JP2003191432A - Method for printing continuous body sheet and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for printing a continuous body sheet by which the position of the sheet can be registered highly precisely without applying an excess tensile stress to the sheet, and a printer. <P>SOLUTION: This method comprises a step to prepare a printing plate arranged above a printing stage, a step to retain the continuous body sheet on the printing stage by suction, a step to screen-print a specified pattern on the suction-retained continuous body sheet by the printing plate and at the same time, screen-print a position discerning mark of the printing plate on the sheet, a step to convey the sheet to a feedback stage from the printing stage and retain the sheet by suction, a step to seek a deviation level between each of the position registering marks of the sheet retained on the feedback stage by suction and each of the printed position discerning marks of the printing plate by image processing and a step to control the positions of the printing plate in a feedback mode according to the sought deviation level. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing method and a printing apparatus for performing screen printing on a continuous sheet provided with a plurality of alignment marks in advance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an apparatus for producing a ceramic green sheet for laminated electronic parts, a green ceramic layer is formed on a long carrier film, and this continuous sheet is used as an electrode film in a continuous state. An apparatus is known in which a ceramic green sheet is obtained by sequentially passing through a plurality of steps such as a printing step, a drying step and a punching step (see Japanese Patent No. 2504277).

In recent years, the green ceramic layer has become very thin, 10 μm or less, and when an electrode film is printed on it, a step is formed in the electrode film. When such a green ceramic layer is laminated, defects such as cracks and delamination may occur due to the steps of the electrode film. Therefore, there is proposed a method in which a ceramic coating made of the same material as the green ceramic layer is overlaid and printed on the green ceramic layer on which the electrode film is printed to reduce the step difference of the electrode film.

FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 show an example of the above.
Shows a state in which an electrode pattern is printed, and (b) shows a state in which ceramic layers are printed on top of each other. In the figure, 100 is a carrier film, 101 is an original ceramic layer, 102 is an electrode film, and 103 is a newly printed ceramic layer. However, a pattern shift is likely to occur between the ceramic layer 103 printed later and the electrode film 102 printed earlier. For example, the overlapping width W of the electrode film 102 and the ceramic layer 103 is about 0 to 150 μm, and when a pattern shift occurs, the step is not absorbed.

In such a printing process, a continuum sheet on which alignment marks have been printed in advance at the same time as printing of an electrode film is suction-held on a printing stage, temporary printing is performed at the start of printing, and the printing pattern is taken by an imaging camera. The amount of shift of the print pattern with respect to the alignment mark is imaged and measured by image processing, and the position of the print table is corrected in the X, Y, and θ directions according to the shift amount of the print pattern, and the continuous plate is attached to the printing plate. Aligning the sheets is being done.

However, in this method, since the alignment is performed only in accordance with the amount of displacement of the print pattern with respect to the alignment mark only at the start of printing, the pattern may be deformed over time while printing several times. Print misalignment may occur due to such reasons. In addition, since it is necessary to obtain the accuracy by the alignment by the temporary printing, there is a drawback that a lot of setup time is required for the alignment.

[0007]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-2000
JP-A-272089 discloses that a printing object provided with a position recognition reference mark in advance is placed on a printing table and printing is performed on the printing object with a printing plate, and at the same time, a printing position confirmation mark is provided as a position recognition reference mark. , The displacement of both marks is measured by image processing, and the print table is adjusted according to the displacement before the next printing.
A printing method has been proposed in which the position is corrected in the direction.

