An apparatus for providing a coating of viscous substance to a first surface of a substrate, a system for printing viscous substance, by Laser Induced Forward Transfer, on a product, the system comprising the apparatus, a method of providing a coating of viscous substance to a first surface of a substrate and a substrate

Abstract

An apparatus for providing a coating of a viscous substance to a first surface of a substrate, the apparatus comprising: - a substrate support provided with a coating surface and arranged for receiving the substrate in a receiving space of the substrate support for providing the first surface in a coating position related to the coating surface for providing the viscous substance to the first surface; - a first blade arrangement, comprising a first blade, arranged for being brought into a first position at a first distance from the coating surface, in a direction perpendicular to the coating surface, and a second position at a second distance from the coating surface, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface; - a second blade arrangement, comprising a second blade, arranged for being brought into a third position at a third distance from the coating surface, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface, and a fourth position at a fourth distance in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface, wherein the first blade is spaced apart from the second blade at a first predetermined distance in a direction parallel to a coating direction, wherein the coating direction is a direction parallel to the coating surface for applying the coating of the viscous substance to the coating surface. A system for printing a viscous substance, by means of Laser lnduced Forward Transfer, on a product, the system comprising the apparatus, a method of providing the coating of the viscous substance to the first surface of the substrate, and a substrate, wherein the first surface of the substrate is provided with the coating of the viscous substance by means of the method.

