Printing apparatus and method for controlling the printing apparatus

Abstract

To further reduce a burden of cleaning while further reducing waste of time.SOLUTION: A printer for performing printing processing of viscous fluid by using a screen mask to a printing object comprises: a squeegee which performs printing processing by moving a roll body of the viscous fluid on the screen mask; and a control unit which executes reduction processing of reducing the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee by lowering the squeegee at a lowering position within a prescribed distance from the roll body and raising the squeegee in the vertical direction without movement in the horizontal direction after bringing the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee into contact with the screen mask.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 This specification discloses a printing apparatus and a method for controlling the printing apparatus. 【Background Art】 【0002】 Conventionally, in a printing apparatus that performs printing processing of a viscous fluid such as solder on a printing object such as a substrate using a screen mask, while lowering the squeegee from a state where the squeegee is separated upward from the printing screen, it is relatively parallel to the upper surface of the printing screen. It has been proposed to move the squeegee and cut the solder paste in contact with the upper surface of the printing screen from the squeegee by the relative movement of the squeegee with respect to the printing screen (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this printing apparatus, the work of removing the solder paste adhering to the squeegee of the screen printing machine and hanging down from the tip of the squeegee is automated, the workability of squeegee maintenance is improved, and the reduction in production efficiency associated with the work of removing the solder paste adhering to the squeegee can be reduced. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0003】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-193565 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0004】 However, in the above-described printing apparatus, since the solder paste hanging down from the tip of the squeegee is removed along with the movement in the horizontal direction, the operation time may be long. Thus, it has been required that the printing apparatus be able to further reduce the cleaning burden while further reducing the waste of time. 【0005】 This disclosure has been made in view of these challenges, and its main purpose is to provide a printing apparatus and a control method for the printing apparatus that can further reduce the burden of cleaning while reducing wasted time. [Means for solving the problem] 【0006】 The printing apparatus and control method for the printing apparatus disclosed herein employ the following means to achieve the above-mentioned main objective. 【0007】 In other words, the printing apparatus of this disclosure is A printing apparatus that performs a viscous fluid printing process on a printing target using a screen mask, A squeegee that moves a roll of viscous fluid on the screen mask to perform the printing process, A control unit that performs a reduction process to reduce the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee by lowering the squeegee to a lower position within a predetermined distance from the roll body, bringing the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee into contact with the screen mask, and then raising the squeegee vertically without horizontal movement. It is something that is provided. 【0008】 In this printing apparatus, the squeegee is lowered at a predetermined distance from the roll body, bringing the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee into contact with the screen mask. As a result, the removed viscous fluid is located near the roll body, further reducing the burden of cleaning. Furthermore, since this printing apparatus raises the squeegee vertically without horizontal movement, it reduces wasted time compared to systems that involve horizontal movement of the squeegee. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0009】 [Figure 1] A schematic diagram illustrating an example of the implemented system 10. [Figure 2] An explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the printing device 11. [Figure 3] Perspective view of the recovery unit 40. [Figure 4]An explanatory diagram of the printing unit 23 and the collection unit 40 as seen from the front. [Figure 5] A flowchart illustrating an example of a printing process routine. [Figure 6] An explanatory diagram showing an example of the operation of squeegees 26 and 27 during the printing process. [Figure 7] An explanatory diagram showing an example of roll body control processing. [Figure 8] An explanatory diagram showing an example of reduction processing on the front side. [Figure 9] An explanatory diagram showing an example of reduction processing on the back side. [Figure 10] An explanatory diagram showing an example of reducing the pycnomal F through a reduction process. [Figure 11] An explanatory diagram showing an example of recovery and reduction processes. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0010】 This embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a mounting system 10 including a printing device 11, which is an example of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the printing device 11. