Screen Printer With Multiple Support Members For Paste Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional screen printing technologies in SMT production lines often underutilize resources during lulls, as multiple printers are not utilized to their maximum capacity, leading to increased costs and reduced efficiency in high-mix, low-volume environments.
Innovation Solution
A screen printer with multiple support members and a single conveying path allows for flexible configuration to process multiple substrates sequentially, enabling simultaneous or staggered printing of different paste patterns using a single stencil and print head, with adjustable support members and a processor for selective substrate handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple screen printers are used to increase throughput and reduce line downtime, then productivity and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase, and during lull periods the printers are not utilized to maximum capacity leading to increased costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple printing capabilities into a single screen printer by providing multiple support members (first support member and second support member) that can each carry substrates independently through the printing chamber. This allows one printer to perform work equivalent to multiple printers while reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The single screen printer is designed with multi-functionality to process multiple substrates simultaneously on different support members, perform sequential printing operations, and adapt to various production scenarios (high-volume vs. high-mix environments). The printer can function as one or more printers depending on configuration needs.
2Reliability
If multiple screen printers are used to handle high-mix environments with frequent line changeovers, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and printer utilization during lull periods decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple printers into one by providing multiple support members that can be independently configured. This single multi-functional printer maintains line continuity during high-mix operations without requiring multiple separate printers, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving reliability.
3Device complexity
If a single screen printer processes multiple substrates sequentially, then device complexity is reduced, but printing speed may decrease compared to parallel processing with multiple printers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the printing process by providing multiple support members that can be positioned at different locations within the printing chamber. This allows different substrates on different support members to undergo printing operations in sequence or parallel, maintaining printing speed while using a single printer.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are designed to be movable and reconfigurable within the printing chamber, allowing dynamic adjustment of their positions and configurations. This enables the system to adapt between sequential and parallel processing modes, optimizing printing speed based on production requirements while maintaining device simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A screen printer 100 for paste material printing is disclosed herein. In a described embodiment, the screen printer 100 comprises a printing chamber 104; and a plurality of support members in the form of lifting tables 114, 116 arranged adjacent to one another along a single conveying path for individually supporting a respective PCB 202, 240 in the printing chamber 104. The screen printer 100 further includes a stencil 120 having a plurality of print patterns 124, 126 with each print pattern 124, 126 arranged adjacent to another print pattern to correspond to the positions of the lifting tables 114, 116 with each print pattern 124, 126 corresponding to a desired paste pattern to be printed onto the PCBs. The screen printer 100 also includes a paste printer arranged to print paste material on the at least one substrate using at least one of the print patterns. A screen printing method is also disclosed.