Screen printing device, method for controlling screen printing device, and program

Abstract

This screen printing device comprises: a screen mask that has a mask effective region for printing a coating material on a substrate; a squeegee for moving the coating material; a coating material supply unit that can move together with the squeegee and supply the coating material onto the screen mask; a printing control unit; and a coating material supply control unit. The printing control unit executes a printing process for printing the coating material on the substrate by causing the squeegee to move from a printing start position to a printing end position. The coating material supply control unit executes a coating material supply process for supplying additional coating material to a position in front of the squeegee when the squeegee is positioned in a region between the end part of the mask effective region and the printing end position in the printing process.

Description

Screen printing apparatus, method and program for controlling screen printing apparatus

[0001] The present invention relates to a screen printing apparatus that prints (applies) a coating material such as cream solder onto a substrate such as a printed circuit board.

[0002] A screen printing apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as a printing apparatus) for printing a coating material such as cream solder onto a substrate such as a printed circuit board is known. The printing apparatus moves the coating material over a screen mask (hereinafter simply referred to as a mask) attached to the substrate using a squeegee. As the coating material moves, it is printed onto the substrate through openings (mask openings) formed in the mask.

[0003] As an example of this type of printing device, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing device in which a supply unit that supplies solder (coating material) and a squeegee move together along a mask. The printing device of Patent Document 1 performs forward and backward printing processes while the squeegee moves back and forth along the mask, and solder is supplied (replenished) onto the mask as needed after each of the forward and backward printing processes. The solder is supplied by a supply unit that moves along the mask together with the squeegee.

[0004] In the printing device of Patent Document 1, the supply unit is provided to be positioned in front of the squeegee in the direction of squeegee movement during the forward printing process. Therefore, the operation of the printing device when solder is supplied after the forward printing process is as shown in Figures 11A to 11E.

[0005] That is, when the squeegee 510 moves along the mask 500 to the printing end position Pe ( FIG. 11A ), the squeegee 510 moves upward, and the supply unit 512 and the squeegee 510 retract together from the printing end position Pe ( FIG. 11B ). This retraction positions the supply unit 512 above the solder 501, and in this state, the supply unit 512 supplies solder 502 onto the existing solder 501 ( FIG. 11C ). Then, the supply unit 512 and the squeegee 510 move together to the opposite side of the solders 501 and 502 (the left side in FIG. 11D ), and the squeegee 510 reverses and descends to the printing start position Ps on the mask 500 ( FIG. 11E ).

[0006] However, in this printing device, as described above, the squeegee 510 must be moved to the printing end position Pe, raised once to supply the solder 502, then retracted, and then moved again past the printing end position Pe to the printing start position Ps. This means that the solder supply process takes time, and there is room for improvement in terms of shortening the takt time.

[0007] Patent Publication No. 2010-179628

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and aims to provide a technology that contributes to shortening the takt time in a screen printing apparatus equipped with a coating material supply unit that moves along a screen mask together with a squeegee.

[0009] A screen printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a screen mask that is mounted on a substrate and has a mask effective area that is an area for printing a coating material onto the substrate; a squeegee that moves the coating material along the screen mask; a coating material supply unit that moves together with the squeegee and is capable of supplying the coating material onto the screen mask; a printing control unit that controls the operation of the squeegee; and a coating material supply control unit that controls the operation of the coating material supply unit, wherein the printing control unit performs a printing process to print the coating material on the substrate by moving the squeegee from a printing start position to a printing end position, and the coating material supply control unit performs a coating material supply process to supply additional coating material to a position in front of the squeegee when the squeegee is positioned in an area between an end of the mask effective area and the printing end position during the printing process.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a screen printing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view (main parts) of the screen printing apparatus. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a printing unit in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system of the screen printing apparatus. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing operation control of the screen printing apparatus. FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram (1) of a roll width measurement process. FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram (2) of a roll width measurement process. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a squeegee direction change operation. FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram (1) of a solder supply process. FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram (2) of a solder supply process. FIG. 8C is an explanatory diagram (3) of a solder supply process. FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram (4) of a solder supply process. FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram (5) of a solder supply process. FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram (1) of a solder supply process according to a modified example. FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram (2) of a solder supply process according to a modified example. FIG. 10C is an explanatory diagram (3) of a solder supply process according to a modified example. Fig. 10D is an explanatory diagram (4) of the solder supply process according to the modified example. Fig. 11A is an explanatory diagram (1) of the solder supply process of the conventional device. Fig. 11B is an explanatory diagram (2) of the solder supply process of the conventional device. Fig. 11C is an explanatory diagram (3) of the solder supply process of the conventional device. Fig. 11D is an explanatory diagram (4) of the solder supply process of the conventional device. Fig. 11E is an explanatory diagram (4) of the solder supply process of the conventional device.

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] [Overall Configuration of Screen Printing Apparatus] Fig. 1 is a side view showing the schematic configuration of a screen printing apparatus 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as printing apparatus 1) according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a front view of the printing apparatus 1 (viewed from the Y2 side). Note that in the figure, XYZ rectangular coordinates are shown to clarify directional relationships. The X direction is the horizontal direction, the Z direction is the vertical direction (up and down direction), and the Y direction is a direction perpendicular to both the X and Z directions. Note that the Y1 direction corresponds to the "first direction" of the present invention, and the Y2 direction corresponds to the "second direction" of the present invention.

[0013] The printing apparatus 1 includes a printing work section 2A that performs printing processing on a substrate P such as a printed circuit board, and a mask storage section 2B that is disposed adjacent to the printing work section 2A on the Y1 side (one side in the Y direction / the right side in FIG. 1 ). The mask storage section 2B stores replacement screen masks.

[0014] The printing work section 2A is provided with a mask holding unit 3, a substrate holding unit 4, and a printing unit 5.

[0015] The substrate holding unit 4 includes an upper unit 4 A and a lower unit 4 B. The upper unit 4 A holds the substrate P during printing operations, and is equipped with a conveyor 20 for transporting the substrate P, a substrate support mechanism 22 that lifts and supports the substrate P from the conveyor 20, and a substrate clamping mechanism 24 that clamps the substrate P lifted from the conveyor 20.