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the recovery unit 40. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the printing unit 23 and the recovery unit 40 viewed from the front. The mounting system 10 is, for example, a system for mounting components onto a substrate S. This mounting system 10 comprises a printing device 11, mounting devices 12, and a management computer (PC) 90. The mounting system 10 is configured as a mounting line in which a plurality of mounting devices 12 for mounting components onto the substrate S are arranged downstream of the printing device 11. In this embodiment, the left-right direction (X-axis), front-back direction (Y-axis), and up-down direction (Z-axis) are as shown in Figures 1-4, 6-9, and 11. 【0011】 The mounting device 12 is a device that mounts components onto a substrate S on which a viscous fluid such as solder paste has been printed by the printing device 11. The management PC 90 is a device that manages information about each device in the mounting system 10. This management PC 90 manages the progress status of each device in the mounting line. The management PC 90 stores production plan information, which includes one or more printing jobs and mounting jobs that have information such as the type of substrate to be produced and the number of substrates to be produced. Each device in the mounting system 10 exchanges information with the management PC 90 to obtain production plan information and information such as the progress status of other devices. 【0012】 The printing apparatus 11 is a device that uses squeegees 26 and 27 to press solder paste on a screen mask M into pattern holes formed in the screen mask M, thereby applying (printing) the solder paste, which is a viscous fluid, to a substrate S below, which is the target of printing, through these pattern holes. Examples of "target of printing" include substrates such as a circuit board S on which components are mounted or three-dimensional objects. Examples of "viscous fluid" include solder paste, conductive paste, and adhesives. Here, the circuit board S and solder paste will be described as examples. The printing apparatus 11 comprises a control unit 20 (see Figure 2), a printing unit 23, a mask unit 28, a substrate processing unit 30, a supply unit 36, and a recovery unit 40. The control unit 20 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU 21 and controls the entire printing apparatus 11. 【0013】 The printing unit 23 is disposed at the upper stage of the printing apparatus 11 and is a unit that performs printing processing of a viscous fluid onto the substrate S using the screen mask M. The printing unit 23 includes a printing head 24, a printing moving unit 25, a squeegee lifting unit, and squeegees 26 and 27. The printing moving unit 25 moves the printing head 24 in a predetermined printing direction (here, the front-rear direction), and includes a slider that moves along a guide formed in the front-rear direction and a motor that drives the slider. The printing moving unit 25 has a linear encoder (not shown) and can grasp the position of the printing head 24. The squeegees 26 and 27 are disposed on the lower surface side of the printing head 24 and are lifted and lowered by the squeegee lifting unit. The printing unit 23 has a double squeegee type configuration having two squeegees 26 and 27 respectively used in the front-rear direction. Here, the squeegees 26 and 27 may be simply collectively referred to as squeegees. The printing unit 23 can be connected to and disconnected from the supply unit 36, and the printing moving unit 25 moves the supply unit 36 together with the printing head 24. 【0014】 The mask unit 28 is disposed between the printing unit 23 and the substrate processing unit 30 in the vertical direction and is a unit that fixedly holds the screen mask M. The mask unit 28 includes a mask fixing unit 29. The mask fixing unit 29 positions the screen mask M and supports and fixes it in a horizontal posture. The substrate processing unit 30 is disposed below the mask unit 28 and is a unit that carries in the substrate S, positions and supports the carried-in substrate S, and contacts and separates from the screen mask M. The substrate processing unit 30 includes a substrate conveying unit 31 that conveys the substrate S in the left-right direction, a substrate supporting member that supports the substrate S from below, and a support lifting unit that lifts and lowers the entire substrate processing unit 30 and the substrate supporting member. The printing apparatus 11 includes two lanes of the substrate processing unit 30 that conveys and fixes the substrate S. The supply unit 36 is disposed above the mask unit 28 so as to be movable to the same height as the printing unit 23 and is a unit that automatically supplies the solder paste accommodated in the cartridge 37 onto the screen mask M. 