JP2024040319A - printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable automatic exchange of an exchangeable member of a printing apparatus.SOLUTION: A printing apparatus of the present disclosure is a printing apparatus for performing printing processing of viscous fluid onto a print target by using a screen mask. The printing apparatus includes: a moving part configured to perform at least one of moving of an exchangeable member to an exchange position or loading and unloading of the exchangeable member, for each of at least two types of the exchangeable member that, out of a cartridge configured to house the viscous fluid, a squeegee, a cleaning member used for cleaning of the screen mask, the screen mask, and a support member configured to fix the print target, include at least one out of the cartridge, the squeegee, and the cleaning member; and an exchange control part configured to control the moving part to perform exchange processing of exchanging the exchangeable member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present disclosure relates to a printing device and a storage device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing apparatuses that perform a printing process using a viscous fluid on a printing target such as a substrate using a screen mask and that automatically replace the screen mask are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a printing device that includes a rod that protrudes downward and a slider that slides the screen mask to take it in and out of the main body frame by moving the rod. .

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 04-107146

Incidentally, in addition to the screen mask, the printing apparatus includes members that require replacement, such as a squeegee. Conventionally, these parts were replaced manually by an operator. Therefore, there was a problem in that it took a lot of time for the operator to replace it.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its main purpose is to enable automatic replacement of replaceable members of a printing device.

The present disclosure has taken the following measures to achieve the above-mentioned main objective.

The printing device of the present disclosure includes:
A printing device that performs a printing process using a viscous fluid on a printing target using a screen mask,
A cartridge containing the viscous fluid, a squeegee, a cleaning member used for cleaning the screen mask, the screen mask, and a support member for fixing the printing target, the cartridge, the squeegee, and the cleaning member. a moving unit that performs at least one of moving the replaceable member to a replacement position and carrying in and out the replaceable member for each of the two or more types of replaceable members including at least one of the above;
an exchange control unit that controls the moving unit to execute an exchange process of exchanging the replaceable member;
It is equipped with the following.

This printing device includes a moving unit that performs at least one of moving the replaceable member to a replacement position and carrying in and out the replaceable member for each of the two or more types of replaceable members. Then, this printing apparatus uses this moving unit to perform a replacement process of replacing the replaceable member. Thereby, this printing apparatus can automatically replace two or more types of replaceable members. Here, the "exchange position" includes a delivery position and a receiving position.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a printing system 1. FIG. A schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the printing device 10 and the storage device 100 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing electrical connections of the printing system 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the squeegee fixing part 24, the squeegee 30, and the squeegee conveyance jig 110. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the supply section 40 and the cartridge transport jig 120. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the supply unit 40 and the holder 122. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a substrate support member 70 and a support member conveyance jig 130. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cleaning unit 80 and the cleaning member conveyance jig 140 in a protruding state. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cleaning section 80 in a non-protruding state. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing how printing processing and reading processing are performed in parallel. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an exchange processing routine. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of mounting the cartridge 49 on the supply head 41. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing how the cleaning member is carried out. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of cleaning member import processing. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of mask carry-out processing. An explanatory diagram of squeegee carry-out processing. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of attaching the squeegee 30 to the squeegee fixing part 24; FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of substrate support member carrying-out processing. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of substrate support member carrying-out processing.

Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described using the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a printing system 1 that is an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the printing device 10 and the storage device 100. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical connections of the printing system 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the squeegee fixing part 24, the squeegee 30, and the squeegee conveying jig 110. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the supply section 40 and the cartridge transport jig 120. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the supply section 40 and the holder 122. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the substrate support member 70 and the support member transport jig 130. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cleaning section 80 and the cleaning member conveyance jig 140 in a protruding state. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cleaning section 80 in a non-protruding state. The printing system 1 includes a printing device 10 that prints solder paste (hereinafter simply referred to as solder) as a viscous fluid onto a printing target (substrate S here) using a screen mask 55. The printing system 1 also includes a storage device 100 that stores one or more types of replaceable members 13 used in the printing device 10, and a management computer (PC) 150 that manages information regarding processing in the printing device 10. There is. Note that the printing system 1 may be configured as a mounting system that further includes another board-related work device such as a mounting device (not shown) that mounts electronic components on the board S. Examples of the viscous fluid include solder, conductive paste, adhesive, and the like. The printing device 10 is configured as a device that can automatically replace the replaceable member 13 used in the printing process when changing the setup to change the printing target to a different type of substrate S. Examples of the replaceable member 13 include one or more of the cartridge 49 that accommodates solder, the squeegee 30, the cleaning member 82, the screen mask 55, and the substrate support member 70. The printing apparatus 10 of this embodiment is configured such that all of these five types can be automatically replaced as replaceable members 13. Furthermore, among these five types, replacement processing for the parts other than the screen mask 55 is performed using a squeegee conveyance jig 110, a cartridge conveyance jig 120, a support member conveyance jig 130, and a cleaning member conveyance jig 140 shown in FIG. . In this embodiment, the left-right direction (X-axis), the front-back direction (Y-axis), and the up-down direction (Z-axis) are as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printing device 10 uses a squeegee 30 to push the solder on the screen mask 55 into the pattern holes 58 formed in the screen mask 55, thereby applying the solder to the lower substrate through the pattern holes 58. This is a device that applies (prints) solder to S. The printing device 10 includes a print control section 11 (an example of a replacement control section, FIG. 3), a print processing section 20, a supply section 40, a mask working section 50, a substrate fixing section 60, a cleaning section 80, and a reading section. 97. The printing device 10 also includes a display operation section 98 (FIG. 3) configured as an operation panel on which a display screen is displayed and on which various input operations can be performed by the operator, and a communication device (not shown) for communicating with other connected devices. It has a section.

The print control unit 11 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU, and includes a ROM that stores processing programs, a RAM that is used as a work area, and an HDD that stores various data. The print control unit 11 controls the entire printing apparatus 10 .

The print processing section 20 is disposed at the upper stage of the printing apparatus 10, and is a unit that prints a viscous fluid onto the substrate S using the screen mask 55. As shown in FIG. 3, the print processing section 20 includes a print head 21, a print moving section 22, a squeegee elevating section 23, a squeegee fixing section 24, a squeegee 30, and a transport rod 38. The print moving unit 22 moves the print head 21 in a predetermined printing direction (here, the front-back direction), and includes a guide formed in the front-back direction, a slider that moves along the guide, and a motor that drives the slider. We are prepared. The squeegee lifting section 23 is configured as an air cylinder having a piston rod 23a (FIGS. 2 and 4), and raises and lowers the squeegee fixing section 24 and the squeegee 30 by raising and lowering the piston rod 23a. The print processing unit 20 has two squeegees 30, first and second squeegees 30a and 30b, and correspondingly has two piston rods 23a and two squeegee fixing parts 24.

Since the two squeegee fixing parts 24 have the same configuration except that they are disposed symmetrically in the front and rear, the front squeegee fixing part 24 will be described below with reference to FIG. 4. Note that FIG. 4 shows a state before the squeegee 30 is attached to the squeegee fixing part 24, and in this FIG. 4, the squeegee 30 is attached to a squeegee conveying jig 110 used in a squeegee replacement process to be described later.

The squeegee fixing section 24 is a mechanism configured to switch between a fixed state in which the squeegee 30 (here, the first squeegee 30a) is fixed and a released state in which the squeegee 30 is not fixed. As shown in FIG. 4, the squeegee fixing part 24 is connected to the lower end of the piston rod 23a, and includes an air cylinder 25 and a regulating member 26. The air cylinder 25 is a mechanism that raises and lowers a cylinder shaft 25a that projects downward. A flange 25b is formed at the lower end of the cylinder shaft 25a, and the upper surface of the flange 25b is configured to support the squeegee 30 from below. The regulating member 26 is a member that engages with the protrusion 34 of the squeegee 30 in a fixed state to regulate the movement of the squeegee 30 back and forth. One regulating member 26 is disposed on each of the left and right sides of the air cylinder 25. Each regulating member 26 has claw portions 27a and 27b that protrude forward. Recesses 28a and 28b, which are recessed upward, are formed on the lower surfaces of the claws 27a and 27b, respectively. In the squeegee fixing portion 24, a state where the air cylinder 25 raises the flange 25b is a fixed state, and a state where the air cylinder 25 lowers the flange 25b is a released state compared to the fixed state. By raising and lowering the flange 25b, the squeegee fixing part 24 clamps the mounting member 32 of the squeegee 30 between the upper surface of the flange 25b and the lower surface of the regulating member 26 in the fixed state. Further, in the released state, the squeegee fixing portion 24 releases the fixation of the squeegee 30 because the flange 25b and the regulating member 26 are vertically spaced apart relative to each other compared to the fixed state.