[0016] The substrate support mechanism 22 has a liftable table on which a plurality of pins 23 that support the substrate P are erected, and when the table is raised, the substrate P is lifted from the conveyor 20 via the plurality of pins 23 and supported. The substrate clamp mechanism 24 has a pair of clamp members 25 that can be moved toward and away from each other in the Y direction. The substrate clamp mechanism 24 clamps and fixes the substrate P that has been lifted from the conveyor 20 by the substrate support mechanism 22 between the pair of clamp members 25 from both sides in the Y direction. The clamp members 25 are plate-shaped members (see FIG. 3) that have an upper surface that is continuous with the upper surface of the substrate P, more specifically, an upper surface that is flush with the upper surface of the substrate P when the substrate P is fixed.

[0017] The conveyor 20, substrate support mechanism 22, and substrate clamp mechanism 24 are operated by actuators such as motors or air cylinders (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as actuators). The substrate P is carried onto the conveyor 20 from the upstream side in the X direction (the rear side in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 1 / the X2 side in FIG. 2), and is held in a state where it is positioned in the upper unit 4A by the substrate support mechanism 22 and substrate clamp mechanism 24. After the printing process, the substrate P is released from the positioning state by the substrate support mechanism 22 and substrate clamp mechanism 24, and is carried out downstream in the X direction by the conveyor 20.

[0018] The lower unit 4B moves the substrate P positioned (held) by the upper unit 4A together with the upper unit 4A. Although details are omitted in Figure 1, the lower unit 4B is made up of a table and a table drive mechanism that displaces the table in the X, Y, Z, and R directions by driving an actuator. The R direction is the direction of rotation around an axis extending in the Z direction.

[0019] The upper unit 4A is fixed onto the table of the lower unit 4B. With this configuration, the substrate holding unit 4 is able to move the substrate P in each of the X, Y, Z, and R directions. This movement allows the substrate holding unit 4 to load the substrate P onto the screen mask 6 from below.

[0020] The mask holding unit 3 is disposed above the substrate holding unit 4. The mask holding unit 3 holds a screen mask 6. The screen mask 6 is rectangular (rectangular or square) in plan view and is composed of a mask body 6a, which is a thin metal plate in which printing openings (mask openings) are formed, and a metal frame 6b that holds the peripheral edge of the mask body 6a. In the following description, the screen mask 6 will be abbreviated to mask 6, and unless otherwise specified, the term mask 6 refers to the mask body 6a.

[0021] The mask holding unit 3 includes a pair of guide members 26 extending parallel to each other in the Y direction and spaced apart in the X direction, and a mask clamping device (not shown) that clamps the mask 6 to the pair of guide members 26. The mask clamping device is actuated by an actuator.

[0022] Each guide member 26 is an L-shaped cross-section member made of a metal material such as stainless steel and includes a support portion 27a that supports the mask 6 and a guide portion 27b that restrains the mask 6 from the outside in the X direction. A mask clamp device is provided on each guide member 26 and includes a clamp plate and an actuator that drives the clamp plate forward and backward in the Z direction. The mask clamp device fixes the mask 6 to the guide member 26 by sandwiching a frame body 6b between the support portion 27a of the guide member 26 and the clamp plate.

[0023] The printing unit 5 is provided in the space above the mask holding unit 3 so as to be movable in the Y direction. The printing unit 5 mainly functions to move the solder paste along the upper surface of the mask 6. Solder paste (hereinafter referred to as solder) is an example of a coating material of the present invention, and is a semi-fluid that is conductive and viscous.

[0024] The printing unit 5 moves in the Y direction by operation of a Y-axis drive mechanism 10. The printing unit 5 includes a beam 5a extending in the X direction. The Y-axis drive mechanism 10 (corresponding to the "movement mechanism" of the present invention) is a screw feed mechanism including a pair of rails 12 extending in the Y direction and movably supporting both longitudinal ends of the beam 5a, a screw shaft 14 arranged parallel to the rails 12 and threadedly inserted into a nut member (not shown) of the beam 5a, and a motor 15 that drives the screw shaft 14. In other words, the motor 15 rotates the screw shaft 14, thereby moving the printing unit 5 in the Y direction along the rails 12. Note that the Y-axis drive mechanism 10 may be a mechanism other than a screw feed mechanism.

[0025] 1, the rails 12 and the screw shafts 14 extend from the Y2-side end of the printing work section 2A to the middle of the mask storage section 2B, thereby enabling the printing unit 5 to move in the Y direction from the Y2-side end of the printing work section 2A to the middle of the mask storage section 2B.

[0026] The printing unit 5 is equipped with a squeegee 16 , a squeegee drive mechanism 17 , a mask slider 18 , a solder supply unit 7 , and an X-axis drive mechanism 8 .

[0027] The squeegee 16 is a plate member that presses the solder supplied onto the mask 6 in the Y direction along the mask 6. The squeegee 16 is rectangular and elongated in the X direction, with a flat pressing surface 16a that presses the solder. The pressing surface 16a is made of a polymer material such as urethane rubber, polyacetal, polyethylene, or polyester, or a metal material such as stainless steel. The squeegee 16 moves back and forth in the Y direction together with the printing unit 5. The solder on the mask 6, i.e., as shown in FIG. 2, a mass of solder (referred to as a solder roll S) extending in the X direction on the mask 6, moves in the Y direction along the top surface of the mask 6 while being pressed by the squeegee 16 via the pressing surface 16a.

[0028] The squeegee drive mechanism 17 includes a rotation mechanism that rotates the squeegee 16 about an axis Ax extending in the X direction by operation of an actuator, and an elevation mechanism that raises and lowers the squeegee 16 relative to the beam 5a (moves it in the Z direction) by operation of an actuator. By operation of the squeegee drive mechanism 17, the squeegee 16 moves to a position where it can slide on the mask 6 (the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 ) and a position where it retracts above the mask 6 (the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 ).

[0029] During the printing process, the squeegee 16 is shifted in position by the operation of the squeegee drive mechanism 17 so that the pressing surface 16a faces forward in the direction of travel, and the angle of the pressing surface 16a is also changed. That is, the printing device 1 executes an outbound printing process in which printing is performed while the squeegee 16 is moved from the Y2 side toward the Y1 side, and a return printing process in which printing is performed while the squeegee 16 is moved from the Y1 side toward the Y2 side. As shown in FIG. 3 , the squeegee 16 is shifted in position so that the pressing surface 16a faces the Y1 side during the outbound printing process, and so that the pressing surface 16a faces the Y2 side during the return printing process. Note that FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the printing unit in FIG. 1 .

