Screen Printing Machine Mask-Board Contact Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing screen printing machines face challenges in achieving uniform contact between a mask and a board due to manufacturing errors in mask and board thickness, non-uniform changes in mesh or adhesive thickness, and operator-dependent adjustments, leading to printing defects like blurring of the print pattern.
Innovation Solution
A screen printing machine equipped with a mask-holding device, board-positioning device, squeegee device, height-measuring device, control device, and operation display device that calculates the thickness of the mask lower layer using laser displacement meters to determine the optimal board translation height for precise contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If operator instinctually measures gap by hand or visual inspection, then adjustment can be made, but uniformity and precision of contact cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual measurement method (operator touching by hand) with an optical measurement system (laser displacement meter). This substitution enables precise, objective measurement of the gap between mask and board, eliminating the imprecision of human sensory judgment while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using the laser displacement meter to continuously measure the actual gap, transmitting this data to the control device, which then adjusts the board translation height to achieve the target gap. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures uniform and precise contact despite variations in mask or board thickness.
2Device complexity
If uniform data is used for mask pressing, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing errors in mask or board thickness cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing the target gap value in the control device, which is then used as a reference for automatic adjustment. This preliminary setup simplifies the device structure compared to storing multiple datasets, while still enabling precise compensation for manufacturing variations through real-time measurement and adjustment based on the stored target value.
3Adaptability or versatility
If board translation height is adjusted manually, then adaptability to different masks is possible, but productivity and consistency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by enabling the device to automatically determine and adjust the board translation height based on laser measurement data and pre-stored target gap values. This eliminates the need for manual adjustment, maintaining adaptability to different mask thicknesses while significantly improving productivity through automated, rapid adjustment without operator intervention.
4Device complexity
If mask is pressed with fixed force, then device complexity is minimized, but printing defects occur due to thickness variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static, fixed pressing force to a dynamic adjustment system. The board translation height is automatically adjusted based on real-time laser measurement of the actual gap, allowing the pressing force and contact conditions to adapt dynamically to variations in mask or board thickness, thereby ensuring consistent print quality without excessive device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures consistent and appropriate contact between the mask and board, even with changes in mesh or adhesive thickness, by providing numerical values for operator input, thereby reducing printing defects and enhancing reliability across different operators.
Implementation Method 1
height-measuring device configured to acquire the height of the board through the print-pattern perforation of the mask
Implementation Method 2
laser displacement meters
Data Source
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AI summary
A screen printing machine for appropriately contact between a mask and a board, comprising: a mask-holding device configured to hold a mask; a board-positioning device configured to hold a board and to position the held board with respect to a mask held by the mask-holding device from below; a squeegee device configured to spread a cream solder with respect to the mask; a height-measuring device configured to measure the height of the mask and the board; a control device configured to control each device, and to calculate the thickness of a mask lower layer, integrally formed with the mask, based on the measurement values obtained from the height-measuring device; and an operation display device configured to input operation and to display calculation values from the control device, and the like.