Apparatus for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular a 3D screen-printing system, the apparatus comprising a printing screen and a doctor blade device for flooding the printing screen with a printing compound and / or for pressing printing compound through the printing screen, wherein the doctor blade device has at least one doctor blade tool, an adjustment device for adjusting the inclination of the doctor blade tool, and a doctor blade mount which allows the inclination of the doctor blade tool to be adjusted about an inclination axis by means of the adjustment device, wherein the doctor blade mount has at least one spring bearing.

Description

[0001] Device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for producing screen-printed workpieces, in particular three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a squeegee device, in particular for such a device. Likewise, the present invention relates to a method for producing screen-printed workpieces, in particular three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces.

[0003] A device for moving a doctor blade is known from German utility model DE 20 2019 101 066 U1. The device has a doctor blade carrier on which the doctor blade is mounted. Furthermore, the doctor blade is connected to the doctor blade offset plate via a pivot axis arranged between the doctor blade carrier and a doctor blade offset plate of the device. If a force acts on the doctor blade, it travels from the doctor blade via the pivot axis to the doctor blade offset plate. Furthermore, the pivot axis is arranged such that it is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and substantially parallel to a direction of movement of the doctor blade during a squeegeeing process.

[0004] A force measuring cell can also be arranged between the squeegee and the squeegee offset plate or on the pivot axis. This measures a tensile and compressive force and thus the contact force of the squeegee on a screen printing mesh. This allows the force acting on the squeegee and thus also on the pivot axis to be recorded. However, the information obtained in this way is only of limited significance. Despite such a force measurement, unsatisfactory printing results or even damage to the printing screen and / or the respective screen-printed workpieces and / or the respective squeegee can occur during printing processes or squeegee movements. Inadvertent squeegee movements or repeated unfavorable contact of the squeegee with the printing screen can also lead to significant wear of the respective device components, particularly the printing screen.Despite the pivot axis between the squeegee carrier and the squeegee offset plate, this can result in an unfavourable alignment of the squeegee or an unfavourable contact of the printing screen by the squeegee.

[0005] Against the background outlined above, the object of the present invention was to provide a device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces that ensures increased operational reliability and, at the same time, improved monitoring and adjustability of printing and / or squeegee processes. Likewise, the object was to provide a squeegee device and a method for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces.

[0006] With respect to the device, this object has been achieved by the subject matter of claim 1. This object has also been achieved by the subject matter of claims 107, 108, and 109. A doctor blade device according to the invention is the subject matter of claims 110 and 111. A method according to the invention is the subject matter of claims 112 and 113. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims and are explained below.

[0007] According to the invention, a device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces is provided. Such a device can be, for example, a 3D screen printing system, preferably an automated 3D screen printing system.

[0008] The device according to the invention is equipped with a printing screen and a doctor blade device for flooding the printing screen with a printing compound and / or for forcing printing compound through the printing screen. The doctor blade device comprises at least one doctor blade tool, an adjustment device for adjusting the inclination of the doctor blade tool, and a doctor blade bearing. The doctor blade bearing allows the inclination of the doctor blade tool to be adjusted around an inclination axis by means of the adjustment device and comprises at least one spring bearing.

[0009] The adjustment device allows for targeted adjustment of the inclination of the squeegee tool. When adjusting the inclination of the squeegee tool, the force distribution with which the squeegee tool acts on the printing screen or the printing table, for example, along its contact line or along its longitudinal extension, can be adjusted at the same time. Thus, with the aid of an adjustment device according to the invention, a uniform or intentionally uneven or adjusted force distribution acting on the printing screen and / or the respective printing substrate can be achieved. A potentially unfavorable alignment of the squeegee tool can be prevented through targeted adjustment, and / or a potentially self-occurring and unfavorable alignment can be specifically corrected using an adjustment device.

[0010] Furthermore, the squeegee bearing can allow the squeegee tool to be adjusted around an inclination axis using the adjustment device. This makes it possible to adjust or set the squeegee tool independently of other assemblies and / or devices and / or relative to the assemblies and / or devices with minimal handling effort. This allows for an inclination adjustment to be performed in a particularly controlled and safe manner.

[0011] The spring bearing can ultimately ensure particularly advantageous support of the components that are movable relative to one another for adjustment. The spring bearing can, in particular, automatically maintain a set adjustment position, so that accidental or automatic adjustment of the inclination position after adjustment has been made can be reliably prevented. The spring bearing can, in particular, exert a spring force acting against the adjustment device. During manual and / or automated inclination adjustment, a permanent spring force can therefore advantageously be exerted against the adjustment device. After actuation of the adjustment device, the specified inclination adjustment can therefore be maintained automatically and with a high degree of reliability. The risk of undesired relative movement of the components arranged so as to be movable relative to one another by the adjustment device can therefore be reduced.This simplifies manual and / or automated adjustment, significantly improving operational reliability and precision for squeegee tool alignment.

[0012] Three-dimensional screen printing can be understood in a particularly preferred manner here as an additive manufacturing process in which a powder-based suspension is transferred with the aid of a squeegee through a fixed printing mask or printing screen onto a substrate, such as a printing table or a workpiece carrier or a previously applied layer of a screen-printed workpiece, and is dried. This procedure can be repeated several times until the desired component height or component shape is achieved. In particular, with three-dimensional screen printing, at least two or at least three printing layers can be created on top of one another. In a final process step, the component produced in this way can be sintered. This can produce a screen-printed workpiece.

[0013] Likewise, three-dimensional screen printing can particularly preferably be understood in this context as an additive manufacturing process in which a powder-based suspension is transferred to a substrate through a fixed printing mask or printing screen using a squeegee and dried, whereby the desired component height or shape is achieved with just a single print. In a final process step, a component produced in this way can be sintered, creating a screen-printed workpiece. If multiple printing processes are mentioned here, a single printing process may be sufficient and suitable.

[0014] In this context, a screen-printed workpiece can preferably be understood as a workpiece or a three-dimensional printed product that is to be or has been subjected to a sintering step. This particularly applies to workpieces made of a metal, a ceramic, a glass material, and / or a plastic material. Alloys of steel, nickel, copper, titanium, and / or ceramic alloys are particularly suitable for this purpose.

[0015] Printed products made of plastic materials can be excluded or included by the term "three-dimensional screen-printed workpiece." In particular, it is also possible to subject printed workpiece layers made of plastic material to a sintering step.

[0016] In this context, a screen-printed workpiece can also be understood as a workpiece or a three-dimensional printed product that has been produced without a sintering step or that can be completed or is completed without a sintering step. Thus, a final curing of printed layers can also take place without sintering steps. The curing of a screen-printed workpiece can advantageously also take place by UV curing and / or by a polymerization reaction and / or by drying, in particular by convection drying. Such curing can be carried out preferably, in particular, when a final curing of printed layers is to take place without sintering steps.

[0017] In this case, a screen-printed workpiece can additionally or alternatively be understood as a workpiece or a three-dimensional printed product that has been produced entirely by three-dimensional screen printing. In this case, a screen-printed workpiece can also be understood as a workpiece or a three-dimensional printed product that has been produced at least partially or in sections by three-dimensional screen printing. Thus, a screen-printed workpiece can be produced by applying at least one printing layer or a plurality of printing layers to a substrate provided otherwise, wherein the substrate forms part of the finished workpiece.

[0018] A screen-printed workpiece within the meaning of the present invention can also be a pharmaceutical product and / or a biological product. Such screen-printed workpieces can be made, among other things, from pharmaceutical powder materials and / or powder mixtures and / or granules and / or from biological materials. In particular, pharmaceutical products and / or biological products can be finished without sintering steps or can be sufficiently cured for the respective application.

[0019] Screen-printed workpieces made from pharmaceutical powder materials and / or powder mixtures and / or granules may contain medicinal substances, active ingredients, excipients, in particular fillers and / or binders and / or disintegrants and / or lubricants.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces can be designed and / or configured for production under cleanroom conditions. In particular, the device can be designed and / or configured for production under cleanroom conditions according to cleanroom classes A, B, C, and / or D according to EU GMP.

[0021] Further preferably, a device according to the invention for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces can be designed and / or configured for use in medical technology, in optics and / or laser technology, in aerospace technology, in semiconductor technology, in biotechnology and / or in medical and / or pharmacological research.

[0022] Likewise, the device according to the invention can be designed and / or configured for the production of three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces for use and / or application as medical and / or pharmaceutical products, implants and / or sterile products and / or medicaments and / or for use and / or application as tablets for administering active ingredients.

[0023] According to the present invention, a screen-printed workpiece can be a workpiece that is built up on a workpiece carrier by three-dimensional screen printing in one or more printing processes. The screen-printed workpiece is, in particular, a workpiece that can be removed from the respective workpiece carrier again after completion of the printing process and / or after completion of a sintering process following the printing process, in particular, can be removed non-destructively.

[0024] Between any printing processes for a screen-printed workpiece, the respective workpiece carrier can be detached from the printing table or printing table plate, or can be detached from it. The individual layers of a screen-printed workpiece—in the case of a multi-layer structure—can be dried in a position away from the printing table or printing table plate between two consecutive printing processes.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces can comprise a printing device comprising at least the printing screen and / or the squeegee device for the layer-by-layer production of at least one screen-printed workpiece in several screen-printing processes. Additionally or alternatively, the device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces can comprise a printing device comprising at least the printing screen and / or the squeegee device for the layer application to a workpiece in at least one screen-printing process. Thus, with the aid of the printing device, a screen-printed workpiece can be produced in a particularly reliable manner and with high productivity. Such a screen-printed workpiece can be, for example, a component from automotive engineering or personalized medication in the form of tablets.

[0026] The printing device can comprise at least one printing table for positioning a workpiece carrier and / or a workpiece below the

[0027] printing screen and / or below the doctor blade device. This advantageously ensures secure and stable positioning of the respective workpiece carrier and / or the respective workpiece, thus enabling a reliable and precise printing process.

[0028] Further preferably, the printing device can have at least one screen holder for receiving the printing screen, and / or the screen holder can be designed to adjust the height and / or orientation and / or inclination of the printing screen. This ensures secure positioning of the printing screen and also simple and reliable adjustment of the position of the printing screen.

[0029] Furthermore, the adjustment device can be designed to adjust the inclination of a longitudinal tool axis running along the longitudinal extent of the squeegee tool relative to the printing screen and / or relative to a printing table and / or relative to a horizontal plane. The adjustment device can thus adjust the inclination of the squeegee tool such that a longitudinal tool axis running along the longitudinal extent of the squeegee tool is inclined. Such an inclination can occur relative to the printing screen and / or relative to a printing table and / or relative to a horizontal plane, and any alignment can thus be carried out with little effort. Thus, the force distribution along the longitudinal tool axis of the squeegee tool between the squeegee tool and the printing screen or the respective printing substrate can be influenced in a particularly advantageous manner.This can improve the quality of the screen-printed workpieces to be produced or the accuracy of the layers to be produced.

[0030] Furthermore, the adjustment device can be designed to adjust the inclination of a squeegee lower edge relative to the printing screen and / or relative to a printing table and / or relative to a horizontal plane. As a result, the adjustment device is capable of aligning or inclining the squeegee lower edge along its longitudinal extent relative to the printing screen and / or relative to a printing table and / or relative to a horizontal plane, and this allows the resulting process parameters to be specifically influenced. In particular, a uniform or uneven force distribution between the squeegee lower edge and the printing screen and / or the respective printing substrates along the tool's longitudinal axis can be achieved. Consequently, the quality of the screen prints to be produced can be improved with further increased reliability.This also allows targeted adjustments or settings to be made to the squeegee device with regard to the wear and tear on the printing screen.

[0031] Furthermore, the adjustment device can be designed to adjust the inclination of the squeegee tool about an inclination axis. The inclination axis can extend along a squeegee movement direction and / or at an angle to a vertical plane passing through a squeegee lower edge. This design advantageously makes it possible to ensure a constant force between the squeegee tool and a printing screen or the respective printing substrate along the entire length of the squeegee tool or - depending on the desired process control - to generate unequal forces or constantly increasing or constantly decreasing forces along the length of the squeegee tool. Wear-related inaccuracies or deviations in the screen tension along the print layout can thus be specifically compensated. Furthermore, the adjustment device can be designed for the translational adjustment movement of the squeegee tool along a vertical direction.This makes it possible to precisely adjust the distance between the squeegee tool and the printing screen prior to contact and to influence the squeegee force generated or increased by the squeegee tool's lowering movement on the printing screen. This allows the squeegee force exerted by the squeegee tool on the printing screen or the printing substrate to be adjusted.

[0032] Furthermore, the adjustment device can be provided with at least one adjustment screw or several adjustment screws for adjusting the inclination. The at least one adjustment screw can be designed as a micrometer screw. Such a design allows for a fine and precise adjustment of the inclination of the squeegee tool. Furthermore, using such an adjustment screw or micrometer screw, an adjustment can be maintained particularly reliably and with minimal effort. Furthermore, the aforementioned design allows for a robust and cost-effective construction as well as high operational reliability.

[0033] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the doctor device can allow a translational adjustment movement of the doctor tool. Such a translational adjustment movement can also be performed by means of the adjustment device. This makes it possible to adjust or set the doctor tool in different movement dimensions independently of other assemblies and / or devices and / or relative to the assemblies and / or devices. Adjustment can thus be performed with particular precision and in a controlled and reliable manner.

[0034] According to a further preferred embodiment, the spring bearing can comprise at least one leaf spring bearing and / or be designed as a leaf spring. Such a leaf spring ensures a high degree of functional reliability, can be provided at low cost, and can be installed in a small installation space.

[0035] In addition, the squeegee bearing can have multiple spring bearings. In particular, the squeegee bearing can have multiple leaf spring bearings. The reliability of a spring-elastic support can thus be increased and, at the same time, uniform spring support can be ensured. The at least one spring bearing can also exert a spring force acting against the at least one adjusting screw. This design can ensure that, during manual and / or automated inclination adjustment, a permanent spring force is exerted against the respective adjusting screw and that the adjusting screw automatically maintains the inclination adjustment specified by the setting of the respective adjusting screw. The risk of undesired relative movement of the components arranged so as to be movable relative to one another by the adjusting screw can therefore be reduced. This simplifies manual and / or automated adjustment.

[0036] Furthermore, the doctor blade bearing can have at least one slotted guide, wherein the slotted guide can preferably be provided with some play. Thus, the relative movement of two components that are adjacent to the at least one spring bearing and / or that are movable relative to each other by the adjusting device or adjusting screw can be easily enabled.

[0037] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the squeegee device can have at least one fixing device for fixing an inclination position of the squeegee tool adjusted by the adjusting device and / or for fixing a translational adjustment position adjusted by the adjusting device. As a result, the inclination position of the squeegee tool, which can be preset or adjusted using the adjusting device, can be fixed in a simple and secure manner. A finely adjusted inclination adjustment position for the operation of the device can thus be fixed, so that a change in the spatial position of the squeegee tool or the squeegee device can be effectively prevented. The same applies to the translational adjustment position, in which the spatial position of the squeegee tool, preset via the adjusting device, can also be fixed or securely established using the fixing device.

[0038] Furthermore, the at least one fixing device can have at least one fixing screw or multiple fixing screws. This configuration makes it easy to achieve secure fixation while maintaining a simple and relatively cost-effective design.

[0039] In addition, the fixing screw can be guided in a slotted guide of the squeegee bearing, in particular with some play. A slotted guide enables a well-defined change in the relative position between the components arranged so as to be movable relative to one another. At the same time, guiding the respective fixing screw in a slotted guide can ensure secure fixing of the relative mobility. This means that after the inclination or spatial orientation of the squeegee tool relative to the printing screen or printing table has been adjusted, for example using the adjustment device, the fixing device or the fixing screw can fix this relative position securely and with little handling effort. The slotted guide allows for easy movement of the squeegee tool relative to a support structure of the squeegee device.The position taken can be fixed using the fixing screws so that the relative position between the squeegee tool and the printing screen or printing table is firmly set.

[0040] Furthermore, the squeegee device can have an adjustment holder and a support structure coupled to the adjustment holder. The relative position and / or relative alignment between the adjustment holder and the support structure can be changed via the adjustment device. Thus, the adjustment device can make it possible to adjust the relative position and / or the relative alignment between the adjustment holder and the support structure. Furthermore, the squeegee bearing can be formed between the adjustment holder and the support structure. Thus, the adjustment holder can be arranged on the support structure via the squeegee bearing or coupled to it. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one fixing device can be designed to fix the relative position and / or relative alignment between the adjustment holder and the support structure.Thus, a relative movement between the adjustment bracket and the support structure can be prevented, for example by means of the fixing device, in particular after an adjustment of the relative position has been made.

[0041] Furthermore, the adjustment device and / or the at least one adjustment screw can be arranged on the adjustment bracket and be in operative contact with the support structure and / or can be brought into operative contact with the support structure. Thus, the adjustment device or the adjustment screw can act on the support structure from the adjustment bracket and apply the adjusting forces required for adjustment.

[0042] Additionally or alternatively, the adjustment device and / or the at least one adjustment screw can be designed to generate a relative movement between the adjustment bracket and the support structure. Thus, it may be possible for the adjustment device or the at least one adjustment screw, in interaction between the adjustment bracket and the support structure, to specify a spatial position along which the support structure is aligned.

[0043] According to a further preferred embodiment, the at least one spring bearing, in particular the leaf spring bearing, can be clamped to the adjustment bracket and / or to the support structure. In this way, the at least one spring bearing, in particular the leaf spring bearing, can resiliently clamp the adjustment bracket and / or the support structure and thus hold them in position or hold the adjustment bracket and the support structure in position or in contact with one another relative to one another. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible for the at least one spring bearing, in particular the leaf spring bearing, to generate a preload of the support structure against the adjustment bracket and / or against the adjustment device arranged on the adjustment bracket.This pre-tensioning can promote the automatic and safe maintenance of a spatial alignment or position of the doctor tool, which can be arranged on the support structure, relative to the adjustment position, wherein the adjustment device in turn enables a fine adjustment of the spatial alignment or positioning of the doctor tool, in particular via the support structure.

[0044] With such a configuration, it is therefore possible for the at least one spring bearing to permanently exert a force on the support structure, pressing the support structure against the adjustment position or against the at least one adjustment screw. The adjustment device can thereby perform an inclination adjustment and / or a translational adjustment movement of the squeegee tool counter to the spring force applied by the spring bearing or in the direction of the spring force applied by the spring bearing.