[0030] The angle θ formed between the pressing surface 16a of the squeegee 16 and the upper surface of the mask body 6a is called the attack angle. The attack angle θ is set to an angle suitable for the printing process based on various conditions such as the type (properties) of solder, the opening area of ​​the mask 6, and the movement speed of the squeegee 16.

[0031] The mask slider 18 is a mask engagement device used to move the screen mask 6 between the printing work unit 2A and the mask storage unit 2B. The mask slider 18 includes a pin 18a extending in the Z direction and a pin drive unit 18b, such as an air cylinder, that drives the pin 18a forward and backward in the Z direction. The pin 18a is displaced by the pin drive unit 18b between a protruding position (lower position) where its tip (lower end) is lower than the top surface of the frame 6b and a retracted position (upper position) where it is retracted above the mask 6. That is, the mask slider 18 moves the mask 6 in the Y direction as the printing unit 5 moves by hooking the pin 18a onto the frame 6b of the mask 6. Note that FIGS. 1 and 3 show the mask slider 18 with the pin 18a displaced to the retracted position.

[0032] The mask storage section 2B is provided with a mask stocker 30 that stores a plurality of removably inserted masks 6, and an elevator mechanism (not shown) that raises and lowers (moves in the Z direction) the mask stocker 30. The mask stocker 30 has upper and lower storage sections 32a, 32b, and two types of masks 6 with different mask opening patterns are stored in these storage sections 32a, 32b.

[0033] The lifting mechanism is operated by the actuator and selectively positions either the first storage section 32a or the second storage section 32b at a predetermined mask replacement height position facing the guide member 26 in the Y direction. Fig. 1 shows a state in which the lower storage section 32b is positioned at the mask replacement height position, and the mask 6 stored in storage section 32b is positioned in the printing work section 2A (guide member 26).

[0034] The solder supply unit 7 (corresponding to the "coating material supply unit" of the present invention) is a device that supplies solder onto the mask 6. The solder supply unit 7 is disposed on the Y2 side of the beam 5a as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and is movable in the X direction relative to the beam 5a by an X-axis drive mechanism 8. The X-axis drive mechanism 8 is comprised of a screw feed mechanism or the like driven by a motor, and moves the solder supply unit 7 in the X direction as shown in FIG. 2.

[0035] The solder supply unit 7 includes a unit frame 7a connected to the X-axis drive mechanism 8, and a supply head 40 fixed to the unit frame 7a.

[0036] The supply head 40 has a cylindrical solder container 42 that extends in the vertical direction and has a solder discharge portion 42a at its tip (lower end). The solder container 42 is provided so that the solder discharge portion 42a is located on the Y2 side of the position of the squeegee 16, specifically, on the Y2 side of the movable range of the squeegee 16 in the Y direction. The solder discharge portion 42a is a portion that discharges the solder contained in the solder container 42 toward the mask 6. For example, the solder discharge portion 42a is provided with a discharge port that opens and closes by operating a shutter member (not shown), and the amount of solder discharged (supplied) by the solder supply unit 7 is controlled depending on the opening time of the discharge port.

[0037] 1 and 3, a solder sensor 9 is disposed on the beam 5a of the printing unit 5. The solder sensor 9 is disposed on the Y1 side of the position of the squeegee 16, more specifically, at a predetermined position on the Y1 side of the movable range of the squeegee 16 in the Y direction.

[0038] The solder sensor 9 is used to measure the width of the solder roll S on the mask 6, specifically the width of the solder roll S in the Y direction. The solder sensor 9 is, for example, an optical reflective sensor (non-contact sensor) equipped with a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit. As the printing unit 5 moves in the Y direction, the solder sensor 9 scans the upper surface of the mask 6 (mask body 6a) while irradiating the upper surface of the mask 6 with light from the light-emitting unit. During scanning, the irradiated light is reflected by the mask 6 and enters the light-receiving unit at positions where the solder roll S is not present, whereas the irradiated light is scattered at positions where the solder roll S is present and does not enter the light-receiving unit. Thus, the solder sensor 9 can detect the presence or absence of the solder roll S on the mask 6 based on whether or not the irradiated light is received.

[0039] The solder sensor 9 outputs a signal according to the detection state of the solder roll S to the print control unit 101 described below. That is, the solder sensor 9 outputs an OFF signal when it detects the solder roll S, and outputs an ON signal when it does not detect the solder roll S. The print control unit 101 can determine the width of the solder roll S based on the input signal from the solder sensor 9.

[0040] [Configuration of Control System] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the control system of the printing device 1. The printing device 1 is equipped with a control device 100 that performs overall control of the operation of the printing device 1.

[0041] The control device 100 is connected to a display unit 110 configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display, and an operation unit 120 configured with, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel provided on the display unit 110 .

[0042] The control device 100 is composed of a processor such as a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and peripheral devices, and includes a print control unit 101, a solder supply control unit 102, a storage unit 103, and the like as its functional components.

[0043] The printing control unit 101 controls the operation of each part, such as the mask holding unit 3, the substrate holding unit 4, the Y-axis driving mechanism 10, the squeegee driving mechanism 17, the solder sensor 9, and the mask slider 18, in accordance with the programs, production plan information, and production board data stored in the memory unit 103 to perform the printing process and the roll width measurement process that measures the width of the solder roll S, and also performs various judgments and calculations required for the printing process and the roll width measurement process.

[0044] The solder supply control unit 102 controls the operations of the solder supply unit 7, the X-axis drive mechanism 8, and the Y-axis drive mechanism 10 in accordance with a program stored in the storage unit 103 to execute the solder supply process onto the mask 6 based on the width of the solder roll S determined in the roll width measurement process, and also executes various determinations and calculations required for the solder supply process. The program may be stored in a portable storage medium.

[0045] 5 is a flowchart showing the operation control of the printing device 1. When this flowchart starts, the print control unit 101 controls the Y-axis drive mechanism 10 and the squeegee drive mechanism 17 to position the squeegee 16 at a predetermined attack angle θ at a print start position Ps1 (Ps2) described below, and applies printing pressure at the print start position Ps1 (Ps2) (steps S1 and S3). "Applying printing pressure" means, for example, applying a downward load to the squeegee 31 in contact with the upper surface of the mask 6 to press the mask 6.

