CN114502380A

CN114502380A - Screen printing machine

Info

Publication number: CN114502380A
Application number: CN201980101151.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 黑田圣弥; 万谷正幸
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-10-11
Filing date: 2019-10-11
Publication date: 2022-05-13
Anticipated expiration: 2039-10-11
Also published as: WO2021070355A1; CN114502380B; JPWO2021070355A1; DE112019007801T5; JP7365650B2

Abstract

A screen printing machine (1) is provided with: a storage bin (81) that stores a template sheet (15) having an opening (15a) corresponding to an electrode (3) on a substrate (2); a sheet holder (14) that detachably holds the edge of the template sheet (15); a conveying device (51) which conveys the template sheet (15) between the storage bin (81) and the sheet holder (14); and a print head (16) that fills the opening (15a) with paste placed on the stencil sheet (15) held by the sheet holder (14).

Description

Screen printing machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a screen printer that prints paste such as solder on a substrate by sliding a print head on a stencil sheet (stencil sheet).

Background

Conventionally, there is a screen printer that screen-prints conductive paste such as solder on electrodes of a substrate. The paste supplied to the stencil is transferred to the substrate by bringing the stencil (mask) into contact with the substrate and sliding a squeegee of a print head over the stencil. The stencil includes a stencil sheet (mask body) provided with pattern holes corresponding to electrodes of the substrate, and a stencil frame (mask frame) that supports the periphery of the stencil sheet.

For example, patent document 1 describes a template including a template frame for supporting the outer edge of a sheet-like member by further attaching a resin sheet-like member to the outer edge of a template sheet. The operator assembles the stencil frame to the stencil holder and performs screen printing.

Further, patent document 2 describes a screen printer in which an operator mounts a stencil sheet to a stencil holder.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2013-159022

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2013-111847

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In the screen printer using the stencil sheet matched with the substrate of the printing object, when the model change of the substrate of the printing object is generated, the stencil sheet needs to be replaced every time. As shown in patent document 1, in the conventional screen printer, since the replacement of the stencil is performed by the operator attaching and detaching the stencil frame to and from the stencil holder, the work load on the operator is large. Patent document 2 discloses a screen printing machine in which a frameless stencil sheet can be attached and detached, but the stencil sheet needs to be replaced by an operator.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above conventional problems and to provide a screen printing machine capable of automatically replacing a stencil sheet.

Means for solving the problems

The screen printer of the present invention includes:

a storage bin for storing a stencil sheet having openings corresponding to the electrodes on the substrate;

a sheet holder configured to detachably hold an edge of the template sheet;

a conveying device that conveys the die sheet between the storage bin and the sheet holder; and

and a print head that fills the opening with paste placed on the stencil sheet held by the sheet holder.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a screen printing machine capable of automatically replacing a stencil sheet.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a main part of a screen printer of an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the screen printer of an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a side view of a main part of the screen printer of an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a top view of a die plate piece.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the mobile body.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the formwork holder as viewed from below.

Fig. 7 (a) is a plan view of the template holder, and fig. 7 (b) is a side view of the coupling member.

Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the air pressure control system.

Fig. 9A is an explanatory view explaining conveyance of the die sheet.

Fig. 9B is an explanatory view for explaining conveyance of the die sheet.

Fig. 9C is an explanatory view for explaining conveyance of the die sheet.

Fig. 10A is an explanatory view explaining a step of conveying the die sheet.

Fig. 10B is an explanatory view explaining a step of conveying the die sheet.

Fig. 10C is an explanatory diagram for explaining a step of conveying the die piece.

Fig. 10D is an explanatory view explaining a step of conveying the die sheet.

Fig. 10E is an explanatory view explaining a step of conveying the die sheet.

Fig. 10F is an explanatory view explaining a step of conveying the die sheet.

Fig. 10G is an explanatory view explaining a step of conveying the die sheet.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the template sheet conveyed to the attaching and detaching position Pa.

Fig. 12A is an explanatory view for explaining a step of attaching the template piece to the piece holder.

Fig. 12B is an explanatory view for explaining a step of attaching the template piece to the piece holder.

Fig. 12C is an explanatory view for explaining a step of attaching the template piece to the piece holder.

Fig. 12D is an explanatory diagram for explaining a step of attaching the template piece to the piece holder.

Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation of performing the screen printing operation.

Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation of performing the screen printing operation.

Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation of performing the screen printing operation.

Fig. 16 is a front view of a storage magazine (magazine).

Fig. 17 is a plan view of the storage bin with the upper wall removed.

Fig. 18 (a) is a perspective view of a main part of the interior of the storage bin, and fig. 18 (b) is a side view of the storage bin as viewed in a longitudinal section.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a main part of the front inside the storage bin.

Detailed Description

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a screen printer including: a storage bin for storing a stencil sheet having openings corresponding to the electrodes on the substrate; a sheet holder configured to detachably hold an edge of the template sheet; a conveying device that conveys the die sheet between the storage bin and the sheet holder; and a print head that fills the opening with paste placed on the stencil sheet held by the sheet holder.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the screen printing machine according to the first aspect, wherein the conveying device conveys the stencil sheet to a lower side of the sheet holder, and the sheet holder attaches and detaches the stencil sheet to and from a lower portion of the sheet holder.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the screen printing machine according to the first or second aspect, wherein the sheet holder applies tension to the stencil sheet in a planar direction to perform clamping.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the screen printing machine according to the second or third aspect, wherein the screen printing machine includes a lifter that moves the sheet holder to a lower clamping position and an upper standby position where the sheet holder clamps the stencil sheet.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the screen printing machine according to the fourth aspect, wherein the stencil sheet has a plurality of holes formed along an outer edge thereof, the sheet holder has a plurality of protrusions protruding downward, and the plurality of protrusions are inserted into the plurality of holes of the stencil sheet by movement of the sheet holder to the nipping position by the lifter.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the screen printer as set forth in the fifth aspect, wherein the sheet holder has an actuator that imparts tension to the stencil sheet by moving the plurality of projections toward an outer side in the plane direction.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the screen printing machine set forth in the sixth aspect, wherein the actuator is an air cylinder operated by air pressure.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the screen printer set forth in the sixth aspect, wherein the actuator includes: a first cylinder that moves projections inserted into holes formed in a set of parallel outer edges of the template sheet outward in the plane direction; and a second cylinder that moves the projections inserted into the holes formed in the other set of outer edges outward in a plane direction orthogonal to the direction of movement by the first cylinder.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the screen printing machine according to the eighth aspect, wherein the screen printing machine includes a sheet holder driving section that adjusts air pressure supplied to the first air cylinder and air pressure supplied to the second air cylinder, respectively.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the screen printing machine according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the conveying device includes: a moving body that has a holding portion that intersects the conveyance direction and holds the template piece, and conveys the template piece in the conveyance direction; and a pair of guide rails arranged along the conveying direction of the template sheet and supporting the template sheet conveyed by the movable body from below.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the screen printer according to the tenth aspect, wherein the holding portion has an adsorption portion that adsorbs the stencil sheet.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the screen printer according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the holding portion holds a portion of the die plate exposed between the pair of guide rails from below, and the moving body has a vertical driving portion that moves the holding portion in a vertical direction.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the screen printer according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the holding portion includes: an upper surface in contact with a lower surface of the template sheet; and a pin protruding upward from the upper surface, wherein the suction portion is opened in the upper surface and sucks and holds the lower surface of the die sheet.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the screen printing machine according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein at least two of the suction portions are provided in the holding portion with a space therebetween in the conveying direction, and the pin is disposed between the two suction portions.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the screen printing machine according to any one of the tenth to fourteenth aspects, wherein the guide rail has a relief portion for avoiding interference with a projection projecting downward from the sheet holder.