[0045] According to a further preferred embodiment, the at least one spring bearing, in particular the leaf spring bearing, can be arranged within a recess in the support structure and / or arranged extending along the recess in the support structure. Additionally, the at least one spring bearing or the leaf spring bearing can be clamped to the support structure at one end of the recess.

[0046] Furthermore, the at least one spring bearing, in particular the at least one leaf spring bearing, can also be supported on a bearing pin that is connected to the adjustment bracket and / or protrudes relative to the adjustment bracket. In particular, the bearing pin can be connected to the adjustment bracket and protrude into the recess of the support structure, thus enabling the spring bearing or the leaf spring bearing to be supported on the bearing pin. Additionally or alternatively, the spring bearing can also comprise a coil spring and / or a gas spring and / or be designed as a coil spring and / or gas spring.

[0047] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the squeegee device can have a fastening system for fastening and / or clamping the squeegee tool. The fastening system can preferably be designed as a tensioning system and / or a clamping system and / or as a quick-change clamping system and / or a quick-change clamping system. The aforementioned systems serve to facilitate the uncomplicated, simple, and / or rapid changing of a squeegee tool, as well as to correctly and securely fix the squeegee tool for performing the respective printing or squeegeeing processes.

[0048] The fastening system can be operated without tools and / or by at least one or more toggle screws, in particular for clamping and / or releasing a squeegee tool. Thus, the fastening system serves for quick and easy changing of the squeegee tool, particularly with minimal handling effort.

[0049] Furthermore, the fastening system can be arranged on the support structure and / or can be formed at least partially by the support structure. In this way, functions can be combined and the design of the device can be simplified and made compact.

[0050] According to an even more preferred embodiment, it is possible for the doctor tool to have a doctor blade and / or for a doctor blade of the doctor tool to be made, at least in sections, from a plastic material and / or from a sheet metal material. By designing the doctor tool as a doctor blade and / or in combination with the construction from a plastic material and / or from a sheet metal material, a high level of operational reliability and a high degree of functionality can be ensured. Such doctor blades can, for example, be advantageously adjusted with regard to their elasticity and have a high level of media resistance. Furthermore, doctor blades can also be accommodated in limited installation spaces and enable a particularly precisely defined application of force to the respective printing screen.

[0051] According to a further preferred embodiment, it can also be provided that the doctor tool has a doctor receptacle and / or that the doctor blade is mounted on a doctor receptacle of the doctor tool and / or clamped in or on a doctor receptacle. Thus, a doctor blade of the doctor tool can be arranged and / or fixed on or in the doctor receptacle with a high degree of reliability.

[0052] In addition, the doctor blade can have at least one doctor side surface that runs between the side edges of the doctor blade. In this case, a doctor angle formed between the doctor side surface and a horizontal plane and / or between the doctor side surface and the printing screen and / or between the doctor side surface and a printing table can be predetermined and / or fixed by the doctor blade holder. Thus, the design of the doctor blade or the design of the doctor blade holder can optimize or select the doctor angle such that the respective printing compound can be pressed through the printing screen by the doctor blade as best as possible, while at the same time minimizing the risk of damage to the printing screen, for example due to jamming.

[0053] Furthermore, the squeegee tool can have at least one coupling section formed on the squeegee receptacle and / or connected to the squeegee receptacle for connection to the fastening system and / or for clamping or clamping in the fastening system. The coupling section thus allows the squeegee tool to be securely connected to the fastening system and / or clamped or clamped in the fastening system. The coupling section can be designed, for example, as a groove or as a shaped section for positive engagement by the fastening system. According to a further preferred embodiment, the squeegee tool can be designed as an interchangeable tool. Additionally or alternatively, the squeegee angle between a squeegee side surface and a horizontal plane and / or the printing screen and / or a printing table can be changed by exchanging the squeegee tool.By designing the squeegee tool as an interchangeable tool, it can be easily and quickly replaced to meet different operating and process requirements. The device can therefore be quickly adapted to different operating and process requirements, and, for example, printing different materials or using different printing screens and / or print layouts can be accomplished with minimal effort. By changing the squeegee angle, it is possible to print different materials or achieve different print results or print thicknesses with the same device.

[0054] According to a further preferred embodiment, the device can have a sensor device for detecting the doctoring forces acting on the doctoring tool. This allows conclusions to be drawn about the doctoring forces in a suitable manner, and the respective process parameters and / or settings can be advantageously adjusted, corrected, and / or optimized.

[0055] The sensor device can be designed to detect a squeegee force deviation along a longitudinal extent of the squeegee tool.

[0056] This allows the squeegee forces acting on the squeegee tool along its longitudinal extent, or differences in the squeegee forces along its longitudinal extent, to be recorded. This allows the uniformity or even non-uniformity of the force applied by the squeegee tool on the printing screen to be incorporated into the process control during printing or squeegeeing operations. Non-uniformity in the force applied can be counteracted either by the process control or by adjusting the device settings, or non-uniformity in the force applied can be intentional or deliberately created.

[0057] The force measurement by means of such a sensor device thus enables a particularly advantageous process control, which enables increased operational reliability and at the same time improved or more precise execution of printing or squeegee movements.

[0058] Overall, this particularly advantageously enables the squeegee to adhere correctly and evenly to a screen printing mesh or printing screen. It also allows for process-related and / or wear-related adjustments, or even intentionally uneven adjustments, of the squeegee's contact with a screen printing mesh or printing screen. An initially uneven contact of the squeegee with a screen printing mesh can, for example, in the event of uneven wear on the printing screen, generate even squeegee forces during the execution of a printing or squeegee movement. This allows for advantageous adaptation to the prevailing wear conditions, and service life can be increased.Furthermore, a sensor device according to the invention can advantageously also reduce the wear of device components or slow down the progression of wear.

[0059] Finally, such a sensor device enables a relatively reliable and monitorable spatial alignment of the squeegee tool during printing or squeegee processes. As a result, qualitatively improved printing results as well as improved process control during printing or squeegee processes can be ensured. Furthermore, according to a further preferred embodiment, it is possible for the sensor device to have at least one force measuring sensor or at least two force measuring sensors, in particular two force measuring sensors connected in parallel. This embodiment makes it possible to detect acting squeegee forces and / or squeegee force deviations along the longitudinal extent of the squeegee tool with a high degree of reliability. Furthermore, such a configuration is cost-effective and can be implemented with only limited design effort.

[0060] Furthermore, the force sensors can be arranged at a distance from one another along a longitudinal extension of the squeegee tool. This configuration allows forces to be measured using the force sensors at spaced-apart points on the squeegee tool or at spaced-apart measuring points. This ensures that the force exerted by the squeegee tool on the printing screen and / or on a printing table is uniform, for example, or can be adjusted to be uneven, depending on the desired process control.

[0061] Such a design also facilitates the creation of particularly precise layer thicknesses or a particularly precise layer application on a workpiece, a workpiece carrier, or a printing substrate. Using such a sensor device, the respective layer thickness can be particularly well reproduced during operation and maintained consistently across multiple printing processes.

[0062] Furthermore, such a design can be used to realize a deliberately uneven layer application at different printing points of a print layout defined by a printing screen, for example to compensate for previous manufacturing inaccuracies.

[0063] Finally, the force measuring sensors can be used to reliably check the spatial alignment or orientation of the squeegee tool by comparing the forces detected by the force measuring sensors or, if necessary, to specifically influence it.

[0064] In a further preferred embodiment, the force measuring sensors can be designed for the simultaneous measurement of absolute squeegee forces at measuring points spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal extent of the squeegee tool. The simultaneous measurement of absolute squeegee forces at spaced-apart measuring points allows for a direct comparison of the detected or measured squeegee forces of the force measuring sensors. This also enables simultaneous processing of the recorded measurement data and thus the implementation of particularly safe and reliable control loops.

[0065] In addition, the force measuring sensors can be designed to detect relative squeegee force deviations at measuring points spaced apart along the longitudinal extent of the squeegee tool. This configuration makes it possible, for example, to detect the squeegee forces along a squeegee movement direction of the squeegee tool during a printing process in which the squeegee tool sweeps over a printing screen, or during the squeegee tool's movement, and to determine a relative squeegee force deviation with minimal effort. This makes it possible, for example, to influence any printing parameters for subsequent printing processes and / or for a printing process that is still in progress.In particular, it can be ensured that the squeegee tool rests on the printing screen within desired parameters, or that the squeegee tool contacts the printing screen within predetermined and / or adjusted parameters, allowing for high-precision influence on the layer thicknesses per printing layer and / or at different locations within a print layout. This allows for an overall high print quality.

[0066] A sensor device can therefore advantageously detect absolute squeegee forces and / or relative squeegee force deviations. For example, absolute squeegee forces can be detected after the squeegee tool has been placed on the printing screen or on the printing table. Relative squeegee force deviations can be detected during movement of the squeegee tool on the printing screen or on a printing table.

[0067] Furthermore, in a plan view of the squeegee device, the at least one force measuring sensor or force measuring sensors can be arranged above a contact line of the squeegee tool. Additionally or alternatively, in a plan view of the squeegee device, the at least one force measuring sensor or force measuring sensors can be aligned with a contact line of the squeegee tool. The contact line is the contact line along which the squeegee tool contacts the printing screen or the printing table. Thus, with the help of this configuration, acting moments that could distort or adversely influence a force measurement by the sensor device on the printing screen or on the squeegee tool can be optimally avoided.

[0068] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the doctor blade device can have an adjusting device for moving the doctor blade tool between a raised starting position and at least one lowered operating position. Thus, with the aid of the adjusting device, the doctor blade device can be moved, for example, toward or away from a printing table and / or toward or away from a printing screen, in particular with little or no effort on the part of the respective operating personnel.

[0069] Furthermore, the actuating device can have at least one linear drive or a plurality of linear drives. Thus, the actuating device is capable of performing a linear movement with a high degree of reliability and a relatively high degree of automation.

[0070] In addition, the actuating device can have a plurality of linear actuators connected in series. This makes it possible to increase the stroke of the actuating device or to use different linear actuators for different actuating functions. At least one linear actuator of the actuating device can be designed as an electric or electromechanical linear drive and / or as an electric spindle drive and / or as an electric cylinder and / or as a linear actuator. Such a linear drive can reliably provide the required stroke and can also be installed in a small installation space. Furthermore, such linear drives can be advantageously combined with one another.

[0071] Furthermore, it can be provided that at least one linear drive of the actuating device is designed as a pneumatic linear drive or linear cylinder. Thus, the actuating device is capable of performing a linear movement using pressurized gas. Such a pneumatic linear drive or linear cylinder can advantageously achieve a resilient contact with the printing screen by the respective squeegee, thus reducing the risk of damage to device components.

[0072] The pneumatic linear drive can be arranged in the power flow between the electric or electromechanical linear drive and the squeegee tool. Thus, the stroke of the actuating device can be quickly varied, increased, or reduced, by actuating the pneumatic linear drive. Furthermore, such an arrangement can advantageously provide a spring-back action between the electric or electromechanical linear drive and the squeegee tool when the pneumatic linear drive is actuated.

[0073] Furthermore, the sensor device can be arranged in the force flow between the adjusting device and the squeegee tool. This means that a force acting on the squeegee tool can be detected close to its point of origin. In addition, the force generated by the adjusting device is also detected via the sensor device. This makes it possible to achieve precise measurement results that can be advantageously used for further or subsequent process control. Furthermore, the sensor device can be arranged in the force flow between the adjusting device and the squeegee bearing and / or in the force flow between the adjusting device and the adjusting device and / or in the force flow between the adjusting device and the adjusting holder. This configuration has the advantage that the sensor device detects the forces generated by the adjusting device when the squeegee tool comes into contact with a printing screen close to the adjusting device itself.This allows particularly precise measurement results to be obtained.

[0074] Furthermore, the sensor device, in particular the force measuring sensors of the sensor device, can be fixedly arranged between the adjustment bracket and a sensor holder connected to the actuating device. Such a configuration is particularly robust and exhibits a low susceptibility to failure. The measurement results obtained from a sensor device arranged in this way are therefore only minimally susceptible to errors.

[0075] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces can have a squeegee movement device for moving the squeegee device and / or the squeegee tool along a horizontal squeegee movement direction. This makes it possible to move a squeegee tool or the squeegee device along a horizontal squeegee movement direction. This allows, for example, a printing compound to be distributed by the squeegee device and / or the squeegee tool onto the printing screen and pressed through it to create a layered buildup of the desired tool.

[0076] The squeegee movement device can comprise at least one linear drive for moving the squeegee device and / or the squeegee tool. Thus, the squeegee device and / or the squeegee tool can be moved linearly back and forth or forward and backward in one direction. Consequently, several consecutive printing passes can be advantageously implemented with the device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces. Likewise, during a forward movement, the printing screen can be flooded by a flood squeegee, and during a backward movement, printing can be performed by a printing squeegee.

[0077] According to a further preferred embodiment, the squeegee movement device can comprise a gantry system with linear guides and / or a cross member and / or a support device for supporting the cross member on the linear guides. This makes it possible to move the squeegee tool or the squeegee device in a suspended manner above a printing table and / or in a suspended manner above a printing screen, for example, to move it linearly. This ensures a reliable sequence of consecutive printing passes with the device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces. Such a gantry system or gantry axis system is particularly suitable, in particular, with regard to the installation space requirements of a printing device.The respective printing screen and / or a printing table can advantageously be positioned below the gantry system, and the resulting movement enables printing material through the printing screen with high operational reliability. Such a gantry system also allows the movement of a relatively heavy squeegee system with high movement precision.

[0078] It is possible for the linear guides to run along the squeegee movement direction. This allows the gantry system or the squeegee device and / or the squeegee tool to be moved along the squeegee movement direction. Additionally or alternatively, it is possible for the cross member to run between the linear guides and / or transversely to the linear guides in a plan view. This means that the cross member can connect the linear guides and also move the squeegee device together with the linear guides. This can ensure high overall stability and thus further improved movement precision. Furthermore, the squeegee device and / or the adjusting device of the squeegee device can be attached to the cross member of the gantry system. This means that a movement of the cross member causes a movement of the squeegee device or the squeegee tool.The adjusting device in turn enables a relative movement of the squeegee tool to the cross member of the gantry system.

[0079] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the squeegee device can be arranged immovably along a longitudinal extension of the cross member. Such mobility is not required for executing squeegee movements, and immobility along a longitudinal extension of the cross member simplifies the overall structure and can improve the stability or rigidity of the gantry system.

[0080] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the at least one linear drive of the squeegee movement device can be coupled to the cross member of the gantry system. Thus, a movement of the linear drive causes a movement of the cross member, which then also causes, for example, a movement of the squeegee device or squeegee tool. Such a design can be implemented in a simple and robust manner.

[0081] Furthermore, the device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces can have two squeegee devices. One squeegee device can be designed as a flood squeegee device and another squeegee device as a printing squeegee device. Additionally or alternatively, both squeegee devices can be arranged on the squeegee movement device, in particular on the cross member of the squeegee movement device. Accordingly, a movement of the squeegee movement device causes a movement of the respective squeegee device or the respective squeegee tool. This can thus advantageously ensure that two squeegee devices are moved jointly by the squeegee movement device. According to an even more preferred embodiment, the squeegee device or the squeegee devices and the squeegee movement device can form a squeegee system.Such a doctor blade system can be arranged as a complete assembly above a printing screen or a printing table and provide a doctor blade movement with high movement precision.

[0082] According to an even more preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the squeegee device is designed for printing in a position mode. In the position mode, a pneumatic linear drive of the actuating device can be retracted and / or an electric or electromechanical linear drive of the actuating device can be at least partially extended or lowered. In other words, the pneumatic linear drive can be deactivated, while the electric or electromechanical linear drive can be in operation. With an electric or electromechanical linear drive, a specific position can be approached very precisely. By deactivating the pneumatic linear drive, a spring-elastic return movement can be avoided or reduced, so that a desired stroke position can be maintained very precisely.

[0083] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the squeegee device can be designed for printing in a force mode. In the force mode, a pneumatic linear drive of the actuating device can be partially or fully extended and / or lowered. In force mode, it is thus possible to generate a large force and a large stroke quickly and easily in a short period of time using the pneumatic linear drive. At the same time, in a force mode, a spring-elastic behavior of the pneumatic linear drive can contribute to the relatively precise maintenance of a desired squeegee force. Sudden changes in the squeegee force can be avoided in such a force mode. According to an even more preferred embodiment, in a force mode, an electric or electromechanical linear drive of the actuating device can be retracted or only at least partially extended or lowered.Therefore, the electric or electromechanical linear actuator can also be used in force mode to generate a stroke. Likewise, the electric or electromechanical linear actuator can remain deactivated in force mode.

[0084] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the pneumatic linear drive of the actuating device can be operated as a gas spring in a force mode. This is a simple and cost-effective design of the linear drive and ensures precise maintenance of a desired squeegee force even with fluctuating return movements of the squeegee tool.

[0085] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the pneumatic linear drive of the actuating device can have a proportional valve for operation as a gas spring. A proportional valve can be an electromagnetic or medium-controlled valve that can assume any intermediate position between an open and closed position. Thus, the gas flow rate can be regulated and / or controlled by the proportional valve. This can further improve the precise adjustability and maintenance of a desired squeegee force.

[0086] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces can have a control device for controlling and / or regulating the actuating device and / or the squeegee movement device and / or the adjustment device and / or for processing and / or evaluating and / or storing and / or comparing sensor data from the sensor device. Thus, the control device can advantageously control, regulate and / or process the aforementioned devices and their data. This ensures a high degree of productivity, repeatability, and operational reliability, and also generates a high information and data density relating to the respective production processes.

[0087] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be designed to detect and / or evaluate a squeegee force via the sensor device when the squeegee tool exerts force directly on a printing table and / or in a screen-free arrangement. This makes it possible to exclude influences of the printing screen, in particular restoring forces of the printing screen, on the generation of the squeegee force. This advantageously allows conclusions to be drawn about the elasticity of the squeegee tool and / or the adjusting device and / or the entire squeegee device, and the squeegee forces determined in this way can be taken into account for subsequent printing processes. In such an arrangement, the squeegee force is significantly determined by the elasticity of the squeegee tool and / or the adjusting device and / or the entire squeegee device, since the printing table usually has a high degree of rigidity or a low degree of compliance.

