Screen Printer Dual Printing Sections Substrate Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing screen printers face challenges in efficiently handling multiple substrates, including different types, due to fixed substrate conveyance sequences and manual labor requirements, which hinder high-throughput production and flexibility in mixed-flow production.
Innovation Solution
A screen printer configuration with two symmetrically arranged screen printing sections and a substrate conveyance section between them, allowing for flexible substrate conveyance forms such as return and bypass operations, enabling efficient handling of multiple substrates, including different types, by positioning and holding substrates at print positions and conveying them in various directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single substrate conveyance path is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and flexibility for handling multiple substrate types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate conveyance system is segmented into multiple independent conveyance paths (first conveyance path and second conveyance path) that can operate simultaneously. Each path can handle different substrate types independently, allowing parallel processing of multiple substrates without increasing overall system complexity significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate conveyance section is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple substrate types through different conveyance paths. The system can selectively route different substrate types through appropriate paths, enabling a single conveyance section to perform multiple functions simultaneously.
2Device complexity
If manual substrate conveyance operation is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and labor efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate conveyance section is designed to automatically perform substrate conveyance operations without requiring manual intervention. The system self-manages the transport of substrates between printing sections and to downstream equipment, eliminating the need for workers to manually convey substrates.
3Device complexity
If substrates are conveyed in a fixed sequence, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability for mixed-flow production deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate conveyance system employs dynamic control where the conveyance sequence and path selection can be adjusted based on substrate type and production requirements. Different substrate types can be conveyed in different sequences through different paths, enabling flexible mixed-flow production while maintaining manageable control complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a screen printer capable of concurrently, efficiently subjecting a plurality of substrates, including different types of substrates, to printing operation. In a screen printer 2 that makes up an electronic component mounting line 1 and that prints electronic component bonding paste on a substrate, a substrate conveyance section 8 that conveys a substrate 5 forwardly or backwardly in a direction of conveyance of a substrate is disposed at an intermediate position between a first screen printing section 7A and a second screen printing section 7B arranged symmetrically with respect to a center line CL. It thereby becomes possible to adopt a variety of substrate conveyance forms, as required, such as return conveyance for returning the substrate 5 from a downstream machine to an upstream side of the screen printer 2 and bypass conveyance for letting the substrate sent from an upstream side pass through the screen printer, to thus be conveyed to a downstream machine. The plurality of substrates 5, including different types of substrates, can concurrently, efficiently undergo printing operation.