[0046] In the forward printing process, the print control unit 101 moves the squeegee 16 from a print start position Ps1 (see FIG. 3) set near the Y2 end of the mask 6 to a print end position Pe1 set near the Y1 end of the mask 6. In the backward printing process, the print control unit 101 moves the squeegee 16 from a print start position Ps2 set near the X1 end of the mask 6 to a print end position Pe2 set near the Y2 end of the mask 6. The print start positions Ps1 and Ps2 and the print end positions Pe1 and Pe2 are determined by the contact position between the squeegee 16 and the mask 6, and in this example, are set in the area where the clamp member 25 is installed (see FIG. 3).

[0047] When printing preparation is completed by applying printing pressure, the print control unit 101 determines whether the printing process is a return pass printing process (step S5). If the determination is No, that is, if the printing process is a forward pass printing process, the print control unit 101 executes the forward pass printing process by moving the squeegee 16 to the printing end position Pe1 (step S17), and then further executes the roll width measurement process (step S19).

[0048] As described above, the roll width measurement process is a process for measuring the width of the solder roll S in the Y direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A , after the squeegee 16 reaches the printing end position Pe1 and the printing process ends, the printing unit 5 is moved in the Y2 direction while maintaining the orientation of the squeegee 16. The printing unit 5 is moved in the Y2 direction because, as described above, the solder sensor 9 is disposed on the Y1 side of the movable range of the squeegee 16 in the Y direction. In this case, the printing unit 5 can be moved in the Y2 direction with the squeegee 16 in contact with the mask 6 or with the squeegee 16 separated above the mask 6.

[0049] As the printing unit 5 moves, the input signal from the solder sensor 9 changes from an ON signal to an OFF signal at position P0, the Y1-side end of the solder roll S. Therefore, the print control unit 101 can detect position P0 of the Y1-side end of the solder roll S (the end opposite the printing start position Ps1) based on this change in input signal. The print control unit 101 then calculates the Y-direction width W of the solder roll S based on this detection result (position P0 of the solder roll S's end) and the print end position Pe1. The print end position Pe1 can be considered to be equivalent to the position of the Y2-side end of the solder roll S at the end of the return pass printing process. Therefore, the print control unit 101 can calculate (measure) the width W of the solder roll S from the print end position Pe1 and the end position P0 detected by the solder sensor 9.

[0050] In this example, the movement of the squeegee 16 in the Y direction, i.e., the operation of the Y-axis drive mechanism 10, is controlled based on the coordinates of the rotation center of the squeegee 16. Therefore, the print control unit 101 can obtain the print end position Pe2 based on control information such as the coordinates of the rotation center and the attack angle θ, as well as design information for each unit.

[0051] 5, when the roll width measurement process is completed, the print control unit 101 proceeds to step S15 and determines whether production of the substrate P is completed, that is, whether printing has been completed for a specified number of substrates P, for example, one production lot. If the determination is No, the print control unit 101 controls the squeegee drive mechanism 17 and the Y-axis drive mechanism 10 to switch from the return pass printing process to the forward pass printing process, and performs a direction change operation to reverse the orientation of the squeegee 16.

[0052] Specifically, the print control unit 101 moves the print unit 5 in the Y1 direction to return the squeegee 16 to the print end position Pe2, and then rotates the squeegee 16 around the solder roll S. In this case, as shown in Fig. 7, the print control unit 101 moves the squeegee 16 so that the pressing surface 16a contacts the solder roll S over the entire range from the start to the end of rotation of the squeegee 16, or over a portion of that range. Note that Fig. 7 shows the movement of the squeegee 16 when switching from the forward pass printing process to the backward pass printing process, but the movement of the squeegee 16 when switching from the backward pass printing process to the forward pass printing process is basically the same except for the direction of rotation.

[0053] In this case, the print control unit 101 acquires information about the movement trajectory of the squeegee 16 that contacts the solder roll S, specifically, the movement trajectory of the squeegee 16 that describes an upwardly convex elliptical arc, and can control the movement of the squeegee 16 based on this movement trajectory. The movement trajectory is information that is calculated from the width W of the solder roll S, the height of the solder roll S, and design information for each part. The height of the solder roll S is information that is calculated based on pre-stored conversion information that indicates the correspondence between the width W and height of the solder roll S, and the measured value of the solder roll S, for example.

[0054] On the other hand, if the determination in step S5 is Yes, that is, if the printing process is determined to be a return pass printing process, the solder supply control unit 102 determines whether solder supply is required (step S7).

[0055] Specifically, the solder supply control unit 102 determines whether the measured width of the solder roll S (the value calculated in step S19) is less than a set value. The set value is a value calculated based on, for example, the amount of solder supplied onto the mask 6 at the start of the printing process (initial solder amount), the average consumption amount which is the average amount of solder consumed in one printing process, and the total number of times the printing process has been performed from the first time to the time of measurement.

[0056] If the determination in step S7 is Yes, a solder supply process (corresponding to the "coating material supply process" of the present invention) is executed.

[0057] 8A-8C and 9A-9B are explanatory diagrams of the solder supply process. If step S7 returns a "Yes" result, the print control unit 101 stops the moving printing unit 5 after the start of the return pass printing process, thereby temporarily stopping the squeegee 16 in the area between the end 6e of the mask effective area 6Ar and the printing end position Pe1 (step S9 / FIGS. 8A and 8B). The mask effective area 6Ar is the area of ​​the mask 6 where solder is applied to the substrate P, i.e., the area where the mask openings are formed.

[0058] Specifically, the print control unit 101 temporarily stops the squeegee 16 at position PCe, which is the end of the clamp member 25 (step S9). Once the squeegee 16 has stopped, the solder supply control unit 102 controls the solder supply unit 7 and the X-axis drive mechanism 8 to supply solder from the solder discharge unit 42a onto the mask 6 (step S11 / FIG. 8C). In this case, in addition to supplying a preset amount of solder, the solder supply control unit 102 can calculate a supply amount based on the remaining amount of the solder roll S, i.e., the deviation between the measured width of the solder roll S in step S19 and the set value, and supply that amount of solder.

