Printing device, conveyance jig, and squeegee replacement method

Abstract

A printing device (10), which is provided with a head (21) to which a squeegee (26) is replaceably attached, comprises: conveyance units (22, 28) that convey a conveyance jig (90) on which a squeegee (26) is placed; a lifting / lowering unit that lifts and lowers the head (21) relative to the conveyance jig (90) so that the squeegee (26) can be replaced between the head and the conveyance jig (90); an imaging unit (51) that captures an image; and a replacement processing unit that causes the conveyance units (51) to convey the conveyance jig (90) to a prescribed position below the head (21), processes the image captured by the imaging unit (51) to recognize the position of the squeegee (26), and causes the lifting / lowering unit to lift and lower the head to replace the squeegee (26).

Description

Printing device, transport jig, and squeegee replacement method

[0001] This specification discloses a printing device, a transport jig, and a squeegee replacement method.

[0002] Conventionally, in a printing apparatus that uses a screen mask and a squeegee to print a viscous fluid on a printing target such as a substrate, an automatic squeegee replacement has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method for replacing a squeegee by moving a head (squeegee fixing portion) toward or away from a squeegee placed on a transport jig.

[0003] International Publication No. 2018 / 105017

[0004] When automatically replacing the squeegee, the transfer jig on which the squeegee is placed may become misaligned, which not only makes it difficult to properly replace the squeegee, but also poses the risk of the squeegee colliding with the head.

[0005] A main object of the present disclosure is to appropriately recognize squeegees and smoothly and automatically replace the squeegees.

[0006] The present disclosure has adopted the following means to achieve the above-mentioned main object.

[0007] The printing device of the present disclosure is a printing device equipped with a head to which a squeegee can be replaceably attached, and comprises: a transport unit that transports a transport jig on which the squeegee is placed; a lifting unit that raises and lowers the head relative to the transport jig so that the squeegee can be replaced between the head and the transport jig; an imaging unit that captures images; and an exchange processing unit that transports the transport jig to a predetermined position below the head using the transport unit, processes the image captured by the imaging unit to recognize the position of the squeegee, and raises and lowers the head using the lifting unit to replace the squeegee.

[0008] In the printing device disclosed herein, the conveying unit conveys the conveying jig to a predetermined position, and the image captured by the imaging unit is processed to recognize the position of the squeegee. This allows the squeegee to be properly recognized and smoothly replaced automatically.

[0009] 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of the configuration of the printing device 10 and the storage rack 70. A side view showing an outline of the configuration of the printing device 10 and the storage rack 70. A perspective view showing an outline of the configuration of the mask working unit 30. A block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the printing device 10. An explanatory diagram showing a state in which a squeegee 26 is attached to the print head 21. An explanatory diagram showing a state before the squeegee 26 is attached to the print head 21. An explanatory diagram showing a state in which a clamp pin 27 is fixed to a clamp unit 25. An explanatory diagram showing a state before the clamp pin 27 is fixed to a clamp unit 25. A perspective view showing the top surface of a replacement frame 90. An explanatory diagram showing the bottom surface of the replacement frame 90. A perspective view showing a replacement frame 90 and an imaging processing unit 50. A perspective view showing a replacement frame 90 having a plurality of mounting units 92. A flowchart showing an example of a replacement processing routine. A flowchart showing an example of a squeegee removal processing. A flowchart showing an example of a squeegee attachment processing. An explanatory diagram showing an example of a print head 21 and a replacement frame 90 during replacement processing.

[0010] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of the configuration of a printing device 10 and a storage rack 70. FIG. 2 is a side view showing an outline of the configuration of the printing device 10 and a storage rack 70. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an outline of the configuration of a mask work unit 30. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the printing device 10. In this embodiment, the left-right direction (X-axis), front-rear direction (Y-axis), and up-down direction (Z-axis) are as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0011] The printing device 10 uses a screen mask M to print solder paste as a viscous fluid onto a substrate S. The screen mask M is a metal plate with pattern holes P formed therein for forming a wiring pattern on the substrate S to be printed. Electronic components are mounted on the printed substrate S by a mounting device (not shown). Examples of the viscous fluid include solder paste, conductive paste, adhesive, etc. The printing device 10 includes a device main body 11, a control unit 15, a memory unit 16, an exchange device 60, and a storage rack 70. The device main body 11 is provided with a printing processing unit 20, a mask working unit 30, a substrate fixing unit 40, an imaging processing unit 50, etc.

[0012] The control unit 15 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU, and includes a ROM for storing processing programs, a RAM used as a working area, etc. The storage unit 16 is, for example, an HDD or SSD, and stores processing programs and various data.

[0013] The printing processing unit 20 is disposed on the upper level of the apparatus main body 11. The printing processing unit 20 prints the solder paste on the substrate S below by using a squeegee 26 to push the solder paste on the screen mask M into the pattern holes P of the screen mask M. The printing processing unit 20 includes a print head 21, a head moving unit 22, a squeegee lifting / lowering unit 23, a squeegee fixing unit 24, a squeegee 26, and a transport rod 28. The print head 21 applies pressure to the solder paste onto the screen mask M. The head moving unit 22 moves the print head 21 in a predetermined printing direction (front-to-back direction) and includes a guide formed in the front-to-back direction, a slider that moves along the guide, and a motor that drives the slider. A pair of squeegees 26 are provided in the front-to-back direction. The transport rod 28 is a rod-shaped member disposed on the print head 21 so that it can be raised and lowered by, for example, an air cylinder. This transport rod 28 protrudes downward below the squeegee 26, and as the print head 21 moves back and forth by the head moving unit 22, it pushes and transports the replacement frame 80 that holds the screen mask M and the replacement frame 90 that holds the squeegee 26 back and forth.

