EP2684696B1 - Universal adapter for connecting templates of different tensioning systems with the same tensioning frame - Google Patents

Description

I. Field of application

The present invention relates to a universal adapter for connecting templates of different clamping systems with the same clamping frame.

II. Technical background

The present invention is particularly applicable to screen printing apparatus for making printed circuits. In this case, inter alia, use quick-clamping templates, by means of which in the screen printing paste, in particular solder paste, are applied to circuit board. For this purpose, the stencils, before they can be inserted into the screen printing machine, must be mounted in a, for the hole edge corresponding Schnellspannrahmen. For such SMD quick-clamping templates, there are various recording systems on the market, the respective template fits only in this associated recording system. These differ in that different apertures (round, oval, rectangular or oblong-rectangular) of different sizes are used for clamping the stencils on the template outer edges. As a result, the template can only be used with the corresponding clamping frame of the respective manufacturer. It is thus not possible to clamp stencils of different types on a standard tenter. The clamping frames are then again placed on the respective printing press, so that the user of a corresponding printing machine clamping frame system is forced to always use the same templates of its own manufacturer. Of course, this is logistically very complex and tedious. The closest related to the present invention prior art is apparent from the US2008 / 0235999A1 , This document already shows a universal adapter for connecting stencils with clamping system and clamping frame with a strip-shaped adapter body having a substantially rectangular cross section, which has on its underside a recess for receiving the clamping device of the clamping frame, while its upper side comprises a further recess for receiving a clamping part ,

A similar prior art can be found in the US2005 / 0223919A1 , this allows a height adjustment of the template with respect to the frame.

III. Presentation of the invention a) Technical task

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an adapter for receiving existing quick-clamping templates from different manufacturers in one and the same fixed frame available. The problem with this is that the existing quick-release templates of different manufacturers have different perforation geometries, such as outlined above. For the embodiment of the present invention, the VectorGuard fixed frame has been exemplified as the frame, as it is the most widely used in the world. However, the invention can also be used with all other fixed frame systems if the geometry is adapted accordingly. According to the invention, therefore, a universal adapter is to be created, which can accommodate different perforation geometries of quick-clamping templates of different manufacturers in one and the same fixed frame and allowed to clamp it.

The universal adapter according to the invention is intended in particular to be able to accommodate at least four different perforation geometries from different manufacturers, which enable the inclusion of these existing SMD stencils, preferably in a VektorGuard fixed frame, which clamp the SMD stencils as evenly as possible, can be used several times, which comprise corners of the SMD stencils be retrofitted on-site in existing printing presses and be produced as inexpensively as possible.

b) Solution of the task

According to the invention this object is achieved by a universal adapter with the features of claim 1. Further preferred embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

c) embodiments

The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawings:

Fig. 1:

Eine dreidimensionale Schnittdarstellung eines VektorGuard-Rahmenprofils mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Adapter für die Becktronic-100-Schablone "BEC100";

Fig. 2:

Eine Detaildarstellung des Zusammenwirkens von Klemmteil, Klemmeinlage und Schablone der Figur 1;

Fig. 3:

Das Zusammenwirken von Klemmteil und Klemmeinlage für eine Quattroflex-Schablone;

Fig. 4:

Die Gestaltung des Klemmteils für eine MicroMount- oder Alpha-Tetra-Schablone (hier ist keine Klemmeinlage erforderlich).

It shows:

Fig. 1:

A three-dimensional sectional view of a VektorGuard frame profile with an adapter according to the invention for the Becktronic 100 template "BEC100";

Fig. 2:

A detailed representation of the interaction of the clamping part, clamping insert and template of FIG. 1 ;

3:

The interaction of clamping part and clamping insert for a Quattroflex stencil;

4:

The design of the clamp for a MicroMount or Alpha Tetra template (no clamp insert required here).

FIG. 1 shows a universal adapter according to the invention for connecting a template of Becktronic BEC100 clamping system with a clamping frame of the type "VektorGuard". The template 10 has at its outer edge a parallel to the edge extending row of rectangular, preferably square openings, which encloses a closely spaced therefrom extending inner row of circular openings. Accordingly, the template 10 is received between a clamping member 12 and a clamping insert 14 such that the clamping member 12 has corresponding projections 16 which extend downwardly through the template 10 into the clamping insert 14. In order for the projections 16 to find room there, the clamping insert 14 is provided on its upper side with two longitudinal groove-like recesses 17. The clamping part 12 is arranged above the template 10, while the clamping insert 14 is arranged underneath. The clamping part 12 is advantageously made of duroplastic, has the shape of an elongated rail or strip with a flat-rectangular cross-section and surrounds the template 10 outside with a "C" -shaped by 180 ° down and inwardly bent edge 18th

The clamping member 12 may be composed of several clamping member segments, which are interconnected by self-retaining tongue and groove elements.

