Printing apparatus and solder rolling method

Abstract

In the present invention, a squeegee 61 has side members 7 attached to both ends thereof in a Y-direction (width direction). Each of the side members 7 has formed therein an opening 72 that is open toward the squeegee 61 side in the Y-direction. The opening 72 faces, in the Y-direction, a solder Dr on which rolling is to be performed by the squeegee 61. As the rolling is performed, a solder Ds having flowed outward in the Y-direction beyond each of the ends of the squeegee 61 moves into the inside of the corresponding opening 72. In other words, the solder Ds having flowed out from the end of the squeegee 61 is received in the opening 72 of the corresponding side member 7. As a result, it is possible to avoid accumulation of a large amount of a solder D at the ends of the squeegee 61.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a technique for performing rolling on solder by moving a squeegee in the squeegee direction on the upper surface of a mask on which the solder is placed.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a printing apparatus for printing solder, rolling is appropriately performed to rotate the solder while pushing the solder by the squeegee by moving a squeegee that contacts the solder placed on the upper surface of the mask in the squeegee direction. For example, in Patent Document 1, a printing apparatus that moves solder on the upper surface of a stencil by sliding a wiping blade (squeegee) on the stencil (mask) is disclosed. Further, in this printing apparatus, a deflector for returning the solder flowing out from the end of the wiping blade to the stencil side is provided at the end of the wiping blade.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In addition to the deflector mentioned above, other components that can be attached to the end of the squeegee include plates to prevent solder from flowing out from the end of the squeegee. Thus, side components are appropriately attached to the end of the squeegee to deal with solder flowing out from the end of the squeegee. However, attaching side components to the end of the squeegee sometimes caused the following problem. That is, if these side components restrict the movement of solder outward from the end of the squeegee, a large amount of solder will accumulate at the end of the squeegee. As a result, a large amount of solder will adhere to the end of the squeegee, hindering the rolling of the solder by the squeegee, and sometimes preventing the solder from maintaining its viscosity and other properties properly.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a technology that can suppress the obstruction of rolling solder by a large amount of solder adhering to the end of a squeegee when rolling solder with a squeegee having a side member attached to its end. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The printing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a squeegee that contacts the upper surface of a mask and is movable in a predetermined squeegee direction, and a side member attached to the end of the squeegee in a width direction perpendicular to the squeegee direction and movable in the squeegee direction together with the squeegee. The squeegee performs rolling, moving the solder on the upper surface of the mask in the squeegee direction while contacting the solder placed on the upper surface of the mask from the upstream side in the squeegee direction. The side member has an opening that opens to the side of the squeegee in the width direction, and the opening faces the solder on which rolling is performed from the width direction. As rolling is performed, the solder that flows outward in the width direction from the end of the squeegee moves into the inside of the opening.

[0007] The solder rolling method according to the present invention comprises the step of performing a rolling motion on solder placed on the upper surface of a mask by moving a squeegee that is in contact with the upper surface of the mask in a predetermined squeegee direction. During rolling, the squeegee moves in the squeegee direction while contacting the solder from the upstream side in the squeegee direction, thereby moving the solder in the squeegee direction relative to the upper surface of the mask. A side member that can move in the squeegee direction along with the squeegee is attached to the end of the squeegee in the width direction perpendicular to the squeegee direction. The side member has an opening that opens to the side of the squeegee in the width direction, and the opening faces the solder on which rolling is performed from the width direction. As rolling is performed, the solder that flows outward in the width direction from the end of the squeegee moves into the inside of the opening.

[0008] In the present invention (printing apparatus and rolling method) configured as described above, the side member attached to the end of the squeegee has an opening that opens towards the squeegee in the width direction. This opening faces the solder on which rolling is performed from the width direction. As rolling is performed, the solder that flows outward in the width direction from the end of the squeegee moves into the inside of the opening. In other words, the opening of the side member receives the solder that flows out from the end of the squeegee. This prevents a large amount of solder from accumulating at the end of the squeegee. As a result, it is possible to suppress the obstruction of rolling by a large amount of solder adhering to the end of the squeegee.