[0014] The pair of front and rear squeegees 26 are plate-like members extending in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the printing direction and inclined so that they move apart as they extend downward when viewed from the left-right direction (see FIG. 2 ). As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , each squeegee 26 has a plate 26a attached to its upper surface at both ends in the left-right direction (longitudinal direction), with the width of the upper portion of the squeegee 26 in the front-to-back direction being approximately the same as the width of the squeegee 26's upper portion. The upper surface of each plate 26a is provided with a clamp pin 27 that protrudes upward. That is, each squeegee 26 has two clamp pins 27 that protrude upward from both ends in the left-to-right direction. The clamp pins 27 have tapered portions 27a whose outer diameter gradually increases upward (see FIG. 8 ). The upper end of each clamp pin 27 above the tapered portions 27a is rounded, and the outer diameter of the upper end is smaller than the maximum diameter of the tapered portions 27a.

[0015] The squeegee lifting unit 23 is configured, for example, by an air cylinder, and raises and lowers the squeegee fixing unit 24 and the squeegee 26 fixed to the squeegee fixing unit 24 in the up and down direction. A pair of squeegee lifting units 23 are provided so as to raise and lower each of the pair of squeegees 26. The squeegee fixing unit 24 fixes the squeegees 26. The squeegee fixing unit 24 has two sets of clamp units 25 arranged in the front-to-rear direction corresponding to the pair of front and rear squeegees 26, each set being disposed so as to face the clamp pins 27 of each squeegee 26.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , each clamp unit 25 includes a cylinder 250, a piston 251, a clamp ball 252, and a spring 253. The cylinder 250 has a through-hole 250a formed in its lower portion, through which the clamp pin 27 can be inserted. The piston 251 is arranged slidably in the vertical direction within the cylinder 250, and has an insertion hole 251a formed in its lower portion, which communicates with the through-hole 250a of the cylinder 250 and through which the clamp pin 27 can be inserted. A through-hole penetrating radially is formed in a peripheral wall 251b of the insertion hole 251a. The clamp ball 252 is arranged in the through-hole in the peripheral wall 251b. The clamp ball 252 has an outer diameter larger than the thickness of the peripheral wall 251b, and the portion exposed to the outside from the through-hole rolls within the through-hole while sliding against the inner wall of the cylinder 250. The inner wall of the cylinder 250, where the clamp ball 252 slides, is formed as a tapered surface 250b, with the inner diameter gradually decreasing toward the bottom. A spring 253 biases the piston 251 downward within the cylinder 250. The cylinder 250 also has an unclamping port 250c formed in the side wall and a clamping port 250d formed in the side wall above the unclamping port 250c. Air can be supplied to the unclamping port 250c and the clamping port 250d from an air supply pipe 254 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) connected to an air supply source (not shown).

[0017] When air is not supplied to either the unclamping port 250c or the clamping port 250d, the clamping unit 25 places the piston 251 in a lower position due to the biasing force of the spring 253. In this state, when the print head 21 lowers the squeegee fixing unit 24 toward the squeegee 26, the clamp pin 27 enters the insertion hole 251a from the through-hole 250a. At this time, the clamp pin 27 is inserted into the insertion hole 251a so that the maximum diameter portion of the tapered portion 27a contacts the clamp ball 252 and pushes up the piston 251. When the clamp pin 27 is fully inserted into the insertion hole 251a, the maximum diameter portion of the tapered portion 27a is positioned above the clamp ball 252 and no longer pushes up the piston 251, so the biasing force of the spring 253 places the piston 251 in a lower position. As a result, the clamp pin 27 (tapered portion 27a) engages with the clamp ball 252, restricting the clamp pin 27 from moving downward. That is, the clamp pin 27 is clamped to the clamp portion 25, and the squeegee 26 is fixed to the squeegee fixing portion 24. Furthermore, when air is supplied into the cylinder 250 from the air supply pipe 254 via the clamp port 250d in this state, the pressure acting on the upper surface of the piston 251 and the biasing force of the spring 253 more securely clamp the clamp pin 27 to the clamp portion 25 (see FIG. 7). Note that even if the supply of air from the clamp port 250d is stopped for some reason, the biasing force of the spring 253 maintains the engagement between the clamp pin 27 and the clamp ball 252, and the clamp is not released, so the squeegee 26 will not fall off.

[0018] Furthermore, in the clamp unit 25, when the supply of air via the clamp port 250d is stopped and air is supplied from the air supply pipe 254 into the cylinder 250 via the unclamping port 250c, the piston 251 moves to the upper position against the biasing force of the spring 253 (see FIG. 8). As a result, a gap is created between the clamp ball 252 and the tapered surface 250b, and the clamp ball 252 can move outward from the peripheral wall 251b when it abuts against the clamp pin 27. This allows the engagement between the clamp pin 27 and the clamp ball 252 to be released, and the clamping of the clamp pin 27 by the clamp unit 25 is released. In other words, the squeegee 26, which was fixed to the squeegee fixing portion 24, is released.