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of a screen printer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the specific configurations of the following embodiments, and configurations based on the same technical ideas are included in the present invention.

(embodiment mode)

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to fig. 1 to 4. Fig. 1 is a plan view of a main part of a screen printer 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a main portion of the screen printer 1. Fig. 3 is a side view of a main portion of the screen printer 1. Fig. 4 is a top view of the template sheet 15. The screen printer 1 conveys the stencil sheet 15 stored in the storage magazine 81 to the attachment/detachment position Pa of the sheet holder 14, and attaches the stencil sheet 15 to the sheet holder 14 at the attachment/detachment position Pa. The screen printer 1 also brings the stencil sheet 15 into contact with the substrate 2, and screen-prints a paste such as solder on each of the plurality of electrodes 3 provided on the substrate 2.

Hereinafter, the conveying direction of the template piece 15 is defined as an X-axis direction (front-rear direction), the moving direction of the substrate 2 is defined as a Y-axis direction (left-right direction), and the up-down direction is defined as a Z-axis direction. The X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction are orthogonal to each other. The operator who operates the screen printer 1 is usually positioned on the side in the direction (X-axis direction) in which the stencil sheet 15 is pulled out from the storage compartment 81, and here, the side where the operator is positioned is the front of the screen printer 1, and the side opposite thereto on which the storage compartment 81 is disposed is the rear of the screen printer 1.

The screen printer 1 includes a base 10, a unit moving mechanism 12A, a substrate holding unit 12, a storage bin 81, a sheet holder 14, a conveying device 51, a printing head 16, and a control unit 19. The storage compartment 81 stores a plurality of sheet-like stencil sheets 15. The sheet holder 14 is disposed above the substrate holding unit 12. The conveying device 51 conveys the template sheet 15 in a section from the storage bin 81 to the loading/unloading position Pa. The print head 16 is disposed above the sheet holder 14. The control unit 19 controls the operations of the respective units of the screen printer 1. The screen printer 1 further includes a substrate carry-in conveyor 11, a substrate holding unit 12, and a substrate carry-out conveyor 13, which are provided on the base 10. The screen printer 1 includes a cover 10a covering the upper side of the base 10, and main constituent elements such as the unit moving mechanism 12A, the substrate holding unit 12, the sheet holder 14, the conveying device 51, and the print head 16 are arranged in a space surrounded by the cover 10 a. The control unit 19 is housed inside the base 10.

The substrate carry-in conveyor 11 carries in the substrate 2 loaded from the outside of the screen printer 1 through the carry-in port 8 of the cover 10a (arrow R1 shown in fig. 1, 2, and 3), and delivers the substrate to the substrate holding unit 12. The substrate carry-out conveyor 13 carries out the substrate 2 received from the substrate holding unit 12 to the outside of the screen printer 1 through the carry-out port 9 of the cover 10a (arrow R2 shown in fig. 1, 2, and 3). The substrate 2 is conveyed by the substrate carry-in conveyor 11, the substrate holding unit 12, and the substrate carry-out conveyor 13 in this order.

The substrate holding unit 12 includes a unit base 21, a pair of conveyors 22, a lower receiving portion 24, and a pair of substrate holders 25. The unit base 21 is supported by the unit moving mechanism 12A. The unit moving mechanism 12A is an XYZ θ table, and moves the substrate holding unit 12 in a horizontal plane (XY plane), in a Z-axis direction, and rotates in a θ direction (around the Z-axis). A pair of conveyors 22 are attached to the unit base 21. The lower receiving portion 24 is lifted up and down by the lift cylinder 23 provided in the unit base 21, and lifts up the support substrate 2 from below so that both ends of the substrate 2 conveyed by the conveyor 22 and positioned at a predetermined working position (position shown in fig. 2) are separated upward from the conveyor 22. The pair of substrate holders 25 are provided to be openable and closable in the X-axis direction, and are opened and closed by an actuator not shown. The pair of substrate holders 25 hold (sandwich) both side portions of the substrate 2 lifted and supported by the lower receiving portion 24 from the X-axis direction. The lower receiving portion 24 lifts the substrate 2 so that the upper surface of the substrate 2 has the same height as the upper surface of the substrate holder 25. The lift cylinder 23, the conveyor 22, and the substrate holder 25 operate in accordance with instructions from the control unit 19.

The stencil sheet 15 is a mask for screen printing paste on the electrodes of the substrate 2. The die plate 15 is made of, for example, metal, and SUS in embodiment 1, but may be made of resin. The template sheet 15 has, for example, a rectangular or square rectangular shape, and is stored in the storage compartment 81 without being held by a frame. In fig. 2 and 4, a plurality of openings 15a corresponding to the arrangement pattern of the electrodes 3 on the substrate 2 are provided in the central region of the template sheet 15. A plurality of holes 15b penetrating in the thickness direction are provided along four sides at the edge of the template sheet 15. Each hole 15b is formed as an elongated hole extending in a direction parallel to the adjacent side. Further, a mark 15m for alignment is formed on the template sheet 15.

The print head 16 moves the paste placed on the stencil sheet 15 to print the paste on the electrodes of the substrate 2. In fig. 1 and 2, the print head 16 includes a base member 41 that moves in the X direction, two blade elevating sections 42, a blade holder 43, and two blades 44. The base member 41 is provided to be movable in the X-axis direction in a region above the template sheet 15 held by the sheet holder 14. The squeegee elevating section 42 is attached to the base member 41 and has an output shaft 42a projecting downward of the base member 41. The squeegee holder 43 is attached to the lower end of the output shaft 42a of each squeegee raising/lowering section 42 and extends in the Y-axis direction. The blade 44 is a thin plate member extending obliquely downward while holding an upper end portion thereof in each blade holder 43. The base member 41 is connected to a print head moving mechanism 41 a. The print head moving mechanism 41a is a mechanism that moves the base member 41 in the X direction, and operates based on a command from the control unit 19. Thereby, the print head 16 moves relative to the stencil sheet 15.

The conveyance of the substrate 2 and the positioning operation to the working position by the conveyor 22 of the substrate holding unit 12, the lower receiving operation of the substrate 2 at the working position by the lower receiving portion 24, the clamping operation by the pair of substrate holders 25, and the movement operation in the horizontal plane direction and the vertical direction of the substrate holding unit 12 are executed in accordance with instructions from the control portion 19. That is, the control unit 19 controls these operations to execute various operations.