Description

Title: An apparatus for providing a coating of viscous substance to a first surface of a substrate, a system for printing viscous substance, by Laser Induced Forward Transfer, on a product, the system comprising the apparatus, a method of providing a coating of viscous substance to a first surface of a substrate and a substrate Description: According to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to apparatus for providing a coating of a viscous substance to a first surface of a substrate. According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to a system for printing a viscous substance, by means of Laser lnduced Forward Transfer, on a product. According to a third aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method of providing a coating of a viscous substance to a first surface of a substrate. According to a fourth aspect, the present disclosure relates to a first surface of a substrate provided with a coating of a viscous substance. A known method for applying a viscous substance such as solder paste to a product, such as a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), relies on stencil printing or dispensing. Stencil printing is a deposition method requiring direct contact with the PCB. Stencil printing is a non-digital method, here a stencil, also referred to as a mask, is used to define the printing pattern. lt also limits the freedom to achieve small volumes for small components while allowing relatively large volumes of viscous substance to be applied for the larger components which are also still present on new PCBs. Dispensing is a nozzle-based deposition technology requiring the control of a gap that is present between the end of the nozzle and the PCB. The gap between the end of the nozzle and the PCS is either actively measured and compensated or calibrated according to a pre-mapping. A drawback of dispensing is the relative low speed of applying the viscous substance. It is noted that a relative high speed of applying viscous substance is in particular relevant for high volume production. A further drawback of dispensing is the relative frequent clogging of nozzles of the dispenser resulting in missed shots, thereby avoiding, or at least partly avoiding, application of viscous substance. A further method for applying a viscous substance on a product, such as solder interconnects in a three-dimensional Integrated Circuit (|C), also referred to as 3D interconnects, 3D chip stacking, 3D stacking or 3D packaging may comprise placing preformed solder balls in deposits of a Ball Grid Array (BGA) socket. A drawback of placing this technique the relative expensive equipment required. In addition, the size of the solder balls that may be placed is relatively large. Coating layers of materials is a well used industrial process within many production methods, but these industrially used coatings are typically with materials with a lower viscosity than the high viscosity substance such as solder paste for Surface-Mount Technology (SMT) assembly. Coating the solder paste with commercially / industrial available coater modules has a negative impact on the high- quality standards of the products and therefore, there is a need for a coater module that is more suitable for SMT assembly and that maintains the high-quality standards of the products. It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus, a system, a method and substrate that at least partly overcomes one of the above-mentioned drawbacks of applying a viscous substance to a product. The apparatus according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is for providing a coating of a viscous substance, preferably solder paste or a conductive glue, to a first surface of a substrate, and comprises: - a substrate support provided with a coating surface and arranged for receiving the substrate in a receiving space of the substrate support for providing the first surface in a coating position related to the coating surface for providing the viscous substance to the first surface; - a first blade arrangement, comprising a first blade, arranged for being brought into a first position at a first distance from the coating surface, in a direction perpendicular to the coating surface, and a second position at a second distance from the coating surface, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface; - a second blade arrangement, comprising a second blade, arranged for being brought into a third position at a third distance from the coating surface, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface, and a fourth position at a fourth distance in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface, wherein the first blade is spaced apart from the second blade at a first predetermined distance in a direction parallel to a coating direction, wherein the coating direction is a direction parallel to the coating surface for applying the coating of the viscous substance to the coating surface. With the first distance, the second distance and the fifth distance is meant the respective distance between the lower point of the first blade and the coating surface at the respective first, second or fifth position. With the third distance, the fourth distance and the sixth distance is meant the respective distance between the lower point of the second blade and the coating surface at the respective third, fourth or sixth position. Laser Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT) is a direct-write technique that was first reported by Bohandy, Kim, and Adrian in 1986 for the deposition of Cu patterns on Si and fused silica substrates under high vacuum conditions. In this technique, a pulsed laser is used to induce the transfer of the material from a donor substrate to a receiver substrate, usually placed at a short distance or in contact with each other. Donor substrates are usually laser transparent and coated with a thin film of the material of interest. As the laser beam passes through the transparent substrate, it is being absorbed by the film, which is subsequently propelled toward the receiver substrate, above a certain laser energy threshold. In order for the LIFT process to work the substrate, which contains of a thin layer (typical thickness between 100-600 um) of viscous substance, such as solder paste, needs to be as evenly and equally spread as possible, without air bubbles, scratches, and / or dirt being present on / in said thin layer. The apparatus according to the present disclosure allows to provide such a thin layer on the substrate, such that printing with high accuracy is possible and resulting in a high-quality product. Furthermore, the apparatus allows the LIFT process to work on an industrial level herein each coating (i.e., layer of viscous substance on the substrate) is very similar to the last one. Hence, it allows to generate reproducible results, up to thousands of times. Another benefit is that the apparatus is able to work with a wide variety of viscous substances, such as solder pastes, like type 3 to type 10 solder pastes. The design gives the opportunity to vary its steps, e.g., scraping and coating can be done in multiple orders and variations, depending on the minimal amount of steps needed for a specific viscous substance to be coated at the intended quality. Also, the apparatus according to the present disclosure enables rewinning of unused viscous substance, which is still left on the substrate, and thereafter mixing it with the viscous substance that is in the coater. The mixed viscous substance can then be used for coating a new layer on a different position on the first surface of the product. An important requirement is that the viscous substance needs to be changed on a daily basis. The apparatus according to the present disclosure can be easily cleaned and is accessible in an easy manner for an operator. In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises: - a viscous substance receiving space for holding the viscous substance that is to be provided to the first surface of the substrate. The viscous substance receiving space may be at least partly provided between the first blade and the second blade, preferably the viscous substance receiving space is at least partly delimited by the first blade and the second blade. In an embodiment, apparatus further comprises: - a carrier arrangement arranged for moving the first blade, the second blade and / or the viscous substance receiving space simultaneously in the coating direction, wherein the coating direction is a direction parallel to the coating surface for applying the coating of the viscous substance to the coating surface. Preferably, in this embodiment, the viscous substance receiving space, at a lower side thereof, is at least partly delimited by the coating surface, preferably wherein the viscous substance receiving space, at the lower side thereof, in a first position of the carrier arrangement is delimited by the coating surface. Furthermore, in said embodiment, the coating surface may comprise a first section and a second section that are extending at opposite sides of the viscous substance receiving space in the coating direction of the carrier arrangement. In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises: - a