3D Screen Printing Force Sensing for Screen Tension Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing screen printing technologies suffer from unsatisfactory printing results and component wear due to inadequate monitoring and control of squeegee forces, leading to damage and reduced operational reliability.
Innovation Solution
A device equipped with a sensor system to detect and evaluate squeegee forces, allowing for precise determination of screen restoring force and tension, enabling adaptive process control and improved monitoring of printing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a force measuring cell is arranged between the squeegee and the squeegee offset plate to measure contact force, then the contact force of the squeegee on the printing screen can be recorded, but the information obtained is of limited significance and does not prevent printing defects or component wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control device continuously monitors sensor data from the force measuring cell and automatically adjusts the squeegee force to maintain optimal printing conditions. This closed-loop control ensures that printing defects and component wear are prevented by real-time force regulation, transforming the limited force measurement information into actionable control feedback.
2Manufacturing precision
If the squeegee force is increased to improve printing precision, then printing quality improves, but the service life of the printing screen decreases due to increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic force adjustment by continuously varying the squeegee force during the printing process based on real-time sensor feedback. The control device modulates the force to maintain optimal printing precision while preventing excessive wear on the printing screen, extending its service life through adaptive force control rather than maintaining constant high force.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the force parameter dynamically during printing operations. The control device adjusts the squeegee force based on detected printing conditions and screen state, optimizing the balance between printing precision and screen wear prevention by varying the force parameter rather than maintaining a fixed high value.
3Reliability
If the squeegee force is continuously monitored and adjusted, then operational reliability and printing precision improve, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensor and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs multiple functions: it processes sensor data from the force measuring cell, determines appropriate squeegee force values, and controls the squeegee actuator. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving continuous monitoring and adjustment capabilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances operational reliability, improves printing precision, extends the service life of printing screens, and ensures consistent print quality by adjusting squeegee forces based on real-time feedback.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor device for detecting doctor blade forces acting on the doctor blade tool
Implementation Method 2
the control device is configured and/or designed to determine a screen restoring force and/or a screen tension of the printing screen by means of the sensor device
Data Source
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AI summary
Device for producing three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular a 3D screen-printing system, comprising a printing screen and a squeegee device for flooding the printing screen with a printing compound and/or for pressing printing compound through the printing screen, wherein the squeegee device comprises at least one squeegee tool, a sensor device for detecting squeegee forces acting on the squeegee tool, and a control device for evaluating and/or storing sensor data from the sensor device, wherein the control device is designed to determine a screen restoring force and/or screen tension of the printing screen by means of the sensor device and/or from detected and/or stored sensor data from the sensor device.