The control unit 19 includes an image recognition unit 19a, a mechanism control unit 19b, a tension control unit 19c, and a storage unit 19 d. The control unit 19 includes, for example, a processor, an FPGA, and the like. The image recognition unit 19a, the mechanism control unit 19b, and the tension control unit 19c may be configured by a plurality of processors or the like, or may be configured by one processor.

The storage section 19d stores various production data required for screen printing of paste such as solder on the substrate 2. The storage unit 19d is a storage device including at least one of a memory, a hard disk, an SSD, and the like, and stores processing programs of the image recognition unit 19a, the mechanism control unit 19b, and the tension control unit 19 c.

The mechanism control unit 19b operates the substrate holding unit 12, the unit moving mechanism 12A, the print head 16, the conveying device 51, the magazine lifter 91, the print head moving mechanism 41a, the sheet holder driving unit 36 (described later in detail), and the like, thereby performing conveying, positioning, printing, and replacing of the stencil sheet.

In fig. 1, the reciprocating movement of the print head 16 in the X-axis direction is performed by the mechanism control unit 19b controlling the operation of the print head moving mechanism 41 a. The raising and lowering operation of each squeegee 44 with respect to the base member 41 is performed by the mechanism control unit 19b controlling the operation of the squeegee raising and lowering unit 42 corresponding to the squeegee 44 to move the squeegee holder 43 up and down.

Next, a conveying device 51 for conveying the template sheet 15 will be described with reference to fig. 1, 3, and 5. The conveying device 51 conveys the stencil sheet 15 between a loading and unloading position Pa where the stencil sheet 15 is loaded and unloaded with respect to the sheet holder 14 and the storage bin 81. The conveyance device 51 includes: a holding portion 53 that holds a hole 15b formed in an edge of the template sheet 15 substantially orthogonal to the conveying direction and conveys the template sheet 15 in the conveying direction (X-axis direction); a pair of guide rails 55 arranged along the conveying direction of the die sheet 15; a Y-axis beam 59 (movable body) to which the holding portion 53 is attached; and a Y-axis beam moving section 59a that drives the Y-axis beam 59 in the conveying direction. The conveying device 51 conveys the template piece 15 by sliding both sides of the template piece 15 parallel to the conveying direction on the guide rails 55. The Y-axis beam moving section 59a includes a motor, a feed screw, and other mechanical components, not shown, and moves the Y-axis beam moving section 59a in the X-axis direction. Thereby, the holding portion 53 moves in the conveying direction (X-axis direction) between the pair of guide rails 55.

The guide rail 55 is a guide member that guides the die sheet 15 between the storage bin 81 and the attaching/detaching position Pa. The rail 55 has, for example, an L shape in a vertical cross-sectional shape, and the rail 55 includes: a horizontal portion 55a that supports the die sheet 15 from below; and a wall portion 55b extending upward from the flat portion 55 a. The respective front end portions of the guide rail 55 on the sheet holder 14 side are connected to each other by a support plate 56. The support plate 56 supports the edge of the front portion of the template sheet 15 conveyed to the attaching and detaching position Pa.

The holding portion 53 holds the template sheet 15 and conveys the template sheet 15 between the storage bin 81 and the loading and unloading position Pa directly below the sheet holder 14. The holding portion 53 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, for example. The holding portion 53 has an upper surface 53s that contacts the lower surface of the template sheet 15. The upper surface 53s includes pins 58 that engage with the template piece 15 and a recess 57 that serves as an adsorption portion for adsorbing the template piece 15.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 5, a pair of recesses 57 arranged in a row at intervals in the conveying direction are formed as the suction portions on the upper surface 53s of the holding portion 53. The pins 58 are disposed on the upper surface 53s between the recesses 57 arranged in line in the conveying direction. Therefore, a recess 57 is formed in front of and behind the pin 58. The recess 57 may have at least two positions sandwiching the pin 58, but a plurality of recesses 57 may be arranged in the holding portion 53 in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. For example, the two concave portions 57 are arranged along the side of the holding portion 53 on the storage compartment 81 side. Suction holes 57a are formed in the bottom surface of each concave portion 57. The suction holes 57a are connected to a suction device 61, and when the suction device 61 is operated, the concave portions 57 suck the template piece 15 positioned thereabove. The suction device 61 is, for example, a vacuum pump or a vacuum ejector. The holding portion 53 holds a portion exposed downward from between the pair of guide rails 55 from below.

The holding portion 53 can be moved in the vertical direction by the holding portion elevating mechanism 54 a. The holding portion elevating mechanism 54a is, for example, a cylinder. The holding portion elevating mechanism 54a is attached to, for example, a Y-axis beam 59 that can move along the wall portion 55b of the guide rail 55. The Y-axis beam 59 moves in a space sandwiched between the guide rail 55 and the substrate holding unit 12. The holding portion elevating mechanism 54a is mounted on the rear side of the Y-axis beam 59. The Y-axis beam 59 is coupled to the Y-axis beam moving unit 59a, and is moved in the transport direction (X-axis direction) by the Y-axis beam moving unit 59 a. Thereby, the holding portion 53 can move in the X-axis direction together with the holding portion elevating mechanism 54 a.

A lower imaging camera 17a for directing an imaging field of view downward and an upper imaging camera 17b for directing an imaging field of view upward are attached to the front side of the Y-axis beam 59. The lower imaging camera 17a and the upper imaging camera 17b are moved in the Y direction by a camera moving mechanism (not shown) incorporated in the Y-axis beam 59. The lower imaging camera 17a images the alignment mark 2m on the substrate 2. The upper camera 17b photographs marks 15m for positioning the die sheet 15.

In fig. 3, the movement operation of the lower imaging camera 17a and the upper imaging camera 17b in the horizontal plane is performed by the operation control of the Y-axis beam moving unit 59a and the camera moving mechanism by the mechanism control unit 19 b. The control of the image capturing operation by the lower image capturing camera 17a and the control of the image capturing operation by the upper image capturing camera 17b are performed by the control unit 19, and the image data obtained by the image capturing operation of the lower image capturing camera 17a and the image data obtained by the image capturing operation of the upper image capturing camera 17b are transmitted to the control unit 19 and subjected to image recognition processing by the image recognition unit 19a of the control unit 19. Thereby, the position of the template sheet 15 held by the sheet holder 14 is recognized, and the position of the substrate 2 held by the substrate holding unit 12 is recognized.

The sheet holder 14 is coupled to the conveyed template sheet 15 to hold the template sheet 15. The sheet holder 14 includes a holder frame 14a having a rectangular opening at the center thereof, and a coupling member 30 coupled to the outer peripheral edge of the template sheet 15 in the holder frame 14 a.

The connecting member 30 includes: two first connecting members 31 extending in the X-axis direction and connected to the opposite edges of the template sheet 15 (longitudinal edges of the template sheet 15) in the Y-axis direction, respectively; and two second coupling members 32 extending in the X-axis direction and coupled to the opposite edges of the template piece 15 (the lateral edges of the template piece 15) in the Y-axis direction, respectively. The two first coupling members 31 are movable within the sheet holder 14 in a direction (X-axis direction) orthogonal to the two first coupling members 31, and the two second coupling members 32 are movable within the sheet holder 14 in a direction (Y-axis direction) orthogonal to the two second coupling members 32.