[0008] However, the green sheet, which is the printing object, is becoming thinner and thinner in order to make it compact and large in capacity.
When moved in the Y and θ directions, excessive tensile stress acts on the thinned green sheet, causing wrinkles and distortion. As a result, there are problems that a sheet defect is generated and the conveyance accuracy is deteriorated.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing method and a printing device for a continuous sheet which can be aligned with high accuracy without applying an excessive tensile stress to the continuous sheet.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a printing method for performing screen printing on a continuous sheet provided with a plurality of alignment marks M1 in advance. A step of preparing a printing plate having a plurality of position recognition marks M2 corresponding to the mark M1 and arranged above the printing stage; a step of sucking and holding the continuum sheet on the printing stage; Screen-printing a predetermined pattern on the suction-held continuum sheet with a printing plate, and at the same time, screen-printing the position recognition mark M2 of the printing plate on the continuum sheet; and transferring the continuum sheet from the printing stage to the feedback stage. The process of conveying and suction holding on the feedback stage, and suction holding on the feedback stage The step of obtaining the amount of deviation between each position registration mark M1 of the continuous sheet and each printed position recognition mark M2 'by image processing, and the position of the printing plate X, Y, θ according to the obtained amount of deviation. And a step of performing feedback control in a direction.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing method for performing screen printing on a continuum sheet having a plurality of alignment marks M1 provided in advance.
, A step of preparing a printing plate having a plurality of position recognition marks M2 corresponding to, and a step of suction-holding the continuous sheet on the printing stage, and a suction-holding on the printing stage. A step of screen-printing a predetermined pattern on the continuous sheet by means of a printing plate, and at the same time, screen-printing the position recognition mark M2 of the printing plate on the continuous sheet; The method includes a step of obtaining a shift amount between M1 and each printed position recognition mark M2 ′ by image processing, and a step of feedback-controlling the position of the printing plate in the X, Y, and θ directions according to the obtained shift amount. A method for printing a continuous sheet, comprising:

According to the first aspect, the continuum sheet is suction-held on the printing stage, a predetermined pattern is printed on the continuum sheet by the printing plate, and at the same time, the position recognition mark of the printing plate is printed on the continuum sheet. It should be noted that if the position recognition mark is printed in a shape different from that of the alignment mark, for example, in a shape surrounding the alignment mark or at a position shifted by a certain pitch, the amount of deviation can be easily detected. Next, the continuum sheet is conveyed from the printing stage to the feedback stage and suction-held on the feedback stage. Then, the amount of deviation between each position alignment mark M1 of the continuous sheet that is suction-held on the feedback stage and each position recognition mark M2 ′ printed is obtained by image processing. The position recognition mark M2 of the printing plate corresponds to the position alignment mark M1 of the continuum sheet, and since the printed position recognition mark M2 'and the position alignment mark M1 are in the vicinity of each other, both marks are taken by the image pickup camera. Can be captured within the same field of view. At this time, since there is no obstacle such as a printing plate above the feedback stage, it is possible to measure the deviation amount by image processing from the front side of the continuous sheet. Therefore, the positions of the alignment mark M1 and the printed position recognition mark M2 'can be clearly recognized.
It should be noted that if the position recognition mark is printed in a shape different from that of the alignment mark, for example, in a shape surrounding the alignment mark or at a position shifted by a certain pitch, the amount of deviation can be easily detected. Finally, the position of the printing plate is feedback-controlled according to the calculated shift amount. In the present invention, since the printing plate is not positionally adjusted but the position of the printing plate is adjusted, it is not necessary to damage the continuum sheet, so that a sheet defect is not generated and the conveyance accuracy is not deteriorated. Further, since the position of the printing plate is feedback-controlled according to the time-dependent shift amount detected in the feedback stage, the print shift due to the time-dependent change of the screen of the printing plate can be eliminated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the feedback stage according to the first aspect is omitted, and the shift amount between each alignment mark of the continuous sheet and each printed position recognition mark is obtained by image processing on the printing stage, and the shift amount is obtained. The position of the printing plate is feedback-controlled according to the above. In this case, since the feedback stage is not required, the image pickup camera in the feedback stage is not needed, and the image pickup camera in the printing stage can be used in common. This printing method can be used when each printed position recognition mark can be imaged from the back side of the continuum sheet. That is, the continuous sheet may be made of a translucent material, and the position recognition mark printed on the continuous sheet may have a different contrast or a different shape from the alignment mark printed on the continuous sheet.

As in claim 3, before the step of screen-printing the predetermined pattern and the position recognition mark M2 on the continuum sheet with the printing plate, the position recognition mark of the printing plate arranged above the printing stage. A step of measuring the position of M2 by image processing; a step of measuring the position of the alignment mark M1 of the continuum sheet sucked and held on the printing stage by image processing; and the position recognition mark M2 and the alignment mark measured above. The step of obtaining the deviation amount from M1 and the X, Y, θ of the printing plate according to the deviation amount.
And the step of aligning in the direction. In this case, first, the positions of the plurality of position recognition marks M2 of the printing plate arranged above the printing stage are measured by image processing. The imaging camera for position measurement is preferably arranged on the printing stage side. This is because the position recognition mark M2 can be easily imaged without moving the camera between the printing plate and the printing stage. Next, after the continuum sheet is suction-held on the printing stage, the positions of the plurality of alignment marks M1 of the continuum sheet suction-held on the printing stage are measured by image processing. Next, the amount of deviation between the position recognition mark M2 on the printing plate and the alignment mark M1 on the continuous sheet is determined, and the printing plate is aligned in the X, Y, and θ directions according to this amount of deviation. After that, a predetermined pattern and position recognition marks may be printed on the continuum sheet with a printing plate. As a result, it is possible to detect the printing deviation due to the conveyance variation that occurs each time the continuous sheet is sucked and held on the printing stage, by the deviation amount between the position recognition mark M2 and the registration mark M1. Also in this case, since the misalignment is adjusted by the printing plate, the continuous sheet is not subjected to excessive stress.