[0019] The mask working unit 30 is disposed between the printing processing unit 20 and the substrate fixing unit 40 in the vertical direction, and fixes and holds the replacement frame 80 (screen mask M), and can also fix and hold the replacement frame 90 (squeegee 26). The mask working unit 30 includes a frame fixing unit 32, a position adjustment unit 34, and transport rails 36. The transport rails 36 are a pair of left and right rails extending in the front-to-rear direction, and guide the replacement frames 80, 90 pushed by the transport rod 28 so that they move in the front-to-rear direction. Note that FIG. 3 shows the replacement frame 90 on the transport rails 36.

[0020] The frame fixing unit 32 has a plurality of clamping units 33 (e.g., three clamping units) arranged along the pair of left and right transport rails 36 above them. Each clamping unit 33 has a contacting portion and an elevating unit (e.g., an air cylinder) that raises and lowers the contacting portion. When the replacement frames 80, 90 are positioned on the transport rails 36, the contacting portion is lowered to press the replacement frames 80, 90 against the transport rails 36 with the contacting portion, thereby clamping the replacement frames 80, 90. The position adjusting unit 34 includes an X-axis position adjusting unit 34a and a Y-axis position adjusting unit 34b. The X-axis position adjusting unit 34a is disposed behind the transport rails 36 and is capable of adjusting the position of the replacement frames 80, 90 on the transport rails 36 in the X-axis direction (left-right direction). The Y-axis position adjusting unit 34b is disposed in pair along the pair of left and right transport rails 36 and is capable of adjusting the position of the replacement frames 80, 90 on the transport rails 36 in the Y-axis direction. The position adjustment unit 34 can also adjust the angles of the exchange frames 80, 90 on the transport rail 36 in the horizontal plane by using the X-axis position adjustment unit 34a and the Y-axis position adjustment unit 34b.

[0021] The substrate fixing unit 40 is disposed below the mask working unit 30 and serves to load the substrate S, position and support the loaded substrate S, and bring the substrate S into contact with and separate from the screen mask M. The substrate fixing unit 40 includes a transport conveyor 41, a substrate support member 42, a support base 43, a support base lifting unit 44, and a fixing unit lifting unit 45. The transport conveyor 41 transports the substrate S in the X-axis direction by driving a conveyor belt. The substrate support member 42 is a member that supports the substrate S transported by the transport conveyor 41 from below. The substrate support member 42 is placed on the support base 43. The support base lifting unit 44 raises and lowers the support base 43 relative to the main body of the substrate fixing unit 40 by driving a drive motor. The fixing unit lifting unit 45 raises and lowers the entire substrate fixing unit 40 relative to the apparatus main body 11 by driving a drive motor.

[0022] The imaging processing unit 50 is a unit that performs imaging processing to capture images of marks (identification units) formed on the substrate S, the replacement frame 80 (screen mask M), and the replacement frame 90. The imaging processing unit 50 includes an imaging unit 51 that captures images, a carriage 52 on which the imaging unit 51 and other components are mounted, and a carriage movement unit 53 that moves the carriage 52 in the X and Y directions. The carriage 52 also includes a stopper that can move up and down in order to stop the substrate S transported by the transport conveyor 41 at a predetermined position in the left-right direction. The carriage movement unit 53 includes a Y-axis slider that can move along the Y-axis direction (front-back direction) within the device main body 11, and an X-axis slider that can move along the X-axis direction on the Y-axis slider and on which the carriage is mounted. The imaging unit 51 has an upper surface and a lower surface that serve as imaging areas. The imaging unit 51 can capture images of marks (identification portions) formed on the substrate S and marks (identification portions) formed on the replacement frames 80 and 90 from below. The imaging unit 51 can also capture images of the upper surface of the support base 43 from above.

[0023] The exchange device 60 receives a storage rack 70 capable of housing multiple exchange frames 80, 90 supporting exchange components (such as the screen mask M and the squeegee 26) used in the apparatus main body 11, and transports the exchange frames 80, 90 between the storage rack 70 and the apparatus main body 11. The exchange device 60 includes a left unit 61a installed on the left side and a right unit 61b installed on the right side of the front surface of the apparatus main body 11. The left unit 61a and the right unit 61b each include a rack support member 62 that receives the storage rack 70 and supports its underside from both the left and right sides, and a rack elevating unit 63 that raises and lowers the rack support member 62. The rack elevating unit 63 is configured, for example, by a combination of a ball screw mechanism and a motor or a linear motor. The storage rack 70 supported by the rack support member 62 is raised and lowered by the rack elevating unit 63 to a position where the exchange frames 80, 90 supporting the exchange components to be replaced can be loaded and unloaded. The left and right units 61a and 61b also include a frame moving section 64 that moves the replacement frames 80 and 90 in the storage rack 70 back and forth from both the left and right sides using belts, rollers, or the like.

[0024] The replacement frame 80 is a frame that supports the screen mask M. The screen mask M is a thin metal plate, and is supported by the replacement frame 80 with a predetermined tension applied. While supported by the replacement frame 80, the screen mask M is positioned and fixed at a work position on the transport rail 36 and used for printing.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the replacement frame 90 supports the squeegees 26 and includes a rectangular frame 91 and a pair of mounting portions 92 on which the squeegees 26 are placed. The mounting portion 92 includes a substantially rectangular fixed plate (fixing portion) 92a, both ends of which are fixed to the frame 91, and a pair of support members 92b provided on the upper surface of the fixed plate 92a to position and support both longitudinal ends of the squeegee 26 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The fixed plate 92a and the support members 92b may be configured as a single member. While FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an example of the replacement frame 90 including one mounting portion 92, the replacement frame 90 may also include multiple mounting portions 92 (see FIG. 12 ). The replacement frame 90 is formed to be approximately the same size as the replacement frame 80. As shown in FIG. 10 , the replacement frame 90 includes a mark 93 on the lower surface (back surface) of the fixed plate 92a. In this embodiment, marks 93 are provided at both end positions in the longitudinal direction of the fixed plate 92a, i.e., in the longitudinal direction of the squeegee 26 mounted on the mounting portion 92. That is, each mounting portion 92 has a total of two marks 93 on both end positions in the longitudinal direction on the underside. Also, as shown in FIG. 11 , images of each mark 93 are captured by the imaging unit 51 of the imaging processing unit 50, which is movable below the replacement frame 90. Note that although the marks 93 do not appear on the top surface of the fixed plate 92a, the marks 93 are indicated by dotted lines in FIGS. 11 and 12 .