【0015】 The recovery unit 40 is a unit that recovers the solder roll R remaining on the screen mask M onto the recovery member 41 using squeegees 26 and 27. The printing apparatus 11 has two recovery units, 40a and 40b, and supports one-way printing and dual-lane printing. Here, recovery units 40a and 40b are collectively referred to as the recovery unit 40. This recovery unit 40 has a recovery member 41 and a recovery movement unit 42. The recovery member 41 is a member that contacts the screen mask M, places the roll R on it, and recovers and moves it. This recovery member 41 is a thin plate-shaped member with its longitudinal direction as the supply direction, and tapered surfaces are formed on both sides in the printing direction to facilitate the transfer of the roll R between it and the screen mask M (see Figure 3). The recovery movement unit 42 supports the recovery member 41 and moves it in a predetermined printing direction (front and back direction). The retrieval and movement unit 42 includes a support member 43, a lifting unit 44, and a drive unit 45. The support member 43 is a member that moves along a guide 46 formed in the printing direction and supports the lifting unit 44. The lifting unit 44 is a columnar member with an air cylinder formed inside. The upper end of the lifting unit 44 is fixed to the support member 43, and a support rod to which the retrieval member 41 is fixed is inserted into the lower end of the lifting unit 44. Pressurized air (not shown) is supplied to the lifting unit 44, and the retrieval member 41 is moved up and down by raising and lowering the support rod. The drive unit 45 includes a drive roller to which a motor is connected, a driven roller, and a belt stretched in the front-rear direction between the drive roller and the driven roller. The support member 43 is fixed to this belt, and the support member 43 is moved in the printing direction by the drive of this belt. A linear encoder (not shown) is formed along the guide 46 in the retrieval unit 40, so that the position of the retrieval member 41 in the printing direction can be determined. Furthermore, although not shown in the figure, the retrieval unit 40 is equipped with an origin sensor to detect the origin of the retrieval unit 40, a contact prevention sensor to prevent contact between the retrieval units 40a and 40b, and an end sensor to detect when the retrieval unit 40 has reached the end of its range of motion. As shown in Figure 4, the squeegees 26 and 27 of the printing unit 23 are formed to be shorter than the width of the retrieval member 41, and when in the raised position, there is no interference (contact) with the retrieval unit 40 even if the squeegee moves to overtake the retrieval member 41.On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, there is also a state where a drooping body F of viscous fluid hangs from the ends of the squeegees 26 and 27. When moving with the recovery member 41 raised, it may hit the drooping body F, and the inside of the apparatus may be contaminated with the viscous fluid. Also, when moving the print head 24 with the drooping body F attached to the squeegees 26 and 27, the drooping body F may fall at some location. In the printing apparatus 11, although details will be described later, a reduction process for reducing the drooping body F is executed to further suppress contamination due to such viscous retention. 【0016】 Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 11 configured in this way, particularly the operation of the printing process, will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a printing process routine executed by the CPU 21 of the control unit 20. This routine is stored in the storage unit of the control unit 20 and is executed in response to an input from an operator to start the printing process. When this routine is executed, the CPU 21 acquires a production plan including a print job from the management PC 90 (S100), transports and fixes the substrate S to the substrate processing unit 30 based on the acquired print job (S110), aligns the positions of the substrate S and the screen mask M (S120), and causes the printing process to be executed by the printing unit 23 (S130). In the printing process, the print head 24 is moved, and a viscous fluid (here, solder paste) is supplied onto the substrate S disposed on the lower surface of the screen mask M by the squeegee. 【0017】 FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the operation of the squeegees 26 and 27 during the printing process. FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram of the printing operation by the squeegee 27 from the rear to the front, and FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram of the printing operation by the squeegee 26 from the front to the rear. In the printing apparatus 11, at the end of the printing operation, the squeegee is overridden and stopped up to a position exceeding a predetermined margin A from the end of the substrate S. The margin A may be set as appropriate, for example, it can be 5 mm, 10 mm, etc. Also, in the printing apparatus 11, at the start of the printing operation, after lowering the squeegee to a predetermined position a predetermined distance away from the roll body R, the squeegee is moved in the printing direction while adding a run-up. 【0018】 When the printing process is executed in S130, the CPU 21 determines whether the executed printing operation has finished (S140). The printing operation here refers to either moving the squeegee forward from front to back or backward from back to front. If the printing operation has not finished, the CPU 21 executes the operations from S120 onwards. If the printing operation has finished, it determines whether there is a next substrate S to be printed in the current print job (S150). If there is a next substrate S, the CPU 21 executes the roll body control process (S160) and then executes the operations from S110 onwards. That is, the CPU 21 performs the roll body control process, ejects the substrate S currently fixed in the substrate processing unit 30, transports and fixes a new substrate S, and executes the printing process. 