According to a fourth aspect, it is preferable that the position measurement of the alignment mark M1 on the printing stage by image processing is performed from the back side of the continuous sheet. In this case, claim 3
It is possible to use the same camera as the image pickup camera for measuring the position recognition mark M2 of the printing plate in, that is, the camera arranged on the printing stage side. By performing image processing from the back side of the continuum sheet in this manner, it is not necessary to insert and remove the imaging camera between the continuum sheet and the printing plate for each printing, and the tact time for image processing can be shortened. In this case, the carrier film is preferably transparent or translucent so that the alignment mark M1 can be seen through the back surface of the continuum sheet. For example, in the case where the continuum sheet is a transparent carrier film coated with a ceramic layer, if the film thickness is 5 μm or less, the alignment mark M1 printed on the ceramic layer is printed from the back surface of the continuum sheet. Can be seen through.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the continuous sheet has a transparent or semi-transparent carrier film on which a thin ceramic layer is formed, and an electrode pattern and an alignment mark are preliminarily printed thereon. The printing plate can be applied to the case where the pattern for filling the step due to the electrode pattern and the position recognition mark are simultaneously screen-printed on the surface of the ceramic layer with the ceramic paste. If the present invention is applied to a continuous sheet in which an electrode pattern is formed on the ceramic layer and a ceramic paste is further printed to fill the step, the electrode pattern and the ceramic pattern can be printed without misalignment. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, contrary to the fifth aspect, a pattern for filling the electrode step is first printed with a ceramic paste on the ceramic layer, and then the electrode pattern is printed. Also in this case, the negative pattern and the alignment mark may be printed with the ceramic paste first, and the positive pattern and the position recognition mark may be printed with the printing plate later with the electrode paste.

It is preferable that the feedback data in the feedback control step is given as a calculated value for each printing or for each set number of times. When the feedback data is given for each printing, it is possible to finely adjust the position in consideration of the deviation for each printing. On the other hand, when the feedback data is given by the calculated value for each set number of times, the overall change in the positional deviation can be grasped, so that the optimum position can be determined in consideration of, for example, the time difference. Note that the calculated value is, for example, an average value in a set number of times, a deviation amount each time, a value obtained by multiplying these values by a coefficient of about 0.8 to 0.9, or an optimal value statistically obtained. Show.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment FIG. 1 shows an example of a continuous sheet printing apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the continuous sheet 1 used here has a thin green ceramic layer 1b continuously formed on a flexible support 1a such as a long carrier film. The first pattern P1 and the pattern P are arranged on the first pattern P1 at regular pitch intervals in the longitudinal direction.
A plurality of alignment marks M1 corresponding to 1 are formed in advance by printing or the like. In this embodiment, the pattern P1
The mark M1 is printed with a predetermined thickness using an electrode material such as Ni paste. The thickness of the ceramic layer 1b is 5 μm to
When the thickness is 0.2 μm, the continuum sheet 1 itself is almost transparent, and therefore the pattern P1, the mark M1, and the mark M2 of the printing plate 7 described later can be permeated from the back surface side of the continuum sheet 1. You can The alignment mark M1 of this embodiment has a pattern P as shown in FIG.
The two non-transmissive round marks formed on both sides of 1 in the X-axis direction (conveying direction) have their positions and shapes,
The number and the like are not limited. Further, a part of the pattern P1 can be used as the mark M1. Although the alignment mark M1 is enlarged in FIG. 2 for easy understanding, it is actually sufficiently smaller than the pattern P1.

The continuous sheet 1 is wound around an unwinding roll 2, and is unrolled from the unwinding roll 2 with a printing surface facing upward by a fixed length. Unrolled continuum sheet 1
Is taken up by a take-up roll 3 through a printing stage 4, a feedback stage 9 and a drying furnace 12 which will be described later. The movement of the take-up roll 3 is controlled by the control device (CPU) 20.