In order to receive the clamping insert 14 and to hold the clamping part 12 and to establish the connection to the clamping frame 20, an adapter body 22 is provided. This is also rail or strip-shaped with a substantially rectangular cross-section. He has on its underside a recess 24 for receiving a clamping device 26 of the clamping frame 20. Next he points to its outside an outer recess 27 for receiving the edge 18 of the clamping part 12. Further, the adapter body 22 is provided on its upper side with a further recess 28 for receiving a clamping insert (for example 14) and / or the projections 16 of the clamping part 12. Finally, the adapter body may be provided with a chamfer 30 at its inner lower edge.

The design of the clamping frame 20 with the clamping device 26 corresponds to the usual design of a VektorGuard clamping frame and is therefore not explained in detail.

The FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 each show different adaptations of the universal adapter according to the invention to different stencil systems:
FIG. 2 also puts in FIG. 1 illustrated adaptation of a Becktronic BEC100 template on the here serving as a frame pattern VektorGuard tenter again in an exploded view. FIG. 2 shows again in detail how the clamping part 18 is inserted for the Becktronic template 10 in this and then the clamping part 14 is placed. This combination can then be inserted by means of the adapter body 22 in the normal VektorGuard clamping frame 20 and clamped with the clamping device 26 there.

FIG. 3 shows the conversion of the universal adapter according to the invention for a Quattroflex stencil 10A. For this purpose, a correspondingly adapted clamping part 12A with a correspondingly adapted clamping insert 14A serves. Here, according to the design of the Quattroflex template with only a series of oval openings on the edge only a series of projections 16 A is provided in the form of much thicker round pins. Accordingly, the clamping insert 14A here also has only one recess 17A. This is wider than in the embodiment according to FIG. 2 ,

FIG. 4 Finally, the clamping part 12B shows how it is provided according to the invention for tensioning a MicroMount template 10B or an Alpha-Tetra template. Since the MicroMount or Alpha-Tetra templates have at their edge a series of elongated rectangular slots for clamping, corresponding projections 16B in the form of oblong rectangular strips are here attached to the clamping part 12B. Since they already self-fill the additional recess 28, there is no need for a clamping insert here.

When looking at the FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 It is noticeable that the edge 18 bent downwardly and inwardly on the outside "C" in a shape of 180 ° in each case has the same design, since it must cooperate with the adapter body 22, which is also the same, in order to form the respective templates in the VektorGuard frame 20 to be able to tension.

Thus, according to the present invention, not only a VektorGuard template can be stretched with a VektorGuard frame (this, of course, still works without adapters), but Becktronic templates of the type BEC100 as well as templates of the types Quattroflex, Alpha-Tetra and MicroMount be tense. By appropriate adaptation of the clamping part 12 and optionally the clamping insert 14, the present invention can also be adapted for any other (possibly not yet known on the market) templates.

Claims (5)

1. A universal adapter for connecting templates (10; 10A; 10B) of different tensioning systems with the same tensioning frame (20) with a strip-like adapter body (22) with an essentially rectangular cross section, comprising a recess (24) at its lower side for receiving the tensioning system (26) of the tensioning frame (20) while its upper side comprises further recess (28), characterized in that the universal adapter further comprises
   a clamping part (12; 12A; 12B) and at least one integrated clamping element (14; 14A) and in that the further recess (28) is provided for receiving different integrated clamping elements (14; 14A) and in that the adapter body (22) comprises at its side facing away from the template, a recess (27) for receiving an edge of the clamping part (12; 12A; 12B), wherein
   the clamping part (12; 12A; 12B) is adapted as an elongated bar with a flat rectangular cross section and is provided at its lower side with projections (16; 16A; 16B), and in that, depending on the template to be received, the clamping part (12; 12A; 12B) comprises projections (16; 16A; 16B) in the form of round or quadrangular pins (16; 16A) with different diameters or in the form of elongated rectangular strips (16B).
2. The universal adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that the integrated clamping elements (14; 14A) are also adapted as elongated bars with a flat rectangular cross section and comprise at their upper side one or more longitudinal slots (17; 17A) for receiving the projections (16; 16A) of the clamping part (12; 12A).
3. The universal adapter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adapter body (22) is provided with a chamfered edge (30) at its lower side facing towards the template (10; 10A; 10B).
4. The universal adapter according to one of claims 1 through 3, characterized in that the clamping part (12; 12A; 12B) comprises different clamping part segments (12; 12A; 12B) and in that the different clamping part segments (12; 12A; 12B) can be connected via self-retaining groove spring elements.
5. The universal adapter according to one of claims 1 through 4, characterized in that the clamping part (12; 12A; 12B) comprises at its side facing away from the template (10; 10A; 10B) a C shaped edge (18) bent by 180° towards the template (10; 10A; 10B) and downwards which, in the mounted state, engages the lateral recess (27) of the adapter body (22).

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