【0019】 Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a roll body control process performed during printing, etc. Figure 7A is control N, which moves vertically upward; Figure 7B is control H, which moves vertically and horizontally; Figure 7C is control V, which moves vertically, backward, and tilted; and Figure 7D is control C, which moves vertically, tilted, and vertically. In the printing apparatus 11, when changing the printing direction or changing the squeegee used, one of the above roll body control processes is performed. The purpose of roll body control is to perform stable printing by, for example, maintaining the shape of the roll body R when the squeegee separates from the roll body R, preventing air from entering the inside of the roll body R. In addition, in the printing apparatus 11, when the squeegee is separated from the roll body R, viscous fluid may adhere to the end of the squeegee, creating a drooping body F. Therefore, the roll body control process is performed with the aim of reducing this drooping body F. Reducing the drooping body F can further suppress the scattering of viscous fluid, and reduce the burden of cleaning inside the apparatus. In control N (Figure 7A), although the operating time is short, a large hanging body F may be formed, whereas in controls H, V, and C (Figures 7B-D), although the operating time is longer, the hanging body F can be reduced. The printing device 11 allows the user to select and set the desired roll body control process in advance. 【0020】 On the other hand, in S150, if there is no next substrate S to be printed in the current print job, the CPU 21 determines whether there is a print job of the next substrate type to be executed (S170). If there is a print job to be executed next, the CPU 21 causes the printing unit 23 to perform a viscous fluid reduction process (S180). In this reduction process, the CPU 21 causes the printing unit 23 to lower the squeegee to a lower position within a predetermined distance from the roll body R, bring the viscous fluid attached to the squeegee into contact with the screen mask M, and then raise the squeegee vertically without horizontal movement. In addition, in this reduction process, the CPU 21 performs the operation of raising the squeegee at a speed slower than the speed at which it is lowered. 【0021】 Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of reduction processing on the front side, with Figure 8A illustrating the end of printing, Figure 8B illustrating the descent of squeegee 26, Figure 8C illustrating the rise of squeegee 26, Figure 8D illustrating the descent of squeegee 27, and Figure 8E illustrating the rise of squeegee 27. Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of reduction processing on the back side, with Figure 9A illustrating the end of printing, Figure 9B illustrating the descent of squeegee 26, Figure 9C illustrating the rise of squeegee 26, Figure 9D illustrating the descent of squeegee 27, and Figure 9E illustrating the rise of squeegee 27. Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of reducing the hanging body F by reduction processing, with Figure 10A showing an example before reduction processing and Figure 10B showing an example after reduction processing. The CPU 21 performs this reduction processing after using the current screen mask M and before using a new screen mask M. The CPU 21 also lowers the squeegee to a predetermined distance X from the end of the roll body R on the substrate S side. This lowering position may also serve as the run-up position for the printing process described above. Furthermore, it is preferable that the ratio X / L of the viscous fluid to the width L of the roll body R is within the range of 0.5 to 4. The width L of the roll body R is approximately in the range of 10 mm to 25 mm. A ratio X / L of 0.5 or higher is preferable because it further reduces the impact on the roll body R by moving the removed viscous fluid away from it. A ratio X / L of 4 or lower is preferable because it reduces the burden of cleaning the surrounding area by bringing the removed viscous fluid closer to the roll body R. Since this reduction process does not involve horizontal movement, it can be performed quickly. Additionally, by slowing down the upward speed of the squeegee, the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee can be more reliably attached to the predetermined position on the screen mask M. By performing this reduction process, the hanging body F can be significantly removed from the squeegee, as shown in Figure 10. Therefore, the printing apparatus 11 can further suppress the hanging body F from falling into the apparatus when the screen mask M is replaced or the recovery member 41 is moved. 【0022】 After S180, the CPU 21 causes the recovery unit 40 to perform a recovery process for the viscous fluid roll body R (S190), and then causes the printing unit 23 to perform a viscous fluid reduction process (S200). The recovery process for the roll body R is a process in which the used roll body R is moved onto a new screen mask M to be used in the next printing job using a recovery member 41. Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the recovery process and reduction process, where Figure 11A is an explanatory diagram of the movement of the recovery member 41, Figure 11B is an explanatory diagram of the movement of the roll body R onto the recovery member 41, Figure 11C is an explanatory diagram of the squeegee descending after the recovery of the roll body R, and Figure 11D is an explanatory diagram of the squeegee rising after the recovery of the roll body R. As shown in Figure 11A, since the reduction process has already been performed, even if the recovery member 41 is moved, the hanging body F does not come into contact with the recovery member 41. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11C, the reduction process is performed even after the roll body R is moved onto the recovery member 41, so that the hanging body F does not come into contact with the recovery member 41 even if the recovery member 41 is moved further. In this reduction process, the squeegee may be lowered to a lower position other than on the recovery member 41, as shown in Figure 11C. In this case, the excess viscous fluid remains on the screen mask M that is being replaced. Alternatively, in this reduction process, the squeegee may be lowered to a lower position on the recovery member 41. In this case, the excess viscous fluid remains on the recovery member 41 and is absorbed by the roll body R when it moves onto the new screen mask M. In this recovery process as well, the CPU 21 may cause the printing unit 23 to execute one of the above roll body control processes. 【0023】 After S200, the CPU 21 performs the screen mask M replacement process (S210) and then executes the processes from S100 onward. That is, the CPU 21 installs a new screen mask M through a setup change and executes the printing process based on the print job. The screen mask M replacement process may be performed by an operator, or the printing device 11 may have a rack containing the screen mask M and automatically replace it using a moving part that moves the screen mask M. 【0024】 On the other hand, if there is no next print job in S170, that is, when all printing processes are completed, the CPU 21 determines whether or not to clean up the squeegee (S220). The CPU 21 may make this determination based, for example, on information previously entered by the operator. If it is determined that the squeegee should be cleaned up, the CPU 21 causes the printing unit 23 to perform a viscous fluid reduction process (S230) and then performs the squeegee cleanup process (S240). Cleaning up the squeegee refers to the process of removing the squeegees 26 and 27 from the print head 24. Note that the squeegee cleanup process may be performed by the operator, or the printing device 11 may have an automatic squeegee replacement function and the CPU 21 may perform the automatic replacement. On the other hand, if the squeegee is not cleaned up in S220, the CPU 21 causes the printing unit 23 to perform a viscous fluid reduction process (S250). Note that the reduction processes in S230 and S250 can be the same as the processes described in S180. After S250 or after S240, the CPU 21 terminates this routine. 【0025】 Here, the correspondence between the components of this embodiment and the components of the present disclosure will be clarified. The squeegees 26 and 27 of this embodiment correspond to the squeegees of the present disclosure, the control unit 20 corresponds to the control unit, the screen mask M corresponds to the screen mask, the recovery unit 40 corresponds to the recovery unit, the recovery member 41 corresponds to the recovery member, the recovery moving unit 42 corresponds to the recovery moving unit, and the roll body R corresponds to the roll body. In this embodiment, the control method of the printing apparatus of the present disclosure will be disclosed by describing the printing apparatus 11. 【0026】 The printing apparatus 11 of this embodiment, as described above, comprises squeegees 26 and 27 that move a roll body R of viscous fluid on a screen mask M to perform printing, and a control unit 20 that performs a reduction process to reduce the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegees by lowering the squeegees 26 and 27 to a lower position within a predetermined distance from the roll body R, bringing the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegees 26 and 27 into contact with the screen mask M, and then raising the squeegees vertically without horizontal movement. In this printing apparatus 11, the squeegees 26 and 27 are lowered to a lower position within a predetermined distance from the roll body R, bringing the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegees 26 and 27 into contact with the screen mask M, so the removed viscous fluid is near the roll body R, further reducing the burden of cleaning. In addition, in this printing apparatus 11, the squeegees 26 and 27 are raised vertically without horizontal movement, so compared to those that involve horizontal movement of the squeegee, time is further reduced. 