[0059] As described above, the solder discharge portion 42a is provided so as to be located on the Y2 side of the movable range of the squeegee 16. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 9A, the solder Sa (corresponding to the "additional coating material" of the present invention) supplied from the solder discharge portion 42a is supplied to a position in front of the squeegee 16, i.e., a position adjacent to and in front of the existing solder roll S, in the region between the position PCe of the end of the clamp member 25 and the printing end position Pe2.

[0060] When the supply of solder is completed, the print control unit 101 controls the Y-axis drive mechanism 10 to resume movement of the printing unit 5 ( FIG. 9B ). This resumption of movement of the printing unit 5 causes the squeegee 16 to move from position PCe at the end of the clamp member 25 to printing end position Pe2. As a result, the supplied solder Sa is pressed by the squeegee 16 while being wrapped around the existing solder roll S.

[0061] When the print control unit 101 completes the return pass printing process by moving the squeegee 16 to the print end position Pe1 (step S13), the process proceeds to step S15.

[0062] In step S15, as described above, the print control unit 101 determines whether or not production of the substrate P has been completed. If the determination here is No, the print control unit 101 controls the squeegee drive mechanism 17 and the Y-axis drive mechanism 10 to perform a direction change operation to reverse the orientation of the squeegee 16 in order to switch from the return pass printing process to the forward pass printing process (step S21), and then proceeds to step S1.

[0063] On the other hand, if the determination in step S15 is Yes, that is, if it is determined that the production of the board P has ended, the print control unit 101 ends this flowchart.

[0064] [Effects] As described above, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the return pass printing process is performed by moving the squeegee 16 from the printing start position Ps2 to the printing end position Pe2. During this return pass printing process, when the squeegee 16 is located at position PCe at the end of the clamp member 25, solder Sa is supplied from the solder supply unit 7 to a position ahead in the direction of travel of the squeegee 16 (FIGS. 8C and 9B). In other words, the solder Sa is supplied before the squeegee 16 reaches the printing end position Pe2.

[0065] Therefore, with the printing device 1 of the embodiment, there is no need to temporarily retract the squeegee to supply additional coating material after reaching the printing end position, as was the case with conventional devices, and there is also no need to return the squeegee that has been temporarily retracted to the printing end position. Therefore, with the printing device 1 of the embodiment, it is possible to shorten the takt time compared to conventional devices.

[0066] In this case, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the squeegee 16 is stopped temporarily at position PCe at the end of the clamp member 25, and while the squeegee 16 is stopped, solder Sa is supplied from the solder supply unit 7. This prevents the solder Sa supplied from the solder supply unit 7 from adhering to the squeegee 16, and as a result, the solder Sa can be supplied appropriately to the position in front of the squeegee 16.

[0067] Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, solder Sa is supplied to the region between the existing solder roll S pressed by the squeegee 16 and the printing end position Pe2 (see FIG. 9A ). Specifically, solder Sa is supplied to a position adjacent to the existing solder roll S. Therefore, when the squeegee 16 resumes movement from the stop position, as described above, the solder Sa supplied from the solder supply unit 7 is wrapped around the existing solder roll S and pressed by the squeegee 16 to the printing end position Pe2. Therefore, the supplied solder Sa and the existing solder roll S can be mixed using the section from the stop position of the squeegee 16 (position PCe of the end of the clamp member 25) to the printing end position Pe2. In other words, the supplied solder Sa and the existing solder roll S are mixed while being pressed by the squeegee 16 in the section from the stop position (position PCe of the end of the clamp member 25) to the printing end position Pe2 and in the section from the printing start position Ps1 of the forward printing process to the mask effective area 6Ar. Therefore, it is possible to ensure a longer period of time for mixing the supplied solder Sa with the existing solder roll S.

[0068] For example, as in conventional devices, when solder is supplied on top of an existing solder roll and the return print process is started in this state (see FIG. 11C ), it is conceivable that the supplied solder and the existing solder will move to the mask effective area without being sufficiently mixed. However, as described above, the printing device 1 of the embodiment can ensure a longer period for mixing the supplied solder Sa with the existing solder roll S. Therefore, with the printing device 1 of the embodiment, it is possible to move the supplied solder Sa and the existing solder roll S to the mask effective area 6Ar in a state where they are sufficiently mixed.

[0069] Furthermore, in the printing device 1 of the embodiment, when the squeegee 16 changes direction after the printing process, as described above, the squeegee 16 is moved so that the pressing surface 16a comes into contact with the solder roll S. Therefore, compared to conventional devices that change direction by moving the squeegee above the solder, the printing device 1 of the embodiment reduces the movement distance of the squeegee 16 during the change direction. Therefore, the printing device 1 of the embodiment can also shorten the takt time in this respect.

[0070] Furthermore, in the printer 1 of this embodiment, the roll width measurement process (step S in FIG. 5) detects the position P0 of the Y1-side end of the solder roll S, and measures the width W of the solder roll S based on this detection result and the position of the printing end position Pe1. Therefore, in this respect as well, the printer 1 of this embodiment can shorten the takt time.

[0071] In other words, when measuring the width of the solder roll S, it is also possible to measure the width of the solder roll S by actually detecting both ends of the solder roll S with the solder sensor 9. However, in this case, after the forward printing process is completed, the solder sensor 9 (printing unit 5) must be moved to the position of the Y2-side end of the solder roll S, and then the printing unit 5 must be moved in the Y1 direction to return to its original position, which increases the amount of movement of the printing unit 5 required for measurement. However, according to the printing device 1 of this embodiment, because only the Y1-side end of the solder roll S is detected, the amount of movement of the printing unit 5 required for measurement is smaller than when detecting both the Y1-side and Y2-side ends. Therefore, the printing device 1 of this embodiment can shorten the takt time.

[0072] Furthermore, in the printing device 1 of the embodiment, the solder Sa is supplied to the region between the end position PCe of the clamp member 25 and the printing end position Pe2. In other words, the solder Sa is supplied to a region of the mask 6 where bending is suppressed or prevented by being supported by the clamp member 25. Therefore, according to the printing device 1 of the embodiment, the supplied solder Sa can be smoothly moved by the squeegee 16 together with the existing solder roll S without leaving any solder unscraped by the squeegee 16.

[0073] The printing device 1 described above is an example of a preferred embodiment of the screen printing device according to the present invention, and its specific configuration can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the following configurations can also be applied to the printing device 1 described above.