[0009] Furthermore, the printing apparatus may be configured such that, in a side view from the width direction, the center between the two ends of the solder in the squeegee direction is located inside the opening at both ends of the opening. In this configuration, the solder flowing out from the end of the squeegee is reliably received by the opening of the side member, preventing a large amount of solder from accumulating at the end of the squeegee. As a result, it is possible to suppress the obstruction of rolling caused by a large amount of solder adhering to the end of the squeegee.

[0010] Furthermore, the printing apparatus may be configured such that the side members are made of polyurethane, silicone, or polypropylene. By constructing the side members from such resin materials, solder adhesion to the side members can be suppressed; that is, solder that reaches the side members from the squeegee cannot adhere to and accumulate on the side members. Therefore, the solder that flows out from the end of the squeegee can reach the opening of the side member, preventing a large amount of solder from accumulating at the end of the squeegee. As a result, it is possible to suppress the obstruction of rolling caused by a large amount of solder adhering to the end of the squeegee. In particular, when synthetic resin is used as the flux component of the solder, it is preferable to construct the side members from such materials.

[0011] Furthermore, the printing apparatus may be configured such that the side member has an opening periphery surrounding the opening. In this configuration, the opening periphery surrounding the opening supports the solder that flows from the end of the squeegee into the opening, preventing a large amount of solder from accumulating at the end of the squeegee. As a result, it is possible to suppress the obstruction of rolling caused by a large amount of solder adhering to the end of the squeegee.

[0012] Furthermore, the printing apparatus may be configured such that the opening periphery extends from below adjacent to the opening and along the opening in the squeegee direction, and has a lower periphery that contacts the upper surface of the mask. In this configuration, the lower periphery of the opening periphery supports the solder that flows out from the end of the squeegee, preventing a large amount of solder from accumulating at the end of the squeegee. As a result, it is possible to suppress the obstruction of rolling caused by a large amount of solder adhering to the end of the squeegee.

[0013] Alternatively, the printing apparatus may be configured such that, as rolling is performed, the solder that flows out from the end of the squeegee into the opening is supported by the lower peripheral edge and moves in the direction of the squeegee along with the lower peripheral edge. In this configuration, the solder that flows out from the end of the squeegee and is supported by the lower peripheral edge moves in the direction of the squeegee, following the solder that is being rolled by the squeegee. Therefore, obstruction of rolling by the solder supported by the lower peripheral edge can be suppressed.

[0014] Furthermore, the printing apparatus may be configured such that the openings are open on both sides in the width direction. In such a configuration, the width of the openings is ensured so that the solder flowing out from the end of the squeegee can be firmly received by the openings. As a result, it is possible to suppress the obstruction of rolling caused by a large amount of solder adhering to the end of the squeegee. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, when rolling solder with a squeegee having a side member attached to its end, it is possible to suppress the obstruction of rolling due to a large amount of solder adhering to the end of the squeegee. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing a printing device. [Figure 2] A schematic front view showing the squeegee of a squeegee unit and the side member attached to the squeegee. [Figure 3] A schematic side view showing the squeegee of a squeegee unit and the side member attached to the squeegee. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a printing apparatus. In FIG. 1, an X direction which is a horizontal direction, a Y direction which is a horizontal direction orthogonal to the X direction, and a Z direction which is a vertical direction are appropriately shown. The printing apparatus 1 includes a mask holding unit 2 that holds a mask M, a substrate holding unit 4 disposed below the mask M, and a squeegee unit 6 disposed above the mask M. The printing apparatus 1 slides the lower end 611 (tip) of the squeegee 61 of the squeegee unit 6 in the X direction on the upper surface of the mask M while the substrate B is opposed to the mask M from below by the substrate holding unit 4. Thereby, the solder D supplied to the upper surface of the mask M is printed on the upper surface of the substrate B through a pattern penetrating the mask M.