As shown in FIG. 4, the squeegee 30 includes a squeegee blade 31 formed to have a length laterally longer than the pattern hole 58 (FIG. 2), and a mounting member 32 for attaching the squeegee blade 31 to the squeegee fixing part 24. , is equipped with. The mounting member 32 includes a positioning member 33, a protrusion 34, a shaft member 35, and a flange 36. The positioning member 33 is a U-shaped member when viewed from above, and has an opening 33a through which the cylinder shaft 25a of the squeegee fixing part 24 can pass back and forth, and a lower surface of the positioning member 33 that extends toward the opening 33a. It has a gripped surface 33b that protrudes horizontally (toward the inside of the U-shape). When the cylinder shaft 25a of the squeegee fixing part 24 enters the opening 33a of the positioning member 33 from the rear to the front, the upper surface of the flange 25b vertically faces the gripped surface 33b. The gripped surface 33b and the gripped surface 32a, which is the upper surface of the mounting member 32, are held between the upper surface of the cylinder shaft 25a of the squeegee fixing section 24 and the lower surface of the regulating member 26, so that the squeegee 30 can be attached to the squeegee fixing section. It is gripped and fixed at 24. The protruding parts 34 are arranged one each on the left and right sides of the positioning member 33, and both protruding parts 34 fit into the recesses 28a, 28b of the squeegee fixing part 24 and engage with the regulating member 26. It is composed of The engagement between the restricting member 26 and the protruding portion 34 restricts the movement of the squeegee 30 in the front-rear direction relative to the squeegee fixing portion 24 . One shaft member 35 is disposed on each of the left and right sides of the positioning member 33, and each shaft member 35 projects upward from the upper surface of the protrusion 34. Flange portions 36 are formed at the upper ends of the shaft members 35, respectively. The flange portion 36 is a member that engages with the engaging portion 115 of the squeegee conveying jig 110.

FIG. 4 also shows a squeegee conveying jig 110 used by the printing apparatus 10 to automatically replace the squeegee 30. The squeegee transport jig 110 includes a frame 111, a holder 112 to which the squeegee 30 can be attached, and a barcode 116 disposed near the rear end of the right side of the frame 111. The squeegee transport jig 110 includes two holders 112 that are symmetrical in the front and back. Each holder 112 includes a main body portion arranged to span the frame 111 from side to side, and a support portion 113 protruding inward from the main body portion in the front-rear direction of the frame 111. For each holder 112, two supporting parts 113 are arranged side by side on the left and right. The support portion 113 has an opening 114 through which the shaft member 35 of the squeegee 30 can pass in the front-rear direction, as shown in the enlarged view at the upper right of FIG. Further, the support portion 113 has an engaging portion 115 that engages with the flange portion 36 of the squeegee 30 to fix the squeegee 30. The engaging portion 115 is a recessed portion formed at the opening edge of the support portion 113 into which the lower surface side portion of the flange portion 36 is fitted. When the flange portion 36 of the squeegee 30 is fitted into the engaging portion 115, relative movement in the XY directions with respect to the squeegee conveyance jig 110 is restricted by its own weight. Furthermore, when the squeegee 30 is moved upward and the flange portion 36 is disengaged from the engaging portion 115 (also referred to as the removal position), the movement restriction in the XY directions is released and the squeegee 30 can be removed from the opening 114. Become. The barcode 116 is identification information for identifying the squeegee 30 attached to the squeegee conveyance jig 110, and is attached in advance by, for example, an operator.

The transport rod 38 is disposed on the print head 21 so as to be movable up and down by a motor (not shown) (FIG. 2). By moving the transport rod 38 back and forth by the print moving unit 22 while protruding below the squeegee 30, the transport rod 38 pushes the screen mask 55 placed on the transport rail 53 and each transport jig back and forth and transports them. do. Thereby, the transport rod 38 can carry the screen mask 55 and each transport jig into and out from the storage device 100 to the printing device 10.