[0074] (1) In the printing device 1 of the embodiment, the solder Sa is supplied before the squeegee 16 reaches the printing end position Pe2. However, the solder supply process may be performed after the squeegee 16 reaches the printing end position Pe2, that is, after the return pass printing process is completed, as described below.

[0075] 10A to 10D are explanatory diagrams of a solder supply process according to a modified example. In this example, in the return pass printing process, the print control unit 101 moves the squeegee 16 (printing unit 5) to the print end position Pe2 without stopping it midway (FIG. 10A).

[0076] When the squeegee 16 reaches the printing end position Pe2, the solder supply control unit 102 controls the solder supply unit 7 and the X-axis drive mechanism 8 to supply solder Sa to a position adjacent to and in front of the existing solder roll S ( FIG. 10B ). The printing control unit 101 moves the squeegee 16 upward, either in parallel with or after supplying the solder Sa. After supplying the solder Sa, the printing control unit 101 moves the printing unit 5 in the Y2 direction and changes the direction of the squeegee 16 above the solder roll S ( FIG. 10C ), positioning the changed direction squeegee 16 at the printing start position Ps1 where it can press the solder Sa ( FIG. 10D ).

[0077] In the case of the operations shown in 10A to 10D, the squeegee 16 does not need to be retracted once after the return pass printing process is completed, so that the tact time can be shortened compared to the conventional device.

[0078] In this case, the direction-changing operation of the squeegee 16 is not limited to the operation of temporarily separating the pressing surface 16a from the solder roll S and then rotating the squeegee 16. As with the printing device 1 of the embodiment, the squeegee 16 may be rotated so that the pressing surface 16a contacts the surfaces of the solder Sa and the existing solder roll S for at least part of the period from the start to the end of rotation of the squeegee 16.

[0079] (2) In the printing device 1 of the embodiment, the solder Sa is supplied from the solder supply unit 7 while the squeegee 16 is temporarily stopped at position PCe at the end of the clamp member 25. However, the solder Sa may be supplied without stopping the squeegee 16, that is, while the squeegee 16 is moving. With this configuration, the takt time can be further reduced by the amount that the squeegee 16 is not stopped.

[0080] In this case, for example, the movement speed of the squeegee 16 (printing unit 5) in the area outside the mask effective area 6Ar or the area outside the substrate P may be set lower than the movement speed in the inner area. This configuration makes it easier to avoid problems such as the solder Sa supplied from the solder supply unit 7 adhering to the squeegee 16 during movement.

[0081] (3) In the printing apparatus 1 of the embodiment, solder Sa is supplied from the solder supply unit 7 to the area of ​​the mask 6 where the clamp member 25 is mounted (see FIG. 9A ). As described above, this area is supported by the clamp member 25 and is less likely to bend when pressed by the squeegee 16. Therefore, the area to which solder Sa is supplied may be the area of ​​the mask 6 where the substrate P is mounted. Specifically, it may be the area of ​​the substrate P where the outside of the mask effective area 6Ar is mounted (the area between positions P6e and PCe in FIG. 8A ). This area is where the mask 6 is supported by the substrate clamp mechanism 24 via the substrate P and is less likely to bend when pressed by the squeegee 16. Therefore, solder Sa may be supplied from the solder supply unit 7 to this area. Note that this configuration makes the section from the supply of solder Sa to the printing end position Pe2 longer than in the embodiment. Therefore, it is possible to ensure a longer period of time for mixing the supplied solder Sa with the existing solder roll S.

[0082] (4) In the printing device 1 of the embodiment, the squeegee 16 is stopped at position PCe, which is the end of the clamp member 25, when supplying the solder Sa. However, the stop position of the squeegee 16 is not limited to position PCe, which is the end of the clamp member 25. For example, the stop position may be the end position of the substrate P. Furthermore, as in (2) above, when the solder Sa is supplied to the area of ​​the mask 6 where the substrate P is mounted, the stop position may be a position on the substrate P outside the mask effective area 6Ar (a position between position P6e and position PCe in FIG. 8A ). The printing device 1 may also include a setting unit that allows the user to arbitrarily set the stop position of the squeegee 16. This setting unit is embodied, for example, by the display unit 110 and the operation unit 120 attached to the control device 100. That is, the user can set the desired stop position by operating the operation unit according to the display content of the display unit 120 and inputting information specifying the stop position into the control device 100. The set stop position is stored in the storage unit 103 and updated accordingly.

[0083] (5) The printing device 1 of the embodiment is configured to perform both the forward printing process and the return printing process by rotating the squeegee 16. However, the present invention is also applicable to a printing device that has a squeegee for the forward printing process that has a pressing surface facing the Y2 side and a squeegee for the return printing process that has a pressing surface facing the Y1 side, and that selectively uses these squeegees to perform the forward printing process and the return printing process.

[0084] The present invention described above can be summarized as follows.

[0085] A screen printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a screen mask that is mounted on a substrate and has a mask effective area that is an area for printing a coating material onto the substrate, a squeegee that moves the coating material along the screen mask, a coating material supply unit that moves together with the squeegee and is capable of supplying the coating material onto the screen mask, a printing control unit that controls the operation of the squeegee, and a coating material supply control unit that controls the operation of the coating material supply unit, wherein the printing control unit performs a printing process to print the coating material on the substrate by moving the squeegee from a printing start position to a printing end position, and the coating material supply control unit performs a coating material supply process to supply additional coating material to a position in front of the squeegee when the squeegee is positioned in an area between the end of the mask effective area and the printing end position during the printing process.

[0086] In this configuration, the coating material is printed on the substrate by moving the squeegee from the printing start position to the printing end position. During this printing process, when the squeegee is positioned in an area between the edge of the mask effective area and the printing end position, additional coating material is supplied from the coating material supply unit to a position ahead of the squeegee, i.e., a position ahead in the squeegee's traveling direction. In other words, the additional coating material is supplied before the squeegee reaches the printing end position. Therefore, compared to conventional devices that temporarily retract the squeegee from the printing end position to supply additional coating material, the takt time can be shortened by not having to retract the squeegee.

[0087] Specifically, in a configuration in which the coating material supply unit includes a coating material discharge unit in front of the squeegee during the printing process, the squeegee has conventionally been retracted from the printing end position to supply additional coating material. Therefore, the above-described configuration of the screen printing device is useful when the coating material discharge unit is located in front of the squeegee in the direction of movement of the squeegee during the printing process.

