Screen Printing Apparatus Parallel Cleaning and Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current screen printing machines require stopping the printing operation to clean the printing screens, which reduces throughput and is not suitable for increasing production demands.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a screen printing apparatus with at least two sets of printing apertures allows for parallel printing and cleaning operations, enabling continuous production by switching between sets of apertures for printing and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single set of printing apertures is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity decreases due to frequent cleaning interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The printing screen is divided into multiple independent sets of printing apertures (first pattern and second pattern). This segmentation allows one set to be used for printing while another set is cleaned, enabling parallel operations and eliminating production interruptions without requiring a completely separate system.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing screen unit is made movable between different printing positions corresponding to different aperture patterns. This dynamic repositioning capability allows the system to switch between printing and cleaning operations seamlessly, maintaining continuous productivity while managing complexity through controlled movement rather than fixed multiple screens.
2Reliability
If cleaning operations are performed sequentially after printing, then the cleaning quality is maintained, but the loss of time increases due to production stoppage
Solution Approach 1:
A clean set of printing apertures is prepared in advance by cleaning it before the printing operation begins. This preliminary cleaning action ensures that when the printing operation starts, clean apertures are immediately available, eliminating the need to stop production for cleaning and thus reducing time loss while maintaining cleaning quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous printing operation by having multiple aperture patterns available. While one pattern is being used for printing, another pattern is being cleaned in parallel. This continuity ensures that printing never stops, eliminating downtime while still achieving thorough cleaning of all aperture patterns over time.
3Productivity
If multiple duplicated sets of printing apertures are provided, then the productivity increases through parallel operations, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing completely separate printing systems, the invention segments the single printing screen into multiple aperture patterns that can be selectively activated. This segmentation approach achieves parallel printing and cleaning operations while avoiding the complexity of maintaining entirely separate printing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing screen unit serves multiple functions by being movable between different printing positions corresponding to different aperture patterns. This multi-functionality allows a single physical screen structure to support multiple printing patterns, reducing the need for additional separate components and thus limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining high productivity.
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
This approach significantly increases throughput by maintaining continuous operation, reducing downtime and enhancing productivity by ensuring a clean set of apertures is always ready for use.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum source for applying a vacuum to the underside of the screen sheet to collect waste print medium
Data Source
AI summary
A screen printing apparatus and method for printing deposits of a print medium on workpieces, the apparatus comprising: a frame support unit for supporting a printing screen unit which comprises a screen sheet which includes at least first and second patterns of print apertures; a workpiece support unit; a print head unit; and at least one screen cleaning unit; wherein the at least one screen cleaning unit and the print head unit are operated in parallel, whereby, when the printing screen unit is in the first printing position, the at least one screen cleaning unit cleans the underside of the screen sheet at a location corresponding to one of the first and second sets of print apertures and the print head unit prints print medium onto workpieces through the other of the first and second sets of print apertures.