The supply unit 40 is a device that supplies the solder contained in the cartridge 49 onto the screen mask 55. The supply section 40 includes a supply head 41 and a supply moving section 46 . The supply head 41 positions and holds the cartridge 49 and discharges solder. The supply moving unit 46 moves the supply head 41 in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction). The supply head 41 includes an air supply section 42, a clamp section 43, and a rotation motor 44, as shown in FIG. 3 and the like. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the supply head 41 includes a back plate part 41a disposed on the supply moving part 46, and a fixing member 41b formed to protrude forward from the upper end of the back plate part 41a. There is. The supply head 41 moves between the solder discharge position on the screen mask 55 and the holder 122 of the cartridge transport jig 120 in which the replacement cartridge 49 is placed. The air supply unit 42 is connected to the cartridge 49 and supplies air to the cartridge 49 for discharging solder from the cartridge 49. The air supply section 42 has a cylindrical shape and is inserted into a hole-shaped connection section 49d formed in the cartridge 49. The air supply section 42 fixes the position of the cartridge 49 by being inserted into the connection section 49d, so it also serves as a positioning section for the cartridge 49. This air supply section 42 has an opening at the bottom and is disposed on the lower surface of the fixing member 41b. The air supply unit 42 discharges air supplied through an unillustrated pipe from an opening.

The clamp portion 43 is a member that fixes the cartridge 49. The clamp portion 43 is rotatably supported on the lower side of the back plate portion 41a, and is driven by driving force from a rotation motor 44 to a fixed position for fixing the cartridge 49 and a release position for releasing the fixation of the cartridge 49. Move (rotate in this case) between positions. The released position is a position where the clamp part 43 is in the same vertical state as the direction in which the back plate part 41a is formed. The fixed position is a position where the clamp part 43 is in a horizontal state perpendicular to the direction in which the back plate part 41a is formed. When the clamp section 43 moves to the fixed position with the air supply section 42 connected to the connection section 49d of the cartridge 49, the clamp section 43 supports and fixes the cartridge 49 from below. The clamp portion 43 is formed in the shape of a hollow disc, and the bottom of the cartridge 49 fits into the hollow portion.

The supply moving unit 46 is arranged in front of the print head 23. Therefore, the supply head 41 is moved in the Y-axis direction by the print moving section 24, and moved in the X-axis direction by the supply moving section 46. The supply moving section 46 includes a guide 46a, a ball screw 46b, and a drive motor 48. When the drive motor 48 rotates the ball screw 46b, the supply head 41 moves in the left-right direction along the guide 46a.

The cartridge 49 includes a cylindrical main body part 49a, flange parts 49b formed with a larger diameter than the main body part 49a and arranged above and below the main body part 49a, and formed at the center of the upper flange part 49b. It has a connecting portion 49d. Further, a nozzle (not shown) for discharging solder to the outside is formed in the center of the flange portion 49b on the lower side of the cartridge 49. The connecting portion 49d is a hole into which the air supply portion 42 is inserted and connected. In the cartridge 49, when air is supplied from the air supply section 42 to the connecting section 49d, a pressing member (not shown) inside the main body section 49a is pressed, and the internal solder is discharged from the nozzle.

FIG. 5 also shows a cartridge conveying jig 120 that is used by the printing apparatus 10 to automatically replace the cartridge 49. The cartridge transport jig 120 includes a frame 121, a plurality of holders 122 to which cartridges 49 can be attached, and a barcode 126. A plurality of holders 122 (five in FIG. 5) are arranged in the X direction, and each is attached to the rear of the frame 121. As shown in FIG. 6, the holder 122 includes a support portion 123 having an opening 124 through which the main body portion 49a of the cartridge 49 can pass, and a flange portion 49b formed on the support portion 123 on the upper side of the cartridge 49 engaged with each other. It has an engaging portion 125 for fixing the cartridge 49. The support portion 123 is a C-shaped plate member. The engaging portion 125 is a recessed portion formed at the opening edge of the support portion 123 into which the lower surface side portion of the upper flange portion 49b is fitted. When the flange portion 49b of the cartridge 49 is fitted into the engaging portion 125, relative movement in the X and Y directions with respect to the cartridge transport jig 120 is restricted due to its own weight. Further, when the cartridge 49 is moved upward and the flange portion 49b is disengaged from the engaging portion 125 (also referred to as the removal position), the movement restriction in the XY directions is released and the cartridge 49 can be removed from the opening 124. Become. Note that when the clamp portion 43 of the supply head 41 described above rotates to the fixed position, the clamp portion 43 pushes up the cartridge 49 attached to the holder 122 and positions the cartridge 49 at the removal position of the holder 122. That is, the operation of fixing the cartridge 49 by the clamp portion 43 also serves as the operation of releasing the movement restriction of the cartridge 49 from the holder 122. The barcode 126 is disposed near the rear end of the right side of the cartridge conveyance jig 120, and more specifically, is disposed on the right side of the holder 122 located on the rightmost side. The barcode 126 is identification information for identifying the cartridge 49 attached to the cartridge transport jig 120, and is attached in advance by, for example, an operator.