[0018] The mask holding unit 2 has a clamp member 21, and the mask M is detachably attached to the clamp member 21 via a frame 22 provided at its peripheral portion. Thereby, the mask M having a flat plate shape is horizontally held by the mask holding unit 2. The mask M has a rectangular shape in plan view and has through holes (mask patterns) having a shape corresponding to the printing pattern on the substrate B.

[0019] The substrate holding unit 4 is disposed below the mask M held by the mask holding unit 2 and has a function of aligning the position of the substrate B with respect to the mask M. The substrate holding unit 4 includes a pair of conveyors 41 that convey the substrate B, a substrate holding portion 42 that holds the substrate B received from the conveyor 41, and a flat movable table 43 that supports the conveyor 41 and the substrate holding portion 42.

[0020] The pair of conveyors 41 are arranged in parallel in the Y direction with a gap in the X direction, and support both ends of the substrate B in the X direction from below on their respective upper surfaces. Then, by each conveyor 41 conveying the substrate B in the Y direction, the loading or unloading of the substrate B with respect to the printing apparatus 1 is executed.

[0021] The substrate holding portion 42 has a flat elevating table 421 and slide posts 422 that are slidable in the Z direction with respect to the movable table 43, and the elevating table 421 is supported at the upper ends of the slide posts 422. On the upper surface of this elevating table 421, a plurality of backup pins P erected in the Z direction are arranged at intervals in the X and Y directions, and the elevating table 421 functions as a mounting table on which the backup pins P are placed. Then, as the slide posts 422 move up and down, the backup pins P move up and down together with the elevating table 421.

[0022] For example, when the substrate B on the conveyor 41 is being carried in, the upper ends of each of the backup pins P are located below the upper surface of the conveyor 41. Then, when the conveyor 41 carries the substrate B directly above the backup pins P, the backup pins P rise, and the upper ends of the backup pins P protrude above the upper surface of the conveyor 41. As a result, while the upper ends of the backup pins P contact the lower surface of the substrate B, the substrate B is pushed up, and the substrate B is transferred from the upper surface of the conveyor 41 to the upper ends of each of the backup pins P.

[0023] Further, the substrate holding portion 42 has a pair of clamp plates 424 arranged at intervals in the X direction above the pair of conveyors 41, and at least one of these clamp plates 424 is movable in the X direction. The upper surfaces of each of the clamp plates 424 are planes parallel to the X and Y directions and are located at the same height. Then, when the substrate B on the backup pins P rises between the pair of clamp plates 424, one of the clamp plates 424 moves toward the other, and the substrate B is clamped in the X direction (horizontal direction) by these clamp plates 424.

[0024] Furthermore, the substrate holding unit 4 has a table drive mechanism 44 that drives the movable table 43. This table drive mechanism 44 drives the conveyor 41 and substrate holding section 42 located on the movable table 43 in the X, Y, Z, and R directions using an X-axis table 441, a Y-axis table 442 mounted on the upper surface of the X-axis table 441, an R-axis table 443 mounted on the upper surface of the Y-axis table 442, and a ball screw 444 that raises and lowers the movable table 43 relative to the R-axis table 443. For example, when positioning substrate B relative to mask M, the position of substrate B clamped to clamp plate 424 is adjusted in the X, Y, Z, and R directions so that the upper surfaces of clamp plate 424 and substrate B respectively come into contact with the lower surface of mask M.

[0025] As described above, in the printing apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1, the squeegee unit 6 moves the squeegee 61 in the X direction while the lower end 611 of the squeegee 61 is in contact with the upper surface of the mask M. This causes the lower end 611 of the squeegee 61 to slide in the X direction relative to the upper surface of the mask M. Solder D is placed on the upper surface of the mask M, and the squeegee 61 sliding in the X direction prints the solder D onto the upper surface of the substrate B via the pattern on the mask M. Next, the configuration of the squeegee 61 will be described.

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic front view showing the squeegee of a squeegee unit and the side member attached to the squeegee, and Figure 3 is a schematic side view showing the squeegee of a squeegee unit and the side member attached to the squeegee. In Figure 2, the Y1 side and the Y2 side in the Y direction are shown. Here, the Y1 side and the Y2 side face opposite directions.