control unit, communicatively coupled to the first blade arrangement and the second blade arrangement, arranged for controlling the position of the first blade and the position of the second blade. The skilled person will understand that with the position of the first blade is meant the first, second, or fifth position, and with the position of the second blade is meant the third, fourth, or sixth position. Preferably, the control unit is further communicatively coupled to the carrier arrangement and further arranged for controlling the movement of the carrier arrangement. The control unit may further be arranged for providing the first blade in its first position and the second blade in its fourth position during a movement in a first direction parallel to the coating surface and arranged for providing the first blade in its second position and the second blade in its third position during a movement in a direction parallel to the coating surface opposite to the first direction parallel to the coating surface. In yet another embodiment, the first position of the first blade and the third position of the second blade correspond to the coating position that is associated with a thickness of the coating that is to be provided onto the first surface. In an even further embodiment, the second distance from the coating surface of the first blade is larger than the first distance from the coating surface of the first blade and / or wherein the fourth distance from the coating surface of the second blade is larger than the third distance from the coating surface of the second blade. The second distance from the coating surface of the first blade may be smaller than a predetermined distance for maintaining the delimitation of the viscous substance receiving space, by the first blade and / or the fourth distance from the coating surface of the second blade may be smaller than a predetermined distance for maintaining the delimitation of the viscous substance receiving space, by the second blade. The first blade may be further arranged for being brought into a fifth position at a fifth distance from the coating surface, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface, and / or the second blade may be further arranged for being brought into a sixth position at a sixth distance from the coating surface, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface, wherein the fifth position and / or the sixth position correspond to a removal position that is associated with a removal of the viscous substance from the coating surface and / or from the first surface, preferably associated with a removal of the viscous substance by scraping the respective first blade and / or the second blade over the coating surface and / or over the first surface. The first blade and the second blade may be elongated and extend in a direction substantially transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the movement direction parallel to the coating surface for applying the coating of the viscous substance to the coating surface. In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises: - an alignment detection arrangement arranged for detecting a direction of elongation of a blade edge of the first blade and / or a blade edge of the second blade relative to the coating surface and / or the first surface. The apparatus may further comprise: - an alignment determining unit arranged for determining that the direction of elongation of the blade edge of the first blade and / or the blade edge of the second blade differs from a direction of extension of the coating surface and / or the first surface; wherein the control unit is further arranged for controlling the first blade arrangement and / or the second blade arrangement for aligning the direction of elongation of the blade edge of the first blade and / or the blade edge of the second blade with the direction of extension of the coating surface and / or the first surface. In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises: - a coating measurement arrangement arranged for measuring a thickness and / or uniformity of the coating provided onto the coating surface and / or the first surface. In yet another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises: - a heating device arranged for heating the coating surface, the first surface and / or the viscous substance receiving space to a predetermined temperature range for, at least temporarily, reducing the viscosity of the viscous substance. The system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure comprises an apparatus according to the first aspect of the present disclosure and further comprises: - a substrate handler arranged for holding the substrate and positioning the first surface of the substrate into the coating position and a printing position, wherein, in the printing position, the first surface of the substrate is at a predetermined position relative to the product for printing the viscous substance, by means of Laser Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT), on the product; - a product support for positioning the product in relation to the first surface of the substrate into the printing position of the substrate; - a printing device comprising a first emitter unit arranged for transmitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation for printing, in the printing position of the substrate, a selective layer-part of the viscous substance, by means of Laser Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT), on the product; - a scanning device arranged for scanning the beam of electromagnetic radiation across the first surface of the substrate for printing the selective layer-part of the viscous substance, by means of Laser Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT), on the product. Embodiments of the apparatus according to the first aspect of the present disclosure as presented herein are also applicable to the system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, and vice versa. Effects of the apparatus according to the first aspect of the present disclosure as presented herein correspond to or are similar to effects of the system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure. The third aspect of the present disclosure is a method of providing a coating of a viscous substance to a first surface of a substrate comprises the steps of: - receiving, by a substrate support provided with a coating surface, the substrate in a receiving space of the substrate support for providing the first surface in a coating position related to the coating surface for providing the viscous substance to the first surface; - bringing, by a first blade arrangement, a first blade thereof, into a first position at a first distance from the coating surface, in a direction perpendicular to the coating surface or in a second position at a second distance from the coating surface, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface; - bringing, by a second blade arrangement, a second blade thereof, into a third position at a third distance from the coating surface, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface or in a fourth position at a fourth distance in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface, wherein the first blade is spaced apart from the second blade at a first predetermined distance in a direction parallel to a coating direction, wherein the coating direction is a direction parallel to the coating surface for applying the coating of the viscous substance to the coating surface; - providing, from a viscous substance receiving space, viscous substance to the first surface, preferably wherein the viscous substance receiving space is at least partly provided between the first blade and the second blade, more preferably wherein the viscous substance receiving space is at least partly delimited by the first blade and the second blade; - moving, by a carrier arrangement, the first blade, the second blade and / or the viscous substance receiving space simultaneously in the coating direction. In an embodiment of the method, during the step of bringing, by the first blade arrangement, the first blade thereof, into the first position at the first distance from the coating surface, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface or in the second position at the second distance from the coating surface, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface, the first blade is brought in the first position; wherein, during the step of bringing, by the second blade arrangement, the second blade thereof, into the third position at the third distance from the coating surface, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface or in the fourth position at the fourth distance from the coating surface, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface, the second blade is brought in the fourth position; wherein, during the step of moving, by the carrier arrangement, the first blade, the second blade and / or the viscous substance receiving space simultaneously in the coating direction, the carrier arrangement is moved in the coating direction parallel to the coating surface and / or the first surface for providing the viscous substance to the first