[0088] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be designed to detect and / or evaluate a squeegee force via the sensor device when the squeegee tool exerts a force on a printing screen in an operating position with the printing screen resting on a printing table and / or a fixed printing base. In particular, in such a position, the printing screen can lie completely and / or flat on the respective printing table and / or the respective printing base. In such a position, there is therefore already surface contact between the printing screen and the printing table or the printing base, so that such contact does not have to be created by a downward movement of the squeegee tool. Therefore, when the squeegee tool exerts a force on the printing screen, there is no or only negligible elastic deformation of the printing screen.This allows the influence of the printing screen, particularly the restoring forces of the printing screen due to significant elastic deformation, on the generation of the squeegee force to be largely eliminated. This, in turn, allows conclusions to be drawn about the elasticity of the squeegee tool and / or the adjusting device and / or the entire squeegee device, and the squeegee forces determined in this way can be taken into account for subsequent printing processes and / or measurement procedures. At the same time, complete removal of the printing screen from the printing area can be avoided.

[0089] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be designed to detect and / or evaluate a squeegee force via the sensor device when the squeegee tool exerts a force on a printing screen, free from contact between the printing screen and a printing table and / or a printing substrate and / or at least one screen printing workpiece. With such a force application, the squeegee force corresponds to a restoring force of the printing screen, which occurs due to an elastic deformation of the printing screen. This allows conclusions to be drawn about the mechanical behavior of the printing screen or its condition or the squeegee forces in the interaction between the squeegee device and the printing screen. Conclusions can therefore be drawn about the elasticity of the printing screen, and the squeegee forces determined in this way can be taken into account for subsequent printing processes and / or measuring processes.

[0090] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be designed to detect and / or evaluate a squeegee force via the sensor device when a force is applied by the squeegee tool to a printing screen and when the force applied to the printing screen causes contact between a printing table and / or a printing substrate and / or at least one screen-printed workpiece through the printing screen, in particular when the printing screen is elastically deformed. Thus, in such an operating position, a force can initially be applied by the squeegee tool to the printing screen, and this force can cause an elastic deformation of the printing screen, as a result of which the printing screen comes into contact with a printing table located underneath and / or a printing substrate and / or at least one screen-printed workpiece.The squeegee force generated in this process is determined both by the restoring force of the printing screen due to the resulting elastic deformation and by the restoring force of the printing table and / or a printing substrate and / or the at least one screen-printed workpiece. The squeegee forces in the interaction between the squeegee device, the printing screen, as well as the printing table or the printing substrate and / or the respective screen-printed workpieces produced below the printing screen can be determined in this way.

[0091] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to detect and / or evaluate an increase in squeegee force via the sensor device during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool performed by the actuating device. Thus, the control device can be capable of detecting and / or evaluating the increase in squeegee forces using the sensor device. This advantageously makes it possible to influence the lowering movement depending on the detected squeegee forces and / or to detect and / or store the squeegee forces generated during the lowering movement for later evaluation.

[0092] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to detect and / or evaluate an increase in squeegee force via the sensor device during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool, which is effected exclusively onto the printing screen by means of the adjusting device, in particular without contact with a printing table and / or a printing substrate and / or at least one screen-printed workpiece by the printing screen. This allows the influence of the elastic deformation of the printing screen on the increase in squeegee force to be detected in isolation during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool.

[0093] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to detect and / or evaluate an increase in the squeegee force via the sensor device during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool onto the printing screen by means of the adjusting device, in an operating position with the printing screen resting on a printing table. This allows the influences of the elastic deformation of the squeegee tool and / or the adjusting device and / or the squeegee device as a whole on the increase in the squeegee force during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool to be detected in isolation.

[0094] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to detect and / or evaluate a squeegee force increase via the sensor device during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool on a printing table and / or on a printing substrate, in particular in a screen-free arrangement, by means of the adjusting device. This also allows the influences of the elastic deformation of the squeegee tool and / or the adjusting device and / or the squeegee device as a whole on the squeegee force increase to be detected in isolation during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool.

[0095] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to detect and / or evaluate an increase in squeegee force via the sensor device during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool onto the printing screen by means of the adjusting device and during contact with a printing table and / or a printing substrate and / or at least one screen-printed workpiece by the printing screen caused by the force acting on the printing screen, in particular during elastic deformation of the printing screen. This allows the influences of the printing table and / or the printing substrate and / or the at least one screen-printed workpiece below the printing screen on the increase in squeegee force to be detected during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool.

[0096] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to terminate a lowering movement by the actuating device upon the beginning of a squeegee force increase during the lowering of the squeegee tool, as detected by the sensor device. Thus, the control device can serve to terminate the lowering of the squeegee tool upon reaching a specific or predetermined squeegee force. This serves to protect both the squeegee tool or the squeegee device, as well as the printing screen and / or the printing table.

[0097] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to automatically or semi-automatically reference a squeegee height when the sensor device detects the beginning of an increase in squeegee force during the lowering of the squeegee tool. This can mean that the control device, based on the beginning of an increase in squeegee force or the beginning of an increase in squeegee force during the lowering of the squeegee tool, sets a possible squeegee height, for example a target height or target position of the squeegee tool, as a reference, which in turn can serve as a reference for subsequent processes. The reproducibility of the respective processes can thereby be further improved.

[0098] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be designed to detect and / or evaluate a squeegee force deviation along a longitudinal extent of the squeegee tool via the sensor device during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool carried out by means of the adjusting device. Accordingly, the control device can detect, compare, and / or evaluate squeegee forces along the longitudinal extent of the squeegee tool. This makes it possible, for example, to use the control device to work towards a uniform force distribution along a longitudinal extent of the squeegee tool, so that the pressure or force of the squeegee tool on the printing screen can be set and / or kept constant along the longitudinal extent of the squeegee tool. Likewise, desired squeegee force deviations along the longitudinal extent can be set and / or maintained.According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be designed to automatically or semi-automatically perform an inclination adjustment by means of the adjusting device when a squeegee force deviation along a longitudinal extent of the squeegee tool is detected by the sensor device. In this way, the spatial orientation of the squeegee tool can be specifically adjusted and / or corrected with only minimal handling effort using the adjusting device and the sensor device, so that the desired squeegee force or squeegee force distribution can be set along a longitudinal extent of the squeegee tool and / or along the entire length of the squeegee tool. Because this adjustment or inclination adjustment and / or correction can be carried out automatically or semi-automatically, labor-intensive operation can be avoided and productivity can be increased.

[0099] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to reference the inclination of the squeegee tool upon detection of a uniform squeegee force distribution along a longitudinal extent of the squeegee tool and / or within a tolerance. Consequently, the control device can use such referencing for subsequent printing or squeegee processes. In particular, starting from a referenced inclination, either no further adjustment effort or a reduced adjustment effort may be required, since the desired squeegee force distribution is already present or can be achieved with minimal adjustment effort.

[0100] Furthermore, the control device can be configured to automatically or semi-automatically fix the inclination position of the squeegee tool upon detection of a squeegee force distribution that is uniform along a longitudinal extent of the squeegee tool and / or within a tolerance. Consequently, the control device can be configured, for example, to activate at least one fixing device of the squeegee device for fixing an inclination position of the squeegee tool adjusted by the adjusting device and / or for adjusting a translational adjustment position adjusted by the adjusting device, and / or to actuate it in such a way that the at least one fixing device locks or fixes an inclination position of the squeegee tool or a translational adjustment position.Because this fixation can be carried out automatically or semi-automatically, human operating errors can at least be reduced and any handling effort can also be kept to a minimum.

[0101] Furthermore, the control device can be configured to detect and / or evaluate a squeegee force and / or a squeegee force deviation in the longitudinal direction of the squeegee tool via the sensor device during a movement of the squeegee device along a horizontal squeegee movement direction. Thus, the control device can detect a squeegee force and / or a squeegee force deviation in the longitudinal direction of the squeegee tool using the sensor device during the movement of the squeegee device, and the information and / or data obtained therefrom can be incorporated into further or subsequent process control or used as influencing parameters for any control and / or regulation by the control device. This can ensure an overall improvement in the printing results.

[0102] Detection and / or evaluation by the control device as described above and below can take place when the squeegee tool exerts a force exclusively on the printing screen and / or when contact is made between a printing table and / or a printing substrate and / or at least one screen printing workpiece by the printing screen as a result of the force exerted by the squeegee tool on the printing screen.

[0103] Furthermore, the control device can be designed to detect and / or evaluate, via the sensor device, a change in the squeegee force as a function of the squeegee position along the squeegee movement direction during a movement of the squeegee device along a horizontal squeegee movement direction, which movement takes place by means of the squeegee movement device. The control device can therefore detect and / or evaluate changes in the squeegee force as a function of the squeegee position above the printing screen or the printing table during the displacement and / or movement of the squeegee device or during the displacement and / or movement of the squeegee tool. The information and / or data thus obtained can be incorporated into further or subsequent process control or used as influencing parameters for any control and / or regulation by the control device.Thus, changes in squeegee force during the displacement and / or movement of the squeegee tool above the printing screen or the printing table can be taken into account in an appropriate manner and the printing results can be improved.

[0104] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to detect and / or evaluate, via the sensor device, a change in the squeegee force deviation in the longitudinal direction of the squeegee tool as a function of the squeegee position along the squeegee movement direction during a movement of the squeegee device along a horizontal squeegee movement direction, which movement is effected by means of the squeegee movement device. Consequently, the control device can detect and / or evaluate changes in the squeegee force deviation in the longitudinal direction of the squeegee tool as a function of the squeegee position during the movement of the squeegee device.For example, an increase and / or decrease and / or a constant squeegee force deviation in the longitudinal direction of the squeegee tool can be suitably detected during a squeegee movement along a squeegee movement direction in the horizontal direction. The information and / or data obtained in this way can be incorporated into further or subsequent process control or used as influencing parameters for any control and / or regulation by the control device. Thus, changes in the squeegee force distribution along a longitudinal extension of the squeegee tool during the displacement and / or movement of the squeegee tool can be taken into account in a particularly advantageous manner. This allows the printing results to be further improved.According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to continuously and / or repeatedly detect squeegee forces and / or squeegee force deviations in the longitudinal direction of the squeegee tool during a movement of the squeegee device along the squeegee movement direction and / or during a screen printing process. Thus, continuous monitoring of squeegee forces and / or squeegee force deviations during a movement of the squeegee device can be realized with the aid of the control device, and a further improved database can be created for subsequent process control, further screen printing processes, and / or subsequent adjustments to the alignment and / or inclination of the squeegee tool.

[0105] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be designed to store and / or evaluate measurement data from continuous and / or recurring acquisitions during a movement of the squeegee device along the squeegee movement direction and / or during a printing process, carried out by means of the squeegee movement device. The control device can thus store and / or evaluate measurement data for further processing. In particular, with measurement data from continuous and / or recurring acquisitions, further findings, such as the wear of the printing screen and / or the squeegee tool or the squeegee device, can be determined. Based on such data, suitable measures for subsequent printing processes can be initiated in order to improve or maintain print quality.

[0106] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to detect and / or evaluate, via the sensor device, the progression of a squeegee force increase as a function of a lowering path during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool, which occurs by means of the actuating device, in a screen-free arrangement and / or when the squeegee tool exerts force directly on a printing table and / or in an arrangement with the printing screen resting on a printing table. Such an embodiment allows the force increase or the behavior of the squeegee tool during the increase in squeegee force to be determined free from the influence of a printing screen.The knowledge and information obtained from this can be used advantageously for adjusting the inclination position of the squeegee tool and / or for controlling a lowering movement in the presence of a printing screen and / or for printing processes or squeegee movements.

[0107] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to detect and / or evaluate, via the sensor device, the progression of a squeegee force increase as a function of a lowering path during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool onto the printing screen, which movement occurs by means of the adjusting device, without contact between the printing screen and a printing table and / or a printing substrate and / or a screen-printed workpiece. This allows the progression of a squeegee force increase due to the elastic deformation of the printing screen to be detected during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool.

[0108] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be designed to determine a screen restoring force and / or a screen tension of the printing screen, in particular a relative screen restoring force and / or a relative screen tension of the printing screen, by means of the sensor device and / or from recorded and / or stored sensor data of the sensor device. Consequently, the control device can be used to draw conclusions about the wear of the printing screen or about any damage or manufacturing defects of the printing screen. If the screen restoring force and / or screen tension is relatively low, or if squeegee forces only increase slowly after contact with the printing screen, it can be concluded that the printing screen is subject to high wear. A relative screen tension can specify screen tension differences at different sections of the respective printing screen.Likewise, a relative screen tension can specify a screen tension difference between two different states, in particular wear states and / or aging states, of a printing screen. A relative screen recovery force can specify screen recovery force differences at different sections of the respective printing screen and / or screen recovery force differences between two different states, in particular wear states and / or aging states.

[0109] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be designed to detect the start of an increase in the squeegee force during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool carried out by means of the adjusting device and / or to define the lowering path of the squeegee tool present at the start of the increase in the squeegee force as the measurement reference starting point for detecting a further increase in the squeegee force and / or for detecting a screen restoring force and / or a screen tension and / or a reference screen restoring force and / or a reference screen tension and / or screen aging. Thus, by detecting the start of the increase in the squeegee force, it is possible to infer a first contact with the printing screen or with a printing table. Such a contact point can advantageously be used as a measurement reference starting point, and in this way a particularly precise reference measurement or monitoring measurement can be carried out.For example, the position from which the squeegee force increase begins can be defined as the measurement reference starting point for recording the reference screen tension and / or reference screen recovery force and / or can be defined as the measurement reference starting point for measurements of the screen tension and / or screen recovery force over the lifetime of a printing screen.

[0110] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to further lower the squeegee tool by means of the adjusting device, starting from the measurement reference starting point, and to detect a further increase in squeegee force as a function of the lowering distance. Based on the further increase in squeegee force, the control device can determine a screen restoring force and / or screen tension and / or a reference screen restoring force and / or a reference screen tension and / or screen aging. Thus, starting from the measurement reference starting point and upon further lowering of the adjusting device, the control device can determine the screen restoring force and / or screen tension and / or the elasticity of the printing screen based on the increase in squeegee force.

[0111] A measurement of the screen recovery force and / or screen tension, or the increase in squeegee force as a function of the further lowering distance, taken on an intact screen from the measurement reference starting point can serve as a reference measurement and be used for subsequent evaluations and / or comparisons with subsequent screen recovery force measurements and / or screen tension measurements. This advantageously allows for monitoring the wear and / or aging of the printing screen over its service life.

[0112] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be designed to determine the screen restoring force and / or the screen tension of the printing screen at a plurality of positions along a horizontal squeegee movement direction, in particular in or near a center of the printing screen and / or adjacent to a printing screen edge or edges. Accordingly, the wear of the printing screen can be detected over the entire surface of the printing screen or over relatively widely distributed points on the printing screen. Thus, a plurality of measuring points for the screen restoring force and / or screen tension of the printing screen can be determined or used, based on which conclusions can be drawn about the condition of the printing screen, specifically with regard to the wear of the printing screen. The detection reliability and accuracy can thereby be further improved.

[0113] According to a preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to determine screen wear and / or screen aging using the sensor device and / or from acquired and / or stored sensor data of the sensor device and / or based on one or more screen restoring forces and / or one or more screen tensions. Such a determination can be performed with relatively low computational effort and, at the same time, with a high degree of reliability.

[0114] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to determine the screen restoring force and / or the screen tension between printing operations and / or to periodically repeat this determination, and / or to periodically repeat a determination of the screen wear and / or screen aging. Thus, the control device can determine the screen wear or screen aging according to predeterminable or predetermined process sequences. Based on the respective result, a minimum print quality of the device can be ensured with a high degree of certainty.

[0115] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to determine the screen restoring force and / or screen tension by means of the sensor device, taking into account a jump height between the printing screen and a printing table and / or a printing substrate and / or at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or taking into account a lowering path of the adjusting device and / or the squeegee tool by means of the adjusting device. The accuracy of detecting a screen restoring force and / or screen tension can be further refined in this way, or can be suitably refined depending on different operating positions.

[0116] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be designed to determine, by means of the sensor device and / or from recorded and / or stored sensor data of the sensor device, an application force which is effectively transmitted from the squeegee tool via the printing screen to a printing table and / or to a printing substrate and / or to at least one screen-printed workpiece. The application force can therefore be the force which acts or is transmitted from the squeegee tool via the printing screen to the printing table and / or to the respective printing substrate and / or to at least one screen-printed workpiece below the printing screen. A supporting force of the printing table and / or the respective printing substrate and / or the at least one screen-printed workpiece is directed counter to the application force.

[0117] The application force can significantly influence the quality and / or controllability of the respective printing process. In particular, the application force, as a process parameter, can influence the amount of printing material applied via the printing screen to the printing table and / or to a printing substrate and / or to at least one screen-printed workpiece. At the same time, the application force can have a significant impact on the mechanical stress on already printed screen-printed workpieces or on the already built-up print layers of a screen-printed workpiece.

[0118] If the application force is too low, the printing material cannot be properly pressed through the printing screen or properly applied to the printing substrate and / or the at least one screen-printed workpiece. If the application force is too high, previously printed screen-printed workpieces or already applied print layers of a screen-printed workpiece may be damaged. Precise adjustability and / or controllability of the application force can therefore contribute significantly to reliable process control.

[0119] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to determine the application force from a difference between the squeegee force detected by the sensor device and a previously known and / or determined screen restoring force of the printing screen. The screen restoring force, or the screen restoring force resulting from the screen tension, is directed opposite to the effective direction of the actuating device during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool. Thus, the effective application force can advantageously be determined as the difference between the squeegee force and the screen restoring force, or the screen restoring force resulting from the screen tension.

[0120] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to determine the application force from a difference between the squeegee force detected by the sensor device and a previously known and / or determined screen restoring force of the printing screen, as well as a printing mass restoring force that occurs due to the printing mass being forced through the printing screen. Thus, the screen restoring force can be added to the printing mass restoring force, and the sum can be subtracted from the squeegee force. Thus, the effective application force can be determined advantageously and with further improved precision.

[0121] A printing mass restoring force can be determined by performing squeegee movements with and without printing mass on the printing screen and comparing the squeegee forces recorded in each case.

[0122] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be designed to keep the application force constant during a printing process. This ensures a particularly uniform layer application during a printing process.