[0088] In the above-described screen printing device, the printing control unit may be configured to temporarily stop the squeegee in an area between the end of the mask effective area and the printing end position during the printing process, the coating material supply control unit executes the coating material supply process while the squeegee is stopped, and the printing control unit may be configured to move the squeegee to the printing end position after the coating material supply process has been executed.

[0089] In this configuration, the additional coating material is supplied to a position in front of the squeegee while the movement of the squeegee is stopped, thereby preventing the additional coating material from adhering to the squeegee.

[0090] The coating material supply control unit may be configured to supply additional coating material to a region between the coating material pressed by the squeegee and the printing end position.

[0091] With this configuration, the additional coating material moves while being caught inside the existing coating material pressed by the squeegee, making it possible to mix the additional coating material and the existing coating material using the section from the squeegee stop position to the printing end position.

[0092] The above screen printing apparatus preferably includes a support member for supporting the screen mask in an area closer to the printing end position than the end of the mask effective area.

[0093] This configuration suppresses or prevents the clean mask from bending due to printing pressure in the area closer to the printing end position than the edge of the mask effective area, i.e., the area where the additional coating material is supplied. This makes it possible to smoothly move the additional coating material together with the existing coating material with the squeegee without leaving any unscraped material behind.

[0094] In this case, the support member may be a clamp member having an upper surface continuous with the upper surface of the substrate and clamping the substrate, and the screen mask may be configured to be superimposed on the upper surfaces of the substrate and the support member.

[0095] According to this configuration, the screen mask is supported by the clamp member having sufficient strength, so that it is possible to more reliably suppress or prevent the screen mask from being bent due to the printing pressure.

[0096] The screen printing apparatus may further include a setting unit that can arbitrarily set a position at which the squeegee is temporarily stopped in order to perform the coating material supplying process.

[0097] According to this configuration, the user can freely set the position at which the squeegee is stopped, that is, the position at which the coating material is supplied.

[0098] A screen printing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes a screen mask mounted on a substrate, a squeegee that moves a coating material along the screen mask, a coating material supply unit that moves together with the squeegee and is capable of supplying the coating material onto the screen mask, a print control unit that controls the operation of the squeegee, and a coating material supply control unit that controls the operation of the coating material supply unit, wherein the print control unit alternately performs a forward printing process in which the squeegee is moved in a first direction and a backward printing process in which the squeegee is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction. and performs a direction change operation to change the position of the squeegee in order to switch from one of the forward printing process and the return printing process to the other, the coating material supply unit has a coating material discharge unit in front of the squeegee during the return printing process, the coating material supply control unit supplies additional coating material to a position in front of the coating material pressed by the squeegee after the return printing process is completed, and the printing control unit performs the direction change operation after the return printing process so as to be able to press the additional coating material supplied by the coating material supply unit.

[0099] With this configuration, after the squeegee reaches the printing end position, additional coating material is supplied to a position in front of the coating material pressed by the squeegee. This eliminates the need to temporarily retract the squeegee from the printing end position to supply additional coating material. Therefore, with this configuration, the takt time can be shortened by the amount that the squeegee does not need to be retracted.

[0100] Furthermore, because the squeegee changes direction so that it can press the additional coating material, when the forward printing process starts, the additional coating material moves while being rolled up inside the existing coating material. This makes it possible to sufficiently mix the additional coating material and the existing coating material by utilizing the section from the printing start position of the forward printing process to the mask effective area.

[0101] In this case, the coating material supply control unit may be configured to supply the additional coating material to a position adjacent to the coating material being pressed by the squeegee.

[0102] With this configuration, the additional material to be applied and the existing material to be applied are adjacent to each other, so the amount of movement required for the squeegee to change direction is reduced, which also makes it possible to shorten the takt time.

[0103] Furthermore, the printing control unit may be configured to perform the direction change operation so that the squeegee and the coating material come into contact with each other for at least a portion of the period between the start and end of the direction change of the squeegee after the forward printing process.

[0104] With this configuration, the amount of movement of the squeegee is reduced compared to when the squeegee is pulled upward away from the material to be coated and the direction is changed, and scattering of the material to be coated that accompanies the direction change operation is also suppressed.

[0105] Furthermore, a control method for a screen printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is a control method for a screen printing machine including a screen mask that is mounted on a substrate and has a mask effective area that is an area for printing a coating material onto the substrate, a squeegee that moves the coating material along the screen mask, and a coating material supply unit that moves together with the squeegee and is capable of supplying the coating material onto the screen mask, the control method including the steps of: executing a printing process to print the coating material on the substrate by moving the squeegee from a printing start position to a printing end position; and executing a coating material supply process to supply additional coating material to a position in front of the squeegee when the squeegee is positioned in an area between the end of the mask effective area and the printing end position during the printing process.

[0106] In this control method, the coating material is printed on the substrate by moving the squeegee from the printing start position to the printing end position. Then, during this printing process, when the squeegee is positioned in an area between the edge of the mask effective area and the printing end position, additional coating material is supplied from the coating material supply unit to a position ahead of the squeegee, i.e., a position ahead in the squeegee's traveling direction. In other words, additional coating material is supplied before the squeegee reaches the printing end position. Therefore, with this control method, compared to conventional devices that temporarily retract the squeegee from the printing end position to supply additional coating material, the takt time can be shortened by the amount that the squeegee does not need to be retracted.

[0107] Furthermore, a program according to one aspect of the present invention causes a processor mounted on a screen printing device that includes a screen mask that is mounted on a substrate and has a mask effective area that is an area for printing a coating material onto the substrate, a squeegee that moves the coating material along the screen mask, and a coating material supply unit that moves together with the squeegee and is capable of supplying the coating material onto the screen mask to execute the above-mentioned control method for the screen printing device.

[0108] According to this program, it is possible to control the screen printing apparatus based on the above-described control method, thereby making it possible to cause the screen printing apparatus to execute the above-described printing process and the above-described coating material supply process.