The mask working section 50 is disposed vertically between the print processing section 20 and the substrate fixing section 60, as shown in FIG. 2, and is a unit that fixes and holds the screen mask 55. The mask working section 50 includes a mask fixing section 51, a position adjusting section 52, and a conveyance rail 53, as shown in FIG. 3 and the like. The mask fixing part 51 positions the screen mask 55 and supports and fixes it in a horizontal position. The position adjusting section 52 adjusts the position of the mask fixing section 51 in the XY directions so that the pattern holes 58 of the screen mask 55 are arranged at appropriate positions with respect to the substrate S fixed to the substrate fixing section 60. The transport rails 53 are a pair of left and right rails extending in the front-rear direction, and guide the screen mask 55 pushed by the transport rod 38 and each transport jig so that they move along the front-rear direction. The screen mask 55 includes a mask body 56 in which pattern holes 58 such as a desired wiring pattern are formed, and a frame 57 that holds the mask body 56 with a predetermined tension. The mask body 56 is, for example, a thin metal plate. An identification portion (for example, a mark) for position recognition is formed on the lower surface of the screen mask 55. A barcode 57a (FIG. 5) representing identification information of the screen mask 55 is provided near the rear end of the right side surface of the screen mask 55. This barcode is attached in advance by, for example, an operator.

The substrate fixing section 60 is a unit that is disposed below the mask working section 50, carries in the substrate S, positions and supports the carried substrate S, and causes it to come into contact with and separate from the screen mask 55. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the substrate fixing section 60 includes a substrate conveyor 61, a substrate guide 62, a substrate guide moving section 63 (see FIG. 3), a support platform elevating section 65, and a fixed section elevating section 66. , a support stand 67 , and a substrate support member 70 . The substrate conveyor 61 is provided on each of the pair of side frames 60b, and conveys the substrate S in the X direction. The board guide 62 is a plate-like member provided on the upper surface of each of the pair of side frames 60b. The board guide moving unit 63 is a mechanism that moves the pair of side frames 60b in the front-rear direction to approach and separate them from each other. As a result, the substrate guide 62 also moves in the front-rear direction, and the upper surface of the substrate S and the upper surface of the substrate guide 62 sandwich and fix the substrate S in a state where they are flush with each other. The support platform elevating section 65 is a mechanism that raises and lowers the support platform 67 relative to the main body 60a of the substrate fixing section 60. The fixing part elevating part 66 is a mechanism that raises and lowers the entire substrate fixing part 60 with respect to the printing apparatus 10 main body. The support stand 67 is a member on which the substrate support member 70 can be placed. Note that the substrate fixing section 60 includes a fixing section and a position adjustment section (not shown) that fix and position the substrate support member 70 on the support stand 67.

The substrate support member 70 is a member that is disposed on the support stand 67, is connected to a pressure reducing device (not shown) via piping, and suction-fixes the substrate S while supporting it from the lower surface side using negative pressure. As shown in FIG. 7, the board support member 70 includes a main body 70a, a pair of cylindrical protrusions 71, 71 disposed to protrude from the left and right sides of the main body 70a, and a portion in front of the protrusion 71. The main body part 70a includes a pair of protrusions 72, 72 disposed on the main body part 70a, and a plurality of suction ports 73 opening on the upper surface of the main body part 70a. The plurality of protrusions 71 and 72 function as engaging parts that engage with the first to fourth protrusion holding parts 132 to 135 of the support member conveying jig 130 shown in FIG. Further, an identification portion 75 (for example, a mark) for position recognition and a barcode 76 for recognition of the type of the substrate support member 70 are formed on the upper surface of the main body portion 70a. The substrate support member 70 is replaced depending on the substrate S.