The printing stage 4 is provided with means for sucking and holding the back surface of the continuous sheet 1, and the continuous sheet 1 is positioned at this position. The printing stage 4 is provided with a plurality of cameras 5 and camera lighting 6. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a through hole 4a is provided in the printing stage 4, a transparent glass plate 13 is fitted into the front surface side opening of the through hole 4a, and the camera 5 and the illumination 6 are provided on the back side of the through hole 4a. If arranged, an image can be taken without bending the continuous sheet 1.
In the present embodiment, the glass plate 13 was used for image pickup,
A material such as synthetic quartz or sapphire may be used.

A printing plate 7 is arranged above the printing stage 4, and the print head 8 holding the printing plate 7 is
The position of the printing plate 7 can be adjusted independently in the X and Y directions, which are two imaginary orthogonal axes along the sheet conveying direction, and in the θ direction which rotates around the Z axis perpendicular to the two axes. The print head 8 can also move in the Z direction. The printing plate 7 is a screen printing plate, and as shown in FIG. 4, corresponds to the second pattern P2 for filling the step of the first pattern P1 formed on the continuum sheet 1 and the alignment mark M1. A plurality of position recognition marks M2 are provided. The position recognition mark M2 preferably has a shape different from that of the position alignment mark M1, and in this embodiment, it is composed of four quadrangular marks surrounding the position alignment mark M1 as shown in FIG. 5, but as shown in FIG. It may be a round mark having the same shape as the alignment mark M1 and separated by a constant pitch δ, or may have any other shape. Further, the position recognition mark M2 is preferably non-transparent because it can be recognized through the continuum sheet 1.
The camera 5 arranged on the printing stage 4 images the alignment mark M1 of the continuum sheet 1 and the position recognition mark M2 of the printing plate 7 held on the surface of the printing stage 4, and image-processes the data. Send to device 21. Since the continuum sheet 1 is almost transparent, the alignment mark M1 and the position recognition mark M2 can be clearly recognized through the continuum sheet 1.

Like the printing stage 4, the feedback stage 9 also has means for adsorbing and holding the back surface of the continuous sheet 1, and the continuous sheet 1 is positioned at this position. A camera illumination 10 is provided below the feedback stage 9, and a plurality of imaging cameras 1 are provided above.
1 is provided. These cameras 11 capture the alignment mark M1 of the continuum sheet 1 and the position recognition mark M2 ′ printed by the printing plate 7 from the front side of the continuum sheet 1 within the same field of view, and the image data thereof is captured by the image processing apparatus. Send to 21. The camera 11 is also used for the printing stage 4
It may be arranged below the feedback stage 9 like the camera 5 of FIG.

The image processing device 21 processes the data sent from the cameras 5 and 11 and sends it to the control device 20. The control device 20 calculates a shift amount and the like based on the data from the image processing device 21, and the driver 2 is calculated according to the shift amount.
The print head 8 is driven via X, X of the printing plate 7,
The position in the Y and θ directions is controlled.

Next, the operation of the printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 shows the flow of the first printing. First, the position recognition mark M2 of the printing plate 7 is imaged by the camera 5 and its position B is measured (step S
1). Since the position data of the position recognition mark M2 is continuously used for a predetermined number of times of printing, once it is stored in the memory, it is not necessary to detect the position each time printing is performed. However, since the screen elongates over time while the printing is repeated, it is preferable to detect the position every predetermined number of times and update the memory. Next, the continuous sheet 1 on which the first pattern P1 and the alignment mark M1 are printed in advance is drawn out from the unwinding roll 2 with the printing surface facing upward by a fixed length.
It is held by suction on the printing stage 4 (step S2). Here, the alignment mark M1 is imaged from the back side of the continuum sheet 1 by the camera 5, and the position A thereof is measured (step S3). Next, the amount of deviation (B−) between the position recognition mark M2 and the alignment mark M1 measured by image processing.
A) is calculated (step S4), and this shift amount (BA)
The position of the printing plate 7 in the X, Y, and θ directions is corrected according to the above (step S5). After the position correction, the first printing is performed (step S6). In the first printing, the positional deviation amount (BA) of the alignment mark M1 generated every time the continuous sheet 1 is sucked and held by the printing stage 4 can be eliminated.
The amount of misalignment due to screen elongation or sheet elongation cannot be eliminated.