[0123] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be designed to carry out multiple printing processes with identical application forces and / or to keep deviations in the application forces between multiple printing processes below a predefined limit. Different printing layers or printing layers built up on top of one another can therefore have an identical or substantially identical layer thickness, whereby the workpiece quality can be further improved. According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be designed to detect and / or evaluate an application force deviation along a longitudinal extent of the squeegee tool. In this way, irregularities in the application force can be detected and compensated for, for example, by adjusting the inclination of the squeegee tool and / or by adjusting the screen position.

[0124] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be designed to determine the application force by means of the sensor device and taking into account a jump height between the printing screen and a printing table and / or a printing substrate and / or at least one screen printing workpiece and / or taking into account a lowering path of the adjusting device and / or the squeegee tool by means of the adjusting device.

[0125] The bounce height between the printing screen on the one hand and a printing table and / or a printing substrate and / or at least one screen-printed workpiece on the other hand is crucial for the extent to which the printing screen is pressed down when a force is applied by the squeegee tool, in particular due to linear contact by the squeegee tool. If screen restoring force curves are known, which can be determined and / or saved in advance, the bounce height can be used to draw conclusions about the current screen restoring force. The lowering path of the adjusting device and / or the squeegee tool by means of the adjusting device can provide conclusions about the elastic deformation of the squeegee tool or also the adjusting device and / or the squeegee device as a whole. The determination of the application force can therefore be carried out with increased accuracy.

[0126] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device and / or the adjusting device can be designed to hold the squeegee tool at a fixed height during the execution of a printing process. By maintaining a fixed height, a continuous, consistent, or uniform print image can be ensured.

[0127] Alternatively or additionally, it is possible for a specified height position to be fixed and / or maintained unchanged during a printing process using the adjustment device and / or the control device. This ensures a continuous, consistent, or even print image across the entire print layout of a printing screen with increased reliability.

[0128] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to force-based control and / or regulation of the height position of the squeegee tool during the execution of a printing process. Force-based control and / or regulation can ensure that the printing material is pressed through the printing screen with a constant force or pressure along the squeegee direction. Force fluctuations can be compensated. This prevents, for example, an excessive or insufficient amount of printing material from being locally pressed through the printing screen.

[0129] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device and / or the adjusting device can be designed to maintain a specified squeegee force and / or a specified and effective application force during the execution of a printing process. This has the advantage that a constant force can be exerted with even greater reliability across the entire print layout of the printing screen, thus producing a particularly uniform print image. Fluctuations in the squeegee force can thus be compensated for in a particularly advantageous manner. This can ensure particularly high print quality. According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device and / or the adjusting device can be designed to maintain a specified and / or predefined screen restoring force and / or screen tension during the execution of a printing process.This allows any irregularities in the printing screen to be compensated for.

[0130] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be designed to convert measurement data from continuous and / or recurring detections by the sensor device into average values ​​and / or to store and / or process them during a movement of the squeegee device along the squeegee movement direction and / or during a printing process. By converting and / or storing and / or processing detected measurement data into average values, a suitable database for subsequent control and regulation processes can be advantageously created, and an overall low computing effort is ensured. Intensive computing processes of the control device can be reduced as a result, and a particularly uniform print image can be further promoted. In addition, storage space for measured values ​​and measurement data can be saved in this way.

[0131] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to convert measurement data from continuous and / or recurring acquisitions by individual force measuring sensors into average values ​​and / or store and / or process them during a movement of the squeegee device along the squeegee movement direction and / or during a printing process. The quality of information can be improved by differentiating data from individual force measuring sensors in this way. At the same time, the amount of data to be processed can be reduced, and the processing, storage, and conversion of data or measured values ​​can be accelerated.Further preferably, the control device can be configured to determine the screen restoring force and / or screen tension and / or the change in screen restoring force and / or screen tension during the execution of a printing process. The information density or data basis created thereby can thus be improved or expanded.

[0132] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be designed to control and / or regulate the height position and / or alignment and / or inclination of the printing screen after completion of a printing process and / or before the start of a printing process. In this way, the control device is able to adjust the spatial alignment of the printing screen such that, for example, a constant pressure of the squeegee device or its squeegee tool can be ensured. The alignment of the printing screen can be adapted to the alignment of the squeegee, or control and / or regulation can take place taking into account the alignment of the printing screen and the squeegee tool. A high-quality print image across the entire print layout of a printing screen can thereby be achieved with further improved reliability.

[0133] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to control and / or regulate the height position and / or orientation and / or inclination of the printing screen as a function of stored and / or processed measurement data from the sensor device and / or individual force measuring sensors and / or as a function of a determined screen tension and / or screen restoring force and / or application force. Accordingly, it is possible to control and / or regulate the spatial orientation of the printing screen via the height position, orientation and / or inclination of the printing screen based on measurement data from the sensor device.Via feedback from the sensor device, for example, the spatial alignment of the printing screen can be adjusted so that a squeegee force on the printing screen and across the entire print layout or the entire surface of the printing screen is constant or - depending on the desired process control or desired process parameters - exhibits deviations.

[0134] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to force-based control and / or regulate the height position and / or alignment and / or inclination of the printing screen during the execution of a printing process. In this way, the control device is capable of flexibly adapting or adjusting the spatial alignment of the printing screen during a printing or squeegeeing process based on measured forces acting, for example, on the squeegee device or the squeegee tool. This can further improve manufacturing accuracy and flexibility.

[0135] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be designed to control and / or regulate the height position and / or alignment and / or inclination of the printing screen as a function of measurement data from continuous and / or recurring detections by the sensor device and / or individual force measuring sensors and / or as a function of a determined screen tension and / or screen restoring force and / or application force during a movement of the squeegee device along the squeegee movement device by means of the squeegee movement device and / or during a printing process. By means of such a configuration of the control device, the spatial position and / or alignment of the printing screen can be adjusted and / or controlled and / or regulated based on detected measurement data from the sensor device during operation of the device or during a movement of the squeegee device with the aid of the squeegee movement device.The precision of a printing process can be further improved in this way.

[0136] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be designed to adjust a squeegee force and / or application force by means of the adjusting device as a function of a component height and / or as a function of the number of component layers already printed. The height of a print build-up that has already taken place or of a workpiece and / or the number of component layers already printed can in this way be advantageously used for further process control. If the component height that has already been built up has a significant influence on the printing of further print layers or on the application of printing material by the printing screen, this can be compensated for in a suitable manner by adjusting the squeegee force and / or application force by means of the adjusting device. Damage to the component layers that have already been printed can thus be effectively avoided.

[0137] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to reduce a squeegee force and / or application force layer by layer and proportionally, starting from a starting squeegee force and / or starting application force, until a boundary layer is reached, and / or to maintain the squeegee force and / or application force unchanged for the printing of further print layers upon reaching a boundary layer. In this way, it can be ensured that screen-printed components have essentially constant layer thicknesses along their entire height. Printing precision can be further improved in this way. Furthermore, the elasticity of the already printed component layers can be advantageously taken into account.

[0138] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to determine an application force on the screen-printed workpieces located beneath the printing screen, in particular as a line pressure, based on a determined screen restoring force curve and / or screen tension curve, a determined squeegee blade flexibility, a determined squeegee force over the pressure profile in the squeegee movement direction, a jump height between the printing screen and a printing table or a component surface, and / or a height of the printing screen. Such a determination can advantageously be used to produce high-quality screen-printed components in which a continuous or consistent print layer thickness is ensured from layer to layer. Ensuring consistent print layer thicknesses can lead to improved component precision.

[0139] According to an even more preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the control device is designed to carry out a controlled and / or regulated adjustment of the application force and / or squeegee force and / or squeegee speed along a squeegee movement direction and / or a jump height and / or a screen lift functionality based on an actual force profile detected by the sensor device during a screen printing process. The adjustment of the squeegee force and / or squeegee speed by means of a detected actual force profile serves to suitably adapt the process parameters for an ongoing printing process and / or for at least one subsequent printing process. The production of high-precision screen-printed components can thus take place with further increased reliability. Any printing layers can have particularly precise thicknesses.In particular, when the actual force curve is recorded, it is possible to intervene in the respective printing process in real time and subsequently make settings that allow the screen-printed component to be produced with increased precision.

[0140] Furthermore, it can be provided that the control device is designed to carry out a controlled and / or regulated adjustment of a screen layer alignment and / or screen height alignment based on an actual force profile detected by the sensor device during a screen printing process and / or a detected application force and / or screen restoring force and / or screen tension. Thus, during operation or during the operation of the device, the control device can ensure an at least sectionally or locally adjusted adjustment of the squeegee force of the squeegee tool on the printing screen by, for example, changing the spatial position of the printing screen. This can increase manufacturing precision and ensure compensation for inaccuracies from previous printing processes. As a result, screen-printed workpieces can be produced with even greater accuracy.A further independent aspect of the present invention relates to a device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular a 3D screen printing system and / or an automated 3D screen printing system, equipped with a printing screen and a squeegee device for flooding the printing screen with a printing compound and / or for pressing printing compound through the printing screen, wherein the squeegee device has at least one squeegee tool, a sensor device for detecting squeegee forces acting on the squeegee tool, and a control device for evaluating and / or storing sensor data from the sensor device. The control device can be configured to determine a screen restoring force and / or screen tension of the printing screen by means of the sensor device and / or from detected and / or stored sensor data from the sensor device.

[0141] By determining the screen recovery force and / or screen tension of the printing screen, screen aging or wear can be detected, and the squeegee device can be readjusted according to the determined screen recovery force and / or screen tension, in particular to compensate for any detected screen aging or wear. This improves component service life, manufacturing accuracy, and productivity.

[0142] A further independent aspect of the present invention relates to a device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular a 3D screen printing system, with a printing screen and with a squeegee device for flooding the printing screen with a printing compound and / or for pressing printing compound through the printing screen, wherein the squeegee device has at least one squeegee tool, a sensor device for detecting squeegee forces acting on the squeegee tool and a control device for evaluating and / or storing sensor data from the sensor device, wherein the control device is designed to determine, by means of the sensor device and / or from detected and / or stored sensor data from the sensor device, an application force which is effectively transmitted from the squeegee tool via the printing screen to a printing table and / or to a printing substrate and / or to at least one screen-printed workpiece.

[0143] A further independent aspect of the present invention relates to a device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular a 3D screen printing system and / or an automated 3D screen printing system, equipped with a printing screen and with a squeegee device for flooding the printing screen with a printing compound and / or for pressing printing compound through the printing screen, wherein the squeegee device has at least one squeegee tool and a sensor device for detecting squeegee forces acting on the squeegee tool, wherein the sensor device is designed to detect a squeegee force deviation along a longitudinal extent of the squeegee tool.

[0144] This allows the squeegee forces acting on the squeegee tool along its longitudinal extent, or differences in the squeegee forces along its longitudinal extent, to be recorded. This allows the uniformity or even non-uniformity of the force applied by the squeegee tool on the printing screen to be incorporated into the process control during printing or squeegeeing operations. Non-uniformity in the force applied can be counteracted either by the process control or by adjusting the device settings, or non-uniformity in the force applied can be intentional or deliberately created.

[0145] It should be noted that the features of the above-described device for producing screen-printed workpieces, as described above, can be used individually or in combination with one another in a device for producing screen-printed workpieces according to the further independent aspects of the invention, as set forth above. Yet another independent aspect of the present invention relates to a squeegee device. According to the invention, a squeegee device can be provided for a device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, as mentioned above, and / or for a 3D screen printing system.A doctor blade device according to the invention can be equipped with at least one doctor blade tool for flooding a printing screen with a printing compound and / or for pressing printing compound through a printing screen, with an adjusting device for adjusting the inclination of the doctor blade tool and with a doctor blade bearing which allows an inclination adjustment of the doctor blade tool by means of the adjusting device about an inclination axis, wherein the doctor blade bearing has at least one spring bearing.

[0146] A further independent aspect of the present invention relates to a squeegee device. According to the invention, a squeegee device can be provided for a device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, as mentioned above, and / or for a 3D screen printing system. A squeegee device according to the invention can be equipped with at least one squeegee tool for flooding a printing screen with a printing compound and / or for pressing printing compound through a printing screen, and with a sensor device for detecting forces acting on the squeegee tool. The sensor device can be designed to detect a squeegee force deviation along a longitudinal extent of the squeegee tool.

[0147] Yet another independent aspect of the present invention also relates to a squeegee device. According to the invention, a squeegee device can be provided for a device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, as mentioned above, and / or for a 3D screen printing system. A squeegee device according to the invention can be equipped with at least one squeegee tool for flooding a printing screen with a printing compound and / or for pressing printing compound through a printing screen, and with a sensor device for detecting forces acting on the squeegee tool. The sensor device can be designed to detect a screen restoring force and / or screen tension and / or screen aging.

[0148] It should be noted that the features and advantages of the device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, as described above, can also be applied individually or in combination with one another to a doctor blade device according to the independent aspects of the present invention described above.

[0149] A further independent aspect of the present invention relates to a method for producing screen-printed workpieces, in particular using a device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces as described above and / or a 3D screen printing system and / or using a squeegee device as described above. In a method for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular using a device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces and / or a 3D screen printing system, a printing screen is flooded with a printing compound by means of a squeegee device and / or printing compound is pressed through a printing screen by means of a squeegee device. Furthermore, in such a method, an inclination adjustment of the squeegee tool is carried out by means of an adjusting device.The inclination adjustment of the squeegee tool is carried out by means of the adjustment device about an inclination axis (N) and the squeegee bearing is mounted and / or supported at least by a spring bearing during the inclination adjustment.

[0150] A further independent aspect of the present invention relates to a method for producing screen-printed workpieces, in particular using a device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces as described above and / or a 3D screen printing system and / or using a squeegee device as described above. In a method for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular using a device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces and / or a 3D screen printing system, a printing screen is flooded with a printing compound by means of a squeegee device and / or printing compound is pressed through a printing screen by means of a squeegee device. A squeegee force acting on a squeegee tool of the squeegee device is detected by means of a sensor device. Finally, a squeegee force deviation along a longitudinal extent of the squeegee tool is detected by the sensor device.

[0151] A further independent aspect of the present invention also relates to a method for producing screen-printed workpieces, in particular using a device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces as described above and / or a 3D screen printing system and / or using a squeegee device as described above. In a method for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular using a device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces and / or a 3D screen printing system, a printing screen is flooded with a printing compound by means of a squeegee device and / or printing compound is pressed through a printing screen by means of a squeegee device. A squeegee force acting on a squeegee tool of the squeegee device is detected by means of a sensor device.Finally, a control device determines a screen restoring force and / or screen tension of the printing screen from recorded and / or stored sensor data of the sensor device.

[0152] The details and independent aspects described above with respect to the device, including the subordinate aspects relating to a device, as well as the respective advantages described apply equally to the methods according to the invention described above according to the further independent aspects.

[0153] The invention is described below by way of example using advantageous embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Each of these figures shows schematically:

[0154] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0155] Fig. 2 is a side view of the device of Fig. 1 in an open state;

[0156] Fig. 3 is a perspective detailed view of a printing device of the apparatus of Figure 1;

[0157] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a doctor blade device and a doctor blade movement device of the device of Figure 1;

[0158] Fig. 5 is a partial front view of a doctor blade device of Fig. 4;

[0159] Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the doctor blade device of Figure 5;

[0160] Fig. 7 is an enlarged detailed view of the doctor blade device of Fig. 6;

[0161] Fig. 8 is a front view of the doctor blade device of Figure 5 without a doctor blade tool;

[0162] Fig. 9 is a side view of the doctor blade device of Fig. 8;

[0163] Fig. 10 is a sectional view along the line EE of Figure 9;

[0164] Fig. 11 is an enlarged and partially sectional view of the doctor blade device of Fig. 10;

[0165] Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken along line BB of Figure 9; Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along line CC of Figure 9;

[0166] Fig. 14 is a sectional view along the line DD of Figure 9;

[0167] Fig. 15 is a front view of a doctor blade movement device of Fig. 4;

[0168] Fig. 16 is a sectional view of the doctor blade movement device of Fig. 15;

[0169] Fig. 17 is a plan view of the doctor blade movement device of Fig. 15;

[0170] Fig. 18 is a sectional view along the line AA of Figure 15; and

[0171] Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a doctor tool of the doctor device of Figure 18.

[0172] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a device 10 for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, wherein Figure 2 shows a side view of the device 10 from Figure 1 in an open state, in particular without a housing.

[0173] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a printing device 20 of the device 10 from Figure 1, wherein Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a doctor blade movement device 72 of the device 10 from Figure 1.

[0174] Figures 1 to 4 show a device 10 for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular a 3D screen printing system. The device 10 can preferably be a 3D screen printing system. In particular, the device 10 can be a 3D screen printing system for the production of pharmaceuticals. The device 10 can be equipped with a printing screen 12 and with a doctor blade device 14 for flooding the printing screen 12 with a printing compound and / or for pressing printing compound through the printing screen 12, as shown in more detail in Figures 3 and 4.

[0175] The squeegee device 14 further comprises a squeegee tool 16 and a sensor device 18 for detecting squeegee forces acting on the squeegee tool 16. The sensor device 18 can be configured to detect a squeegee force deviation along a longitudinal extension L of the squeegee tool 16. The longitudinal extension L of the squeegee tool 16 is shown in more detail in Figures 3 and 4, among others. Such a sensor device 18 can ensure, for example, a uniform application of force by the squeegee device along the longitudinal extension L of the squeegee tool 16.

[0176] Thus, the squeegee forces acting on the squeegee tool 16 can be measured along the longitudinal extent L of the squeegee tool 16. This ensures a uniform or even deliberately uneven application of force from the squeegee tool 16 to the printing screen 12. Furthermore, the reliable and monitorable spatial alignment of the squeegee tool 16 can also be realized.

[0177] As further illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the apparatus 10 may additionally comprise a printing device 20 comprising at least the printing screen 12 and / or the squeegee device 14 for the layer-by-layer production of at least one screen-printed workpiece in multiple screen-printing processes and / or for the layer application to a workpiece (not shown in detail) in at least one screen-printing process. The printing device 20 may, for example, be arranged adjacent to other functional areas of the apparatus 10, for example an inspection area for screen-printed workpieces and / or a drying area for screen-printed workpieces. The dimensions of the printing device 20 may essentially be determined by the printing screen 16 and / or by a frame holder and / or suspension for the printing screen 16 and / or may be limited by a printing table 22.

