Screen Printer Stencil Mask Exchange Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing screen printers require manual operation to exchange stencil masks, leading to increased manual labor and temperature fluctuations that affect operation performance due to the need to open and close a cover, disrupting the internal temperature and print precision.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates introduction and extraction portions with dimensions matching the stencil mask, allowing for semi-automatic exchange without a separate cover, using a blocking member and conveyance unit to manage the stencil mask's movement and temperature stability, reducing manual operations and maintaining internal temperature consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate open-type cover is provided for stencil mask exchange, then the stencil mask can be manually introduced and extracted, but the temperature inside the screen printer becomes affected by external temperatures, decreasing operation performance
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is segmented into a fixed cover body and a movable blocking member that can be independently opened and closed. This allows the blocking member to be opened for stencil mask exchange while the rest of the cover remains closed, maintaining temperature stability inside the screen printer.
Solution Approach 2:
Only the local area where stencil mask exchange is needed (the blocking member portion) is opened, while the rest of the cover remains closed. This localized opening minimizes temperature exposure to external environment while still allowing easy mask exchange operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual operation is required to open the cover and exchange the stencil mask, then the stencil mask can be changed, but the number of manual operations increases, making the operation very troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is designed to be automatically opened when a new stencil mask is introduced through the introduction portion, and automatically closed when the new mask is fully inserted. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate manual opening and closing operations, reducing operation complexity while maintaining full stencil mask change capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member is pre-positioned to respond to the introduction of a new stencil mask. When the new mask is introduced through the introduction portion, it automatically triggers the blocking member to open, allowing seamless mask exchange without requiring operators to manually open the cover first.
3Productivity
If the cover is opened frequently for stencil mask exchange, then the stencil mask can be replaced with a new one, but the temperature in the screen printer becomes unstable, causing operation error
Solution Approach 1:
The cover structure is segmented into a fixed body and a movable blocking member. This segmentation allows the blocking member to be the only part opened during mask exchange, minimizing temperature disruption while maintaining efficient replacement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member acts as an intermediary between the introduction portion and the internal operation region. It controls the flow of air and temperature between the external environment and the internal space, allowing mask exchange while protecting the internal temperature stability that ensures operation accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a screen printer including a main body in which an operation region and at least one introduction and extraction portion are formed, wherein the operation region includes an installation position of a stencil mask therein, and, through the at least one introduction and extraction portion, the stencil mask is introduced into the operation region and is extracted from the operation region to an outside of the main body; and a conveyance unit which conveys the stencil mask introduced into and disposed at the operation region to the at least one introduction and extraction portion when the stencil mask is replaced by a new stencil mask introduced through the at least one introduction and extraction portion, and conveys the new stencil mask to the operation region.