[0109] In addition, a control method for a screen printing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is a control method for a screen printing machine including a screen mask superimposed on a substrate, a squeegee that moves a coating material along the screen mask, and a coating material supply unit that moves together with the squeegee and is capable of supplying the coating material onto the screen mask, the control method including the steps of alternately performing an outbound printing process in which the squeegee is moved in a first direction and a return printing process in which the squeegee is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and performing a direction change operation to change the position of the squeegee in order to switch from one of the outbound printing process and the return printing process to the other, supplying additional coating material by the coating material supply unit, which has a coating material discharge portion in front of the squeegee during the return printing process, to a position in front of the coating material pressed by the squeegee after the return printing process is completed, and performing the direction change operation so that the additional coating material supplied by the coating material supply unit can be pressed after the return printing process.

[0110] According to this control method, after the squeegee reaches the end position of the return pass, additional coating material can be supplied to a position ahead of the coating material pressed by the squeegee. Therefore, there is no need to temporarily retract the squeegee from the end position of the return pass to supply the additional coating material. Therefore, with this control method, the takt time can be shortened by the amount that the squeegee does not need to be retracted.

[0111] Furthermore, a program according to another aspect of the present invention causes a processor mounted on a screen printing device that includes a screen mask that is mounted on a substrate and has a mask effective area that is an area for printing a coating material onto the substrate, a squeegee that moves the coating material along the screen mask, and a coating material supply unit that moves together with the squeegee and is capable of supplying the coating material onto the screen mask, to execute the above-mentioned control method for the screen printing device.

[0112] This program makes it possible to control the screen printing apparatus based on the above-described control method, thereby making it possible to cause the screen printing apparatus to execute the above-described printing process and coating material supply process.

Claims

1. A screen printing device comprising: a screen mask that is mounted on a substrate and has an effective mask area that is an area for printing a coating material onto the substrate; a squeegee that moves the coating material along the screen mask; a coating material supply unit that moves together with the squeegee and is capable of supplying the coating material onto the screen mask; a printing control unit that controls the operation of the squeegee; and a coating material supply control unit that controls the operation of the coating material supply unit, wherein the printing control unit executes a printing process to print the coating material on the substrate by moving the squeegee from a printing start position to a printing end position, and the coating material supply control unit executes a coating material supply process to supply additional coating material to a position in front of the squeegee when the squeegee is positioned in an area between the end of the effective mask area and the printing end position during the printing process.

2. A screen printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coating material supply unit has a coating material discharge unit in front of the squeegee during the printing process.

3. A screen printing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the printing control unit temporarily stops the squeegee in an area between the end of the mask effective area and the printing end position during the printing process, the coating material supply control unit executes the coating material supply process while the squeegee is stopped, and the printing control unit moves the squeegee to the printing end position after the coating material supply process has been executed.

4. A screen printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coating material supply control unit supplies additional coating material to an area between the coating material pressed by the squeegee and the printing end position.

5. A screen printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a support member for supporting the screen mask in an area closer to the printing end position than the end of the mask effective area.

6. A screen printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the support member is a clamp member having an upper surface continuous with the upper surface of the substrate and clamping the substrate, and the screen mask is superimposed on the upper surfaces of the substrate and the support member.

7. A screen printing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a setting unit that can arbitrarily set a position at which the squeegee is temporarily stopped in order to carry out the coating material supply process.

8. A printing apparatus comprising: a screen mask superimposed on a substrate; a squeegee that moves a coating material along the screen mask; a coating material supply unit that moves together with the squeegee and is capable of supplying the coating material onto the screen mask; a printing control unit that controls the operation of the squeegee; and a coating material supply control unit that controls the operation of the coating material supply unit, wherein the printing control unit alternately performs an outbound printing process in which the squeegee is moved in a first direction and a return printing process in which the squeegee is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and performs a direction change operation to change the position of the squeegee in order to switch from one of the outbound printing process and the return printing process to the other, the coating material supply unit having a coating material discharge unit in front of the squeegee during the return printing process, and the coating material supply control unit supplies additional coating material to a position in front of the coating material pressed by the squeegee after the return printing process is completed, The printing control unit performs the direction change operation after the return pass printing process so as to be able to press the additional coating material supplied by the coating material supply unit.

9. A screen printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the coating material supply control unit supplies the additional coating material to a position adjacent to the coating material being pressed by the squeegee.

10. A screen printing device as described in claim 8, wherein the printing control unit performs the direction change operation so that the squeegee and the coating material come into contact with each other for at least a portion of the period between the start and end of the direction change of the squeegee after the forward printing process.

11. A control method for a screen printing machine equipped with a screen mask that is mounted on a substrate and has a mask effective area that is an area for printing a coating material onto the substrate, a squeegee that moves the coating material along the screen mask, and a coating material supply unit that moves together with the squeegee and is capable of supplying the coating material onto the screen mask, the control method comprising the steps of: executing a printing process that prints the coating material on the substrate by moving the squeegee from a printing start position to a printing end position; and executing a coating material supply process that supplies additional coating material to a position in front of the squeegee when the squeegee is located in an area between the end of the mask effective area and the printing end position during the printing process.

12. A program for causing a processor mounted on a screen printing device comprising: a screen mask that is mounted on a substrate and has an effective mask area that is an area for printing a coating material onto the substrate; a squeegee that moves the coating material along the screen mask; and a coating material supply unit that moves together with the squeegee and is capable of supplying the coating material onto the screen mask, to execute the control method for a screen printing device described in claim 11.

13. A control method for a screen printing machine equipped with a screen mask superimposed on a substrate, a squeegee that moves a coating material along the screen mask, and a coating material supply unit that moves together with the squeegee and is capable of supplying the coating material onto the screen mask, the control method including the steps of alternately performing an outbound printing process in which the squeegee is moved in a first direction and a return printing process in which the squeegee is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and performing a direction change operation to change the position of the squeegee in order to switch from one of the outbound printing process and the return printing process to the other; after completion of the return printing process, supplying additional coating material by the coating material supply unit, which has a coating material discharge portion in front of the squeegee during the return printing process, to a position in front of the coating material pressed by the squeegee; and performing the direction change operation after the return printing process so that the additional coating material supplied by the coating material supply unit can be pressed.

14. A program for causing a processor mounted on a screen printing device comprising: a screen mask to be mounted on a substrate; a squeegee for moving a coating material along the screen mask; and a coating material supply unit that moves together with the squeegee and is capable of supplying the coating material onto the screen mask, to execute the control method for a screen printing device described in claim 13.

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