surface, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: - bringing, by the first blade arrangement, the first blade thereof, into the second position at the second distance from the coating surface, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface; - bringing, by the second blade arrangement, the second blade thereof, into the third position at the third distance from the coating surface, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface; - moving, by the carrier arrangement, the first blade, the second blade and / or the viscous substance receiving space simultaneously in a further direction, wherein the further direction is opposite to the coating direction. Preferably, the coating of the viscous substance applied to the first surface has a thickness in the range of 100 600 micrometre. Preferably, the viscous substance is a solder paste selected from type 3, type 4, type 5, type 6, type 7, type 8, type 9, type 10 or a combination of two or more thereof. In an embodiment of the method, the viscous substance is heated to a temperature in the range of 25 °C to 70 °C, preferably in the range of 30 °C to 50 °C, more preferably in the range of 30 °C to 40 °C. In order to temporarily lower the viscosity of the viscous substance in order to create a higher quality layer, the material is heated, e.g., by a heating the coater or heating the substrate. Further, this heating of the viscous substance is advantageous for the printing on the product as a high-quality layer of viscous substance on the substrate allows for better printing results of the viscous substance on the product. The viscous substance may comprise solder paste or conductive glue, preferably consists of a solder paste or a conductive glue, and wherein, during the heating of the viscous substance, the viscosity of the viscous substance is in the range of 0.5 to 200 Pa-s (500 to 200.000 cP). In this regard, the viscosity of the viscous substance, such as solder paste, may be determined according to the IPC-TM-650-2.4.34.1 Test Methods Manual and IPC- TM-650-2.4.34.3 Test Methods Manual depending on the viscosity of the solder paste. In an embodiment of the method, the first position of the first blade and the third position of the second blade correspond to the coating position that is associated with a thickness of the coating that is to be provided. In another embodiment, the second position of the first blade and the fourth position of the second blade correspond to a position that is associated with a maximum gap between the corresponding blade and the coating surface and / or the first surface for maintaining the viscous substance provided in the viscous substance receiving space between the first blade and the second blade. The method may further comprise at least one of the steps of: - bringing, by the first blade arrangement, the first blade thereof, into a fifth position at a fifth distance from the coating surface, in a direction perpendicular to the coating surface, wherein the fifth distance corresponds to a removal position that is associated with a removal of the viscous substance from the coating surface and / or from the first surface, preferably associated with a removal of the viscous substance by scraping the first blade over the coating surface and / or over the first surface; - bringing, by the second blade arrangement, the second blade thereof, into a sixth position at a sixth distance from the coating surface, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface, wherein the sixth distance corresponds to a removal position that is associated with a removal of the viscous substance from the coating surface and / or from the first surface, preferably associated with a removal of the viscous substance by scraping the second blade over the coating surface and / or over the first surface. Embodiments of the apparatus according to the first aspect of the present disclosure as presented herein are also applicable to the method according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, and vice versa. Effects of the apparatus according to the first aspect of the present disclosure as presented herein correspond to or are similar to effects of the method according to the third aspect of the present disclosure. In the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the substrate, wherein a first surface of the substrate is provided with a coating of a viscous substance by means of a method according to the third aspect of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the apparatus according to the first aspect of the present disclosure as presented herein are also applicable to the substrate according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, and vice versa. Effects of the apparatus according to the first aspect of the present disclosure as presented herein correspond to or are similar to effects of the substrate according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is hereinafter explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and in which like reference numbers indicate the same or similar elements. The present disclosure is by no means limited to the embodiments described therein. Fig. 1 schematically shows an isometric view of an apparatus according to the present disclosure; Fig. 2 schematically shows a side view of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 schematically shows a top view of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 schematically shows in steps (a)-(i) the providing a viscous substance on a substrate with the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 5A-C schematically show respectively a top view and isometric side views of a system according to the present disclosure; Fig. 6 schematically shows printing of the viscous substance on a product using a substrate according to the present disclosure; Fig. 7 schematically shows a method according to the present disclosure. An example of the apparatus 1 according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is shown in Fig. 1. The apparatus 1 is for providing a coating 2 of a viscous substance 3 to a first surface 5 of a substrate 7 and comprises a substrate support 9 provided with a coating surface 11 and arranged for receiving the substrate 7 in a receiving space 13 of the substrate support 9 for providing the first surface 5 in a coating position 15 related to the coating surface 11 for providing the viscous substance 3 to the first surface 5. The apparatus 1 further comprises a first blade arrangement 17, comprising a first blade 19, arranged for being brought into a first position at a first distance from the coating surface 11, in a direction perpendicular to the coating surface 11, and a second position at a second distance from the coating surface 11, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface 11. Also, the apparatus 1 comprises a second blade arrangement 21, comprising a second blade 23, arranged for being brought in a third position at a third distance from the coating surface 11, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface 11, and a fourth position at a fourth distance in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface 11, wherein the first blade 19 is spaced apart from the second blade 23 at a first predetermined distance in a direction parallel to a coating direction, wherein the coating direction is a direction parallel to the coating surface 11 for applying the coating 2 of the viscous substance 3 to the coating surface 11. The apparatus 1 further comprises a viscous substance receiving space 25 for holding the viscous substance 3 that is to be provided to the first surface 5 of the substrate 7. As can be seen in Fig. 1, the viscous substance receiving space 25 is provided between the first blade 19 and the second blade 23. As shown in Fig. 1, the apparatus 1 also comprises a control unit 29, communicatively coupled to the first blade arrangement 17 and the second blade arrangement 21, arranged for controlling the position of the first blade 19 and the position of the second blade 23. Further, the control unit 29 is communicatively coupled to the carrier arrangement 27 and further arranged for controlling the movement of the carrier arrangement 27. The control unit 29 is also arranged for providing the first blade 19 in its first position and the second blade 23 in its fourth position during a movement in a first direction parallel to the coating surface 11 and arranged for providing the first blade 19 in its second position and the second blade 23 in its third position during a movement in a direction parallel to the coating surface 11 opposite to the first direction parallel to the coating surface 11. Fig. 2 shows a side view of the apparatus 1 of Fig. 1, wherein the side facing towards the point of view has been made transparent to be able to view inside the apparatus 1. As can be seen, the viscous substance receiving space 25 is delimited by the first blade 19 and the second blade 23 and the viscous substance receiving space 25, at the lower side thereof, in a first position of the carrier arrangement is delimited by the coating surface 11. The coating surface 11 comprises a first section and a second section that are extending at opposite sides of the viscous substance