A coupling projection 30a projects from the lower surface of each of the coupling members 30 (the two first coupling members 31 and the two second coupling members 32), and the coupling projection 30a has a smaller dimension in the extending direction of the hole 15b (the direction along the side of the template piece 15) than the holes 15b provided along the four sides of the template piece 15. The holder frame 14a is formed with a hole 14b for the protrusion 30a to protrude from the inside of the holder frame 14a toward the outside.

The sheet holder 14 is movable to two positions, an upper standby position Pw and a lower holding position Pc. The movement of the sheet holder 14 to the two positions is performed by an elevator 71 provided in the screen printer 1. The lifters 71 are attached to the wall portions 55b of the pair of guide rails 55. The lifter 71 is connected to the upper surface of the holder frame 14a of the sheet holder 14. The elevator 71 is, for example, an air cylinder (air cylinder). At the clamping position Pc, the projections 30a of the sheet holder 14 are inserted into the holes 15b provided at the edge of the template sheet 15, and the projections 30a are moved outward in the surface direction of the template sheet 15, thereby attaching the template sheet 15 to the sheet holder 14. At the clamping position Pc, a hole 55C is formed in the horizontal portion 55a of the guide rail 55 (see also fig. 12C). The holes 55c are formed for the purpose of avoiding interference between the projections 30a of the sheet holder 14 and the horizontal portion 55a moving to the clamping position Pc, and for the purpose of reliably projecting the lower ends of the projections 30a penetrating the holes 15b of the template sheet 15 downward from the lower surface of the template sheet 15. That is, the hole 55c serves as a relief portion for avoiding interference between the guide rail 55 and the projection 30a projecting downward from the sheet holder 14. The same relief portion is also formed in the support plate 56.

The sheet holder 14 is provided with a driving cylinder 35. The drive cylinder 35 includes two first cylinders 35a and two second cylinders 35 b. As shown in fig. 12C, the first cylinder 35a couples a piston rod 35e extending in the Y-axis direction to the first coupling member 31, and moves the pair of first coupling members 31 in the Y-axis direction in opposite directions by advancing and retracting the piston rod. Similarly, the second cylinder 35b couples the piston rod extending in the Y-axis direction to the second coupling member 32, and moves the pair of second coupling members 32 in the X-axis direction in opposite directions by advancing and retracting the piston rod. The sheet holder driving portion 36 operates the first cylinder 35a and the second cylinder 35b, thereby imparting tension to the die sheet 15.

The screen printer 1 includes a sheet holder driving unit 36. In fig. 8, the sheet holder driving portion 36 is connected to a pipe 39 connected to an external pressure source 40. The pipes 39 are branched into three systems in the sheet holder driving unit 36. The pipe 37 of the first system is connected to the two first cylinders 35 a. The sheet holder driving section 36 includes a valve 37a and a first pressure adjusting section 37b connected in series to the first system pipe 37. The pipe 38 of the second system is connected to the two second cylinders 35 b. The sheet holder driving section 36 includes a valve 38a and a second pressure adjusting section 38b connected in series to the pipe 38 of the second system. The piping 72 of the third system is connected to the two elevators 71. The sheet holder driving section 36 includes a valve 72a and a third pressure adjustment section 72b connected in series to the pipe 72 of the third system. The

valves

37a, 38a, and 72a are controlled by the mechanism control unit 19b of the control unit 19, and supply and block air pressure to the first cylinder 35a, the second cylinder 35b, and the lift 71. When the

valves

37a and 38a are opened to supply air pressure to the first cylinder 35a and the second cylinder 35b, the four

cylinders

35a and 35b are operated in a state where the four coupling members 30 are coupled to the edges of the die plate 15, and the opposing coupling members 30 are moved in directions away from each other to pull the entire die plate piece 15 in the horizontal plane direction, whereby tension can be applied to the die plate piece 15. When the valve 72a is operated and the lifter 71 is operated downward, the sheet holder 14 can be moved from the standby position Pw to the holding position Pc. When the valve 72a is operated in the reverse direction, the sheet holder 14 can be moved to the standby position Pw.

The first pressure adjustment portion 37b and the second pressure adjustment portion 38b individually adjust the air pressures supplied to the first cylinder 35a and the second cylinder 35 b. That is, the sheet holder driving portion 36 can adjust the air pressure supplied to the first air cylinder and the air pressure supplied to the second air cylinder, respectively. By this means, the tension of the die piece 15 can be controlled by appropriately adjusting the air pressure. In addition, in the present embodiment, since the air pressure can be adjusted by dividing into two systems, i.e., the X direction and the Y direction, the tension of the die plate can be adjusted in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively. The first pressure adjustment portion 37b and the second pressure adjustment portion 38b can use an electro-pneumatic regulator. When an electro-pneumatic pressure regulator is used, the pressure is adjusted based on an input from a tension control unit 19c (see fig. 3) of the control unit 19. Thus, information on the optimum air pressure of the template pieces stored in the stocker 81 is stored in the storage unit 19d in advance, and after the template pieces are replaced, the tension control unit 19c reads out corresponding data from the storage unit 19d and automatically sets the data in the first pressure adjustment unit 37b and the second pressure adjustment unit 38 b. That is, the adjustment of the tension accompanying the replacement of the template sheet 15 can be automated. In the present embodiment, the first cylinder 35a and the second cylinder 35b are driven by different air pressure circuits, but they may be driven by one system.

Next, the outline operation of the screen printer 1 will be described with reference to fig. 9A to 9C and fig. 10A to 10G. Fig. 9A to 9C are schematic explanatory views for explaining the transfer of the stencil sheet 15 of the screen printer 1 from the storage magazine 81 to the attachment to the sheet holder 14. As shown in fig. 9A, the stencil sheet 15 carried out of the stocker 81 is conveyed to the loading and unloading position Pa below the sheet holder 14 as shown in fig. 9B. The mechanism control unit 19b controls the driving of the lifter 71 so that the sheet holder 14 moves downward toward the template sheet 15 located at the attaching/detaching position Pa and clamps the template sheet 15, as shown in fig. 9C. First, an operation of the conveying device 51 for conveying the stencil sheet 15 accommodated in the storage magazine 81 to the attaching and detaching position Pa below the sheet holder 14 will be described.

As shown in fig. 9A, the screen printer 1 includes a magazine lifter 91 that adjusts the height of the magazine 81. The stocker lifter 91 moves the stocker 81 so that the storage height of the die sheet 15 used matches the height of the upper surface of the horizontal portion 55a of the guide rail 55, in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 19.

As shown in fig. 10A, the Y-axis beam moving portion 59a drives the holding portion 53 between the template pieces 15 accommodated in the storage compartment 81 to the lower side of the template piece 15 to be conveyed, drives the holding portion 53 toward the back side of the storage compartment 81, and moves the holding portion 53 so that the pin 58 of the holding portion 53 is positioned directly below the hole 15b formed along the edge of the front portion of the template piece 15.

Next, as shown in fig. 10B, the holding portion lifting mechanism 54a moves the holding portion 53 upward from the avoidance position toward the transport position. Thereby, the pin 58 of the holding portion 53 is inserted into the hole 15b formed along the edge of the front portion of the template piece 15. At the same time, the suction device 61 is operated to introduce a negative pressure into the recess 57 at the rear (right direction of the paper) of the pin 58, thereby sucking and holding the die plate 15.