[0027] The squeegee 61 is a flat plate extending parallel to the Y direction, and its lower end 611 contacts the upper surface of the mask M. The squeegee 61 contacts the upper surface of the mask M while tilting at a predetermined angle (attack angle) relative to the upper surface of the mask M. The squeegee unit 6 performs solder rolling by moving the squeegee 61, which is in contact with the mask M at this attack angle, in a squeegee direction S parallel to the X direction.

[0028] In other words, during rolling, the squeegee 61 moves in the squeegee direction S from the upstream side in the squeegee direction S while contacting the solder D, thereby moving the solder D placed on the upper surface of the mask M in the squeegee direction S. This rolling causes the solder D to rotate on the upper surface of the mask M as shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 3, and the properties (viscosity, etc.) of the solder D are maintained in good condition. In the following, the solder D supplied to the mask M that is rolled by the squeegee 61 will be specifically referred to as solder Dr, and the solder D that flows outward from the squeegee 61 in the Y direction will be specifically referred to as solder Ds.

[0029] Furthermore, the squeegee unit 6 has side members 7 (side plates) attached to both ends of the squeegee 61 in the Y direction. The side members 7 can be attached to the squeegee 61 by fastening members such as screws. However, the specific configuration for attaching the side members 7 to the squeegee 61 is not limited to fastening members. These side members 7 are provided to receive the solder D that flows outwards in the Y direction from the ends of the squeegee 61 as it rolls.

[0030] The side member 7 has a side member body 71 and an opening 72 that penetrates the side member body 71 in the Y direction. In a side view from the Y direction, the shape of the opening 72 is a triangle with rounded corners. In contrast, the side member body 71 has an opening periphery 73 that surrounds the opening 72. The opening periphery 73 has three periphery portions 731, 732, and 733, each corresponding to one side of the triangle of the opening 72. The inner wall surfaces 721, 722, and 723 of the periphery portions 731, 732, and 733 define the opening 72 and are arranged parallel to the Y direction.

[0031] Of the inner wall surfaces 721, 722, and 723, the squeegee 61 is provided on inner wall surface 723, and the inner wall surface 723 and the squeegee 61 are parallel. The squeegee 61 may be provided so as to protrude inward from the inner wall surface 723 into the opening 72 (Figure 3), or so as to protrude outward from the inner wall surface 723 into the opening 72, or so as to be flush with the inner wall surface 723. Furthermore, when performing the rolling shown in Figure 3, the peripheral edge 731 contacts the upper surface of the mask M, and the inner wall surface 721 becomes parallel to the upper surface of the mask M, i.e., parallel to the squeegee direction S.

[0032] The opening 72 has a solder inlet 720 at the end on the squeegee 61 side in the Y direction. Specifically, a solder inlet 720 is provided at the Y2 side (squeegee 61 side) end of the opening 72 of the side member 7 provided on the Y1 side of the squeegee 61, and a solder inlet 720 is provided at the Y1 side (squeegee 61 side) end of the opening 72 of the side member 7 provided on the Y2 side of the squeegee 61. This solder inlet 720 faces the solder Dr rolled by the squeegee 61 from the Y direction. In particular, in a side view from the Y direction, the center Lc between the ends Leu and Led of the solder in the squeegee direction S is located inside (i.e., between) the ends Lu and Ld of the solder inlet 720 of the opening 72. Here, in the Y direction, the center Lc is located at the midpoint of the ends Leu and Led, and the distance in the Y direction from the center Lc to the end Leu is equal to the distance in the Y direction from the center Lc to the end Led.

[0033] Thus, in the Y direction, the solder inlet 720 opens towards the squeegee 61, and the solder Ds that flows out from the squeegee 61 towards the side member 7 reaches the opening 72 via the solder inlet 720 and rests on the inner wall surface 721 of the peripheral portion 731. In contrast, the side member 7 is attached to the squeegee 61 and moves integrally with the squeegee 61 in the squeegee direction S. Therefore, during rolling, the solder Ds that reaches the opening 72 is supported by the peripheral portion 731 which moves integrally with the squeegee 61, and follows the solder Dr that is rolled by the squeegee 61.