FIG. 7 also shows a support member conveyance jig 130 used by the printing apparatus 10 to automatically replace the substrate support member 70. The support member conveyance jig 130 includes a frame-shaped frame 131, first to fourth protrusion holding parts 132 to 135 disposed inside the frame 131, and disposed near the rear end of the right side of the frame 131. A barcode 136 is provided. The first to fourth protrusion holding parts 132 to 135 are arranged in this order from the front to the rear. The first to fourth protrusion holding parts 132 to 135 are arranged in pairs in the left-right direction, and are arranged at the tips of the arms extending downward of the frame 131. The support member conveying jig 130 is capable of attaching one substrate support member 70 using the first and second protrusion holders 132 and 133, and is capable of attaching one substrate support member 70 using the third and fourth protrusion holders 134 and 135. One can be installed. Recesses slightly larger than the outer diameters of the projections 71 and 72 of the substrate support member 70 are formed on the upper surfaces of the first to fourth projection holders 132 to 135. By placing the protrusions 71 and 72 in the recesses, the support member conveying jig 130 can convey the substrate support member 70 while fixing the relative position of the substrate support member 70 in the front-rear direction. The barcode 136 is identification information for identifying the substrate support member 70 attached to the support member transport jig 130, and is attached in advance by, for example, an operator.

The cleaning section 80 is disposed between the mask working section 50 and the substrate fixing section 60 in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 2, and is a unit that performs a cleaning process to clean the back surface of the screen mask 55. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cleaning unit 80 includes a replacement module 81 that includes a cleaning member 82 and can be exchanged with the storage device 100, a mounting member 84 on which the replacement module 81 is placed, and a replacement module 81. 81 and the mounting member 84, and a cleaning moving section 87 that moves the exchange module 81 and the mounting member 84. Note that FIG. 8 also shows a cleaning member conveying jig 140 that the printing apparatus 10 uses to automatically replace the replacement module 81. Further, the cleaning moving unit 87 can switch between a protruding state in which the replacement module 81 and the mounting member 84 are protruded forward, and a non-protruding state in which they are not protruded. FIG. 8 shows a protruding state, and FIG. 9 shows a non-protruding state.

The replacement module 81 includes a first roller 81a, a second roller 81b, a cleaning member 82, and a mounting member 83. The cleaning member 82 is a member for cleaning the screen mask 55, and in this embodiment, it is a wiping sheet that cleans the screen mask 55 by wiping. A cleaning member 82 is wound around the first roller 81a. The second roller 81b is arranged ahead of the first roller 81a, and takes in the cleaning member 82 that has been let out from the first roller 81a. A portion of the cleaning member 82 that is fed out by the first roller 81a and wound up by the second roller 81b is used for cleaning the screen mask 55.

The attachment member 83 is a member for attaching the first and second rollers 81a, 81b and the cleaning member 82. The mounting member 83 has a box body 83a that is a box-shaped member that is open at the top and bottom. Inside the box body 83a, two pairs of bearings 83b (only three bearings are shown) in total are arranged to face each other from side to side. The shaft ends of the first and second rollers 81a and 81b can be inserted into each of the two pairs of bearings 83b, so that the bearings 83b rotatably support the first and second rollers 81a and 81b. . A right front bearing 83b (not shown) is coaxially connected to a gear 83c disposed outside the box 83a, so that the second roller 81b and gear 83c rotate integrally. The gear 83c is arranged so as to mesh with the gear 86b of the take-up motor 86a in the non-protruding state, so that the second roller 81b is rotated by the driving force from the take-up motor 86a to take up the cleaning member 82. It looks like this. The box body 83a also has protrusions 83d that protrude from the mounting member 83 on both sides in the left and right direction. In this embodiment, one protrusion 83d is provided on the right side of the box 83a, and two protrusions 83d are provided on the left side of the box 83a. The plurality of protrusions 83d function as an engaging portion that engages with the protrusion holding portion 142 of the cleaning member conveyance jig 140 shown in FIG. On the front surface of the box body 83a, receiving members 83e are provided at both left and right ends. The receiving member 83e has a recess that opens toward the left and right outer sides, and is configured to engage with the locking member 86d of the locking mechanism 86c in the non-projecting state. Openings 83f are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the box 83a, and an engagement shaft 83g extending in the Y direction is disposed within the openings 83f. The engagement shaft 83g is configured to engage with a claw member 84c of the mounting member 84 (enlarged view in the upper right corner of FIG. 8).