receiving space 25 in the coating direction of the carrier arrangement 27. In Fig. 2, the first and second sections are the outer left and outer right parts of the coating surface. As can be seen in Figs. 1 to 3, the apparatus 1 further comprises a carrier arrangement 27 arranged for moving the first blade 19, the second blade 23 and / or the viscous substance receiving space 25 simultaneously in a coating direction. The coating direction is a direction parallel to the coating surface 11 for applying the coating 2 of the viscous substance 3 to the coating surface 11. This coating direction is also shown in Fig. 4, which shows a side view of the apparatus 1 during various stages of the coating. The first blade 19 and the second blade 23 are elongated and extend in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction parallel to the coating surface 11 for applying the coating 2 of the viscous substance 3 to the coating surface 11 (Figs. 1 and 3). The apparatus 1 further comprises an alignment detection arrangement 31 arranged for detecting a direction of elongation of a blade edge of the first blade 19 and a blade edge of the second blade 23 relative to the coating surface 11 and the first surface 5. Additionally, the apparatus 1 comprises a coating measurement arrangement 35 and a heating device 37. The coating measurement arrangement is arranged for measuring a thickness and uniformity of the coating 2 provided onto the coating surface 11 and the first surface 5. The heating device 37 is arranged for heating one or more of the coating surface 11, the first surface 5, and the viscous substance receiving space 25 to a predetermined temperature range for (temporarily) reducing the viscosity of the viscous substance 3. An alignment determining unit 33 is also comprised in the apparatus 1. The alignment determining unit 33 is arranged for determining that the direction of elongation of the blade edge of the first blade 19 and the blade edge of the second blade 23 differ from a direction of extension of the coating surface 11 and the first surface 5. The control unit 29 is further arranged for controlling the first blade arrangement 17 and the second blade arrangement 21 for aligning the direction of elongation of the blade edge of the first blade 19 and the blade edge of the second blade with the direction of extension of the coating surface 11 and the first surface 5. Fig. 4 shows in multiple steps (a) to (i) the coating of the first surface 5 of the substrate 7 by the apparatus 1, viewed from aside. An amount of viscous substance 3, being a solder paste (a conducting glue can also be used), is present in the viscous substance receiving space 25, which is delimited by the first blade 19 and the second blade 23 and at a lower side of the viscous substance receiving space 25, also by the coating surface 11. In Fig. 4, the first position of the first blade 19 and the third position of the second blade 23 correspond to the coating position 15 that is associated with a thickness of the coating 2 that is to be provided onto the first surface 5. The second distance from the coating surface of the first blade 19 is larger than the first distance from the coating surface 11 of the first blade 19. The fourth distance from the coating surface 11 of the second blade 23 is larger than the third distance from the coating surface 11 of the second blade 23. Further, the second distance from the coating surface 11 of the first blade is smaller than a predetermined distance from the coating surface 11 of the first blade 19 is smaller than a predetermined distance for maintaining the delimitation of the viscous substance receiving space 25, by the first blade 19. The fourth distance from the coating surface 11 of the second blade 23 is smaller than a predetermined distance for maintaining the delimitation of the viscous substance receiving space 25, by the second blade 23. As becomes clear from Fig. 4, the first blade 19 is further arranged for being brought into a fifth position at a fifth distance from the coating surface, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface 11. Even though not shown, the second blade 23 is further arranged for being brought into a sixth position at a sixth distance from the coating surface 11, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface 11. The fifth position and the sixth position correspond to a removal position that is associated with a removal of the viscous substance 3 from the coating surface 11 and from the first surface 5 by scraping the respective first blade 19 and second blade 23 over the coating surface 11 and over the first surface 5. Hence, in (a), in the first section, the first blade 19 is in the first position at the first distance and the second blade 23 is in the third position at the third distance. The substrate 7, with the first surface 5 facing upwards and containing some residual viscous substance, is moved to the coating position 15 into the receiving space 13 of the substrate support 9 (indicated by the black arrow). In (b), the carrier arrangement 27 moves the first blade 19, the second blade 23 and the viscous substance receiving space 25 simultaneously in the coating direction (indicated by the black arrow). In (c), while the carrier arrangement 27 moves in the coating direction, the first blade 19 is moved to the fifth position at the fifth distance such that it can scrape off viscous substance 3 from the coating surface 11 and the first surface 5 of the substrate 7, and the second blade 23 remains in the third position at the third distance. The residual viscous substance 3 is collected and added to the viscous substance 3 present in the viscous substance receiving space 25. In (d), as the carrier arrangement enters the second section and all residual viscous substance 3 is collected, the first blade 19 is moved to its first position at the first distance. In (e), the first blade 19 is moved to the second position at the second distance and the second blade 23 is moved to the fourth position at the fourth distance (indicated by the black arrows). In (f), the carrier arrangement 27 moves back from the second section to the first section in the coating direction (indicated by the black arrow). In (g), the first blade 19 remains in the second position at the second distance. The second blade 23 is still in the fourth position at the fourth distance and applies a coating 2 of the viscous substance 3 on the first surface 5 of the substrate 7. In (h), the carrier arrangement 27 has reached the first section and the first blade 19 is moved to the first position at the first distance and the second blade 23 is moved to the third position at the third distance (indicated by the black arrows). In (i), the first surface 5 of the substrate 7, provided with a coating 2 of the viscous substance 3, is removed from the receiving space 13 of the coating surface 11. The substrate 7 can then be used for printing the viscous substance 3 on a product 103. Fig. 5A shows a top view of a system 101 for printing the viscous substance 3, by means of Laser Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT), on the product 103. The system 101 comprises the apparatus 1 according to the first aspect of the present disclosure and further comprises a substrate handler 105 arranged for holding the substrate 7 and positioning the first surface 5 of the substrate 7 into the coating position 15 and a printing position 107. In the printing position 107, the first surface 5 of the substrate is at a predetermined position relative to the product 103 for printing the viscous substance 3, by means of LIFT, on the product 103. The system 101 further comprises a product support 109 for positioning the product 103 in relation to the first surface 5 of the substrate 7 into the printing position 107 of the substrate 7; a printing device 111 comprising a first emitter unit 113 (not visible in Fig. 5A) arranged for transmitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation 115 for printing, in the printing position 107 of the substrate 7, a selective layer-part 117 of the viscous substrate 3, by means of LIFT, on the product 103; and a scanning device 119 arranged for scanning the beam of electromagnetic radiation 115 across the first surface 5 of the substrate 7 for printing the selective layer-part 117 of the viscous substance 3, by means of LIFT, on the product 103. An operator 121 is standing in front of the system 101 in a working area 123 for operating the system 101. Fig. 5B and 50 show isometric side views of the system 101. In Fig. 5B, the first emitter unit 113 comprised in the printing device 111 is clearly visible. In Fig. 5C, a control unit 125 is shown. This control unit 125 is different than the control unit 29 of the apparatus 1, but it may also be the same. Fig. 6 (a)-(d) shows a schematic of the printing of the viscous substance 3 on the product 103. In Fig. 6 (a), the product 103 and the substrate 7 that is transparent for the electromagnetic radiation 115 emitted by the first emitter unit 113 of the printing device 111 (in this case a glass substrate), having the first surface 11 on which a coating (or layer) 2 of the viscous substance 3 has been applied, are positioned above each other in the printing