Next, the second and subsequent printing operations shown in FIG. 8 are performed. The continuous sheet portion that has been printed for the first time is conveyed to the feedback stage 9 and suction-held (step S10), and at the same time, a new continuous sheet portion is pulled out from the unwinding roll 2 by a fixed length, and the printing stage 4 is operated. It is adsorbed and held (step S11). On the printing stage 4, the camera 5 images the alignment mark M1 from the back side of the continuum sheet 1 and measures the position A (step S1).
2). Then, a deviation amount (BA) of the position recognition mark M2 stored in advance from the position B is calculated (step S1).
3). On the other hand, in the feedback stage 9, the camera 1
The alignment mark M1 of the continuum sheet 1 and the position recognition mark M2 ′ printed for the first time are imaged by 1 (step S14), and the shift amount (B′−A) of both marks is calculated (step S15). Here, the position B'of the printed position recognition mark M2 'and the position recognition mark M of the printing plate 7
Note that it is not the same as position B of 2. This is because, in the case of screen printing, the position B of the mark on the screen and the position B ′ of the printed mark deviate due to the elongation of the screen over time.

The optimum position of the printing plate 7 is calculated by using the deviation amount (BA) obtained by the printing stage 4 as described above and the deviation amount (B'-A) obtained by the feedback stage 9 in the first printing. Is determined (step S16). The simplest determination method is, for example, the sum (B−
A) + (B′−A) may be the final deviation amount. The deviation amount (BA) obtained by the printing stage 4 is the deviation amount that changes every time the continuous sheet 1 is held on the printing stage 4, whereas the deviation amount (B) obtained by the feedback stage 9 (B). '-A) is a deviation amount that does not always change each time, but changes with time due to the elongation of the screen over time. Therefore, when determining the optimum position, the deviation amount (B′−A) may be referred to only the previous data or may be calculated as an average value (cumulative average) for each set number of times.
From the optimum position obtained as described above, the printing plate 7 is set to X,
The position is corrected in the Y and θ directions (step S17), and the second printing is performed (step S18).

In this way, the deviation amount (B'-A) detected by the feedback stage 9 is fed back to the deviation amount (B-A) in the printing stage 4 to obtain the optimum position of the printing plate 7, so that the second and subsequent times. In the printing of, the amount of deviation (B-A) that occurs each time the continuous sheet 1 is adsorbed and held on the printing stage 4 as well as the amount of deviation (B'-A) over time due to the elongation of the screen can be eliminated, Highly accurate alignment is always possible, and it is possible to eliminate the pattern shift between the first pattern P1 and the printed second pattern P2 ′. Further, since the printing plate 7 is not positionally corrected but the printing plate 7 is positionally corrected, the continuous sheet 1 is not subjected to an unreasonable tensile stress and the green sheet is not wrinkled or distorted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sheet defect and the deterioration of the conveyance accuracy.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a specific method of correcting the deviation amount. As shown in the figure, when the first pattern P1 previously provided on the continuum sheet 1 and the second pattern P2 ′ printed by the printing plate 7 are deviated, the first pattern P1 previously provided on the continuum sheet 1 is provided. XY coordinates of center point O ₁ of registration mark M1 and angle of center line L ₁ , XY coordinates and center line of center point O ₂ of position recognition mark M2 of printing plate 7 or printed position recognition mark M2 ′. The angle of L ₂ is obtained by image processing. Then, the respective midpoints O ₁ and O ₂ and the center lines L ₁ and L 2
_The printing plate 7 may be corrected in the X, Y, and θ directions so that the angle of ₂ matches.

Second Embodiment It is known that the amount of print distortion in screen printing varies greatly from pattern to pattern. As shown in FIG. 10, the marks M1 and M2 ′ for detecting the positional deviation are the pattern P.
1, P2 ', the marks M1,
Even if M2 'is aligned, the pattern P in it
1, P2 'are not always aligned. 10A shows the case where the mutual positional relationship between the mark M1 and the pattern P1 and the mark M2 ′ and the pattern P2 ′ is the same, and FIG. 10B shows the case where the mutual positional relationship is different.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, both the correction value of the feedback correction value (B'-A) obtained by the image processing and the offset value calculated by previously measuring the mutual positions of the printed coating films are used. Therefore, the pattern P originally desired to be obtained
The position shift correction of P1 'and the position shift correction of P2' are performed together with the shift caused by other factors. In order to obtain the offset value, it is preferable to provide a camera 11a (see FIG. 1) for detecting the offset value, in addition to the camera 11 arranged above the feedback stage 9, for example. By performing the positional deviation correction by using the offset value together, the patterns P1 and P2 ′ can be accurately aligned even if the marks M1 and M2 ′ are deviated as shown in FIG. 10C. It will be possible. In this case, it is possible to perform the alignment printing that is less affected by the difference in printing conditions and the change over time.