The mounting member 84 is configured as a plate-shaped member on which the replacement module 81 is placed and supported from below. The mounting member 84 and the mounting member 83 serve as a cleaning head, and are moved back and forth by the cleaning moving section 87. A contact member 84a, a lifting device 84b, a claw member 84c, and a connecting portion 84d are disposed on the upper surface of the mounting member 84. The contact member 84a is a member that supports the cleaning member 82 from below. The lifting device 84b is configured as, for example, an air cylinder, and lifts and lowers the contact member 84a while supporting it from below. When the lifting device 84b raises the contact member 84a, the contact member 84a lifts the cleaning member 82 upward, so that the upper surface of the cleaning member 82 can be brought into contact with the back surface of the screen mask 55. In this state, the cleaning moving unit 87 moves the mounting member 84, so that the cleaning unit 80 performs a cleaning process in which the solder on the back surface of the screen mask 55 is wiped off by the cleaning member 82. The claw members 84c are members for preventing the replacement module 81 from falling off from the mounting member 84 when the mounting member 84 moves in the Y direction, and one claw member 84c is provided on each side of the mounting member 84. ing. The claw member 84c is a substantially quadrangular prism-shaped member whose longitudinal direction is along the up-down direction. The claw member 84c has an inclined surface on the inside of the upper end in the left-right direction (inside the mounting member 83), and a recessed portion that engages with the engagement shaft 83g of the mounting member 83 is formed below the inclined surface. The claw member 84c is disposed near the lower end and is rotatably supported around a rotation axis along the Y direction, and the upper end of the claw member 84c is rotated inward in the left-right direction by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown). biased in the direction. As a result, when the replacement module 81 descends from above the mounting member 84, the engagement shaft 83g of the mounting member 83 of the replacement module 81 is guided by the inclined surface of the claw member 84c and engages with the recess of the claw member 84c. When engaged, relative movement of the mounting member 83 and mounting member 84 in the Y direction is restricted. Note that when the replacement module 81 attempts to move upward from the mounting member 84, the elastic force of the elastic member that biases the claw member 84c is increased so that the engagement between the engagement shaft 83g and the claw member 84c is released. It has been adjusted. The connecting portion 84d is a member connected to the connecting portion 89b of the mounting member moving mechanism 89, and is disposed on the rear side of the mounting member 84.

As shown in FIG. 1, the support member 86 is a plate-shaped member whose left and right ends are supported by guide rails 88b. Thereby, the support member 86 supports the mounting member 84 from the left and right directions along the horizontal direction. The support member 86 is provided with a take-up motor 86a and a lock mechanism 86c. The take-up motor 86a is disposed on the right side of the attachment member 83 in the support member 86, and rotates the gear 83c and the second roller 81b via the gear 86b. The cleaning unit 80 cleans the part of the cleaning member 82 that has been cleaned, that is, the part to which solder has adhered, by having the take-up motor 86a rotate the second roller 81b during a certain period of time after the cleaning process, for example. A sheet feeding process is performed to feed the sheet into the second roller 81b. The locking mechanism 86c is configured as, for example, an air cylinder, and is a mechanism that causes the locking member 86d to protrude in the X direction via the cylinder. One locking mechanism 86c is disposed on each side of the mounting member 83 of the support member 86 on the left and right sides. As shown in FIG. 9, when the locking mechanism 86c causes the locking member 86d to protrude toward the mounting member 83 when the replacement module 81 and the mounting member 84 are in the non-protruding state, the locking member 86d moves toward the mounting member 83. It is inserted into the recess of the receiving member 83e and the two are engaged. As a result, the replacement module 81 and the mounting member 84 are restricted from moving relative to the support member 86 in the Y direction, and are fixed in a non-protruding state. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, when the locking mechanism 86c does not allow the locking member 86d to protrude, the replacement module 81 and the mounting member 84 can be switched between the protruding state and the non-protruding state by the mounting member moving mechanism 89.