position 107. The distance between the surface 127 of the coating 2 of viscous substance 3 facing away from the first surface 5 of the substrate 7 and the first surface of the product 103 onto which the viscous substance 3 is to be printed is at a predetermined distance in the range of 30 micrometres to 400 micrometres. The accuracy of the distance between the surface of the coating 2 and the first surface of the product 103 is in the range of -5 micrometres and 5 micrometres. The beam of electromagnetic radiation 115 is transmitted by printing device 111 (not shown) on the substrate 7. The system 101 according to the second aspect of the present disclosure is arranged for providing the beam of electromagnetic radiation 115 to the first surface 5 of the substrate 7 via a second surface 129 of the substrate 7. The beam of electromagnetic radiation 115 locally heats the first surface 5 of the substrate 7 and a selective layer-part 117 of the coating 2 of viscous substance 3 causing vaporization within the coating 2 of the viscous substance 3 such that a gas bubble 131 is formed. As becomes clear from Fig. 6 (a), the substrate 7 is transparent for the electromagnetic radiation 115 emitted during the emitting. In Fig. 6 (b), the bubble 131 pushes the selective layer-part 117 of the layer 2 of the viscous substance 3 away from the substrate 7. Viscous substance 3 that is pushed away by the bubble 131 is deposited on the predetermined position on the surface of the product 103. Subsequently in Fig. 6 (c), the substrate 7 is moved upwards (indicated by the black arrows) thereby creating a rupture position (indicated by the dashed circle) such that the selective layer-part 117 of the layer 2 of the viscous substance 3 on the product 103 is being separated from the layer 2 of viscous substance 3 on the substrate 7. As shown in Fig. 6 (d), the selective layer-part 117 of viscous substance 3 is deposited on the predetermined position on the product 103. Hence, the viscous substance 3 is printed on the product 103. The first surface 5 of the substrate 7 is provided with a coating 2 of a viscous substance 3 by means of a method 201 according to the third aspect of the present disclosure. The method 201 according to the third aspect of the present disclosure is shown in Fig. 7. The method 201 of providing the coating 2 of the viscous substance 3 to the first surface 5 of the substrate 7 comprises the steps of: receiving 203, by the substrate support 9 provided with the coating surface 11, the substrate in the receiving space of the substrate support 9 for providing the first surface 5 in the coating position 15 related to the coating surface 11 for providing the viscous substance 3 to the first surface 5; bringing 205, by the first blade arrangement 17, the first blade 19 thereof, into the first position at the first distance from the coating surface 11, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface 11 on in the second position at the second distance from the coating surface 11, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface 11; bringing 207, by the second blade arrangement 21, the second blade 23 thereof, into the third position at the third distance from the coating surface 11, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface 11 or in the fourth position at the fourth distance in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface 11, wherein the first blade 19 is spaced apart from the second blade 23 at the first predetermined distance in the direction parallel to the coating direction; providing 209, from the viscous substance receiving space 25, the viscous substance 3 to the first surface 5, wherein the viscous substance receiving space 25 is delimited by the first blade 19 and the second blade 23; moving 211, by the carrier arrangement 27, one or more of the first blade 19, the second blade 23 and the viscous substance receiving space 25 simultaneously in a first movement direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first blade 19, to the coating surface 11. During the step of bringing 205, the first blade 19 is brought in the first position, and during the step of bringing 207, the second blade 23 is brought in the fourth position, and during the step of moving 211, the carrier arrangement 27 is moved in the first direction parallel to the coating surface 11 and the first surface 5 for providing the viscous substance 3 to the first surface 5, the method 201 further comprises the steps of: bringing 213, by the first blade arrangement 17, the first blade 19 thereof, into the second position at the second distance from the coating surface 11, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface 11; bringing 215, by the second blade arrangement 21, the second blade 23 thereof, into the third position at the third distance from the coating surface 11, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface 11; moving 217, by the carrier arrangement 27, the first blade 19, the second blade 23 and / or the viscous substance receiving space 25 simultaneously in a further direction, wherein the further direction is opposite to the coating direction. In the method 201, the coating 2 of the viscous substance 3 applied to the first surface 5 has a thickness in the range of 100 600 micrometre. Further, the viscous substance 3 is a solder paste of type 3, but a solder paste of type 4, type 5, type 6, type 7, type 8, type 9, type 10 or a combination of two or more thereof is also possible. In the method 201, the first position of the first blade 19 and the third position of the second blade 23 correspond to the coating position 15 that is associated with a thickness of the coating 2 that is to be provided. The second position of the first blade 19 and the fourth position of the second blade 23 correspond to a position that is associated with a maximum gap between the corresponding blade 19,23 and the coating surface 11 and the first surface 5 for maintaining the viscous substance 3 provided in the viscous substance receiving space 25 between the first blade 19 and the second blade 23. The method 201 further comprises the steps of: bringing 219, by the first blade arrangement 17, the first blade 19 thereof, into the fifth position at the fifth distance from the coating surface 11, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface 11, wherein the fifth distance corresponds to the removal position that is associated with the removal of the viscous substance 3 from the coating surface 11 and from the first surface 5, associated with the removal of the viscous substance 5 by scraping the first blade 19 over the coating surface 11 and over the first surface 5; and bringing 221, by the second blade arrangement 21, the second blade 23 thereof, into the sixth position at the sixth distance from the coating surface 11, in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface 11, wherein the sixth distance corresponds to the removal position that is associated with the removal of the viscous substance 3 from the coating surface 11 and from the first surface 5, associated with the removal of the viscous substance 3 by scraping the second blade 23 over the coating surface 11 and over the first surface 5. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the present disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single unit or component may fulfil the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope thereof. The foregoing description provides embodiments of the present disclosure by way of example only. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims. One or more of the objects of the present disclosure are achieved by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device (1) for applying a coating (2) of a viscous substance (3), preferably solder paste or a conductive adhesive, on a first surface (5) of a substrate (7), where the setup (1) includes: - a substrate support (9) provided with a coating surface (11) and designed for receiving the substrate (7) in a receiving room (13) of the substrate support (9) for providing the first surface (5) in a coat position (15) with with regard to the coating surface (11) for providing the viscous substance (3) on the first surface (5); - a first leaf arrangement (17), comprising a first leaf (19), arranged to to be brought into a first position at a first distance from the coating surface (11), in a direction perpendicular to the coating surface (11), and a second position on a second distance from the coating surface (11), in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface (11); - a second leaf arrangement (21), comprising a second leaf (23), arranged to to be brought into a third position at a third distance from the coating surface (11), in a direction perpendicular to the coating surface (11), and a fourth position on a fourth distance from the coating surface (11), in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface (11), where the first sheet (19) at a predetermined distance from the second sheet (23) is placed in a direction parallel to a coating direction, where the coating direction is a direction parallel to the coating surface (11) for the applying the coating (2) of the viscous substance (3) to the coating surface (11).