Next, as shown in fig. 10C, the Y-axis beam moving portion 59a moves the holding portion 53 toward the attachment/detachment position Pa below the sheet holder 14. Thereby, the pins 58 of the holding portion 53 collide with the inner edges of the holes 15b of the die sheet 15 to carry the die sheet 15 out of the storage compartment 81. The die plate pieces 15 are conveyed by sliding on the horizontal portions 55a while the opposite edges parallel to the conveying direction of the die plate pieces 15 are supported by the horizontal portions 55a of the guide rails 55. Further, since the concave portion 57 of the holding portion 53 adsorbs the lower surface of the template piece 15, the holding portion 53 can stably grip the template piece 15.

When the transport stroke of the holding portion 53 is short, the holding portion 53 moves from the storage bin 81 to the attachment/detachment position Pa below the sheet holder 14 by two-stage movement. At an intermediate position Pm between the bin 81 and the mounting and dismounting position Pa, the holding portion 53 changes the pin 58 from the hole 15b inserted into the front portion of the template sheet 15 to the hole 15b inserted into the rear portion.

As shown in fig. 10D, the Y-axis beam moving portion 59a moves the holding portion 53 to the intermediate position Pm. At the intermediate position Pm, the holding unit lifting/lowering mechanism 54a moves the holding unit 53 downward from the conveyance position toward the avoidance position in accordance with an instruction from the mechanism control unit 19 b. Thereby, the pin 58 of the holding portion 53 is drawn out from the hole 15b formed along the edge of the front portion of the template piece 15.

As shown in fig. 10E, the Y-axis beam moving portion 59a moves the holding portion 53 toward the storage compartment 81 side in accordance with the instruction of the mechanism control portion 19b, and moves the holding portion 53 so that the pin 58 of the holding portion 53 is positioned directly below the hole 15b formed along the edge of the rear portion of the template piece 15.

Next, as shown in fig. 10F, the holding portion elevating mechanism 54a moves the holding portion 53 upward from the avoidance position toward the transport position in accordance with an instruction from the mechanism control unit 19 b. Thereby, the pin 58 of the holding portion 53 is inserted into the hole 15b formed along the edge of the rear portion of the template piece 15.

Next, as shown in fig. 10G and 11, the Y-axis beam moving portion 59a moves the holding portion 53 toward the attachment/detachment position Pa below the sheet holder 14 in accordance with the instruction of the mechanism control portion 19 b. Thereby, the pin 58 of the holding portion 53 collides with the inner edge of the hole 15b formed along the edge of the rear portion of the stencil sheet 15 to convey the stencil sheet 15 from the intermediate position Pm toward the attachment/detachment position Pa.

When the template piece 15 is further conveyed forward from the intermediate position Pm, the front portion of the template piece 15 finally rides on the support plate 56, and the front portion of the template piece 15 is supported by the support plate 56. Thereafter, the suction by the suction device 61 is stopped in accordance with an instruction from the mechanism control unit 19b, and the holding portion lifting mechanism 54a moves the holding portion 53 downward from the conveyance position toward the avoidance position, thereby releasing the holding of the template piece 15 by the holding portion 53. Then, the Y-axis beam moving unit 59a is moved to retract the Y-axis beam 59 to a position where it does not interfere with the substrate holding unit 12 which is then raised to the mounting/demounting position Pa.

As described above, the template sheet 15 moves from the magazine 81 toward the loading and unloading position Pa below the sheet holder 14. The storage step of transporting and storing the materials from the loading/unloading position Pa to the storage compartment 81 is performed in reverse to the above-described transport step. In the conveying step and the storing step, the engaging portions of the template piece 15 and the holding portion 53 are the same, but the conveying direction is opposite.

Next, a schematic operation of attaching the template sheet 15 located at the attaching and detaching position Pa to the sheet holder 14 will be described with reference to fig. 12A to 12D.

Fig. 12A illustrates a state in which the template piece 15 reaches the attachment/detachment position Pa. From this state, the mechanism control unit 19B operates the unit moving mechanism 12A to raise the substrate holding unit 12, thereby raising the substrate holder 25 (see arrow Z2 in fig. 12B). As shown in fig. 12B, the substrate holder 25 lifts a part of the template piece 15 and stops at the attaching and detaching height of the template piece 15. This allows the template piece 15, which is bent downward between the pair of guide rails 55, to be horizontally supported.

Next, the mechanism control unit 19b sends a drive instruction to the lifter 71. The lifter 71 moves the sheet holder 14 from the upper standby position Pw to the lower clamping position Pc (arrow Z3 in fig. 12B). The sheet holder 14 inserts the projections 30a protruding from the bottom surface into the holes 15b of the die sheet 15, respectively. Thereby, as shown in fig. 12B, the projection 30a of the sheet holder 14 is inserted into the hole 15B of the die sheet 15.

Next, the mechanism control portion 19b sends a command to the sheet holder driving portion 36 to open the

valves

37a and 38 a. Thus, the air of the pressure adjusted by the first pressure adjustment portion 37b is supplied to the first cylinder 35a through the first system pipe 37, the air of the pressure adjusted by the second pressure adjustment portion 38b is supplied to the second cylinder 35b through the second system pipe 38, and the first cylinder 35a and the second cylinder 35b are driven so as to move the four coupling members 30 to the outside of the sheet holder 14. As the connecting member 30 moves outward, the protrusions 30a of the connecting member 30 press the holes 15b of the die sheet 15 outward (see arrow G1 in fig. 12C). Thereby, tension is given to the template piece 15, and the template piece 15 is held horizontally. In fig. 12C, the first link member 31 and the projection 30a before the movement are indicated by broken lines, and the first link member 3I and the projection 30a after the movement are indicated by solid lines.

Next, the mechanism control unit 19b operates the unit moving mechanism 12A to lower the substrate holding unit 12 (arrow Z4 in fig. 12D). Thus, the attachment of the template piece 15 to the piece holder 14 is completed. The template piece 15 can be detached from the piece holder 14 by performing a process reverse to the above-described process. When the fitting of the template piece 15 to the piece holder 14 is completed, the upper imaging camera 17b is moved downward of the template piece 15 as shown in fig. 12D, and an image of a positioning mark 15m (fig. 2) provided on the template piece 15 is captured. Then, the image recognition unit 19a performs recognition processing on the image to recognize the position of the template sheet 15 (template recognition). The position of the template piece 15 recognized by the template recognition is stored in the storage unit 19d as information to be used when the substrate 2 is positioned.

Next, an operation of the screen printing operation performed by the screen printing machine 1 will be described with reference to fig. 13 to 15. First, when detecting that the substrate 2 is sent from another device on the upstream process side, the mechanism control unit 19b operates the substrate carry-in conveyor 11 and the conveyor 22 of the substrate holding unit 12, and carries the substrate 2 into the substrate holding unit 12 (see fig. 13). Next, the mechanism control unit 19b operates the substrate holding unit 12 to hold the substrate 2. The holding of the substrate 2 is specifically performed as follows: the lower receiving portion 24 is pushed by the lift cylinder 23 to match the height of the upper surface of the substrate 2 with the height of the upper surface of the substrate holder 25, and the pair of substrate holders 25 are driven in the closing direction to sandwich both ends of the substrate 2 (see fig. 14).

