a screen printing mesh comprising the steps of:

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