LTCC Screen Printing with Raised Print Head and Custom Fixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional screen printers are limited in printing post-fired LTCC substrates with thickness greater than 1 inch due to the printer head obstructing access, requiring unique fixturing for accurate and consistent pattern placement.
Innovation Solution
Modifying the MPM SP-1500 Semi-Automatic Screen Printer by raising the print head and using customizable fixtures on the nest plate to hold LTCC substrates in specific orientations, allowing printing on top, bottom, and side surfaces, including the use of a vacuum fixture for green ceramic tape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional screen printers are used with standard print head height, then printing on thin substrates is possible, but printing on thick substrates (>1 inch) is blocked due to printer head obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent raises the print head assembly to a higher vertical position, creating additional vertical space between the print head and the nest plate. This dimensional change in the Z-axis allows thick substrates (>1 inch) to be positioned underneath without being blocked by the printer head, thereby expanding the substrate thickness range while maintaining access to the print position.
2Manufacturing precision
If substrates are held in fixed position on nest plate, then printing on thin substrates is straightforward, but accurate pattern placement on thick substrates requires unique fixturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable and interchangeable fixtures that can be dynamically configured on the nest plate. These fixtures include adjustable clamps, positioning blocks, and custom holders that can be adapted to different substrate thicknesses and geometries. This dynamic configurability ensures accurate pattern placement across various substrate types without requiring completely different fixture designs for each case.
Solution Approach 2:
The nest plate is designed with multi-functional capabilities, incorporating multiple types of fixtures and positioning mechanisms that can accommodate different substrate configurations. The same nest plate system can handle both thin and thick substrates, as well as various orientations, through its universal fixture set, reducing the need for specialized equipment while maintaining manufacturing precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If print head is at normal height, then machine structure is compact, but thick substrates cannot access print position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the space constraint by utilizing the vertical dimension more effectively. The print head assembly is raised along the Z-axis, creating additional clearance space underneath. This vertical expansion allows the machine to accommodate thick substrates without significantly increasing the horizontal footprint, thus maintaining a relatively compact machine structure while gaining substrate thickness capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The print head and screen assembly of a Semi-Automatic Screen Printer is raised above its normal printing height and selective attachment of several different fixtures on the nest plate for holding the substrate in a desired position during a screen printing operation for printing gold on LTCC substrates.