[0178] The printing device 20 may have at least one printing table 22 for positioning a workpiece carrier and / or a workpiece below the printing screen 12 and / or below the doctor blade device 14, as shown in more detail in Figures 2, 3 and 4.

[0179] Figure 5 shows a partial front view of the doctor device 14 according to the embodiment in Figures 1 to 4, with Figure 6 showing a sectional view of Figure 5. Finally, Figure 7 shows an enlarged detailed view of a partial area of ​​Figure 6.

[0180] Figure 8 shows a front view of the doctor device 14 of Figure 5, while Figure 9 shows a side view of the doctor device 14 of Figure 8. Furthermore, Figure 10 shows a sectional view along the line EE of Figure 9, and Figure 11 shows an enlarged view of a partial area of ​​Figure 10.

[0181] In addition, Figure 12 shows a sectional view along the line BB of Figure 9, Figure 13 shows a sectional view along the line CC of Figure 9 and Figure 14 shows a sectional view along the line DD of Figure 9.

[0182] Figures 5 to 11 show the squeegee device 14 of the device 10 for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, as already described above. It can also be seen from these figures that the sensor device 18 can have at least two force measuring sensors 24, 26, which can be two force measuring sensors 24, 26 connected in parallel.

[0183] The force measuring sensors 24, 26 are arranged spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal extent L of the squeegee tool 16. This makes it possible to detect whether the force exerted by the squeegee tool 16 on the printing screen 12 and / or on the printing table 22 is uniform or not. This makes it possible to maintain a reproducible layer thickness or a layer application on a workpiece (not shown in detail here) or on a workpiece carrier (not shown in detail here) in a constant manner over multiple printing processes and / or particularly uniformly across the print layout of a printing screen. Furthermore, the force measuring sensors 25, 26 can be used to check the spatial alignment or orientation of the squeegee tool 16 by comparing the forces detected by the force measuring sensors 25, 26.

[0184] Furthermore, the force measuring sensors 24, 26 can be configured to simultaneously measure absolute squeegee forces at measuring points spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal extent L of the squeegee tool 16. This allows for a direct comparison of the detected or measured squeegee forces of the force measuring sensors 24, 26 with one another and thus creates a further improved information and data basis for subsequent and / or ongoing printing processes.

[0185] Alternatively or additionally, the force measuring sensors 24, 26 can be configured to detect relative squeegee force deviations at measuring points spaced apart along the longitudinal extent L of the squeegee tool 16. Detected differences or deviations in the squeegee force along the longitudinal extent L of the squeegee tool 16 can thus be advantageously used for the control and / or regulation of subsequent and / or ongoing printing processes. This ensures that the squeegee tool 16 rests on or contacts the respective printing screen 12 with a squeegee force or forces within the desired parameters.

[0186] Furthermore, it can be seen from Figures 5 to 11 that, in a plan view of the doctor blade device 14, the force measuring sensors 24, 26 can be arranged above a contact line of the doctor blade tool 16 and / or aligned with a contact line of the doctor blade tool 16. Thus, unfavorable moments on the doctor blade device 14 can be reduced and, if necessary, the measurement results of the force measuring sensors 24, 26 can be improved.

[0187] Furthermore, Figures 5 to 11 show that the doctor blade device 14 can have an adjusting device 28 for adjusting the inclination of the doctor blade tool 16. The adjusting device 28 can be designed for adjusting the inclination of a longitudinal axis of the tool extending along the longitudinal extent L of the doctor blade tool 16 relative to the printing screen 12 and / or relative to a printing table 22 and / or relative to a horizontal plane.

[0188] Finally, it is possible to design the adjusting device 28 for adjusting the inclination of a squeegee lower edge relative to the printing screen 12 and / or relative to the printing table 22 and / or relative to a horizontal plane.

[0189] By adjusting the inclination of the squeegee tool 16 and / or one of the respective squeegee lower edges, the force distribution with which the squeegee tool 16 or the squeegee lower edge acts on the printing screen 12 or on the printing table 22 along its contact line and along the longitudinal extent L can be suitably adjusted. Thus, with the aid of the adjustment device 28, a uniform or intentionally uneven force distribution of the squeegee device on the printing screen 12 and / or on the printing table 22 can be achieved.

[0190] Furthermore, Figures 5 to 11 show that the adjustment device 28 can be designed to adjust the inclination of the squeegee tool 16 about an inclination axis N. The inclination axis N extends along a squeegee movement direction R and / or at an angle to a vertical plane passing through a squeegee lower edge. The presented design allows for precise alignment between the squeegee tool 16 and the printing screen 12 and / or the printing table 22 along the entire length of the squeegee tool 16. In this way, the squeegee force with which the squeegee tool 16 acts on the respective printing screen 12, in particular at different points of the print layout of the printing screen 12, can also be specifically adjusted.

[0191] Furthermore, the adjustment device 28 can be designed for the translational adjustment movement of the squeegee tool 16 along a vertical direction. For the inclination adjustment, the adjustment device 28 can have two adjustment screws 30, 32 for inclination adjustment. Each of the adjustment screws 30, 32, or at least one of the adjustment screws 30, 32, can be designed as a micrometer screw. This enables a fine and precise adjustment of the inclination of the squeegee tool 16, as well as a precise maintenance of the set inclination of the squeegee tool 16.

[0192] Particularly in Figures 10 and 11, it can be seen that the doctor device 14 can have a doctor bearing 34. This, together with the adjustment device 28, allows an inclination adjustment of the doctor tool 16 about an inclination axis N and / or a translational adjustment movement of the doctor tool 16, in particular along a vertical plane.

[0193] The squeegee bearing 34 can have a plurality of spring bearings 36, 38, in particular a plurality of leaf spring bearings. Each spring bearing 36, 38 exerts a spring force acting against the correspondingly assigned adjusting screw 30, 32. Thus, the squeegee tool 16 is pressed against the adjusting screws 30, 32 via the squeegee bearing 34, thereby maintaining a defined spatial alignment of the squeegee tool 16.

[0194] Furthermore, Figure 11 shows that the doctor blade bearing 34 can have two slotted guides 40, 42, which preferably have some play. In particular, the two fixing devices 44, 46, described in more detail below, can be guided in the slotted guides 40, 42 with some play. The doctor blade tool 16 can be moved relative to the adjusting device 28 in predetermined or limited movement paths or within a predetermined range, namely over the length of the respective slotted guide 40, 42.

[0195] Figures 10 to 12 show that the doctor blade device 14 can have two fixing devices 44, 46 for fixing an inclination position of the doctor blade tool 16 adjusted by the adjusting device 28 and / or for fixing a translational adjustment position adjusted by the adjusting device 28. The respective fixing device 44, 46 can have a fixing screw 45, 47. Each fixing screw 45, 47 can be guided in a slotted guide 40, 42 of the doctor blade bearing 34, in particular guided with play.

[0196] The inclination of the squeegee tool 16, which can be preset or adjusted using the adjusting device 28, can be fixed by means of the fixing devices 44, 46 or the fixing screw 45, 47. Furthermore, the fixing devices 44, 46 or the fixing screws 44, 46 can reliably fix this relative position after the inclination or spatial orientation of the squeegee tool 16 relative to the printing screen 12 or relative to the printing table 22 has been adjusted, for example, via the adjusting device 28.

[0197] Furthermore, it can be seen from Figures 10 to 12 that the doctor device 14 can have an adjustment holder 48 and a support structure 50 coupled to the adjustment holder 48. A doctor tool 16 can be arranged on the support structure 50, as shown, for example, in Figures 5 and 6 and described below.

[0198] The slotted guides 40, 42 can also be provided on the support structure. The fixing screws 45, 47 can be passed through the slotted guides 40, 42 in the support structure 50 and screwed and fixed into threaded holes in the adjustment bracket 48, or can be fixed by screwing into the adjustment bracket 48. The slotted guides 40, 42 can thus enable movement of the squeegee tool 16 attached to the support structure 50 relative to the adjustment bracket 48, so that the relative position between the squeegee tool 16 and the printing screen 12 or the respective printing table 22 can be adjusted. The relative position and / or relative alignment between the adjustment bracket 48 and the support structure 50 can be changed via the adjustment device 28.In particular, by using the adjustment device 28, the inclination of the support structure 50 and thus also of the squeegee tool 16 can be changed or adjusted about the inclination axis N relative to the adjustment holder 48.

[0199] Figures 10 to 12 also show that the doctor blade bearing 34 is formed between the adjustment holder 48 and the support structure 50 and that the fixing devices 44, 46 or the fixing screws 45, 47 can be designed to fix the relative position and / or relative alignment between the adjustment holder 48 and the support structure 50.

[0200] The adjustment device 28 or the adjustment screws 30, 32 of the adjustment device 28 can be fixedly arranged on the adjustment holder 48 and simultaneously be in operative contact with the support structure 50 and / or can be brought into operative contact with the support structure 50. Furthermore, the adjustment device 28 or the adjustment screws 30, 32 of the adjustment device 28 can be designed to generate a relative movement between the adjustment holder 48 and the support structure 50. Thus, the squeegee tool 16 can be adjusted or positioned in a suitable manner in terms of its spatial orientation.

[0201] For adjustment via the adjustment device 28, the fixing screws 45, 47 can first be loosened, thus enabling relative movement between the adjustment bracket 48 and the support structure 50. The desired adjustment or spatial alignment can then be performed using the adjusting screws 30, 32 of the adjustment device 28, before the set relative position between the adjustment bracket 48 and the support structure 50 is again fixed using the fixing screws 45, 47.

[0202] Furthermore, Figures 10 to 12 show that the spring bearings 36, 38 or the leaf spring bearings can be clamped to the support structure 50 and / or can be resiliently supported on the adjustment bracket 48 and / or on the support structure 50.

[0203] As shown in more detail in Figures 10 and 11, the spring bearings 36, 38 or the leaf spring bearings can each be arranged within a recess 51 of the support structure 50 and / or arranged along the recess 51 of the support structure 50. The spring bearings 36, 38 or the leaf spring bearings can each be clamped to one end of the respective recess 51 on the support structure 50.

[0204] Furthermore, the spring bearings 36, 38 or the leaf spring bearings can also be supported on bearing pins 53 that are connected to the adjustment bracket 48 and / or protrude relative to the adjustment bracket 48. In particular, the bearing pins 53 can be connected to the adjustment bracket 48 and protrude into the recess 51 of the support structure, thus enabling the spring bearings 36, 38 or the leaf spring bearings to be supported on the bearing pins 53.

[0205] Each of the spring mounts 36, 38 can generate a preload of the support structure 50 against the adjustment holder 48 and / or against the adjustment device 28 arranged on the adjustment holder 48. This preload can specify a spatial alignment of the squeegee tool 16 arranged on the support structure 50, namely even when the fixing screws 45, 47 are loosened. Adjustment work can be significantly simplified as a result. Furthermore, Figures 10 to 12 show that the squeegee device 14 can have a fastening system 52 for fastening and / or clamping the squeegee tool 16. The fastening system 52 is preferably designed as a tensioning system and / or clamping system and / or as a quick-change clamping system and / or as a quick-change clamping system. The aforementioned systems serve to facilitate uncomplicated, simple and / or quick changing and correct positioning of the squeegee tool 16.

[0206] According to the aforementioned figures, the fastening system 52 can be actuated without tools or by means of a plurality of toggle screws 54, 56, in particular for clamping and / or clamping and / or releasing a squeegee tool 16. Thus, the respective squeegee tool 16 can be replaced quickly and easily by a user by manual actuation, whereby the set-up times for replacing a squeegee tool can be reduced.

[0207] The fastening system 52 can be arranged on the support structure 50 and / or can be formed at least partially by the support structure 50. The support structure 50 can, for example, have an internal thread that can engage the external thread of a toggle screw 54, 56.

[0208] As can also be seen from Figures 2 to 12, the doctor blade device 14 can have an adjusting device 66 for moving the doctor blade tool 16 between a raised starting position and at least one lowered operating position. The adjusting device 66 can have a plurality of linear drives 68, 70, as shown, for example, in Figures 10 and 11. Thus, the adjusting device 66 can have a plurality of linear drives 68, 70 connected in series. Thus, by means of the adjusting device 66, the doctor blade device 14 can be moved, for example, toward or away from the printing table 22 and / or toward or away from the printing screen 12.

[0209] A linear drive 68 of the actuating device 66 can be designed as an electric or electromechanical linear drive and / or as an electric spindle drive and / or as an electric cylinder and / or as a linear actuator. Furthermore, a linear drive 70 of the actuating device 66 can be designed as a pneumatic linear drive or linear cylinder. Thus, the actuating device 66 is capable of performing a linear movement via the linear drive 70 using pressurized gas. The pneumatic linear drive 70 can be arranged, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, in the power flow between the electric or electromechanical linear drive 68 and the doctor tool 16, as shown, for example, in Figures 6 and 10. Thus, the stroke of the actuating device 66 can, for example, be quickly varied or increased or decreased.

[0210] Furthermore, Figures 5 to 7 show that the sensor device 18 can be arranged in the force flow between the adjusting device 66 and the doctor blade tool 16. In particular, the sensor device 18 can be arranged in the force flow between the adjusting device 66 and the doctor blade bearing 34 and / or in the force flow between the adjusting device 66 and the adjusting device 28 and / or in the force flow between the adjusting device 66 and the adjusting holder 48.

[0211] It can also be seen from Figures 6, 7, 8 and 10 that the sensor device 18, in particular the force measuring sensors 24, 26 of the sensor device 18, can be arranged fixedly between the adjusting holder 48 and a sensor holder 84 connected to the adjusting device 66.

[0212] Figures 15 to 17 further show that the device 10 has a doctor blade movement device 72 for moving the doctor blade device 14 and / or the doctor blade tool 16 along a horizontal doctor blade movement direction R. Figure 15 shows a front view of a doctor blade movement device 72 of the device 10 from Figure 1, with Figure 16 showing a sectional view of Figure 15 and Figure 17 showing a plan view of the doctor blade movement device 72 from Figure 15. It is thus possible to move the doctor blade tool 16 or the doctor blade device 14 by means of the doctor blade movement device 72 along a horizontal doctor blade movement direction R.

[0213] The squeegee movement device 72 can have at least one linear drive or multiple linear drives for moving the squeegee device 14 and / or the squeegee tool 16. The squeegee device 14 and / or the squeegee tool 16 can thus be linearly movable back and forth in one direction.

[0214] Furthermore, Figures 15 to 17 show that the squeegee movement device 72 can comprise a gantry system with linear guides 74, 76 and a cross member 78, as well as support devices 80, 82 for supporting the cross member 78 on the linear guides 74, 76. The linear guides 74, 76 extend along the squeegee movement direction R, and the cross member 78 can extend between the linear guides 74, 76 and transversely to the linear guides 74, 76 in a plan view. It is thus possible to hold the squeegee tool 16 or the squeegee device 14 suspended above the printing table 22 and / or suspended above the printing screen 12 and to move it linearly. Thus, a reliable sequence of successive printing passes can be ensured with the device 10 for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces.

[0215] Furthermore, Figures 15 to 17 show that the doctor blade device 14 and the actuating device 66 of the doctor blade device 14 can be fastened to the cross member 78 of the gantry system. Thus, a movement of the cross member 78 causes a movement of the doctor blade device 14 or the doctor blade tool 16. Furthermore, the doctor blade device 14 is arranged immovably along a longitudinal extent L of the cross member 78. This prevents unwanted movements along the cross member 78, resulting in an overall robust structure. The doctor blade device 14 can further be configured for printing in a position mode, in which a pneumatic linear drive 70 of the actuating device 66 can be retracted and an electric or electromechanical linear drive 68 of the actuating device 66 can be at least partially extended or lowered.In a positioning mode, the pneumatic linear drive 70 can be deactivated, while the electric or electromechanical linear drive 68 can be operated. The electric or electromechanical linear drive 68 can be used to move to a specific position with high precision.

[0216] Furthermore, the squeegee device 14 can be configured for printing in a force mode, in which a pneumatic linear drive 70 of the actuating device 66 can be partially or fully extended and / or lowered. Furthermore, in a force mode, an electric or electromechanical linear drive 68 of the actuating device 66 can be retracted or only at least partially extended or lowered. Likewise, in a force mode, an electric or electromechanical linear drive 68 of the actuating device 66 can be fully extended. In a force mode, the pneumatic linear drive 70 of the actuating device 66 can be operated as a gas spring. In force mode, it is possible for the position of the squeegee tool 16 to be controlled and / or regulated based on force. Sudden increases in squeegee forces can be advantageously compensated for in a force mode.For operation as a gas spring, the pneumatic linear drive 70 of the actuating device 66 can have a proportional valve (not shown in detail here) which can regulate or control the flow rate of the respective gas.

[0217] Figure 18 shows a sectional view along the line AA of Figure 15. Figure 19 also shows a perspective view of a doctor tool 16 of the doctor device 14 of Figure 18.

[0218] Looking at Figures 18 and 19, it can be seen that the doctor tool 16 can have a doctor blade 58. The doctor blade 58 of the doctor tool 16 can be made, at least in sections, from a plastic material and / or a sheet metal material. Furthermore, the doctor tool 16 can have a doctor blade receptacle 60. Furthermore, the doctor blade 58 is mounted on the doctor blade receptacle 60 of the doctor tool 16 and clamped in or on the doctor blade receptacle 60. Thus, a doctor blade 58 of the doctor tool 16 can be fixedly arranged on the doctor blade receptacle 60.

[0219] Furthermore, Figure 19 shows that the squeegee tool 16 can have a coupling section 64 formed on the squeegee receptacle 60 and / or connected to the squeegee receptacle 60 for connection to the fastening system 52 and / or for clamping or clamping in the fastening system 52. The squeegee tool 16 can be designed as an interchangeable tool. By exchanging the squeegee tool 16, the squeegee angle β between a squeegee side surface 62 and a vertical plane can be changed - as shown in Figure 18. In this way, a squeegee angle between a squeegee side surface 62 and a horizontal plane and / or the printing screen 12 and / or a printing table 22 can also be changed.

[0220] According to Figure 18, the doctor blade 58 can have two doctor side surfaces 62 which run between the side edges of the doctor blade 58, wherein a doctor angle β formed between a doctor side surface 62 and a vertical plane and / or a doctor angle formed between a doctor side surface 62 and a horizontal plane and / or between a doctor side surface 62 and the printing screen 12 and / or between a doctor side surface 62 and the printing table 22 is predetermined or fixed by the doctor blade holder 60. Thus, by the design of the doctor blade 58 or by the design of the doctor blade holder 60, any doctor angle β can be selected or configured such that the printing screen 12 is flooded in a suitable manner by the respective doctor blade 58 and / or is pressed through the printing screen 12.