11 and 12 are flowcharts of the printing method using the offset value. First print (Fig. 1
In 1), offset value addition processing (step S7) is added after calculation of the deviation amount (step S4), and in the second and subsequent printing (FIG. 12), calculation of the deviation amount (step S1).
After 3), offset value addition processing (step S19)
Is added.

-Third Embodiment-In the first and second embodiments, after printing on the printing stage 4,
Although the print shift amount is obtained and fed back in the feedback stage 9, the feedback stage is omitted in the third embodiment, and the print shift amount is obtained in the print stage 4 and fed back to the next printing. Although the system diagram of the printing apparatus in the third embodiment is omitted, the feedback stage 9, the illumination 10, the camera 11 and the like are omitted from the printing apparatus shown in FIG. Then, the camera 5 provided on the printing stage 5 measures the deviation amount between the printed position recognition mark M2 ′ and the alignment mark M1 by image processing.

13 and 14 are flowcharts of the printing method in the third embodiment. In the first printing shown in FIG. 13, the processing from step S1 to step S6 is performed as shown in FIG.
Is the same as. Immediately after printing, the alignment mark M1 provided in advance on the continuum sheet 1 and the printed position recognition mark M2 ′ are image-recognized using the camera 5 without conveying the continuum sheet 1 (step S8). ), Both marks M
The shift amount (B'-A) of 1, M2 'is calculated (step S9). The calculated shift amount (B'-A) is stored in the memory for the next printing.

In the second and subsequent printing shown in FIG.
The same processes as those of the above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted. In step S13, the shift amount (BA) between the alignment mark M1 and the position recognition mark M2 is calculated, and
The amount of deviation of the previous marks M1 and M2 'from the memory (B'-
A) is read (step S20), and the optimum position of the printing plate 7 is determined by using these shift amounts (step S1).
6). Also in this case, the shift amount (B'-A) may be obtained by referring only to the previous data, or may be calculated as an average value (cumulative average) for each set number of times. After that, the position of the printing plate 7 is corrected (step S17), and printing is performed (step S1).
8) Immediately without carrying the continuous sheet 1, the alignment mark M1 of the continuous sheet 1 and the printed position recognition mark M2 'are image-recognized using the camera 5 (step S
21), the shift amount (B'-A) between both marks M1, M2 'is calculated (step S22). Calculated shift amount (B'-
In A), the deviation amount already stored in the memory may be updated, or the cumulative average of a predetermined number of times of data may be obtained.

In the third embodiment, the feedback stage is omitted and the deviation amount is obtained only by the printing stage 4, so that
There is an advantage that the printing apparatus can be downsized. However, since it cannot be conveyed immediately after printing and the amount of deviation between the alignment mark M1 and the printed position recognition mark M2 'must be measured by image recognition, the processing speed is slightly slower than in the first embodiment. there is a possibility.

In the above embodiment, the alignment mark M1 of the continuous sheet was printed at the same time as the first pattern P1, but the alignment mark M1 is not limited to this. For example, a mark printed by an ink jet printer or It may be a through hole in which the film surface of the carrier film is perforated in a predetermined size. Therefore, the mark M1 may be provided separately from the pattern P1. The continuous sheet of the present invention is not limited to a sheet in which a ceramic layer is formed on a carrier film, and may be a resin film such as a film printed board. The printing method of the present invention is not limited to printing the second pattern on the continuous sheet on which the first pattern is formed, and for example, a filler such as a conductive paste may be placed on the sheet on which the via holes are formed in advance. It can also be used for filling. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the example in which the camera is arranged on the printing stage has been shown, but the camera may be put in and taken out between the printing stage and the printing plate for each printing.