2. The arrangement (1) according to claim 1, whereby the arrangement (1) further comprises: - a viscous substance reception area (25) for holding the viscous substance (3) that must be attached to the first surface (5) of the substrate (7). be provided.

3. The layout (1) according to claim 2, where the reception area for viscous substance (25) is at least partially provided between the first sheet (19) and the second sheet (23), preferably with the receiving area for viscous substance (25) is at least partially delimited by the first sheet (19) and the second page (23).

4. The arrangement (1) in accordance with one of the preceding claims, whereby the equipment (1) further includes: - a carrier device (27) designed for the simultaneous movement of the first sheet (19), the second sheet (23) and / or the reception area for viscous substance (25) in the coating direction.

5. The layout (1) according to claim 4, where the reception area for viscous substance (25), on the lower side thereof, is at least partially delimited by the coating surface (11), preferably with the receiving area for viscous substance (25), on the lower side thereof, in a first position of the carrier device (27) is delimited by the coating surface (11).

6. The installation (1) according to claim 4 or 5, where the coating surface (11) a first section and comprises a second section that extend to opposite sides of the viscous substance reception area (25) in the coating direction of the carrier device (27).

7. The arrangement (1) in accordance with one of the preceding claims, whereby the equipment (1) further includes: - a control unit (29), connected to the first page layout (17) and the second leaf arrangement (21), arranged for regulating the position of the first leaf (19) and the position of the second leaf (23).

8. The design (1) in accordance with one of conclusions 4 to 6 and in accordance with conclusion 7, where the control unit (29) is further communicatively linked to the carrier device (27) and further is designed to regulate the movement of the carrier device(27).

9. The configuration (1) according to claim 7 or 8, whereby the control unit (29) further is designed to provide the first sheet (19) in its first position and the second blade (23) in its fourth position during a movement in a first direction parallel to the coating surface (11) and designed to provide the first leaf (19) in its second position and the second leaf (23) in its third position during a movement in a direction parallel to the coating surface (11) opposite to the first direction parallel to the coating surface (11).

10. The arrangement (1) in accordance with one of the preceding claims, where the first position of the first leaf (19) and the third position of the second leaf (23) correspond to the coat position (15) which is related to a thickness of the coating (2) which must be applied to the first surface (5).

11. The arrangement (1) in accordance with one of the preceding claims, where the second distance from the coating surface (11) of the first sheet (19) is greater than the first distance from the coating surface (11) of the first sheet (19) and / or where the fourth distance from the coating surface (11) of the second sheet (23) is greater than the third distance from the coating surface (11) of the second sheet (23).

12. The arrangement (1) in accordance with one of claims 3 to 11, whereby the second distance of the coating surface (11) from the first sheet (19) is less than a predetermined distance for maintaining the demarcation of the receiving area of ​​viscous substance (25), through the first sheet (19) and / or where the fourth distance from the coating surface (11) of the second sheet (23) is less than a predetermined distance for maintaining the demarcation of the receiving area of ​​viscous substance (25), through the second sheet (23).

13. The arrangement (1) in accordance with one of the preceding claims, where the first sheet (19) further is arranged to be placed in a fifth position on a fifth distance from the coating surface (11), in the direction parallel to the coating surface (11), and / or where the second sheet (23) is further arranged to be brought into a sixth position at a sixth distance from the coating surface (11), in the direction parallel to the coating surface (11), where the fifth position and / or the sixth position correspond to a deletion position associated with a deletion of the viscous substance (3) of the coating surface (11) and / or of the first surface (5), preferably in conjunction with immediate removal of the viscous substance (3) by respectively the first sheet (19) and / or the second sheet (23) over the to scrape the coating surface (11) and / or over the first surface (5).

14. The arrangement (1) in accordance with one of claims 4 to 13, whereby the the first leaf (19) and the second leaf (23) are elongated and extend in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to, preferably perpendicular to, the direction of movement parallel to the coating surface (11) for applying the coating (2) of the viscous substance (3) on the coating surface (11).

15. The arrangement (1) in accordance with one of the preceding claims, whereby the equipment (1) further includes: - an alignment detection device (31) designed to detect an alignment direction of extension direction of a leaf margin of the first leaf (19) and / or a edge of the second blade (23) relative to the coating surface (11) and / or the first surface (5).

16. The arrangement (1) according to claim 7 and claim 15, where the arrangement further includes: - an alignment determination unit (33) equipped to determine that the extension direction of the leaf margin of the first leaf (19) and / or the leaf margin of the second sheet (23) differs from an extension direction of the coating surface (11) and / or the first surface (5).

17. The arrangement (1) in accordance with one of the preceding claims, whereby the equipment (1) further includes: - a coating measuring device (35) equipped for measuring a thickness and / or uniformity of the coating (2) provided on the coating surface (11) and / or the first surface (5).

18. The arrangement (1) in accordance with one of the preceding claims, whereby the equipment (1) further includes: - a heating device (37) designed for heating the coating surface (11), the first surface (5) and / or the receiving area for viscous substance (25) to a predetermined temperature range in order to, at least temporarily, the to reduce the viscosity of the viscous substance (3).

19. A system (101) for printing a viscous substance (3), at preferably solder paste or a conductive adhesive, by means of Laser Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT), onto a product (103), where the system (101) is a device (1) according to one of the preceding conclusions comprises and further comprises: - a substrate guide (103) designed to hold the substrate (7) and positioning the first surface (5) of the substrate (7) in a coat position (15) and a print position (107), where, in the print position (107), the first surface (5) of the substrate (7) is at a predetermined position relative to the product (103) for printing the viscous substance (3), by means of Laser Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT) on the product (103); - a product support (109) for positioning the product (103) relative to the first surface (5) of the substrate (7) in the print position (107) of the substrate (7); - a printing facility (111) comprising a first transmission unit (113) set up for emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation (115) for printing of, in the print position (107) of the substrate (7), a selective layer (117) of the viscous substance (3), by means of Laser Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT), on the product (103); - a scanning device (119) equipped for scanning the bundle electromagnetic radiation 9115) over the first surface (5) of the substrate (7) for printing the selective layer (117) of the viscous substance (3), by by means of Laser Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT), on the product (103).