[0221] Finally, Figure 18 shows that the device 10 can have two doctor blade devices 14, 15. One doctor blade device 14 can be designed as a flood doctor device and another doctor blade device 15 as a printing doctor blade device. Likewise, both doctor blade devices 14, 15 can be designed as printing doctor blade devices and / or operated as printing doctor blade devices. Furthermore, both doctor blade devices 14, 15 can be arranged on the doctor blade movement device 72, in particular on the cross member 78 of the doctor blade movement device 72. Thus, the doctor blade device 14 or the doctor blade devices 14, 15 and the doctor blade movement device 72 can form a doctor blade system. Each of the doctor blade devices 14, 15 can be designed according to the above description or with the above details.

[0222] The operation of a device 10 described above for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular a 3D screen printing system, is explained in more detail below.

[0223] As shown by way of example in Figure 10, the device 10 can have a control device 100 for controlling and / or regulating the actuating device 66 and / or the doctor blade movement device 72 and / or the adjustment device 28 and / or for processing and / or evaluating and / or storing and / or comparing sensor data from the sensor device 18. The control device 100 is thus able to control, regulate or process the aforementioned devices and their data. The control device 100 can be a so-called machine control and / or machine regulation. Such a control device 100 can also be equipped with an operating unit (not shown in detail here) for operation by the operating personnel and / or can be connected to such an operating unit.

[0224] The control device 100 can further be configured to detect and / or evaluate a squeegee force via the sensor device 18 when the squeegee tool 16 exerts a force directly on a printing table 22 and / or in a screen-free arrangement. Furthermore, the control device 100 can be configured to detect and / or evaluate a squeegee force via the sensor device 18 when the squeegee tool 16 exerts a force on a printing screen 12 in an operating position with the printing screen 12 resting on a printing table 22.

[0225] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be designed to detect and / or evaluate a squeegee force via the sensor device 18 when the squeegee tool 16 exerts a force on a printing screen 12, free from contact between the printing screen 12 and a printing table 22 and / or between the printing screen 12 and a printing substrate and / or between the printing screen 12 and at least one screen printing workpiece.

[0226] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be designed to detect and / or evaluate a squeegee force via the sensor device 18 when the squeegee tool 16 exerts a force on a printing screen 12 and when contact is made between a printing table 22 and / or a printing substrate and / or at least one screen printing workpiece by the printing screen 12 as a result of the force acting on the printing screen 12, in particular when the printing screen 12 is elastically deformed.

[0227] The control device 100 can be configured to detect and / or evaluate an increase in the squeegee force via the sensor device 18 during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool 16, which is effected by the actuating device 66. Thus, the control device 100 is capable of reliably detecting and / or evaluating the increase in squeegee forces using the sensor device 18.

[0228] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be designed to detect and / or evaluate an increase in squeegee force via the sensor device (18) during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool 16 which takes place exclusively onto the printing screen 12 by means of the adjusting device 66, in particular free from contact with a printing table 22 and / or a printing substrate and / or at least one screen printing workpiece by the printing screen 12.

[0229] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be designed to detect and / or evaluate an increase in the squeegee force via the sensor device 18 during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool 16 onto the printing screen 12 by means of the adjusting device 66, in an operating position in which the printing screen 12 rests on a printing table 22.

[0230] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be designed to detect and / or evaluate a squeegee force increase via the sensor device 18 during a printing process on a printing table 22 and / or on a printing substrate, in particular in a screen-free arrangement, by means of the adjusting device 66.

[0231] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be configured to terminate a lowering movement by the actuating device 66 upon the beginning of a squeegee force increase during the lowering of the squeegee tool 16, as detected by the sensor device 18. Consequently, the control device 100 can serve to terminate the lowering of the squeegee tool 16 upon reaching a specific or predetermined squeegee force. This can serve to protect the squeegee tool 16 or the squeegee device 14, as well as the printing screen 12 and / or the printing table 22.

[0232] The control device 100 can further be configured to automatically or semi-automatically reference a squeegee height upon the onset of a squeegee force increase detected by the sensor device 18 during the lowering of the squeegee tool 16. This can mean that the control device 100, based on an onset of a squeegee force increase or the onset of an increase in the squeegee force during the lowering of the squeegee tool 16, sets a possible squeegee height, for example a target height or target position of the squeegee tool 16, as a reference, which in turn can serve as a reference for subsequent processes.

[0233] Furthermore, it is possible for the control device 100 to be configured to detect and / or evaluate a squeegee force deviation along a longitudinal extent L of the squeegee tool 16 via the sensor device 18 during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool 16 performed by the actuating device 66. Accordingly, the control device 100 can detect, compare, and / or evaluate squeegee forces along the longitudinal extent L of the squeegee tool 16. This makes it possible, for example, to use the control device 100 to promote a uniform force distribution along a longitudinal extent L of the squeegee tool 16, so that the force of the squeegee tool 16 on the printing screen 12 and / or on the printing table 22 and / or on the respective workpieces is consistent or constant along the longitudinal extent L of the squeegee tool 16.

[0234] The control device 100 can also be configured to automatically or semi-automatically perform an inclination adjustment by means of the adjusting device 28 in the event of a squeegee force deviation along a longitudinal extent L of the squeegee tool 16 detected by the sensor device 18. In this way, the spatial orientation of the squeegee tool 16 can be specifically adjusted and / or corrected with only minimal handling effort using the adjusting device 28 and the sensor device 18, so that the desired squeegee force or squeegee force distribution can be set along a longitudinal extent L of the squeegee tool 16 and / or along the entire length of the squeegee tool 16. The automatic or semi-automatic adjustment or inclination adjustment and / or correction can be performed with minimal handling effort.

[0235] In addition, it can be provided that the control device 100 is designed to reference the inclination position of the squeegee tool 16 upon detection of a squeegee force distribution that is uniform along a longitudinal extent L of the squeegee tool 16 and / or within a tolerance. Consequently, the control device 100 can use such referencing for subsequent printing or squeegeeing processes using the squeegee tool 16. In particular, starting from a referenced inclination position of the squeegee tool 16, either no further adjustment effort or only a reduced adjustment effort may result, since the desired squeegee force distribution is already present or can be achieved with little adjustment effort.

[0236] In addition, the control device 100 can be designed to automatically or semi-automatically fix the inclination position of the squeegee tool 16 upon detection of a squeegee force distribution that is uniform along a longitudinal extent L of the squeegee tool 16 and / or within a tolerance.

[0237] Consequently, the control device 100 can be configured, for example, to activate at least one fixing device 44, 46 of the doctor device 14 for fixing an inclination position of the doctor tool 16 adjusted by the adjusting device 28 and / or for adjusting a translational adjustment position adjusted by the adjusting device 28 and / or to actuate it in such a way that the at least one fixing device 44, 46 locks or fixes an inclination position of the doctor tool 16 or a translational adjustment position. Because this fixing can be performed automatically or semi-automatically, human operating errors can at least be reduced and any handling effort can also be kept to a minimum.

[0238] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be configured to detect and / or evaluate a squeegee force and / or a squeegee force deviation in the longitudinal direction L of the squeegee tool 16 via the sensor device 18 during a movement of the squeegee device 14 along a horizontal squeegee movement direction R, which movement is effected by means of the squeegee movement device 72. Thus, the control device 100 can detect a squeegee force and / or a squeegee force deviation in the longitudinal direction L of the squeegee tool 16 during the movement of the squeegee device 14 with the aid of the sensor device 18, and the information and / or data obtained therefrom can be incorporated into further or subsequent process control or used as influencing parameters for any control and / or regulation by the control device 100. This enables an improvement in printing results during the operation of the squeegee device 14.

[0239] A detection and / or evaluation by the control device 100 as described above and also below can preferably be carried out when the squeegee tool 16 exclusively exerts a force on the printing screen 12 and / or when contact is made by the printing screen 12 with a printing table 22 and / or a printing substrate and / or at least one screen printing workpiece as a result of the force exerted by the squeegee tool 16 on the printing screen 12.

[0240] In a further embodiment, the control device 100 can be designed to detect and / or evaluate, via the sensor device 18, a change in the squeegee force as a function of the squeegee position along the squeegee movement direction R during a movement of the squeegee device 14 by means of the squeegee movement device 72 along a squeegee movement direction R running in the horizontal direction. Thus, a change in the squeegee force during the displacement or movement of the squeegee tool 16 above the printing screen 12 or the printing table 22 can be detected and / or evaluated. The control device can therefore detect and / or evaluate changes in the squeegee force as a function of the squeegee position above the printing screen 12 or the printing table 22 during the displacement and / or movement of the squeegee device 14 or during the displacement and / or movement of the squeegee tool 16.The information and / or data thus obtained can be incorporated into the further or subsequent process control or used as influencing parameters for any control and / or regulation by the control device 100. Thus, changes in the squeegee force during the displacement and / or movement of the squeegee tool 16 above the printing screen 12 or the printing table 22 can be appropriately taken into account, and the respective printing results can be improved.

[0241] Likewise, the control device 100 can be configured to detect and / or evaluate, via the sensor device 18, a change in the squeegee force deviation in the longitudinal direction L of the squeegee tool 16 as a function of the squeegee position along the squeegee movement direction R during a movement of the squeegee device 14 by means of the squeegee movement device 72 along a squeegee movement direction R. Consequently, the control device 100 can detect and / or evaluate changes in the squeegee force deviation in the longitudinal direction L of the squeegee tool 16 as a function of the squeegee position during the movement of the squeegee device 14 with the aid of the sensor device 18.For example, an increase and / or decrease and / or a constant deviation of the squeegee force in the longitudinal direction L of the squeegee tool 16 can be suitably detected during a squeegee movement along a horizontal squeegee movement direction R. The information and / or data obtained in this way can in turn be incorporated into further or subsequent process control or used as influencing parameters for any control and / or regulation by the control device 100. The printing results can thus be further improved.

[0242] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be configured to continuously and / or repeatedly record squeegee forces and / or squeegee force deviations in the longitudinal direction L of the squeegee tool 16 during a movement of the squeegee device 14 along the squeegee movement direction R by means of the squeegee movement device 72 and / or during a screen printing process. Thus, continuous monitoring of squeegee forces and / or squeegee force deviations during a movement of the squeegee device 14 can be realized with the aid of the control device 100, and a further improved database can be created for subsequent process control, further screen printing processes, and / or subsequent adjustments to the alignment and / or inclination of the squeegee tool 16.

[0243] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be configured to store and / or evaluate measurement data from continuous and / or recurring acquisitions during a movement of the squeegee device 14 along the squeegee movement direction R by means of the squeegee movement device 72 and / or during a printing process. Accordingly, the control device 100 can store and / or evaluate measurement data for further processing. In particular, with measurement data from continuous and / or recurring acquisitions, further findings, such as wear on the printing screen 12 and / or the squeegee tool 16 or the squeegee device 14, can be determined. Based on such data, suitable measures can be initiated for subsequent printing processes in order to improve or maintain print quality.

[0244] The control device 100 can also be configured to detect and / or evaluate the progression of a squeegee force increase as a function of a lowering path via the sensor device 18 during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool 16, which occurs by means of the actuating device 66, in a screen-free arrangement and / or when force is applied by the squeegee tool 16 directly onto a printing table 22 and / or in an arrangement with the printing screen 12 resting on a printing table 22. Such a configuration allows the force increase or the behavior of the squeegee tool during the increase in squeegee force to be determined free from the influence of a printing screen 12.The knowledge and information obtained therefrom can be used advantageously for adjusting the inclination position of the squeegee tool 16 and / or for controlling a lowering movement in the presence of a printing screen 12 and / or for printing processes or squeegee movements by means of a squeegee movement device 72.

[0245] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be designed to detect and / or evaluate the course of a squeegee force increase as a function of a lowering path via the sensor device 18 during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool 16 onto the printing screen 12 by means of the adjusting device 66, free from contact with a printing table 22 and / or a printing substrate and / or a screen printing workpiece by the printing screen 12.

[0246] In addition, the control device 100 can be configured to determine a screen restoring force and / or a screen tension of the printing screen 12, in particular a relative screen restoring force and / or a relative screen tension of the printing screen 12, by means of the sensor device 18 and / or from recorded and / or stored sensor data of the sensor device 18. Consequently, the control device 100 can be used to draw conclusions about the wear or aging of the printing screen 12 or about any damage or manufacturing defects of the printing screen 12. If the screen restoring force and / or screen tension is relatively low, or if the squeegee forces only increase slowly after contact with the printing screen 12, it can be concluded that the printing screen 12 is subject to high levels of wear.

[0247] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be configured to detect the beginning of a squeegee force increase during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool 16 performed by means of the adjusting device 66 and / or to define the lowering path of the squeegee tool 16 present at the beginning of the squeegee force increase as the measurement reference starting point for detecting a further squeegee force increase and / or for detecting a screen restoring force and / or a screen tension and / or a reference screen restoring force and / or a reference screen tension and / or screen aging. Thus, by detecting the beginning of the squeegee force increase, it is possible to infer a first contact with the printing screen 12 or with a printing table 22. Such a contact point can advantageously be used as a measurement reference starting point, and in this way, a particularly precise reference measurement or monitoring measurement can be performed.For example, the position from which the squeegee force increase begins can be defined as a measurement reference starting point for detecting a reference screen restoring force and / or a reference screen tension and / or can be defined as a measurement reference starting point for measurements of the screen restoring force and / or screen tension over the course of the service life of a printing screen 12.

[0248] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be configured to further lower the squeegee tool 16 by means of the adjusting device 66, starting from the measurement reference starting point, and to detect a further increase in the squeegee force as a function of the lowering distance. Based on the further increase in the squeegee force, the control device 100 can determine a screen restoring force and / or a screen tension and / or a reference screen restoring force and / or a reference screen tension and / or a screen aging. Thus, starting from the measurement reference starting point and upon further lowering of the adjusting device 66, the control device 100 can determine the screen restoring force and / or screen tension and / or the elasticity of the printing screen 12 based on the increase in the squeegee force.A measurement of the screen recovery force and / or screen tension, or the increase in squeegee force as a function of the further lowering distance, taken from the measurement reference starting point on an intact printing screen 12 can serve as a reference measurement and be used for subsequent evaluations and / or comparisons with subsequent screen recovery force measurements and / or screen tension measurements. During the service life of the respective printing screen 12, the wear or aging of the printing screen 12 can be advantageously monitored in this way.

[0249] Furthermore, it is possible for the control device 100 to be configured to determine the screen restoring force and / or the screen tension of the printing screen 12 at a plurality of positions along a squeegee movement direction R extending in the horizontal direction, in particular in or near a center of the printing screen 12 and / or adjacent to a printing screen edge or edges. Accordingly, the wear of the printing screen 12 can be detected over the entire surface or the entire print layout of the printing screen 12. Thus, a plurality of measuring points for the screen restoring force and / or screen tension of the printing screen 12 can be determined or used, based on which conclusions can be drawn about the condition of the printing screen 12, specifically with regard to the wear of the printing screen 12. The detection reliability and accuracy can thereby be further improved.

[0250] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be configured to determine the screen restoring force and / or the screen tension between printing operations and / or to repeat this determination periodically and / or to periodically repeat it to determine screen wear and / or screen aging. Thus, the control device 100 can determine the screen wear or screen aging according to predeterminable or predetermined process sequences. Based on the respective result, a minimum print quality of the device 10 can be ensured with a high degree of certainty.

[0251] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be designed to determine the screen tension and / or screen restoring force by means of the sensor device 18 and taking into account a jump height between the printing screen 12 and a printing table 22 and / or a printing substrate and / or at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or taking into account a lowering path of the adjusting device 66.

[0252] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be configured to determine, by means of the sensor device 18 and / or from detected and / or stored sensor data of the sensor device 18, an application force that is effectively transmitted from the squeegee tool 16 via the printing screen 12 to a printing table 22 and / or to a printing substrate and / or to at least one screen-printed workpiece. Furthermore, the control device 100 can be configured to determine the application force from a difference between the squeegee force detected by the sensor device 18 and a previously known and / or determined screen restoring force of the printing screen 12.

[0253] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be designed to keep the application force constant during the execution of a printing process.

[0254] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be designed to carry out several printing processes with the same application forces and / or to keep deviations of the application forces between several printing processes below a predefined limit value.

[0255] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be designed to detect and / or evaluate an application force deviation along a longitudinal extent L of the doctor tool 16.

[0256] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be designed to determine the application force by means of the sensor device 18 and taking into account a jump height between the printing screen 12 and a printing table 22 and / or a printing substrate and / or at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or taking into account a lowering path of the actuating device 66.

[0257] Furthermore, the control device 100 and / or the adjusting device 66 can be configured to hold the squeegee tool 16 at a fixed height position during the execution of a printing process. By maintaining a fixed height position, a continuous, consistent, or uniform print image can be ensured.

[0258] Furthermore, a fixed height position can be set during the execution of a

[0259] The printing process can be fixed and / or maintained unchanged by means of the adjusting device 66 and / or the control device 100. In this way, a continuous, consistent, or uniform print image across the entire print layout of a printing screen 12 can be ensured with further increased reliability.

[0260] The control device 100 can also be configured to force-based control and / or regulation of the height position of the squeegee tool 16 during the execution of a printing process. Force-based control and / or regulation has the advantage that printing material can be pressed through the printing screen 12 with a constant force or pressure along the squeegee direction R. Force fluctuations can thereby be advantageously compensated. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, an excessively large or insufficient amount of printing material from being locally pressed through the printing screen 12, or to prevent local force or stress peaks from occurring, which could cause damage.

[0261] Furthermore, it can be provided that the control device 100 and / or the actuating device 66 is configured to maintain a fixed squeegee force and / or a fixed and effective application force during the execution of a printing process. This has the advantage that a constant force can be exerted with further increased reliability across the entire print layout of the printing screen 12, thus producing a particularly uniform print image. Fluctuations in the squeegee force can thus be compensated for in a particularly advantageous manner. This ensures particularly high print quality.