[0034] In the embodiment described above, a side member 7 is attached to the end of the squeegee 61 in the Y direction (width direction). This side member 7 has an opening 72 that opens towards the squeegee 61 in the Y direction. This opening 72 faces the solder Dr on which the squeegee 61 performs rolling from the Y direction. As rolling is performed, the solder Ds that flows outward in the Y direction from the end of the squeegee 61 moves into the opening 72. In other words, the opening 72 of the side member 7 receives the solder Ds that flows out from the end of the squeegee 61. This prevents a large amount of solder D from accumulating at the end of the squeegee 61. As a result, it is possible to suppress the obstruction of rolling by a large amount of solder D adhering to the end of the squeegee 61.

[0035] Furthermore, in a side view from the Y direction, the opening 72 is provided such that the center Lc between the ends Leu and Led of the solder D on the squeegee 61 is located inside the ends Lu and Ld of the opening 72. With this configuration, the solder Ds that flow out from the end of the squeegee 61 are reliably received by the opening 72 of the side member 7, preventing a large amount of solder D from accumulating at the end of the squeegee 61. As a result, it is possible to suppress the obstruction of rolling caused by a large amount of solder D adhering to the end of the squeegee 61.

[0036] Furthermore, the side member 7 has an opening periphery 73 that surrounds the opening 72. In this configuration, the opening periphery 73 that surrounds the opening 72 supports the solder Ds that flow out from the end of the squeegee 61 into the opening 72, thereby preventing a large amount of solder D from accumulating at the end of the squeegee 61. As a result, it is possible to suppress the obstruction of rolling caused by a large amount of solder D adhering to the end of the squeegee 61.

[0037] Furthermore, the opening periphery 73 has a periphery 731 (lower periphery). This periphery 731 extends from below adjacent to the opening 72 along the opening 72 in the squeegee direction S, and contacts the upper surface of the mask M when the solder D is rolling. In this configuration, the periphery 731 of the opening periphery 73 supports the solder Ds that flow out from the end of the squeegee 61, preventing a large amount of solder D from accumulating at the end of the squeegee 61. As a result, it is possible to suppress the obstruction of rolling by a large amount of solder D adhering to the end of the squeegee 61.

[0038] Furthermore, as rolling is performed, the solder D that flows out from the end of the squeegee 61 into the opening 72 is supported by the peripheral edge 731 and moves in the squeegee direction S along with the peripheral edge 731. In this configuration, the solder Ds that flows out from the end of the squeegee 61 and is supported by the peripheral edge 731 moves in the squeegee direction S, following the solder Dr that is being rolled by the squeegee 61. Therefore, the obstruction of the rolling of the solder Dr by the squeegee 61 by the solder Ds supported by the peripheral edge 731 can be suppressed.

[0039] Furthermore, the opening 72 is open on both sides in the Y direction. In this configuration, the opening 72 is provided across the entire length of the side member 7 in the Y direction. Therefore, the width of the opening 72 is secured in the Y direction, allowing the solder Ds that flows out from the end of the squeegee 61 to be firmly received by the opening 72. As a result, it is possible to suppress the obstruction of rolling caused by a large amount of solder D adhering to the end of the squeegee 61.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the mask M corresponds to an example of the "mask" of the present invention, the squeegee direction S corresponds to an example of the "squeegee direction" of the present invention, the squeegee 61 corresponds to an example of the "squeegee" of the present invention, the Y direction corresponds to an example of the "width direction" of the present invention, the side member 7 corresponds to an example of the "side member" of the present invention, the opening 72 corresponds to an example of the "opening" of the present invention, the printing apparatus 1 corresponds to an example of the "printing apparatus" of the present invention, the opening periphery 73 corresponds to an example of the "opening periphery" of the present invention, and the periphery 731 corresponds to an example of the "lower periphery" of the present invention.