Further, at the time of image recognition at the printing stage 4 or at the time of image recognition at the feedback stage 9, the following information may be detected at the same time as the alignment information, and the apparatus may be stopped urgently accordingly. (1) Detecting an abnormality in the printing plate during image processing of the printing plate. (2) During image processing of the continuous sheet on the printing stage,
The bleeding, blur, printing plate abnormality, and conveyance abnormality of the pattern P1 printed in advance are detected. (3) During image processing on the feedback stage, bleeding, blurring, printing plate abnormality, and conveyance abnormality of the pattern P2 ′ printed on the printing plate are detected.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the electrode pattern and the alignment mark are first printed on the ceramic layer formed on the surface of the carrier film, and the electrode is formed by the ceramic paste. I explained that the pattern for filling the step due to the pattern and the position recognition mark are screen printed later,
On the contrary, the pattern of the ceramic paste for filling the electrode step on the ceramic layer and the alignment mark may be printed first, and the predetermined electrode pattern and the position recognition mark may be printed later. . In this case, the same effect can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, the position recognition mark M2 of the printing plate was measured by image recognition in order to measure the amount of displacement that occurs each time the continuous sheet is adsorbed and held on the printing table. Assuming that the position in the Y, θ direction is always constant, without measuring by image recognition,
It may be a preset value. In this case, it is not necessary to measure the position recognition mark M2 on the printing plate by image recognition.

[0041]

As is apparent from the above description, claim 1
According to the invention, the position of the printing plate is adjusted instead of the printing stage for adsorbing and holding the continuous sheet, so that the continuous sheet can be aligned without applying excessive tensile stress.
Therefore, even if the continuous sheet has a thin ceramic layer formed, high-precision printing can be performed without causing wrinkles or distortion. Further, since the printing deviation amount detected in the feedback stage is fed back to adjust the position of the printing plate, the printing deviation due to the change over time of the screen of the printing plate can be eliminated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the feedback stage according to the first aspect is omitted, and the shift amount between each alignment mark of the continuous sheet and each printed position recognition mark is obtained by image processing on the printing stage, and the shift amount is obtained. Since the position of the printing plate is feedback-controlled according to the above, in addition to the effect according to claim 1, there is a feature that the printing apparatus can be simplified and downsized.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the position of the printing plate is adjusted according to the amount of misalignment that occurs each time the continuous sheet is adsorbed and held on the printing stage. Since the printing plate is adjusted in position rather than the stage, no excessive tensile stress is applied to the continuous sheet.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of an example of a printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a continuum sheet before printing.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a printing stage.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the printing plate.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of alignment marks and position recognition marks.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of alignment marks and position recognition marks.

FIG. 7 is a first printing flow diagram according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a printing flow diagram after the second printing in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the continuous sheet after printing.

FIG. 10 is a print pattern diagram in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a first printing flow diagram according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a printing flow diagram after the second printing in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a first printing flow chart according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a printing flow diagram after the second printing in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15A is a plan view of a continuum sheet before printing,
(B) is a plan view of the continuous sheet after printing.

16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Continuum sheet 4 printing stage 5 camera 7 printed version 9 Feedback stage 11 cameras 20 Control unit (CPU) 21 Image processing device

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H05K 3/12 610 H05K 3/12 610M 610N (72) Inventor Takashi Nishimura 2 26-Tenjin, Nagaokakyo, Kyoto Prefecture No. 10 F-term in Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (reference) 2C035 AA06 FA25 FB40 FB42 5E343 AA03 AA23 BB72 DD03 FF02 GG11