[0026] Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 10 configured as described above, particularly the operation of replacing the squeegee 26 using the replacement frame 90, will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a replacement processing routine. Here, the replacement processing will be described using the replacement frame 90 (see FIG. 12 ) having multiple mounting sections 92. Prior to executing the replacement processing routine, an operator places a replacement squeegee 26 on one of the mounting sections 92 and leaves at least one mounting section 92 empty in the storage rack 70 as the replacement frame 90 to be replaced. For example, in the replacement frame 90 shown in FIG. 12 , the replacement squeegee 26 is placed on the central mounting section 92 of the three mounting sections 92, and the remaining two mounting sections 92 are empty. The operator also inputs information necessary for replacing the squeegee 26, such as the position information of the mounting section 92 on which the replacement squeegee 26 is placed and the position information of the empty mounting sections 92, into an operation panel (not shown) of the replacement frame 90. The control unit 15 executes the replacement processing routine based on the information, with the accommodation rack 70 raised to a carry-in / out position where the replacement frame 90 can be carried in and out of the apparatus main body 11 .

[0027] 13 is executed, the control unit 15 performs a carry-in process to carry the replacement frame 90 from the storage rack 70 into a predetermined position within the device main body 11 (S100). The predetermined position is a position that has been determined in advance as a position where the print head 21 can attach and detach the squeegee 26 to each mounting section 92 of the replacement frame 90. However, in S100, the replacement frame 90 does not need to be in a precise predetermined position; it can be moved to and stopped at a rough position that is roughly the predetermined position.

[0028] Next, the control unit 15 controls the imaging processing unit 50 (imaging unit 51) to capture an image of the marks 93 on the replacement frame 90, and processes the image captured by the imaging unit 51 to detect the marks 93 (S110). In S110, the control unit 15 causes the imaging unit 51 to capture an image of the two marks 93 on the empty mounting unit 92 on which the removed squeegee 26 is to be placed.

[0029] Next, the control unit 15 determines whether or not a replacement frame 90 is present in a predetermined position (including the rough position) based on the detection result of the mark 93 in S110 (S120). Note that if the loading process was performed normally in S100, the mark 93 would be detected in S110 even if the replacement frame 90 was in the rough position, and therefore it is determined in S120 that a replacement frame 90 is present. In other words, if it is determined that a replacement frame 90 is not present, some kind of error has occurred, and the squeegee 26 cannot be replaced normally. Therefore, if the control unit 15 determines that a replacement frame 90 is not present in S120, it notifies the control unit 15 of the error (S130) and terminates this routine. In S130, the control unit 15 performs processing such as displaying an error code or error message on a display screen of an operation panel (not shown) of the printing device 10 to indicate that the replacement frame 90 is not in the predetermined position, sounding an alarm, or turning on an alarm lamp. When an operator notices the error, for example, the operator checks the position and state of the replacement frame 90 inside the device body 11 of the printing device 10 or inside the storage rack 70, and then executes the replacement processing routine again.

[0030] On the other hand, if the control unit 15 determines in S120 that the replacement frame 90 is in the predetermined position, it executes a squeegee removal process (S140) to remove the squeegee 26 from the print head 21 and place it on an empty mounting section 92. Note that in the replacement frame 90 of Fig. 12, the squeegee 26 is assumed to be placed on, for example, the front mounting section 92 of the two empty mounting sections 92.

[0031] In the squeegee removal process of FIG. 14 (S140), the control unit 15 recognizes the position and angle of the empty mounting unit 92, on which the squeegee 26 is to be placed, based on the positions of the two marks 93 detected in S110, thereby recognizing the positional and angular misalignment of the replacement frame 90 (S200). That is, based on the detected positions of the two marks 93, the control unit 15 recognizes the positional misalignment of the replacement frame 90 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions relative to the predetermined position, and the tilt angle of the replacement frame 90 in the horizontal plane relative to the transport direction (Y-axis direction), i.e., angular misalignment. Note that the angular misalignment may be a misalignment in the X-axis direction. Next, the control unit 15 controls the frame fixing unit 32 and the position adjustment unit 34 of the mask work unit 30 to correct the recognized positional and angular misalignments and clamp the replacement frame 90 (S210). This ensures that the replacement frame 90 is positioned and clamped in the predetermined position. Therefore, the empty mounting section 92 on which the squeegee 26 is mounted can be prevented from recurring in position or angle after the positional deviation or angle deviation has been corrected.