[0262] In addition, it is possible for the control device 100 to be designed to convert measurement data from continuous and / or recurring acquisitions by the sensor device 18 into mean values ​​and / or to store and / or process them during a movement of the doctor blade device 14 along the doctor blade movement direction R by means of the doctor blade movement device 72 and / or during a printing process. By converting and / or storing and / or processing acquired measurement data into mean values, a suitable database for subsequent control and regulation processes can advantageously be created by the control device 100, and an overall low computing effort is ensured. Intensive computing processes of the control device 100 can thereby be reduced, and on the other hand, a particularly uniform print image can be further promoted. In addition, storage space for measured values ​​and measurement data can be saved in this way.

[0263] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be configured to convert measurement data from continuous and / or recurring acquisitions by individual force measuring sensors 24, 26 into average values ​​and / or store and / or process them during a movement of the squeegee device 16 along the squeegee movement direction R by means of the squeegee movement device 72 and / or during a printing process. The information quality can be improved by differentiating data from individual force measuring sensors 24, 26 in this way. At the same time, the amount of data to be processed can be reduced, and the processing, storage, and conversion of data or measured values ​​can be accelerated.

[0264] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be configured to control and / or regulate the height position and / or alignment and / or inclination of the printing screen 12 after completion of a printing process and / or before the start of a printing process. In this way, the control device 100 is capable of adjusting the spatial alignment of the printing screen 12 such that, for example, a constant pressure of the squeegee device 14 or its squeegee tool 16 can be ensured. The alignment of the printing screen 12 can be adapted to the alignment of the squeegee tool 16, or control and / or regulation can take place taking into account the alignment of the printing screen 12 and the squeegee tool 16. A high-quality print image across the entire print layout of a printing screen 12 can thereby be achieved with further improved reliability.Furthermore, the control device 100 can be configured to control and / or regulate the height position and / or orientation and / or inclination of the printing screen 12 as a function of stored and / or processed measurement data from the sensor device 18 and / or individual force measuring sensors 24, 26 and / or as a function of a determined screen tension and / or screen restoring force and / or application force. Accordingly, it is possible to control and / or regulate the spatial orientation of the printing screen 12 via the height position, orientation and / or inclination of the printing screen 12 based on measurement data from the sensor device 18.Via feedback from the sensor device 18, for example, the spatial orientation of the printing screen 12 can be adjusted such that a squeegee force on the printing screen 12 and over the entire print layout or the entire surface of the printing screen 12 is constant or - depending on the desired process control or desired process parameters - has deviations.

[0265] Furthermore, it is possible for the control device 100 to be configured to force-based control and / or regulate the height position and / or alignment and / or inclination of the printing screen 12 during the execution of a printing process. In this way, the control device 100 is capable of flexibly adjusting or setting the spatial alignment of the printing screen 12 during a printing or squeegeeing process based on measured forces acting, for example, on the squeegee device 14 or the squeegee tool 16. This can further improve manufacturing accuracy and flexibility.

[0266] In addition, the control device 100 can be configured to control and / or regulate the height position and / or alignment and / or inclination of the printing screen 12 as a function of measurement data from continuous and / or recurring acquisitions by the sensor device 18 and / or individual force measuring sensors 24, 26 and / or as a function of a determined screen tension and / or screen restoring force and / or application force during a movement of the squeegee device 14 along the squeegee movement direction R by means of the squeegee movement device 72 and / or during a printing process. Thus, by configuring the control device 100 in this way, the spatial position and / or alignment of the printing screen 12 can be adjusted and / or controlled and / or regulated based on acquired measurement data from the sensor device 18 during operation of the device 10 or during a movement of the squeegee device 14 with the aid of the squeegee movement device 72.The precision of a printing process can be further improved in this way.

[0267] It can further be provided that the control device 100 is designed to adjust a squeegee force and / or application force by means of the adjusting device 66 as a function of a component height and / or as a function of the number of component layers already printed. The height of a print build-up that has already taken place or of a workpiece and / or the number of component layers already printed can in this way be advantageously used for further process control or further control and / or regulation by means of the control device 100. If the component height that has already been built up has a significant influence on the printing of further print layers or on the application of printing material by the printing screen 12, this can be compensated for in a suitable manner by adjusting the squeegee force and / or application force by means of the adjusting device 66.

[0268] Furthermore, control device 100 can be configured to proportionally reduce a squeegee force layer by layer, starting from a starting squeegee force and / or starting application force, until a boundary layer is reached, and / or to maintain the squeegee force and / or application force unchanged for the printing of further print layers upon reaching a boundary layer. This ensures that screen-printed components have substantially consistent layer thicknesses along their entire height. This allows printing precision to be further improved, and the risk of damage to previously printed layers can be reduced.

[0269] Furthermore, the control device 100 can be configured to determine an application force on the screen-printed workpieces located below the printing screen 12, in particular as a line print, based on a determined screen restoring force curve and / or screen tension curve, a determined squeegee blade flexibility, a determined squeegee force over the pressure profile in the squeegee movement direction R, a jump height between the printing screen 12 and a printing table 22 or a component surface, and / or a height of the printing screen 12. Such a determination can advantageously be used to produce high-quality screen-printed components in which a continuous or consistent print layer thickness is ensured from layer to layer. Ensuring consistent print layer thicknesses can lead to improved component precision.

[0270] Furthermore, it is possible for the control device 100 to be configured to perform a controlled and / or regulated adjustment of the application force and / or squeegee force and / or squeegee speed along a squeegee movement direction R and / or a jump height and / or a screen lift functionality based on an actual force profile detected by the sensor device 18 during a screen printing process. The adjustment of the squeegee force and / or squeegee speed using a detected actual force profile serves to suitably adapt the process parameters for an ongoing printing process and / or for at least one subsequent printing process. In this way, the production of high-precision screen-printed components can be achieved with further increased reliability. Any printing layers can have particularly precise thicknesses.In particular, when an actual force profile is detected, it is possible to intervene in the respective printing process in real time, and subsequently, settings can be made that allow the screen-printed component to be produced with increased precision. It can also be provided that the control device 100 is designed to carry out a controlled and / or regulated adjustment of a screen layer alignment and / or screen height alignment based on an actual force profile detected by the sensor device 18 during a screen printing process and / or a detected application force and / or screen restoring force and / or screen tension. Thus, the control device 100 can ensure, during operation of the device 10, an at least section-wise or localized adjustment of the squeegee force of the squeegee tool 16 on the printing screen 12 by, for example, changing the spatial position of the printing screen 12.This increases manufacturing precision and ensures that inaccuracies from previous printing processes are compensated for. As a result, screen-printed workpieces can be produced with even greater accuracy.

[0271] A device 10 according to the invention for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular a 3D screen printing system, can, as described above, have a printing screen 12 and a squeegee device 14 for flooding the printing screen 12 with a printing compound and / or for pressing printing compound through the printing screen 12. The squeegee device 14 can have at least one squeegee tool 16, a sensor device 18 for detecting squeegee forces acting on the squeegee tool 16, and a control device 100 for evaluating and / or storing sensor data from the sensor device 18. The control device 100 can be configured to determine a screen restoring force and / or screen tension of the printing screen 12 by means of the sensor device 18 and / or from detected and / or stored sensor data from the sensor device 18.

[0272] By determining the screen restoring force and / or screen tension of the printing screen 12, screen aging or wear can be detected, and the doctor blade device 14 can be readjusted according to the determined screen restoring force and / or screen tension, in particular to compensate for any detected screen aging or wear. This improves component service life, manufacturing accuracy, and productivity.

[0273] A squeegee device 14, 15 according to the invention, in particular for a device 10 for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, as described above, and / or for a 3D screen printing system, can have at least one squeegee tool 16 for flooding a printing screen 12 with a printing compound and / or for pressing printing compound through a printing screen 12. Furthermore, the squeegee device 1, 15 can be equipped with a sensor device 18 for detecting squeegee forces acting on the squeegee tool 16, wherein the sensor device 18 can be designed to detect a squeegee force deviation along a longitudinal extent L of the squeegee tool 16.

[0274] In a method according to the invention for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular with a device 10 for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces as described above, which can be designed in particular as a 3D screen printing system, a printing screen 12 can be flooded with a printing compound by means of a squeegee device 14 and / or printing compound can be pressed through a printing screen 12 by means of a squeegee device 14. Furthermore, a squeegee force acting on a squeegee tool 16 of the squeegee device 14 can be detected by a sensor device 18. Finally, a squeegee force deviation along a longitudinal extent L of the squeegee tool 16 can be detected by the sensor device 18.

[0275] The device 10 can be designed and / or configured in a particularly advantageous manner for the development and / or production of large quantities of pharmaceuticals. A method described above can also be carried out for the production of large quantities of pharmaceuticals. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS Device Printing screen Squeegee device Squeegee device Squeegee tool Sensor device Printing device Printing table Force measuring sensor Force measuring sensor Adjusting device Adjusting screw Adjusting screw Squeegee bearing Spring bearing Spring bearing Long hole guide Long hole guide Fixing device Fixing screw Fixing device Fixing screw Adjusting holder Supporting structure Recess Fastening system Bearing pin Thumb screw Thumb screw 8 Squeegee blade 0 Squeegee holder 2 Squeegee side surface 4 Coupling section 6 Adjusting device 8 Electric or electromechanical linear drive

[0276] 70 pneumatic linear actuators

[0277] 72 Squeegee movement device

[0278] 74 Linear guide

[0279] 76 Linear guide

[0280] 78 cross members

[0281] 80 support device

[0282] 82 support device

[0283] 84 Sensor holder

[0284] L Longitudinal extension

[0285] N tilt axis

[0286] R Squeegee movement direction

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Device (10) for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular a 3D screen printing system, with a printing screen (12) and with a squeegee device (14) for flooding the printing screen (12) with a printing compound and / or for pressing printing compound through the printing screen (12), wherein the squeegee device (14) has at least one squeegee tool (16), an adjusting device (28) for adjusting the inclination of the squeegee tool (16) and a squeegee bearing (34) which allows an inclination adjustment of the squeegee tool (16) by means of the adjusting device (28) about an inclination axis (N), wherein the squeegee bearing (34) has at least one spring bearing (36, 38).

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by a printing device (20) having at least the printing screen (12) and / or the doctor device (14) for the layer-by-layer production of at least one screen-printed workpiece in several screen-printing processes and / or for the layer application to a workpiece in at least one screen-printing process.

3. Device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the printing device (20) has at least one printing table (22) for positioning a workpiece carrier and / or a screen-printed workpiece below the printing screen (12) and / or below the doctor device (14).

4. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device (28) for adjusting the inclination of a longitudinal extension (L) of the doctor tool (16) the tool longitudinal axis is formed relative to the printing screen (12) and / or relative to a printing table (22) and / or relative to a horizontal plane.

5. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device (28) is designed for adjusting the inclination of a squeegee lower edge relative to the printing screen (12) and / or relative to a printing table (22) and / or relative to a horizontal plane.

6. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device (28) is designed for adjusting the inclination of the squeegee tool (16) about an inclination axis (N) which extends along a squeegee movement direction (R) and / or at an angle to a vertical plane passing through a squeegee lower edge.

7. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device (28) is designed for the translational adjusting movement of the doctor tool (16) along a vertical direction.

8. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device (28) has at least one adjusting screw (30, 32) or several adjusting screws (30, 32) for inclination adjustment, wherein the at least one adjusting screw is preferably designed as a micrometer screw.

9. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the doctor blade bearing (34) allows a translational adjustment movement of the doctor blade tool (16) by means of the adjustment device.

10. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring bearing (36, 38) has at least one leaf spring bearing and / or is designed as a leaf spring bearing.

11. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the doctor blade bearing (34) has a plurality of spring bearings (36, 38), in particular a plurality of leaf spring bearings.

12. Device (10) according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the at least one spring bearing (36, 38) exerts a spring force acting against the at least one adjusting screw (30, 32).

13. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the doctor blade bearing (34) has at least one elongated hole guide (40, 42), wherein the elongated hole guide (40, 42) is preferably subject to play.

14. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the doctor device (14) has at least one fixing device (44, 46) for fixing an inclination position of the doctor tool (16) adjusted by the adjusting device (28) and / or for fixing a translational adjustment position adjusted by the adjusting device (28).

15. Device (10) according to claim 14, characterized in that the at least one fixing device (44, 46) has at least one fixing screw (44, 46) or several fixing screws (44, 46).

16. Device (10) according to claim 16, characterized in that the fixing screw (44, 46) is guided in a slotted guide (40, 42) of the doctor blade bearing (34), in particular is guided with play.

17. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the doctor device (14) has an adjusting holder (48) and a support structure (50) coupled to the adjusting holder (48), wherein the relative position and / or relative orientation between the adjusting holder (48) and the support structure (50) can be changed via the adjusting device (28).

18. Device (10) according to claim 17, characterized in that the doctor blade bearing (34) is formed between the adjusting holder (48) and the support structure (50) and / or that the at least one fixing device (44, 46) is designed to fix the relative position and / or relative alignment between the adjusting holder (48) and the support structure (50).

19. Device (10) according to one of claims 17 or 18, characterized in that the adjusting device (28) and / or the at least one adjusting screw (30, 32) is arranged on the adjusting holder (48) and is in operative contact with the support structure (50) and / or can be brought into operative contact with the support structure (50) and / or that the adjusting device (28) and / or the at least one adjusting screw (30, 32) is designed to generate a relative movement between the adjusting holder (48) and the support structure (50).

20. Device (10) according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the at least one spring bearing (36, 38), in particular the leaf spring bearing, is clamped on the adjusting holder (48) and / or on the supporting structure (50) and / or that the at least one spring bearing (36, 38), in particular the leaf spring bearing, generates a prestress of the supporting structure (50) against the adjusting holder (48) and / or against the adjusting device (28) arranged on the adjusting holder (48).

21. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the doctor device (14) has a fastening system (52) for fastening and / or clamping the doctor tool (16), wherein the fastening system (52) is preferably designed as a tensioning system and / or clamping system and / or as a quick-change clamping system and / or as a quick-change clamping system.

22. Device (10) according to claim 21, characterized in that the fastening system (52) can be actuated without tools and / or by at least one toggle screw (54, 56) or by several toggle screws (54, 56), in particular for clamping and / or for clamping and / or for releasing a squeegee tool (16).

23. Device (10) according to one of claims 21 or 22, characterized in that the fastening system (52) is arranged on the support structure (50) and / or is at least partially formed by the support structure (50).

24. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the doctor tool (16) has a doctor blade (58) and / or that a doctor blade (58) of the doctor tool (16) is made at least in sections from a plastic material and / or from a sheet metal material.

25. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the doctor tool (16) has a doctor receptacle (60) and / or that the doctor blade (58) is mounted on a doctor receptacle (60) of the doctor tool (16) and / or is clamped in or on a doctor receptacle (60).

26. Device (10) according to claim 25, characterized in that the doctor blade (58) has at least one doctor side surface (62) which runs between the side edges of the doctor blade (58), wherein a honing device (60) is formed between the doctor side surface (62) and a honing device (62). zontal plane and / or between the squeegee side surface (62) and the printing screen (12) and / or between the squeegee side surface (62) and a printing table (22) is predetermined and / or fixed.

27. Device (10) according to one of claims 25 or 26, characterized in that the squeegee tool (16) has at least one coupling section (64) formed on the squeegee holder (60) and / or connected to the squeegee holder (60) for connection to the fastening system (52) and / or for clamping or clamping in the fastening system (52).

28. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the squeegee tool (16) is designed as an interchangeable tool and / or that by exchanging the squeegee tool (16) the squeegee angle between a squeegee side surface (62) and a horizontal plane and / or the printing screen (12) and / or a printing table (22) can be changed.

29. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the doctor device (14) has a sensor device (18) for detecting doctor forces acting on the doctor tool (16).

30. Device (10) according to claim 29, characterized in that the sensor device (18) is designed to detect a squeegee force deviation along a longitudinal extent (L) of the squeegee tool (16).

31. Device (10) according to claims 29 or 30, characterized in that the sensor device (18) has at least one force measuring sensor or at least two force measuring sensors (24, 26), in particular two force measuring sensors (24, 26) connected in parallel.

32. Device (10) according to claim 31, characterized in that the force measuring sensors (24, 26) are arranged spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal extent (L) of the doctor tool (16).

33. Device (10) according to one of claims 31 or 32, characterized in that the force measuring sensors (24, 26) are designed for the simultaneous measurement of absolute squeegee forces at measuring points spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal extent (L) of the squeegee tool (16).

34. Device (10) according to one of claims 31 to 33, characterized in that the force measuring sensors (24, 26) are designed to detect relative squeegee force deviations at measuring points spaced apart along the longitudinal extent (L) of the squeegee tool (16).

35. Device (10) according to one of claims 31 to 34, characterized in that in a plan view of the doctor device (14) the at least one force measuring sensor (24, 26) or the force measuring sensors (24, 26) are arranged above a contact line of the doctor tool (16) and / or are aligned with a contact line of the doctor tool (16).

36. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the doctor device (14) has an adjusting device (66) for moving the doctor tool (16) between a raised starting position and at least one lowered operating position.

37. Device (10) according to claim 36, characterized in that the adjusting device (66) has at least one linear drive (68, 70) or a plurality of linear drives (68, 70).

38. Device (10) according to one of claims 36 or 37, characterized in that the actuating device (66) has a plurality of linear drives (68, 70) connected in series.

39. Device (10) according to claim 38, characterized in that at least one linear drive of the actuating device (66) is designed as an electric or electromechanical linear drive (68) and / or as an electric spindle drive and / or as an electric cylinder and / or as a linear actuator.

40. Device (10) according to one of claims 38 or 39, characterized in that at least one linear drive of the actuating device (66) is designed as a pneumatic linear drive or linear cylinder (70).

41. Device (10) according to claims 39 and 40, characterized in that the pneumatic linear drive (70) is arranged in the power flow between the electric or electromechanical linear drive (68) and the doctor tool (16).

42. Device (10) according to one of claims 36 to 41, characterized in that the sensor device (18) is arranged in the force flow between the adjusting device (66) and the doctor tool (16).

43. Device (10) according to one of claims 36 to 42, characterized in that the sensor device (18) is arranged in the force flow between the actuating device (66) and the doctor blade bearing (34) and / or in the force flow between the actuating device (66) and the adjusting device (28) and / or in the force flow between the actuating device (66) and the adjusting holder (48).