【0027】 Furthermore, in the reduction process, the control unit 20 raises the squeegee at a speed slower than the speed at which it is lowered. This printing apparatus 11 can more reliably remove viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee. In addition, the control unit 20 performs the reduction process after using the squeegee and / or after using the screen mask M. This printing apparatus 11 can further reduce the waste of time and the burden of cleaning when putting away the squeegee or changing the screen mask M. Also, in this printing apparatus 11, viscous fluid can be removed more reliably by performing a roll body control process that involves horizontal movement, for example, when the squeegee or screen mask M is not in use. Furthermore, the control unit 20 lowers the squeegees 26 and 27 to a lowered position where the ratio X / L of the viscous fluid to the width L of the roll body R is in the range of 0.5 to 4. In this printing apparatus 11, when the ratio X / L is 0.5 or higher, the effects on the roll body R, such as deformation of its outer shape or the inclusion of air, can be further reduced by moving the removed viscous fluid away from the roll body R. Also, when the ratio X / L is 4 or lower, the burden of cleaning the surrounding area can be reduced by moving the removed viscous fluid closer to the roll body R. 【0028】 Furthermore, the printing apparatus 11 includes a recovery unit 40 having a recovery member 41 that contacts the screen mask M to place and recover the roll body R of viscous fluid, and a recovery movement unit 42 that moves the recovery member 41 in a predetermined printing direction. The control unit 20 performs a reduction process before and / or after the recovery of the roll body R of viscous fluid. In this printing apparatus 11, the recovery member 41 may move through the squeegee when the roll body R is recovered. In this printing apparatus 11, the adhesion of viscous fluid that has dripped from the squeegee to the recovery member 41 or the roll body R on the recovery member 41 can be further suppressed when the recovery member 41 moves in this manner. Moreover, since the control unit 20 lowers the squeegee to a lower position that is not on the recovery member 41, the printing apparatus 11 can separate the removed viscous fluid from the recovered roll body R, and the influence of the removed viscous fluid on the roll body R can be further reduced. Alternatively, if the control unit 20 lowers the squeegee to a lowered position on the recovery member 41, the printing apparatus 11 can place the removed viscous fluid on the recovery member 41, thereby further reducing the burden of cleaning around the screen mask M. 【0029】 It goes without saying that the printing apparatus and control method of the printing apparatus described herein are not limited in any way to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms as long as they fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. 【0030】 For example, in the embodiment described above, the CPU 21 raises the squeegee at a speed slower than the speed at which it lowers it during the reduction process. However, it is not limited to this, and the squeegee may be raised at a speed slower than the printing operation, or both the raising and lowering of the squeegee may be slow. It is preferable to lower the squeegee quickly, similar to the printing operation, and raise the squeegee even slower for effective removal of the adhering viscous fluid. 【0031】 In the embodiments described above, the CPU 21 performs the reduction process after the use of the squeegee and the use of the screen mask. However, it is not limited to this, and the reduction process may be performed only after the use of the squeegee, or only after the use of the screen mask M. Alternatively, the CPU 21 may perform the reduction process at a timing other than after the use of the squeegee and the use of the screen mask, for example, in response to the operator's execution input. 【0032】 In the above-described embodiment, the squeegee is lowered to a lowering position where the ratio X / L of the width L of the viscous fluid roll body to a predetermined distance X is in the range of 0.5 to 4, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the end of the roll body R may be used as the lowering position, or the squeegee may be lowered to a predetermined removal area. 【0033】 In the embodiment described above, the recovery unit 40 is provided with two recovery members 41, recovery units 40a and 40b, but it is not limited to this, and may be provided with only one recovery member 41. If there is at least one recovery member 41, it is possible to recover viscous fluid when replacing the screen mask M, or to perform unidirectional printing, etc. 【0034】 In the embodiments described above, the CPU 21 performs a reduction process before and after the recovery of the viscous fluid roll body R, but either one of these processes may be omitted. Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the printing apparatus 11 is provided with a recovery unit 40, but it is not limited to this, and the printing apparatus 11 may not be provided with a recovery unit 40. Even in a printing apparatus 11 without a recovery unit 40, if the hanging body F can be removed, the burden of cleaning can be further reduced. 【0035】 In the embodiment described above, the printing apparatus 11 is provided with a double-squeegee type printing unit 23 equipped with squeegees 26 and 27. However, it is not limited to this configuration, and the printing unit 23 may have a single-squeegee configuration with one of the squeegees 26 or 27 omitted. Even in this printing unit 23, by performing a reduction process, the waste of time and the burden of cleaning can be further reduced. 【0036】 In the embodiments described above, the present disclosure has been described as a printing apparatus 11 equipped with a supply unit 36, but it is not limited to this, and a control method for the printing apparatus 11 may also be used. 