[0032] Next, the control unit 15 controls the head movement unit 22 so that the print head 21 moves directly above the empty mounting unit 92 (S220). The control unit 15 can easily set the movement position of the print head 21, i.e., the position directly above the empty mounting unit 92, based on the position information of the mounting unit 92 on the replacement frame 90 positioned in a predetermined position. The control unit 15 then causes the squeegee lifting unit 23 to lower the squeegee fixing unit 24, removes the squeegee 26, places it on the mounting unit 92, and then raises the squeegee fixing unit 24 (S230), thereby ending this process. In S230, the control unit 15 lowers the squeegee fixing unit 24 to a detachment position where the squeegee 26 can be attached to and detached from the mounting unit 92 (support member 92b), and then supplies air from the air supply pipe 254 into the cylinder 250 via the unclamping port 250c, thereby releasing the clamping of the clamp pin 27 by the clamp unit 25 and removing the squeegee 26 (see FIG. 8). Note that in this embodiment, after raising the squeegee fixing unit 24 in S230, the control unit 15 puts the mask work unit 30 in a state where it can correct the position and angle of the replacement frame 90 again.

[0033] 13 , the control unit 15 then controls the imaging processing unit 50 (imaging unit 51) to capture an image of the mark 93 on the mounting unit 92 on which the replacement squeegee 26 to be attached is placed, and processes the image captured by the imaging unit 51 to detect the two marks 93 (S150). The control unit 15 then executes a squeegee attachment process to attach the replacement squeegee 26 to the print head 21 (S160).

[0034] In the squeegee attachment process of FIG. 15 (S160), the control unit 15 recognizes the position and angle of the mounting portion 92 on which the replacement squeegee 26 is placed based on the positions of the two marks 93 detected in S150, thereby recognizing the positional and angular misalignment of the replacement frame 90 (S300). In S300, similar to S200, the positional and angular misalignment of the replacement frame 90 is recognized. Note that recognizing the positional and angular misalignment of the mounting portion 92 on which the replacement squeegee 26 is placed is synonymous with recognizing the positional and angular misalignment of the squeegee 26. That is, the control unit 15 processes the image captured by the imaging unit 51 to detect the position of the marks 93, thereby recognizing the position and angle of the replacement squeegee 26. Next, the control unit 15 controls the frame fixing unit 32 and the position adjustment unit 34 of the mask work unit 30 to correct the recognized positional and angular misalignment and clamp the replacement frame 90 (S310). This ensures that the replacement frame 90 is securely positioned and clamped in a predetermined position, and therefore the mounting portion 92 on which the replacement squeegee 26 is placed and the squeegee 26 are also positioned without any positional or angular misalignment.

[0035] Next, the control unit 15 controls the head movement unit 22 so that the print head 21 moves to directly above the mounting portion 92 on which the replacement squeegee 26 is placed (S320, see FIG. 16 ). The control unit 15 can easily set the movement position of the print head 21, i.e., the position directly above the mounting portion 92 on which the replacement squeegee 26 is placed, based on position information for the mounting portion 92 on the replacement frame 90 that has been positioned in a predetermined position. Furthermore, at the position directly above the mounting portion 92 on which the replacement squeegee 26 is placed, the insertion hole 251a (through hole 250a) of the clamp portion 25 of the squeegee fixing unit 24 and the clamp pin 27 of the replacement squeegee 26 are aligned vertically.

[0036] The control unit 15 then causes the squeegee elevating unit 23 to lower the squeegee fixing unit 24, attaches the squeegee 26 placed on the mounting unit 92, and then raises the squeegee fixing unit 24 (S330), thereby completing this process. In S330, the control unit 15 lowers the squeegee fixing unit 24 to the attachment / detachment position of the squeegee 26, inserts the clamp pin 27 of the squeegee 26 into the insertion hole 251a (through hole 250a) of the clamp unit 25, and supplies air into the cylinder 250 via the clamp port 250d to securely clamp the clamp pin 27 with the clamp unit 25, thereby attaching the squeegee 26 (see FIG. 7 ). Note that in this embodiment, after raising the squeegee fixing unit 24 in S330, the control unit 15 places the mask work unit 30 in a state in which the replacement frame 90 can be carried out.

[0037] In the replacement processing routine of FIG. 13, after replacing the squeegee 26 in this manner, the control unit 15 executes a carry-out process to carry out the replacement frame 90 from inside the device main body 11 to the storage rack 70 (S170), and then ends this routine.

[0038] Here, the correspondence between the components of this embodiment and the components of the present disclosure will be clarified. The head moving unit 22 and the transport rod 28 of the print processing unit 20, which transport the replacement frame 90 (transport jig) of this embodiment, correspond to the transport unit of this disclosure; the squeegee lifting unit 23 corresponds to the lifting unit; the imaging processing unit 50 (imaging unit 51) corresponds to the imaging unit; and the control unit 15, which executes S100, S110, and S140 to S160 of the replacement processing routine, corresponds to the replacement processing unit. The position adjustment unit 34 of the mask work unit 30 corresponds to the correction unit. The clamp unit 33 of the mask work unit 30 also corresponds to the correction unit. The clamp pin 27 of the squeegee 26 corresponds to the convex portion, and the insertion hole 251a of the squeegee fixing unit 24 corresponds to the concave portion. Furthermore, the control unit 15, which executes S100 to S130 of the replacement processing routine, corresponds to the confirmation unit. Note that in this embodiment, the operation of the printing device 10 is described to clarify an example of a method for replacing a transport jig or a squeegee of this disclosure.

[0039] In the printing device 10 described above, the control unit 15 transports the replacement frame 90 to a predetermined position and processes the image captured by the imaging unit 51 to recognize the position of the squeegee 26. This allows the squeegee 26 to be properly recognized and the squeegee 26 to be smoothly and automatically replaced.