44. Device (10) according to one of claims 36 to 43, characterized in that the sensor device (18), in particular the force measuring sensors (24, 26) of the sensor device (18), is fixedly arranged between the adjusting holder (48) and a sensor holder (84) connected to the adjusting device (66).

45. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a doctor blade movement device (72) for moving the doctor blade device (14) and / or the doctor blade tool (16) along a doctor blade movement direction (R) extending in the horizontal direction.

46. Device (10) according to claim 45, characterized in that the doctor blade movement device (72) has at least one linear drive for moving the doctor blade device (14) and / or the doctor blade tool (16).

47. Device (10) according to one of claims 45 or 46, characterized in that the doctor blade movement device (72) has a portal system with linear guides (74, 76) and / or a cross member (78) and / or support devices (80, 82) for supporting the cross member on the linear guides (74, 76).

48. Device (10) according to claim 47, characterized in that the linear guides (74, 76) run along the doctor blade movement direction (R) and / or that the cross member (78) runs in a plan view between the linear guides (74, 76) and / or transversely to the linear guides (74, 76).

49. Device (10) according to one of claims 47 or 48, characterized in that the doctor device (14) and / or the adjusting device (66) of the doctor device (14) is fastened to the cross member (78) of the portal system.

50. Device (10) according to one of claims 47 to 49, characterized in that the doctor device (14) is arranged immovably along a longitudinal extent (L) of the cross member (78).

51. Device (10) according to one of claims 47 to 50, characterized in that the at least one linear drive (68, 70) of the doctor blade movement device (72) is coupled to the cross member (78) of the portal system.

52. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by two doctor devices (14, 15), wherein one doctor device (14) is designed as a flood doctor device and a further doctor device (15) is designed as a pressure doctor device and / or wherein both doctor devices (14, 15) are arranged on the doctor movement device (72), in particular on the cross member (78) of the doctor movement device (72).

53. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the doctor device (14) or the doctor devices (14, 15) and the doctor movement device (72) form a doctor system.

54. Device (10) according to one of claims 36 to 53, characterized in that the doctor device (14) is designed for printing in a position mode in which a pneumatic linear drive (70) of the actuating device (66) is retracted and an electrical or electromechanical linear drive (68) of the actuating device (66) is at least partially extended or lowered.

55. Device (10) according to one of claims 36 to 54, characterized in that the doctor device (14) is designed for printing in a force mode in which a pneumatic linear drive (70) of the actuating device (66) is partially or completely extended and / or lowered.

56. Device (10) according to one of claims 36 to 55, characterized in that in a force mode an electric or electromechanical linear drive (68) of the actuating device (66) is retracted or only at least partially extended or lowered.

57. Device (10) according to one of claims 40 to 56, characterized in that in a force mode the pneumatic linear drive (70) of the actuating device (66) is operated as a gas spring.

58. Device (10) according to one of claims 40 to 57, characterized in that the pneumatic linear drive (70) of the actuating device (66) has a proportional valve for operation as a gas spring.

59. Device (10) according to one of claims 36 to 58, characterized by a control device (100) for controlling and / or regulating the actuating device (66) and / or the doctor blade movement device (72) and / or the adjusting device (28) and / or for processing and / or evaluating and / or storing and / or comparing sensor data of the sensor device (18).

60. Device (10) according to claim 59, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to detect and / or evaluate a squeegee force when the squeegee tool (16) acts directly on a printing table (22) and / or in a screen-free arrangement via the sensor device (18).

61. Device (10) according to claim 59 or 60, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to detect and / or evaluate a squeegee force via the sensor device (18) when the squeegee tool (16) exerts a force on a printing screen (12) in an operating position in which the printing screen (12) rests on a printing table (22).

62. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 61, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to detect and / or evaluate a squeegee force via the sensor device (18) when the squeegee tool (16) acts on a printing screen (12), free from contact between the printing screen (12) and a printing table (22) and / or a printing base and / or at least one screen printing workpiece.

63. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 62, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to detect and / or evaluate a squeegee force via the sensor device (18) when a force is applied by the squeegee tool (16) to a printing screen (12) and when contact is made between a printing table (22) and / or a printing base and / or at least one screen printing workpiece by the printing screen (12) as a result of the force applied to the printing screen (12), in particular when the printing screen (12) is elastically deformed.

64. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 63, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to detect and / or evaluate an increase in the squeegee force via the sensor device (18) during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool (16) carried out by means of the adjusting device (66).

65. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 64, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to detect and / or evaluate an increase in squeegee force via the sensor device (18) during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool (16) which takes place exclusively onto the printing screen (12) by means of the adjusting device (66), in particular free from contact with a printing table (22) and / or a printing substrate and / or at least one screen-printed workpiece by the printing screen (12).

66. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 65, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to detect and / or evaluate an increase in the squeegee force via the sensor device (18) during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool (16) onto the printing screen (12) by means of the adjusting device (66), in an operating position in which the printing screen (12) rests on a printing table (22).

67. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 66, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to detect and / or evaluate a squeegee force increase via the sensor device (18) during a printing operation on a printing table (22) and / or on a printing base, in particular in a screen-free arrangement, by means of the adjusting device (66).

68. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 67, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to terminate a lowering movement by the adjusting device (66) when the start of an increase in the squeegee force during the lowering of the squeegee tool (16) is detected by the sensor device (18).

69. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 68, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to automatically or semi-automatically reference a squeegee height when the start of a squeegee force increase during the lowering of the squeegee tool (16) is detected by the sensor device (18).

70. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 69, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to, during a lowering movement of the Squeegee tool (16) to detect and / or evaluate a squeegee force deviation along a longitudinal extent (L) of the squeegee tool (16) via the sensor device (18).

71. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 70, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to carry out an inclination adjustment automatically or semi-automatically by means of the adjustment device (28) in the event of a squeegee force deviation along a longitudinal extent (L) of the squeegee tool (16) detected by means of the sensor device (18).

72. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 71, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to reference the inclination position of the squeegee tool (16) upon detection of a squeegee force distribution that is uniform along a longitudinal extent (L) of the squeegee tool (16) and / or within a tolerance.

73. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 72, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to automatically or semi-automatically fix the inclination position of the squeegee tool (16) upon detection of a squeegee force distribution that is uniform along a longitudinal extent (L) of the squeegee tool (16) and / or within a tolerance.

74. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 73, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to detect and / or evaluate a squeegee force and / or a squeegee force deviation in the longitudinal direction (L) of the squeegee tool (16) via the sensor device (18) during a movement of the squeegee device (14) along a squeegee movement direction (R) running in the horizontal direction, in particular when the force of the squeegee tool (16) acts exclusively on the printing screen (12) and / or in the case of contact between a printing table (22) and / or a printing substrate and / or at least one screen printing workpiece by the printing screen (12) caused by the force acting on the printing screen (12) by the doctor blade tool (16).

75. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 74, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to detect and / or evaluate a change in the squeegee force as a function of the squeegee position along the squeegee movement direction (R) via the sensor device (18) during a movement of the squeegee device (14) along a squeegee movement direction (R) running in the horizontal direction by means of the squeegee movement device (72).

76. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 75, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to detect and / or evaluate a change in the squeegee force deviation in the longitudinal direction (L) of the squeegee tool (16) as a function of the squeegee position along the squeegee movement direction (R) via the sensor device (18) during a movement of the squeegee device (14) along a squeegee movement direction (R) running in the horizontal direction, carried out by means of the squeegee movement device (72).

77. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 76, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to carry out a continuous and / or recurring detection of squeegee forces and / or squeegee force deviations in the longitudinal direction (L) of the squeegee tool (16) during a movement of the squeegee device (14) along the squeegee movement direction (R) by means of the squeegee movement device (72) and / or during a screen printing process.

78. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 77, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to measure data to store and / or evaluate continuous and / or recurring detections during a movement of the squeegee device (14) along the squeegee movement direction (R) by means of the squeegee movement device (72) and / or during a printing process.

79. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 78, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to detect and / or evaluate the course of a squeegee force increase as a function of a lowering path via the sensor device (18) during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool (16) taking place by means of the adjusting device (66), in a screen-free arrangement and / or when force is applied by the squeegee tool (16) directly onto a printing table (22) and / or in an arrangement with the printing screen (12) resting on a printing table (22).

80. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 79, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to detect and / or evaluate the course of a squeegee force increase as a function of a lowering path via the sensor device (18) during a lowering movement of the squeegee tool (16) onto the printing screen (12) by means of the adjusting device (66), free from contact with a printing table (22) and / or a printing base and / or a screen printing workpiece by the printing screen (12).

81. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 80, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to determine a screen restoring force and / or a screen tension of the printing screen (12), in particular a relative screen restoring force and / or a relative screen tension of the printing screen (12), by means of the sensor device (18) and / or from detected and / or stored sensor data of the sensor device (18).

82. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 81, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to detect the start of a doctor blade force increase during a lowering movement of the doctor blade tool (16) carried out by means of the adjusting device (66) and / or to define the lowering path of the doctor blade tool (16) present at the start of the doctor blade force increase as a measurement reference starting point for detecting a screen restoring force and / or a screen tension and / or a reference screen restoring force and / or a reference screen tension and / or a screen aging.

83. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 82, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to lower the doctor tool (16) further by means of the adjusting device (66) starting from the measurement reference starting point and to detect a further increase in doctor force as a function of the lowering path and to determine a screen restoring force and / or a screen tension and / or a reference screen restoring force and / or reference screen tension and / or screen aging on the basis of the further increase in doctor force.

84. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 83, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to determine the screen restoring force and / or screen tension of the printing screen (12) at several positions along a squeegee movement direction (R) running in the horizontal direction, in particular in or in the region of a center of the printing screen (12) and / or adjacent to a printing screen edge or to the printing screen edges.

85. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 84, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to determine the screen restoring force and / or screen tension between printing processes and / or to repeat it periodically and / or to Determination of screen wear and / or screen aging should be repeated periodically.

86. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 85, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to determine the screen restoring force and / or screen tension by means of the sensor device (18) and taking into account a jump height between the printing screen (12) and a printing table (22) and / or a printing base and / or at least one screen printing workpiece and / or taking into account a lowering path of the adjusting device (66) and / or the squeegee tool (16) by means of the adjusting device (66).

87. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 86, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to determine, by means of the sensor device (18) and / or from recorded and / or stored sensor data of the sensor device (18), an application force which is effectively transmitted from the squeegee tool (16) via the printing screen (12) to a printing table (22) and / or to a printing substrate and / or to at least one screen-printed workpiece.

88. Device (10) according to claim 87, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to determine the application force from a difference between the squeegee force detected by the sensor device (18) and a previously known and / or determined screen restoring force of the printing screen (12).

89. Device (10) according to one of claims 87 or 88, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to keep the application force constant during the execution of a printing process.

90. Device (10) according to one of claims 87 to 89, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to carry out a plurality of printing processes with the same application forces and / or to keep deviations of the application forces between a plurality of printing processes below a predefined limit value.

91. Device (10) according to one of claims 87 to 90, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to detect and / or evaluate an application force deviation along a longitudinal extent (L) of the doctor tool (16).

92. Device (10) according to one of claims 87 to 91, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to determine the application force by means of the sensor device (18) and taking into account a jump height between the printing screen (12) and a printing table (22) and / or a printing base and / or at least one screen-printed workpiece and / or taking into account a lowering path of the adjusting device (66).

93. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 92, characterized in that the control device (100) and / or the adjusting device (66) is designed to hold the doctor tool (16) at a fixed height position during the execution of a printing process, and / or that a fixed height position is fixed and / or maintained unchanged by means of the adjusting device (66) and / or the control device (100) during the execution of a printing process.

94. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 93, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to control and / or regulate the height position of the doctor tool (16) in a force-based manner during the execution of a printing process.

95. Device (10) according to one of claims 36 to 94, characterized in that the control device (100) and / or the adjusting device (66) is designed to maintain a fixed squeegee force and / or a fixed and effective application force during the execution of a printing process.

96. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 95, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to convert measurement data from continuous and / or recurring detections of the sensor device (18) during a movement of the doctor device (14) along the doctor movement direction (R) by means of the doctor movement device (72) and / or during a printing process into mean values and / or to store and / or to process them.

97. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 96, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to convert measurement data from continuous and / or recurring detections of individual force measuring sensors (24, 26) into mean values and / or to store and / or to process them during a movement of the doctor device (16) along the doctor movement direction (R) by means of the doctor movement device (72) and / or during a printing process.

98. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 97, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to control and / or regulate the height position and / or alignment and / or inclination position of the printing screen (12) after completion of a printing process and / or before the start of a printing process.

99. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 98, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to control the height position and / or alignment and / or inclination of the printing screen (12) as a function of stored and / or processed measurement data of the Sensor device (18) and / or individual force measuring sensors (24, 26) and / or as a function of a determined screen tension and / or screen restoring force and / or application force.

100. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 99, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to control and / or regulate the height position and / or alignment and / or inclination of the printing screen (12) in a force-based manner during the execution of a printing process.

101. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 100, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to control and / or regulate the height position and / or alignment and / or inclination of the printing screen (12) as a function of measurement data from continuous and / or recurring detections of the sensor device (18) and / or individual force measuring sensors (24, 26) and / or as a function of a determined screen tension and / or screen restoring force and / or application force during a movement of the doctor blade device (14) along the doctor blade movement direction (R) by means of the doctor blade movement device (72) and / or during a printing process.

102. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 101, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to adjust a doctor blade force and / or application force by means of the adjusting device (66) as a function of a component height and / or as a function of the number of already printed component layers.

103. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 102, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to reduce a doctor blade force and / or application force starting from a starting doctor blade force and / or application force layer by layer and proportionally until to a boundary layer and / or upon reaching a boundary layer, to maintain the squeegee force and / or application force unchanged for the printing of further print layers.

104. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 103, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to determine an application force on the screen printing workpieces located below the printing screen (12), in particular to determine it as a line pressure, on the basis of a determined screen restoring force curve and / or screen tension curve, a determined doctor blade flexibility, a determined doctor force over the pressure profile in the doctor blade movement direction (72), a jump height between the printing screen (12) and a printing table (22) or a component surface and / or a height of the printing screen (12).

105. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 104, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to carry out a controlled and / or regulated adjustment of the application force and / or squeegee force and / or the squeegee speed along a squeegee movement direction (R) and / or a jump height and / or a screen lift functionality on the basis of an actual force profile detected by the sensor device (18) during a screen printing process.

106. Device (10) according to one of claims 59 to 105, characterized in that the control device (100) is designed to carry out a controlled and / or regulated adjustment of a screen layer alignment and / or screen height alignment on the basis of an actual force profile detected by the sensor device (18) during a screen printing process and / or a detected application force and / or screen tension and / or screen restoring force.

107. Device (10) for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular a 3D screen-printing system, with a printing screen (12) and with a doctor blade device (14) for flooding the printing screen (12) with a printing compound and / or for pressing printing compound through the printing screen (12), wherein the doctor blade device (14) has at least one doctor blade tool (16), a sensor device (18) for detecting doctor blade forces acting on the doctor blade tool (16), and a control device (100) for evaluating and / or storing sensor data from the sensor device (18), wherein the control device (100) is designed to determine a screen restoring force and / or screen tension of the printing screen (12) by means of the sensor device (18) and / or from detected and / or stored sensor data from the sensor device (18).

108. Device (10) for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular a 3D screen-printing system, with a printing screen (12) and with a squeegee device (14) for flooding the printing screen (12) with a printing compound and / or for pressing printing compound through the printing screen (12), wherein the squeegee device (14) has at least one squeegee tool (16), a sensor device (18) for detecting squeegee forces acting on the squeegee tool (16) and a control device (100) for evaluating and / or storing sensor data of the sensor device (18), wherein the control device (100) is designed to determine, by means of the sensor device (18) and / or from detected and / or stored sensor data of the sensor device (18), an application force which is exerted by the squeegee tool (16) via the printing screen (12) on a printing table (22) and / or on a printing substrate and / or on at least one screen-printed workpiece is transferred.

109. Device (10) for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular a 3D screen-printing system, with a printing screen (12) and with a squeegee device (14) for flooding the printing screen (12) with a printing compound and / or for pressing printing compound through the printing screen (12), wherein the squeegee device (14) has at least one squeegee tool (16) and a sensor device (18) for detecting pressure acting on the squeegee tool (16) acting squeegee forces and wherein the sensor device (18) is designed to detect a squeegee force deviation along a longitudinal extent (L) of the squeegee tool (16).

110. Squeegee device (14, 15), in particular for a device (10) for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces according to one of the preceding claims and / or for a 3D screen printing system, with at least one squeegee tool (16) for flooding a printing screen (12) with a printing compound and / or for pressing printing compound through a printing screen (12), with an adjusting device (28) for adjusting the inclination of the squeegee tool (16) and with a squeegee bearing (34) which allows an inclination adjustment of the squeegee tool (16) by means of the adjusting device (28) about an inclination axis (N), wherein the squeegee bearing (34) has at least one spring bearing (36, 38).

111. Squeegee device (14, 15), in particular for a device (10) for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces according to one of the preceding claims and / or for a 3D screen printing system, with at least one squeegee tool (16) for flooding a printing screen (12) with a printing compound and / or for pressing printing compound through a printing screen (12) and with a sensor device (18) for detecting squeegee forces acting on the squeegee tool (16), wherein the sensor device (18) is designed to detect a squeegee force deviation along a longitudinal extent (L) of the squeegee tool (16).

112. Method for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular with a device (10) for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces and / or a 3D screen-printing system, in which a printing screen (12) is flooded with a printing compound by means of a doctor device (14) and / or in which printing compound is pressed through a printing screen (12) by means of a doctor device (14), wherein by means of an adjusting device (28) an inclination adjustment of the squeegee tool (16) is carried out, wherein the inclination adjustment of the squeegee tool (16) is carried out by means of the adjusting device (28) about an inclination axis (N) and wherein the squeegee bearing (34) is mounted and / or supported at least by a spring bearing (36, 38) during the inclination adjustment.

113. Method for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular with a device (10) for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces and / or a 3D screen printing system, in which a printing screen (12) is flooded with a printing compound by means of a squeegee device (14) and / or in which printing compound is pressed through a printing screen (12) by means of a squeegee device (14), wherein a squeegee force acting on a squeegee tool (16) of the squeegee device (14) is detected by means of a sensor device (18), and wherein a squeegee force deviation along a longitudinal extent (L) of the squeegee tool (16) is detected by the sensor device (18).

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