【0037】 The control method for the printing apparatus of this disclosure may be configured as follows. For example, the control method for the printing apparatus of this disclosure is a control method for a printing apparatus that includes a squeegee for moving a roll of viscous fluid on a screen mask to perform the printing process, and for performing a printing process on a printing target using the screen mask, and includes the step of performing a reduction process in which the squeegee is lowered to a lower position within a predetermined distance from the roll, the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee is brought into contact with the screen mask, and then the squeegee is raised vertically without horizontal movement to reduce the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee. 【0038】 This control method for the printing device, like the printing device described above, can further reduce wasted time and the burden of cleaning. Furthermore, this control method for the printing device may employ various embodiments of the printing device described above, or additional steps may be added to implement each of the functions of the printing device described above. 【0039】 This specification also discloses technical concepts in which "the printing apparatus described in claim 1 or 2" in the original claim 4 was changed to "the printing apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 3," and technical concepts in which "the printing apparatus described in claim 1 or 2" in the original claim 5 was changed to "the printing apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 4." [Industrial applicability] 【0040】 This disclosure is applicable to the technical field of apparatus for printing viscous fluids onto a printing surface. [Explanation of symbols] 【0041】 10 Assembly system, 11 Printing device, 12 Assembly device, 20 Control unit, 21 CPU, 23 Printing unit, 24 Print head, 25 Printing movement unit, 26, 27 Squeegee, 28 Mask unit, 29 Mask fixing unit, 30 Substrate processing unit, 31 Substrate transport unit, 36 Supply unit, 37 Cartridge, 40, 40a, 40b Recovery unit, 41 Recovery member, 42 Recovery movement unit, 43 Support member, 44 Lifting unit, 45 Drive unit, 46 Guide, 90 Management PC, A Margin, F Hanging body, L Width, M Screen mask, R Roll body, S Substrate, X Determined distance.

Claims

[Claim 1] A printing apparatus that performs a viscous fluid printing process on a printing target using a screen mask, A squeegee that moves a roll of viscous fluid on the screen mask to perform the printing process, A recovery unit having a recovery member that contacts the screen mask and places the roll body of the viscous fluid on it for recovery and movement, and a recovery movement unit that moves the recovery member in a predetermined printing direction, The system includes a control unit that performs a reduction process to reduce the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee by lowering the squeegee to a lower position within a predetermined distance from the roll body, bringing the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee into contact with the screen mask, and then raising the squeegee vertically without horizontal movement. The control unit performs the reduction process before and / or after the recovery of the viscous fluid roll body, and lowers the squeegee to the lowered position on the recovery member, in a printing apparatus. [Claim 2] The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit raises the squeegee at a speed slower than the speed at which the squeegee is lowered during the reduction process. [Claim 3] A printing apparatus that performs a viscous fluid printing process on a printing target using a screen mask, A squeegee that moves a roll of viscous fluid on the screen mask to perform the printing process, A recovery unit having a recovery member that contacts the screen mask and places the roll body of the viscous fluid on it for recovery and movement, and a recovery movement unit that moves the recovery member in a predetermined printing direction, The system includes a control unit that performs a reduction process to reduce the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee by lowering the squeegee to a lower position within a predetermined distance from the roll body, bringing the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee into contact with the screen mask, and then raising the squeegee vertically without horizontal movement. The control unit performs the reduction process before and after the recovery of the viscous fluid roll body in the printing apparatus. [Claim 4] The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit lowers the squeegee to the lowered position, which is not on the recovery member. [Claim 5] The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit lowers the squeegee to the lowered position on the recovery member. [Claim 6] A printing apparatus that performs a viscous fluid printing process on a printing target using a screen mask, A squeegee that moves a roll of viscous fluid on the screen mask to perform the printing process, When the printing operation is completed, the control unit determines whether there is another print target to be printed in the current print job. If it determines that there is another print target, it executes a roll body control process involving the horizontal movement of the squeegee. If it determines that there is no