[0040] Furthermore, the replacement frame 90 has a mark 93 on the underside of a mounting portion 92 (fixed plate 92a) on which the squeegee 26 is placed. The control unit 15 processes the image captured by the imaging unit 51 and detects the mark 93 to recognize the position of the squeegee 26, so that the position of the squeegee 26 can be reliably recognized with a simple configuration.

[0041] Furthermore, the control unit 15 checks the positional deviation of the replacement frame 90 based on the position of the detected mark 93, and causes the mask work unit 30 (position adjustment unit 34) to correct the position of the replacement frame 90 so as to eliminate the positional deviation, and then replaces the squeegee 26. Therefore, the positional deviation can be appropriately corrected, and the automatic replacement of the squeegee 26 can be performed smoothly.

[0042] The replacement frame 90 also has two marks 93 on the underside of the mounting portion 92 (fixed plate 92a). The control unit 15 checks for angular misalignment of the replacement frame 90 in addition to positional misalignment based on the detected positions of the two marks 93, and causes the mask work unit 30 (position adjustment unit 34) to correct the position and angle of the replacement frame 90 so as to eliminate the positional misalignment and angular misalignment before replacing the squeegee 26. This allows the positional misalignment and angular misalignment to be appropriately corrected, making it possible to more smoothly perform automatic replacement of the squeegee 26.

[0043] Furthermore, the replacement frame 90 has one mark 93 (two in total) on each end of the mounting portion 92 (fixed plate 92a) along the longitudinal direction of the squeegee 26. Therefore, the two marks 93 are provided as far apart as possible, which improves the accuracy of checking the angle deviation of the replacement frame 90.

[0044] Furthermore, the mask work unit 30 (clamp unit 33) can clamp the replacement frame 90. The control unit 15 causes the mask work unit 30 to make a correction and replace the squeegee 26 on the replacement frame 90 in a clamped state. This makes it possible to appropriately prevent the replacement frame 90 from shifting after the correction, further enabling smooth automatic replacement of the squeegee 26.

[0045] Furthermore, in the printing device 10, the transport rails 36 also serve to transport the replacement frame 80 (screen mask M), and the frame fixing portion 32 also serves to correct the position and angle of the replacement frame 80 (screen mask M). Therefore, there is no need to add a configuration for the replacement frame 90, and automatic replacement of the squeegee 26 can be carried out smoothly while preventing the configuration of the printing device 10 from becoming complicated.

[0046] The squeegee 26 is provided with a clamp pin 27 that protrudes in the vertical direction, and an insertion hole 251a (through hole 250a) is provided in the clamp portion 25 of the squeegee fixing portion 24 of the print head 21. The squeegee 26 is attached to the print head 21 (squeegee fixing portion 24) with the clamp pin 27 engaging with the insertion hole 251a (clamp ball 252). With this configuration, there is a risk that the clamp pin 27 will collide with the periphery of the insertion hole 251a (through hole 250a) and be damaged due to misalignment of the replacement frame 90 (replacement squeegee 26), making the application of the present disclosure highly significant.

[0047] It goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be embodied in various forms as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0048] In the embodiment, the squeegee 26 is provided with the clamp pin 27 as a convex portion, and the squeegee fixing portion 24 is provided with the insertion hole 251a as a concave portion, but this is not limited to this. An insertion hole may be provided in the squeegee 26, and a clamp pin may be provided in the squeegee fixing portion 24. Furthermore, the configuration for fixing the squeegee 26 to the print head 21 is not limited to one that uses a convex portion that protrudes in the vertical direction, and may also use a claw portion that engages with a recess in the side surface of the other side.

[0049] In the embodiment, the transport rails 36 also serve to transport the replacement frames 80, 90, and the frame fixing units 32 also serve to correct the positions and angles of the replacement frames 80, 90, but this is not limiting. For example, a dedicated transport rail or position adjustment unit for the replacement frame 90 may be provided.

[0050] In the embodiment, the squeegee 26 is replaced with the replacement frame 90 clamped, but this is not limiting, and the squeegee 26 may be replaced with the replacement frame 90 unclamped. However, in order to prevent the position or angle of the replacement frame 90 (the mounting portion 92 and the replacement squeegee 26) from shifting during replacement, it is preferable to clamp it as in the embodiment.

[0051] In the embodiment, each mounting portion 92 of the replacement frame 90 has one mark 93 provided on both ends along the longitudinal direction of the squeegee 26. However, this is not limited to this, and two marks 93 may be provided only on one longitudinal end of the squeegee 26. However, in order to properly check the angle misalignment, it is preferable to provide the marks 93 as in the embodiment. The number of marks 93 is not limited to two, and three or more marks may be provided. Furthermore, the marks 93 are not limited to being provided on the underside of the fixing plate 92a, but may also be provided on the frame body 91. Furthermore, the fixing plate 92a of each mounting portion 92 is not limited to having a mark 93 provided on each mounting portion 92. A mark 93 may be provided on one mounting portion 92 (for example, the center in the front-to-rear direction), and no marks 93 may be provided on the other mounting portions 92.

