Screen Printing Apparatus Asymmetric Substrate Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing screen printing apparatuses have a fixed printing position at the center of the substrate conveying path, leading to inefficient substrate routing and decreased throughput due to unnecessary detours.
Innovation Solution
A screen printing apparatus with a movable substrate support table along a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, allowing asymmetric substrate entry and exit positions, and a control unit to adjust the printing position dynamically for optimized substrate movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the printing position is fixed at the center of the substrate conveying path, then the apparatus structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the substrate must pass undesirable routes causing decreased throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate support table is made movable in the Y-axis direction (orthogonal to substrate conveying direction) instead of being fixed at the center position. This dynamic configuration allows the table to be positioned asymmetrically to optimize substrate routing paths, eliminating undesirable detours and improving throughput while maintaining manageable structural complexity through guided linear motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a symmetric center-positioned printing unit to an asymmetric configuration where the substrate support table can be positioned at optimized locations relative to the substrate entry and exit positions. This asymmetric arrangement allows substrates to follow more direct paths, reducing travel distance and increasing productivity.
2Productivity
If the substrate support table is made movable to optimize routing, then throughput increases, but the device complexity increases due to additional drive mechanisms and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate support table is equipped with a drive mechanism that enables controlled movement in the Y-axis direction, transforming it from a static to a dynamic component. This allows the table to be repositioned to optimize substrate routing paths between entry and exit points, reducing unnecessary travel distance and improving throughput while maintaining manageable complexity through linear guided motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable substrate support table serves multiple functions: it supports substrates during printing, optimizes routing paths by adjusting its position, and coordinates with the printing unit to enable efficient processing. This multi-functionality justifies the added drive mechanism complexity by consolidating several operations into a single versatile component.
3Length of moving object
If asymmetric substrate entry and exit positions are used, then substrate movement distance is reduced, but the printing position must be dynamically adjustable increasing control complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The printing unit's position is made dynamically adjustable in the Y-axis direction to match the asymmetric substrate entry and exit positions. This dynamic positioning capability allows the printing head to reach substrates at optimized locations, reducing overall substrate movement distance while the control system coordinates the movements to maintain synchronization between the movable table and printing unit.
Data Source
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AI summary
A screen printing apparatus (1) includes a printing execution unit (20A, 20B) that performs screen printing on a substrate (W). At least one substrate support table (10A, 10B) that is provided movably along a specific direction (Y) orthogonal to the conveying direction (X). A table drive mechanism (4A, 5A, 4B, 5B) that moves the substrate support table (10A, 10B) at least between substrate entry and exit positions (EnP1, EnP2, ExP1, ExP2) along a specific direction (Y). The substrate entry and exit positions (EnP1, EnP2, ExP1, ExP2) are set asymmetrically with respect to the specific direction (Y). A printing execution unit drive mechanism (210) is provided to drive the printing execution unit (20A, 20B) along the specific direction (Y). A control unit is provided to control the printing execution unit drive mechanism (210) so that the printing execution unit (20A, 20B) is driven to set the printing position (SP1, SP2) on a substrate conveying path (PH1, PH2) needed for the substrate support table (10A, 10B) to move from the substrate entry position (EnP1, EnP2) to the substrate exit (ExP1, ExP2).