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A printing method for performing screen printing on a continuous sheet having a plurality of alignment marks M1 provided in advance, which has a plurality of position recognition marks M2 corresponding to the alignment marks M1 and is arranged above a printing stage. A step of preparing a printing plate, a step of sucking and holding the continuum sheet on a printing stage, and a screen printing a predetermined pattern by a printing plate on the continuum sheet sucked and held on the printing stage At the same time, the step of screen-printing the position recognition mark M2 of the printing plate on the continuum sheet, the step of transporting the continuum sheet from the printing stage to the feedback stage, and holding the suction on the feedback stage, and the suction holding on the feedback stage Positioning marks M1 on the continuous sheet and printed position recognition A step of determining the deviation amount of image processing and chromatography click M2 ', the position of the printing plate in accordance with the obtained shift amount X, a step of feedback control Y, and θ directions,
A method for printing a continuous sheet, comprising: 2. A printing method for performing screen printing on a continuous sheet provided with a plurality of alignment marks M1 in advance, which has a plurality of position recognition marks M2 corresponding to the alignment marks M1 and is arranged above a printing stage. A step of preparing a printing plate, a step of sucking and holding the continuum sheet on a printing stage, and a screen printing a predetermined pattern by a printing plate on the continuum sheet sucked and held on the printing stage At the same time, a step of screen-printing the position recognition marks M2 of the printing plate on the continuum sheet, and each alignment mark M1 of the continuum sheet and each printed position recognition mark M on the printing stage.
2 ′ of the continuous sheet, which has a step of obtaining a deviation amount from image processing by image processing and a step of performing feedback control of the position of the printing plate in the X, Y, and θ directions according to the obtained deviation amount. Printing method. 3. The position recognizing mark M2 of the printing plate arranged above the printing stage is imaged before the step of screen-printing a predetermined pattern and the position recognizing mark M2 on the continuous sheet with a printing plate. A step of measuring the position by processing, a step of measuring the position of the alignment mark M1 of the continuum sheet sucked and held on the printing stage by image processing, a step of measuring the position recognition mark M2 and the alignment mark M1 The continuous body according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a step of obtaining a deviation amount from and a step of aligning the printing plate in the X, Y, and θ directions according to the deviation amount. How to print the sheet. 4. An alignment mark M on the printing stage.
4. The method for printing a continuum sheet according to claim 3, wherein the position measurement by the image processing 1 is performed from the back side of the continuum sheet. 5. The continuous sheet is a transparent or semi-transparent carrier film having a thin ceramic layer formed on the surface thereof, on which an electrode pattern and alignment marks are preliminarily printed. 5. The printing plate according to claim 1, wherein a pattern for filling a step due to the electrode pattern and a position recognition mark are simultaneously screen-printed on the surface of a ceramic layer with a ceramic paste. How to print a continuous sheet. 6. The continuous sheet, wherein a ceramic layer is formed in a thin film shape on a surface of a transparent or semitransparent carrier film, and a predetermined pattern and an alignment mark are previously printed on the ceramic layer with a ceramic paste. The printing plate is characterized in that a predetermined electrode pattern and a position recognition mark are simultaneously screen-printed by an electrode paste in a region where a pattern of the ceramic paste on the surface of the ceramic layer is not printed. The method for printing a continuous sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 7. The method of printing a continuous sheet according to claim 1, wherein the feedback data in the feedback control step is given as a calculated value for each printing or for each set number of times. 8. A printing device for performing screen printing on a continuous sheet provided with a plurality of alignment marks in advance, a printing stage for holding the continuous sheet by suction, and a feedback stage for holding the continuous sheet by suction.
Conveying means for conveying the continuum sheet from the printing stage toward the feedback stage, means for measuring the position of a plurality of alignment marks of the continuum sheet sucked and held on the printing stage by image processing, and the continuum sheet A printing plate having a plurality of position recognition marks corresponding to the position alignment marks, and at the same time screen-printing a predetermined pattern on the continuum sheet sucked and held on the printing stage, and at the same time screen-printing the position recognition marks. A print head that holds the printing plate and is capable of position adjustment in the X, Y, and θ directions, a unit that measures the position of the position recognition mark of the printing plate by image processing, and a continuous sheet that is suction-held on the feedback stage. Each alignment mark,
Means for obtaining the amount of deviation from each printed position recognition mark by image processing, and means for feedback-controlling the position of the print head holding the printing plate in the X, Y, and θ directions according to the obtained amount of deviation. An apparatus for printing a continuous sheet, comprising: 9. A printing device for performing screen printing on a continuous sheet provided with a plurality of alignment marks in advance, a printing stage for suction-holding the continuous sheet, and a continuous sheet suction-held on the printing stage. A means for measuring the position of a plurality of alignment marks by image processing,
A printing plate that has a plurality of position recognition marks corresponding to the alignment marks of the continuum sheet and screen-prints a predetermined pattern on the continuum sheet suction-held on the printing stage and at the same time screen-prints the position recognition marks. A print head that holds the printing plate and can adjust the position in the X, Y, and θ directions; a unit that measures the position recognition mark of the printing plate by image processing; and a continuous suction suction holding unit on the printing stage. A means for obtaining the amount of deviation between each position alignment mark on the body sheet and each printed position recognition mark by image processing, and the position of the print head holding the printing plate in accordance with the obtained amount of deviation X, Y , A means for performing feedback control in the θ direction, and a printing apparatus for a continuous sheet.