[0052] In the embodiment, the positional and angular misalignments of the replacement frame 90 are corrected in the replacement processing routine, but this is not limiting. For example, the positional misalignment of the replacement frame 90 may be corrected without correcting the angular misalignment, or both the positional and angular misalignments may not be corrected. The control unit 15 can at least confirm the presence or absence of the replacement frame 90 at a predetermined position by detecting the mark 93. Furthermore, if the angular misalignment is not corrected or if the presence or absence of the replacement frame 90 is simply confirmed, one mark 93 may be provided on one mounting section 92. However, if the positional and angular misalignments are not corrected, the control unit 15 will report an error when a positional or angular misalignment is confirmed, requiring the operator to make the correction. For this reason, it is preferable that the positional and angular misalignments of the replacement frame 90 can be corrected, as in the embodiment.

[0053] In the embodiment, the control unit 15 determines whether the replacement frame 90 is in the predetermined position in S120 of the replacement processing routine, but this is not limiting, and S120 and S130 may be omitted. Of course, if the control unit 15 does not detect the mark 93 from the image, it may determine that the replacement frame 90 is not in the predetermined position and notify an error as in S130.

[0054] In the embodiment, the control unit 15 recognizes and corrects the positional and angular misalignment of the replacement frame 90 in both the squeegee removal process and the squeegee attachment process, but this is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 15 may recognize and correct the positional and angular misalignment of the replacement frame 90 in the squeegee removal process, but may not recognize or correct the positional and angular misalignment of the replacement frame 90 in the squeegee attachment process. In this case, the control unit 15 may omit S150 of the replacement process routine and S300 and S310 of the squeegee attachment process. Furthermore, the control unit 15 may correct the positional and angular misalignment of the replacement frame 90 in the squeegee removal process and perform the squeegee attachment process while the replacement frame 90 remains clamped. This eliminates the need to re-recognize and correct the positional and angular misalignment of the replacement frame 90 in the squeegee attachment process, allowing for smoother processing.

[0055] Furthermore, the control unit 15 recognizes and corrects positional and angular misalignment of the replacement frame 90 during the squeegee attachment process, but does not need to recognize or correct positional or angular misalignment of the replacement frame 90 during the squeegee removal process. This makes it possible to prevent the clamp pin 27 from colliding with and damaging the periphery of the insertion hole 251a (through-hole 250a) at least when attaching the squeegee 26. In this case, the control unit 15 may omit steps S110 to S130 of the replacement process routine and steps S200 and S210 of the squeegee removal process. However, the control unit 15 may confirm that the replacement frame 90 is in the predetermined position without omitting steps S110 to S130 of the replacement process routine.

[0056] In the embodiment, the control unit 15 recognizes the position of the squeegee 26 and the position of the mounting unit 92 by detecting the mark 93, but this is not limited to this. For example, an imaging unit capable of capturing images of the squeegee 26 and the mounting unit 92 (support member 92b) from above may be provided, and the control unit 15 may process images captured by the imaging unit to recognize the positions of the squeegee 26 and the mounting unit 92 (support member 92b). In such a case, the mark 93 may not be provided.

[0057] In the embodiment, the replacement process uses a replacement frame 90 (see FIG. 12 ) having multiple mounting sections 92. However, this is not limited thereto, and a replacement frame 90 (see FIG. 9 ) having only one mounting section 92 may also be used. In this case, the control unit 15 loads a replacement frame 90 with an empty mounting section 92 in S100 of the replacement process routine. Furthermore, after executing the squeegee removal process in S140, the control unit 15 may, before S150, load out the replacement frame 90 with the removed squeegee 26 placed on the mounting section 92 and load in the replacement frame 90 with the replacement squeegee 26 placed on the mounting section 92. Furthermore, in the embodiment, the storage rack 70 capable of storing the replacement frames 80, 90 is received from the front of the printing device 10. However, this is not limited thereto, and a storage section capable of storing at least one of the replacement frames 80, 90 may be disposed at the rear of the printing device 10.

[0058] The present disclosure may be configured as follows. For example, a second printing device of the present disclosure is a printing device equipped with a head to which a squeegee is replaceably attached, comprising: a conveying unit that conveys a conveying jig on which a predetermined mark is provided and on which the squeegee is placed, an imaging unit that captures an image, and a confirmation unit that causes the conveying jig to be conveyed to a predetermined position below the head by the conveying unit, and processes the image captured by the imaging unit to detect the mark, thereby confirming the presence or absence of the conveying jig at least at the predetermined position.

[0059] In the second printing device of the present disclosure, the presence or absence of the transport jig at least at a predetermined position is confirmed by detecting the mark on the transport jig, so the squeegee placed on the transport jig can be properly recognized. Therefore, as with the printing device of the present disclosure described above, the squeegee can be smoothly and automatically replaced. In this second printing device, various aspects of the printing device of the present disclosure described above may be adopted.

[0060] The transport jig of the present disclosure is a transport jig used to transport a squeegee that is replaceably attached to a head of a printing device, and is provided with a predetermined mark on which the squeegee is placed.

[0061] The conveying jig of the present disclosure allows the printing device to detect a predetermined mark, thereby allowing the printing device to properly recognize the squeegee and smoothly and automatically replace the squeegee. This conveying jig may employ various aspects of the conveying jig for the printing device of the present disclosure described above.

[0062] The squeegee replacement method of the present disclosure is a method for replacing a squeegee that is replaceably attached to the head of a printing device, and includes the steps of: (a) transporting a transport jig on which the squeegee is placed to a predetermined position below the head by a transport unit; (b) processing an image captured by an imaging unit to recognize the position of the squeegee; and (c) replacing the squeegee by raising and lowering the head by a lifting unit that raises and lowers the head relative to the transport jig so that the squeegee can be replaced between the head and the transport jig.