[0041] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made to those described above without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the material of the side member 7 is not specifically described in the above embodiments. However, the side member 7 can be made of various materials.

[0042] For example, the material of the side member 7 may be polyurethane, silicone, or polypropylene. By constructing the side member 7 from such a resin material, the adhesion of solder Ds to the side member 7 can be suppressed. That is, the solder Ds that reach the side member 7 from the squeegee 61 can be prevented from adhering to and accumulating on the end of the side member 7 on the squeegee 61 side (in other words, near the solder inlet 720). Therefore, the solder Ds that flow out from the end of the squeegee 61 can reach the opening 72 of the side member 7, preventing a large amount of solder D from accumulating at the end of the squeegee 61. As a result, it is possible to suppress the obstruction of rolling by a large amount of solder D adhering to the end of the squeegee 61. In particular, when a synthetic resin is used as the flux component of the solder D, constructing the side member 7 from such a material is preferable because it can suppress the adhesion of solder Ds to the side member 7.

[0043] Furthermore, the opening 72 does not need to be open on both sides in the Y direction. Therefore, the opening 72 may be closed on the opposite side of the squeegee 61.

[0044] Furthermore, the squeegee 61 can be moved back and forth in the X direction to roll the solder D. In this case, the orientation of the squeegee 61 is reversed from the state shown in Figure 3. Consequently, the rolling is performed with the peripheral edge 732 of the side member 7 in contact with the upper surface of the mask M, rather than the peripheral edge 731.

[0045] Furthermore, the shape and dimensions of the side members 7 can be changed as appropriate. Therefore, the shape of the opening 72 is not limited to a triangle, but can be other shapes such as a square or an ellipse. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] M... Mask S...Squeegee direction 61... Squeegee Y...Y direction (width direction) 7... Side components 72…Opening 1...Printing device 73…Periphery of the opening 731... Peripheral area (lower peripheral area)

Claims

1. A squeegee that contacts the upper surface of the mask and is movable in a predetermined squeegee direction, A side member attached to the end of the squeegee in a width direction perpendicular to the squeegee direction and movable in the squeegee direction along with the squeegee, Equipped with, The squeegee performs a rolling motion, moving in the direction of the squeegee while contacting the solder placed on the upper surface of the mask from the upstream side in the direction of the squeegee, thereby moving the solder in the direction of the squeegee relative to the upper surface of the mask. The side member has an opening that opens towards the squeegee in the width direction, The opening faces the solder on which the rolling is performed, from the width direction. The printing apparatus moves the solder that flows outward in the width direction from the end of the squeegee as the rolling is performed into the interior of the opening.

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening is provided such that, in a side view from the width direction, the center between the two ends of the solder in the squeegee direction is located inside the two ends of the opening.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the material of the side member is polyurethane, silicone, or polypropylene.

4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the side member has an opening periphery that surrounds the opening.

5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the opening periphery portion extends from below adjacent to the opening along the opening in the direction of the squeegee and has a lower periphery portion that contacts the upper surface of the mask.

6. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, as the rolling is performed, the solder that flows out from the end of the squeegee into the opening is supported by the lower peripheral edge and moves in the direction of the squeegee along with the lower peripheral edge.

7. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the opening is open on both sides in the width direction.

8. The process includes moving a squeegee that contacts the upper surface of the mask in a predetermined squeegee direction to perform rolling on the solder placed on the upper surface of the mask, In the rolling process, the squeegee moves in the direction of the squeegee while contacting the solder from the upstream side in the squeegee direction, thereby moving the solder in the direction of the squeegee relative to the upper surface of the mask. A side member is attached to the end of the squeegee in the width direction perpendicular to the squeegee direction, and is movable in the direction of the squeegee along with the squeegee. The side member has an opening that opens towards the squeegee in the width direction, The opening faces the solder on which the rolling is performed, from the width direction. A solder rolling method in which the solder that flows outward in the width direction from the end of the squeegee as a result of the rolling is moved into the interior of the opening.

9. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the opening receives the solder that has flowed outward in the width direction from the end of the squeegee.

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