After holding the substrate 2, the mechanism control unit 19b operates the Y-axis beam moving unit 59a and the camera moving mechanism (not shown), positions the lower imaging camera 17a at a mark 2m (fig. 2) for positioning provided on the substrate 2, and causes the lower imaging camera 17a to image the mark 2m (see arrow H1 in fig. 14). Then, the image data of the obtained mark 2m is processed by the image recognizing unit 19a to obtain the position of the mark 2m in the substrate holding unit 12, and the position of the substrate is recognized (substrate recognition) based on the obtained position of the mark 2 m. The control unit 19 calculates the horizontal movement distance and the rotation angle for aligning the substrate 2 with the template piece 15, based on the position of the template piece 15 read from the storage unit 19d and the position of the substrate 2 obtained by substrate recognition. Based on the calculation result, the mechanism control unit 19b operates the unit moving mechanism 12A to move the substrate holding unit 12, thereby performing alignment between the substrate 2 and the template piece 15.

As shown in fig. 15, when the alignment of the template piece 15 and the substrate 2 is completed, the control unit 19 controls the operation of the unit moving mechanism 12A to raise the substrate holding unit 12, and causes the pair of substrate holders 25 holding the substrate 2 to relatively abut from below the lower surface of the template piece 15, thereby causing the upper surfaces of the pair of substrate holders 25 and the substrate 2 to abut against the lower surface of the template piece 15 (see arrow Z1). Thereby, the electrodes 3 on the substrate 2 are aligned with the pattern openings 15a of the stencil sheet 15.

After the substrate 2 is brought into contact with the template sheet 15, the control section 19 performs squeegee application by the squeegee 44 to transfer the paste on the template sheet 15 to the substrate 2.

The knife coating is carried out in particular as follows: one of the two blades 44 is lowered from the print head 16, and the base member 41 is moved in the Y-axis direction while maintaining contact with the upper surface of the stencil sheet 15. Thereby, the squeegee 44 slides on the template sheet 15, and the paste on the template sheet 15 is pressed into the pattern openings 15a of the template sheet 15 by the squeegee 44, and is transferred onto the electrodes 3 of the substrate 2. The control unit 19 causes the rear blade 44 to contact the die sheet 15 when the print head 16 is moved from the front to the rear to perform the doctor blade, and causes the front blade 44 to contact the die sheet 15 when the print head 16 is moved from the rear to the front to perform the doctor blade.

After the paste is transferred to the substrate 2 by doctor blade coating, the control section 19 operates the unit moving mechanism 12A to lower the substrate holding unit 12, and separates the substrate 2 and the pair of substrate holders 25 from the mold sheet 15 to perform plate release. Thereby, the paste remains on the electrodes 3 of the substrate 2, and the paste is printed on the substrate 2.

After the end of the plate release, the control unit 19 releases the holding of the substrate 2 by the substrate holding unit 12. The release of the holding of the substrate 2 is specifically performed as follows: the mechanism controller 19b opens the pair of substrate holders 25, and then lowers the lower receiving portion 24 to drop both ends of the substrate 2 onto the pair of conveyors 22.

After releasing the holding of the substrate 2, the mechanism controller 19b operates the unit moving mechanism 12A to move the substrate holding unit 12 in the horizontal plane, adjusts the orientation of the conveyor 22, and then operates the conveyor 22 and the substrate carry-out conveyor 13 to carry out the substrate 2 to the outside of the screen printer 1.

Next, the storage compartment 81 for storing a plurality of template sheets 15 will be described with reference to fig. 16 to 18. Fig. 16 is a front view of the storage container, and fig. 17 is a plan view of the storage container with the upper wall removed. Fig. 18 (a) is a perspective view of a main part of the interior of the storage bin as viewed in cross section from XIV in fig. 16, and fig. 18 (b) is a side view of the storage bin as viewed in longitudinal cross section. The magazine 81 includes a guide portion 82 that guides the stencil sheet 15 in the carrying-in and carrying-out direction, and a fixing portion 83 that fixes the stencil sheet 15 to the guide portion 82. The storage compartment 81 includes an upper wall 81a,

side walls

81b and 81c, a lower wall 81d, a back wall 81e, and a carrying-in/out port 81f for carrying in/out the molded pieces. The back wall 81e is orthogonal to the direction in which the template sheet 15 is taken out.

The guide 82 includes a first guide plate 82a, and the first guide plate 82a is disposed on one side (left side) in the direction orthogonal to the carrying-in and carrying-out direction, and directly supports one edge of the opposed edges of the template piece 15. The guide 82 includes a second guide plate 82b, and the second guide plate 82b is disposed on the other side (right side) in the direction orthogonal to the carrying-in/out direction and directly supports the other edge of the opposed edges of the die sheet 15. The first guide plate 82a and the second guide plate 82b extend in the carrying-in and carrying-out direction of the die plate 15. The guide portions 82, which constitute a pair of left and right guide plates, are arranged by the first guide plate 82a and the second guide plate 82b in the vertical direction by the number corresponding to the number of the housed form pieces 15. The first guide plate 82a and the second guide plate 82b are fixed to the

side walls

81b and 81c, respectively. The guide portion 82 mounts an edge of the stencil sheet 15 inserted into the storage compartment 81 in parallel with the removal direction. A pair of frame plates 85 extending in the carrying-in and carrying-out direction are attached to the first guide plate 82a and the second guide plate 82b, respectively. The shelf 85 supports the bottom surface of the die plate 15.

The fixing portion 83 has a rectangular plate portion 83a extending in the direction in which the template piece 15 is taken out, and a V-shaped bent portion 83b extending downward from the rear end of the plate portion 83a and bent upward. The bent portion 83b is an elastic member, for example, a plate spring. The plate portion 83a of the fixing portion 83 is attached to the

side wall

81b or 81c by a bolt, for example.

When the stencil sheet 15 is carried into the storage compartment 81 along the guide portion 82 and the back side of the stencil sheet 15 abuts against the back wall 81e of the storage compartment 81, the bent portion 83b of the fixing portion 83 is inserted into the hole 15b formed in the stencil sheet 15 in the carrying-in and carrying-out direction of the stencil sheet 15 by the elastic force. Thus, the template sheet 15 is held between the bent portion 83b inserted into the hole 15b and the inner wall 81e, and the template sheet 15 is positioned in the storage compartment 81. The bent portion 83b may have a V shape or a shape extending downward only from the rear end of the plate portion 83a as long as it is an elastic member.

Next, refer to fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a main part perspective view of the front part of the interior of the storage bin. The leading end 82c of the guide 82 on the opposite side of the rear wall 81e has a downward inclined surface. Further, the front end portion 85a of the shelf plate 85 on the opposite side of the back wall 81e also has an inclined surface inclined downward. Thus, when the template sheet 15 is carried into the storage compartment 81 and when the template sheet is carried out of the storage compartment 81, the template sheet 15 can be prevented from being caught at the front end of the guide portion 82 and the front end of the frame plate 85.