next print target, it executes a reduction process in which the squeegee is lowered to a lower position within a predetermined distance from the roll body, the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee comes into contact with the screen mask, and then the squeegee is raised vertically without horizontal movement to reduce the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee. A printing device equipped with a printer. [Claim 7] The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit raises the squeegee at a speed slower than the speed at which the squeegee is lowered during the reduction process. [Claim 8] The printing apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the control unit performs the reduction process after the use of the squeegee and / or after the use of the screen mask. [Claim 9] The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit lowers the squeegee to the lowered position where the ratio X / L of the predetermined distance to the width L of the roll body of the viscous fluid is in the range of 0.5 or more and 4 or less. [Claim 10] A printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, A recovery unit having a recovery member that contacts the screen mask and places the roll body of the viscous fluid on it for recovery and movement, and a recovery movement unit that moves the recovery member in a predetermined printing direction, Equipped with, The control unit performs the reduction process before and / or after the recovery of the roll body of the viscous fluid in the printing apparatus. [Claim 11] The printing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control unit lowers the squeegee to the lowered position, which is not on the recovery member. [Claim 12] The printing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control unit lowers the squeegee to the lowered position on the recovery member. [Claim 13] A control method for a printing apparatus that performs printing on a printing target using a screen mask, comprising: a squeegee that moves a roll of viscous fluid on a screen mask to perform the printing process; a recovery unit having a recovery member that contacts the screen mask and places the roll of viscous fluid on it for recovery and movement, and a recovery movement unit that moves the recovery member in a predetermined printing direction, wherein the apparatus performs printing on a printing target using the screen mask, The process includes the step of performing a reduction treatment in which the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee is reduced by lowering the squeegee to a lower position within a predetermined distance from the roll body, bringing the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee into contact with the screen mask, and then raising the squeegee vertically without horizontal movement, thereby reducing the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee. A control method for a printing apparatus, comprising the steps of performing the reduction process before and / or after the recovery of the viscous fluid roll body, and lowering the squeegee to the lowered position on the recovery member. [Claim 14] A control method for a printing apparatus that performs printing on a printing target using a screen mask, comprising: a squeegee that moves a roll of viscous fluid on a screen mask to perform the printing process; a recovery unit having a recovery member that contacts the screen mask and places the roll of viscous fluid on it for recovery and movement, and a recovery movement unit that moves the recovery member in a predetermined printing direction, wherein the apparatus performs printing on a printing target using the screen mask, The process includes the step of performing a reduction treatment in which the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee is reduced by lowering the squeegee to a lower position within a predetermined distance from the roll body, bringing the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee into contact with the screen mask, and then raising the squeegee vertically without horizontal movement, thereby reducing the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee. A control method for a printing apparatus, wherein the reduction process is performed before and after the recovery of the roll body of the viscous fluid in the above step. [Claim 15] A control method for a printing apparatus that performs printing on a printing target using a screen mask, comprising a squeegee that moves a roll of viscous fluid on a screen mask to perform the printing process, (a) When the printing operation is completed, a step of determining whether there is another print item to be printed in the current print job, (b) If it is determined in step (a) that there is another object to be printed, a roll body control process involving horizontal movement of the squeegee is performed, and if it is determined that there is no next object to be printed, a reduction process is performed in which the squeegee is lowered to a lower position within a predetermined distance from the roll body, the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee is brought into contact with the screen mask, and then the squeegee is raised vertically without horizontal movement to reduce the viscous fluid adhering to the squeegee. A method for controlling a printing device, including the device itself.

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