20. A method (201) for coating (2) a viscous substance (3) on a first surface (5) of a substrate (7), where the method (201) includes the steps of: - the receiving (203), provided by a substrate support (9) with a coating surface (11), of the substrate (7) in a receiving room (13) of the substrate support (9) for providing the first surface 95) in a coat position (15) in relation to the coating surface (11) for providing the viscous substance (3) on the first surface (5); - the bringing (205), by means of a first leaf arrangement (17), of a first leaf (19) of that, in a first position at a first distance from the coating surface (11), in a direction perpendicular to the coating surface (11) or in a second position on a second distance from the coating surface (11), in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface (11); - the bringing (207), by means of a second leaf device (21), of a second leaf (23) of which, in a third position at a third distance from the coating surface (11), in a direction perpendicular to the coating surface (11) or in a fourth position on a fourth distance from the coating surface (11), in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface (11), where the first sheet (19) at a predetermined distance from the second sheet (23) is placed in a direction parallel to a coating direction, where the coating direction is a direction parallel to the coating surface (11) for the applying the coating (2) of the viscous substance (3) to the coating surface (11); - the provision (209), of a reception area for viscous substance (25), of viscous substance (3) at the first surface (5), preferably where the reception area for viscous substance (25) is at least partially provided between the first leaf (19) and the second leaf (23), preferably where the reception area for viscous substance (25) is at least partially delimited through the first leaf (19) and the second leaf (23); - the simultaneous movement (211), by a support device (27), of the first sheet (19), the second sheet (23) and / or the reception area for viscous substance (25) in the coating direction.

21. The method (201) according to conclusion 20, where, during the step of bringing (205), by the first blade arrangement (17), of the first leaf (19) thereof, in the first position at the first distance of the coating surface (11), in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface (11) or in the second position at the second distance from the coating surface (11), in the direction |perpendicular to the coating surface (11), the first sheet (19) is in the first position brought; where, during the step of bringing (207), by the second leaf arrangement (21), of the second leaf (23) thereof, in the third position on the third distance from the coating surface (11), in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface (11) or in the fourth position at the fourth distance from the coating surface (11), in the direction |perpendicular to the coating surface (11), the second sheet (23) is in the fourth position brought; where, during the step of simultaneous movement (211), by the carrier device (27), of the first leaf (19), the second leaf (23) and / or the reception area for viscous substance (25) in the coating direction, the carrier device (27) is moved in the first direction parallel to the coating surface (11) and / or the first surface (5) for applying the viscous substance (3) to the first surface (5), where the method (201) further includes the steps of: - bringing (213), by the first leaf arrangement (17), the first leaf (19) of that, in the second position at the second distance from the coating surface (11), in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface (11); - bringing (215), by the second leaf device (21), the second leaf (23) of that, in the third position at the third distance from the coating surface (11), in the direction perpendicular to the coating surface (11); - the simultaneous movement (217), by a support device (27), of the first sheet (19), the second sheet (23) and / or the reception area for viscous substance (25) in a further direction, where the further direction is opposite to the coating direction.

22. The method (201) according to claim 20 or 21, whereby the coating (2) of the viscous substance (3) applied to the first surface (5) has a thickness in the range of 100 to 600 micrometers.

23. The method (201) according to conclusion 20, 21 or 22, whereby the viscous substance (3) a solder paste is chosen from type 3, type 4, type 5, type 6, type 7, type 8, type 9, type 10 or a combination of two or more thereof.

24. The method (201) according to one of the conclusions 20 to 23, whereby the first position of the first leaf (19) and the third position of the second leaf (23) correspond to the coat position (15) which is related to a thickness of the coating (2) that must be provided.

25. The method (201) according to one of the conclusions 20 to 24, whereby the second position of the first sheet (19) and the fourth position of the second sheet (23) correspond immediately position related immediately maximum gap between the corresponding sheet (19,23) and the coating surface (11) and / or the first surface (5) provide for the retention area (3) for the viscous substance for viscous substance (25) between the first leaf (19) and the second leaf (23).

26. The method (201) according to one of the conclusions 20 to 25, whereby the method (201) furthermore includes at least one of the steps of: - bringing (219), by the first leaf arrangement (17), the first leaf (19) of that, in a fifth position at a fifth distance from the coating surface (11), in a direction perpendicular to the coating surface (11), where the fifth distance corresponds with a removal position associated with a removal of the viscous substance (3) of the coating surface (11) and / or of the first surface (5), at preference is associated with a removal of the viscous substance (5) by the first sheet (19) over the coating surface (11) and / or over the first surface (5) to scrape; - bringing (221), by the second leaf device (21), the second leaf (23) of that, in a sixth position at a sixth distance from the coating surface (11), in a direction perpendicular to the coating surface (11), where the sixth distance corresponds with a removal position associated with a removal of the viscous substance (3) of the coating surface (11) and / or of the first surface (5), at preference is associated with a removal of the viscous substance (5) by the second sheet (23) over the coating surface (11) and / or over the first surface (5) to scrape.

27. A substrate (7), where a first surface (5) of the substrate (7) is provided with a coating (2) of a viscous substance (3) by means of a method (201) according to one of conclusions 20 to 26. 5

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