The storage compartment 81 includes a protrusion 86 along a side of an upper wall 81a of the storage compartment 81, and a recess 87 corresponding to the protrusion 86 along a side of a lower wall 81d of the storage compartment 81. Therefore, the user inserts the protrusion 86 of one cartridge 81 into the recess 87 of the other cartridge 81, thereby fixing the other cartridge to the one cartridge 81. In this way, since the plurality of bins 81 can be combined and coupled to each other, the weight of each bin 81 can be reduced, and the load of conveying the bins 81 can be reduced.

The screen printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes: a storage chamber 81 for storing a plurality of stencil sheets 15 having openings 15a corresponding to the electrodes 3 on the substrate 2; a sheet holder 14 that detachably holds an edge of the template sheet 15; a conveying device 51 that conveys the template sheet 15 between the storage bin 81 and the sheet holder 14; and a print head 16 that slides on the solder paste placed on the stencil sheet 15 held by the sheet holder 14. With this configuration, since the die sheet 15 is accommodated in the storage compartment 81 in a state where the frame is not attached, the number of accommodated die sheets in the storage compartment 81 can be increased, and the size of the storage compartment 81 can be reduced. The conventional stencil frame is greatly improved in thickness, since it has a thickness of about 30mm and the stencil sheet 15 has a thickness of about 150 μm. Further, since the conveyance device 51 conveys the frameless stencil sheet 15 from the storage room 81 and the sheet holder 14 detachably holds the frameless stencil sheet 15, the screen printer 1 can be provided in which the labor for replacing the stencil sheet 15 is reduced and the space is saved.

Further, the conveying device 51 may convey the template sheet 15 to the lower side of the sheet holder 14, and the sheet holder 14 may attach and detach the template sheet 15 to and from the lower portion of the sheet holder 14. Conventionally, the stencil sheet is attached to the print head side of the sheet holder, but since the stencil sheet 15 is conveyed below the sheet holder 14 and the attachment and detachment of the sheet holder 14 and the stencil sheet 15 are performed below the sheet holder 14, interference with the print head above the sheet holder 14 can be avoided, and the attachment and detachment can be automated.

The sheet holder 14 may apply tension to the die sheet 15 in the surface direction to perform clamping. According to this configuration, since the template sheet 15 is given a tensile force in the planar direction, the electrode 3 of the substrate 2 and the opening 15a of the template sheet 15 can be prevented from being positionally displaced.

Further, the lifter 71 may be provided to move the sheet holder 14 to the lower holding position Pc and the upper standby position Pw for holding the die sheet 15. Since the sheet holder 14 can be moved to the clamping position Pc and the standby position Pw, the template sheet 15 can be smoothly conveyed to the clamping position Pc without interfering with the sheet holder 14.

Further, the template sheet 15 may have a plurality of holes 15b formed along the outer edge, the sheet holder 14 may have a plurality of projections 30a projecting downward from the lower surface, and the plurality of projections 30a may be inserted into the plurality of holes 15b of the template sheet 15 by the movement of the sheet holder 14 to the clamping position Pc by the lifter 71. This enables the sheet holder 14 to be appropriately engaged with the die sheet 15.

Further, the sheet holder 14 may also have an actuator that imparts tension to the die sheet 15 by moving the plurality of projections 30a outward in the plane direction. Thereby, the sheet holder 14 can appropriately clamp the template sheet.

The actuator may be an air cylinder operated by air pressure.

The actuator may also include: a first cylinder 35a that moves the projections 30a inserted into the holes 15b formed in the parallel set of outer edges of the template piece 15 toward the outside in the plane direction; and a second cylinder 35b that moves the projections 30a inserted into the holes 15b formed in the other set of outer edges toward the outside in the plane direction orthogonal to the direction of movement by the first cylinder 35 a.

The screen printer 1 further includes a sheet holder driving unit 36 configured to adjust the air pressure supplied to the first air cylinder 35a and the air pressure supplied to the second air cylinder 35 b. Since the air pressure is adjusted by the first air cylinder 35a and the second air cylinder 35b, respectively, the sheet holder 14 can appropriately hold the template sheet 15.

Further, the transport device 51 according to the present embodiment includes: a Y-axis beam 59 that intersects the conveyance direction, has a holding portion 53 that holds the template sheet 15, and conveys the template sheet 15 in the conveyance direction; and a pair of guide rails 55 arranged along the conveying direction of the template piece 15 and supported from below the template piece 15 conveyed by the Y-axis beam 59. This enables the frameless template sheet 15 to be automatically replaced.

In addition, the holding portion 53 has a concave portion 57 that adsorbs the template piece 15. Thus, the holding portion 53 can more reliably grip the die piece 15.

The holding portion 53 holds a portion of the die plate 15 exposed between the pair of guide rails 55 from below, and the Y-axis beam 59 has a holding portion lifting mechanism 54a for moving the holding portion 53 in the up-down direction.

The holding portion 53 has an upper surface 53s that contacts the lower surface of the template piece 15, and a pin 58 that protrudes upward from the upper surface, and the concave portion 57 opens to the upper surface 53s and performs suction holding on the lower surface of the template piece 15.

In the holding portion 53, at least two recesses 57 are provided with a space therebetween in the conveying direction, and the pin 58 is disposed between the two recesses 57.

Further, a support plate 56 is provided to connect the respective front end portions of the pair of guide rails 55 on the attaching and detaching position Pa side, and the edge of the front side of the die plate 15 is supported by the support plate 56 at the attaching and detaching position Pa. By connecting the front end portions of the guide rails 55 to each other by the support plate 56, the front portion of the template sheet 15 reaching the attaching/detaching position Pa can be supported by being mounted on the support plate 56. This enables the die sheet 15 and the sheet holder 14 to be attached and detached stably.

The guide rail 55 may have a hole 55c for avoiding interference with the projection 30a projecting downward of the sheet holder 14. Thus, the projection 30a of the sheet holder 14 can pass through the hole 15b of the template sheet 15 and reach the hole 55c of the guide rail 55, and therefore, the projection 30a of the sheet holder 14 can be prevented from coming out of the hole 15b of the template sheet 15.

Further, the magazine 81 according to the present embodiment is a magazine 81 that stores a plurality of template pieces 15, and includes a guide portion 82 that guides the template pieces 15 in the carrying-in and carrying-out direction, and a fixing portion 83 that fixes the template pieces 15 to the guide portion 82. Thus, even in the case of the frameless template piece 15, since the fixing portion 83 can fix the template piece 15 to the guide portion 82, the template piece 15 can be prevented from moving in the storage compartment 81.

The fixing portion 83 may fix the die piece 15 by pressing it against the first guide plate 82a and the second guide plate 82 b. Since the fixing portion 83 presses the template sheet 15 against the guide portion 82, the template sheet 15 can be prevented from moving in the storage compartment 81.