[0063] The squeegee replacement method of the present disclosure, like the printing device of the present disclosure described above, can properly recognize the squeegee and smoothly and automatically replace the squeegee. This replacement method may employ various aspects of the printing device of the present disclosure described above, or may include additional steps that realize each function of the printing device of the present disclosure.

[0064] This specification also discloses the technical idea of ​​changing "the printing device according to claim 4" in claim 5 as originally filed to "the printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4", the technical idea of ​​changing "the printing device according to claim 3 or 4" in claim 7 as originally filed to "the printing device according to any one of claims 3 to 6", and the technical idea of ​​changing "the printing device according to claim 1 or 2" in claim 8 as originally filed to "the printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7".

[0065] The present disclosure is applicable to printing devices that print using replaceable squeegees.

[0066] 10 Printing device, 11 Device body, 15 Control unit, 16 Memory unit, 20 Print processing unit, 21 Print head, 22 Head moving unit, 23 Squeegee lifting unit, 24 Squeegee fixing unit, 25 Clamp unit, 250 Cylinder, 250a Through hole, 250b Tapered surface, 250c Unclamp port, 250d Clamp port, 251 Piston, 251a Insertion hole, 251b Peripheral wall, 252 Clamp ball, 253 Spring, 254 Air supply pipe, 26 Squeegee, 26a Plate, 27 Clamp pin, 27a Tapered unit, 28 Transport rod, 30 Mask working unit, 32 Frame fixing unit, 33 Clamp unit, 34 Position adjustment unit, 34a X-axis position adjustment unit, 34b Y-axis position adjustment unit, 36 Transport rail, 40 Substrate fixing unit, 41 Transport conveyor, 42 substrate support member, 43 support base, 44 support base lifting section, 45 fixed section lifting section, 50 imaging processing section, 51 imaging section, 52 carriage, 53 carriage moving section, 60 exchange device, 61a left side unit, 61b right side unit, 62 rack support member, 63 rack lifting section, 70 storage rack, 80, 90 exchange frame, 91 frame body, 92 placement section, 92a fixed plate, 92b support member, 93 mark, M screen mask, P pattern hole, S substrate.

Claims

1. A printing device having a head to which a squeegee can be replaced, comprising: a transport unit that transports a transport jig on which the squeegee is placed; a lifting unit that raises and lowers the head relative to the transport jig so that the squeegee can be replaced between the head and the transport jig; an imaging unit that captures images; and a replacement processing unit that causes the transport jig to be transported to a predetermined position below the head by the transport unit, processes the images captured by the imaging unit to recognize the position of the squeegee, and raises and lowers the head by the lifting unit to replace the squeegee.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the transport jig is provided with a predetermined mark, the imaging unit is capable of capturing an image of the transport jig, and the replacement processing unit recognizes the position of the squeegee by processing the image captured by the imaging unit and detecting the mark.

3. A printing device as described in claim 2, further comprising a correction unit capable of correcting the position of the transport jig, wherein the replacement processing unit checks the positional deviation of the transport jig based on the position of the detected mark, corrects the position of the transport jig using the correction unit so as to eliminate the positional deviation, and then raises and lowers the head using the lifting unit to replace the squeegee.

4. A printing device as described in claim 3, wherein the correction unit is capable of correcting the angle of the conveying jig in a horizontal plane, the conveying jig is provided with at least two of the marks, and the replacement processing unit checks the angular misalignment of the conveying jig in addition to the positional misalignment based on the detected positions of the two marks, corrects the position and angle of the conveying jig using the correction unit so that the positional misalignment and the angular misalignment are eliminated, and then raises and lowers the head using the lifting unit to replace the squeegee.

5. A printing device as described in claim 4, wherein the squeegee is a member having a longitudinal direction, and the transport jig has one mark on each end along the longitudinal direction of the squeegee on a mounting section on which the squeegee is placed.

6. A printing device as described in claim 3 or 4, wherein the correction unit is capable of clamping the transport jig, and the replacement processing unit replaces the squeegee by raising and lowering the head using the lifting unit for the transport jig in a clamped state after the correction has been made by the correction unit.

7. The printing device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the squeegee is used to print a viscous fluid onto a substrate using a screen mask, the transport unit also transports the screen mask, and the correction unit also corrects the screen mask.

8. A printing device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the squeegee is provided with either a convex portion that protrudes in the vertical direction or a concave portion that can engage with the convex portion, and the head is provided with the other of the convex portion and the concave portion, and the squeegee is attached to the head by engaging the convex portion with the concave portion as the head is raised and lowered.

9. A printing device having a head to which a squeegee can be attached in an interchangeable manner, comprising: a transport unit that transports a transport jig on which a predetermined mark is provided and on which the squeegee is placed; an imaging unit that captures images; and a confirmation unit that causes the transport jig to be transported to a predetermined position below the head by the transport unit, and processes the image captured by the imaging unit to detect the mark, thereby confirming the presence or absence of the transport jig at least at the predetermined position.

10. A transport jig used to transport a squeegee that is replaceably attached to the head of a printing device, the transport jig having a predetermined mark and on which the squeegee is placed.

11. A method for replacing a squeegee that is replaceably attached to the head of a printing device, comprising: (a) a step of transporting a transport jig on which the squeegee is placed to a predetermined position below the head by a transport unit; (b) a step of processing an image captured by an imaging unit to recognize the position of the squeegee; and (c) a step of raising and lowering the head relative to the transport jig by an elevating unit that raises and lowers the head so that the squeegee can be replaced between the head and the transport jig.

Images