The fixing portion 83 has a bent portion 83b, the bent portion 83b is inserted into a hole 15b formed in the template sheet 15 in the carrying-in/out direction of the template sheet 15 and is an elastic member, and the template sheet 15 is fixed by the fixing portion 83 inserted into the hole 15b, the rear wall 81e, and the bent portion 83 b. Thus, the die plate pieces 15 accommodated in the magazine 81 are positioned, and therefore, the magazine is suitable for automatic replacement of the die plate pieces 15.

The leading end 82c of the guide 82 on the side opposite to the back wall 81e may have a downward inclined surface. This prevents the template sheet 15 from being caught by the distal end portion 82c of the guide portion 82 when the template sheet 15 is taken in and out.

Further, a plurality of the storage bins 81 may be connected. This can reduce the weight of each storage bin 81, and can reduce the labor of the operator for transporting the storage bin 81.

Further, a protrusion 86 is provided along the side of the upper wall 81a of the storage compartment 81, a recess 87 corresponding to the protrusion 86 is provided along the side of the lower wall 81d of the storage compartment 81, the protrusion 86 of one storage compartment 81 is inserted into the recess 87 of the other storage compartment 81, and the other storage compartment 81 is fixed to the one storage compartment 81. This enables the plurality of storage silos to be assembled vertically and stably.

In the above-described embodiment, the cylinder (the driving cylinder 35) is shown as a driving portion that drives the four coupling members 30 so as to relatively move the opposing coupling members 30 of the four coupling members 30 in the direction of separating from each other, thereby applying tension to the die plate pieces 15, but the cylinder need not be the same.

In the above-described embodiment, the means for connecting the four connecting members 30 to the edges along the four sides of the die plate piece 15 is constituted by the connecting holes 15b provided in the edges of the die plate piece 15 and the connecting protrusions 30a provided in the connecting members 30 and fitted into the connecting holes 15b, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The edges of the die plate pieces 15 and the four joining members 30 may also be joined in other ways. For example, the template piece 15 may have a bent portion whose four sides are bent inward, and the piece holder 14 may have a claw which is detachably engaged with the bent portion of the template piece 15. As described above, the projection 30a for connection provided on each of the connection members 30 is fitted into the hole 15b provided on the edge of the stencil sheet 15 to connect the connection member 30 and the stencil sheet 15, whereby the connection member 30 and the stencil sheet 15 can be connected with an extremely simple structure, and the cost of the screen printing machine 1 can be reduced.

While the present invention has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It should be understood that such changes and modifications are encompassed within the scope of the present invention as determined based on the appended claims. Further, combinations of elements and changes in the order of the elements in the embodiments can be realized without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

In addition, by appropriately combining any of the various embodiments and modifications described above, the effects possessed by each can be exhibited.

Industrial applicability

The screen printer of the present invention can be applied to a screen printer using a frameless stencil sheet.

Description of the reference numerals

1: screen printer, 2: substrate, 3: electrode, 8: carry-in port, 9: carry-out port, 10: base platform, 11: substrate carry-in conveyor, 12: substrate holding unit, 13: substrate carrying-out conveyor, 14: sheet holder, 14 a: holder frame, 14 b: hole, 15: template sheet, 15 a: opening, 15 b: hole, 16: print head, 17 a: lower camera, 17 b: upper camera, 19: control unit, 19 a: image recognition unit, 19 b: mechanism control unit, 19 c: tension control unit, 19 d: storage unit, 21: unit base, 22: conveyor, 23: lift cylinder, 25: substrate holder, 30: coupling member, 30 a: projection, 31: first connecting member, 32: second coupling member, 35 a: first cylinder, 35 b: second cylinder, 44: blade, 51: conveying device, 53: holding portion, 54 a: holding portion elevating mechanism, 55: guide rail, 55 a: horizontal portion, 55 b: wall portion, 55 c: hole (escape portion), 56: support plate, 57: recess, 57 a: suction hole, 58: pin, 59: y-axis beam, 61: suction device, 71: lifter, 81: storage bin, 81 a: upper wall, 81b, 81 c: side wall, 81 d: lower wall, 81 e: inner wall, 82: guide portion, 82 a: first guide plate, 82 b: second guide plate, 82 c: front end portion, 83: fixing portion, 83 a: plate portion, 83 b: bent portion, 85: shelf plate, 85 a: front end, 86: protrusion, 87: recess, 91: storage bin elevator, Pa: loading and unloading position, Pc: clamping position, Pw: a standby position.

Claims

1. A screen printing machine, wherein,

the screen printing machine is provided with:

a sheet holder configured to detachably hold an edge of the template sheet;

2. The screen printing machine according to claim 1,

the conveying device conveys the template sheet to below the sheet holder,

the sheet holder mounts and demounts the die sheet with respect to a lower portion of the sheet holder.

3. The screen printing machine according to claim 1 or 2,

the sheet holder applies tension to the template sheet in the plane direction to perform clamping.

4. The screen printing machine of claim 2 or 3,

the screen printing machine includes a lifter that moves the sheet holder to a lower holding position and an upper standby position where the sheet holder holds the stencil sheet.

5. The screen printing machine according to claim 4,

the template sheet has a plurality of holes formed along an outer edge,

the sheet holder includes a plurality of protrusions protruding downward,

the plurality of protrusions are inserted into the plurality of holes of the die sheet by movement of the sheet holder to the clamping position by the lifter.

6. The screen printing machine according to claim 5,

the sheet holder has an actuator that imparts tension to the die sheet by moving the plurality of projections toward an outer side in a face direction.

7. The screen printing machine according to claim 6,

the actuator is a pneumatic cylinder operated by air pressure.

8. The screen printing machine according to claim 6,

the actuator includes: a first cylinder that moves projections inserted into holes formed in a set of parallel outer edges of the template sheet outward in the plane direction; and a second cylinder that moves the projections inserted into the holes formed in the other set of outer edges outward in a plane direction orthogonal to the direction of movement by the first cylinder.

9. The screen printing machine according to claim 8,

the screen printing machine includes a sheet holder driving unit that adjusts air pressure supplied to the first air cylinder and air pressure supplied to the second air cylinder.

10. The screen printing machine according to any of claims 1 to 9,

the conveying device is provided with:

a moving body that has a holding portion that intersects with a conveyance direction and holds the template piece, and conveys the template piece in the conveyance direction; and

and a pair of guide rails arranged along the conveying direction of the template sheet and supporting the template sheet conveyed by the movable body from below.

11. The screen printing machine according to claim 10,

the holding portion has an adsorption portion that adsorbs the template piece.

12. The screen printing machine according to claim 11,

the holding portion holds a portion of the die sheet exposed between the pair of guide rails from below,

the movable body has a vertical driving unit for moving the holding unit in a vertical direction.

13. The screen printing machine according to claim 12,

the holding portion has:

an upper surface in contact with a lower surface of the template sheet; and

a pin protruding upward from the upper surface,

the suction portion is opened at an upper surface thereof to suck and hold a lower surface of the die plate.

14. The screen printing machine according to claim 13,

in the holding portion, at least two suction portions are provided at intervals in the conveying direction, and the pin is disposed between the two suction portions.

15. The screen printing machine according to any one of claims 10 to 14,

the guide rail has a relief portion for avoiding interference with a projection projecting downward from the sheet holder.