The cleaning moving unit 87 includes a support member moving mechanism 88 and a mounting member moving mechanism 89. As shown in FIG. 1, the support member moving mechanism 88 includes a Y-axis slider 88a and a pair of left and right guide rails 88b extending in the front-rear direction. The Y-axis slider 88a is disposed on the support member 86, and as the Y-axis slider 88a moves along the guide rail 88b, the support member 86 is moved in the Y direction. By moving the support member 86 in the Y direction, the support member moving mechanism 88 also moves the replacement module 81 and the mounting member 84 in the Y direction. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the mounting member moving mechanism 89 includes a drive source 89a configured as an air cylinder, for example, and a connecting portion of the mounting member 84 disposed at the tip of a cylinder rod of the drive source 89a. 84d and a connecting portion 89b connected to the connecting portion 84d. Further, the placement member moving mechanism 89 includes an extendable rail 89c that is disposed on the support member 86 and includes a plurality of rails that slide in the Y direction. When the driving force in the Y direction from the drive source 89a acts on the mounting member 84 through the connecting portion 89b and the connecting portion 84d, the telescopic rail 89c expands and contracts, so that the mounting member 84 is moved in the Y direction relative to the supporting member 86. Move relative to the direction. As a result, the mounting member moving mechanism 89 can be placed in the protruding state (FIG. 8) in which the exchange module 81 and the mounting member 84 are projected forward relative to the support member 86, and in the protruding state (FIG. 8) in which the exchange module 81 and the mounting member 84 are It is possible to switch between a non-projecting state (FIG. 9) in which the support member 86 is not projected forward relative to the support member 86. The cleaning moving unit 87 uses a supporting member moving mechanism 88 and a placing member moving mechanism 89 to move the cleaning member 82 between a cleaning position where the cleaning member 82 cleans the screen mask 55 and a cleaning member conveying jig 140. to exchange between the exchange positions. Note that the cleaning position is, for example, a position directly below the screen mask 55 fixed to the mask fixing part 51. The exchange position is, for example, a position where the exchange module 81 is transferred between the cleaning member conveyance jig 140 and the cleaning section 80. Further, the cleaning moving unit 87 carries in and out the cleaning member 82 and the replacement module 81 including the same.

The cleaning member conveyance jig 140 shown in FIG. 8 serves as a holder to which the exchange module 81 is attached. The cleaning member conveying jig 140 includes a frame-shaped frame 141 with an open rear side, a protrusion holding part 142 disposed inside the frame 141 in the left-right direction, and a protrusion holding part 142 disposed near the rear end of the right side of the frame 141. A barcode 146 is provided. The same number (here, three) of the protrusion holding parts 142 are provided corresponding to the protrusion parts 83d of the mounting member 83. More specifically, one protrusion holding part 142 is disposed on the right side, and two protrusion holding parts 142 are disposed on the left side. The protrusion holding part 142 has a recess formed in its upper surface, and engages with the protrusion 83d placed in the recess to support the protrusion 83d from below. By engaging the protrusion 83d with this recess, the cleaning member conveyance jig 140 can convey the exchange module 81 while fixing the relative position of the exchange module 81 in the front-rear direction. The barcode 146 is identification information for identifying the cleaning member 82 attached to the cleaning member conveyance jig 140, and is attached in advance by, for example, an operator.

The reading unit 97 is a device that reads information regarding one or more of the replaceable members 13, and is configured as a barcode reader in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the reading unit 97 is arranged at the front right inside the printing apparatus 10, and the reading direction is toward the left. The reading unit 97 is arranged at the same height as the height at which the screen mask 55 is carried in and out (the carrying-in height and the carrying-out height), and reads the barcode 57a attached to the right side of the screen mask 55 (Fig. ) can be read. Further, the reading unit 97 can read the barcodes 116, 126, 136, 146 attached to each of the transport jigs 110, 120, 130, 140 if they are transported to the same height. can.

The storage device 100 is disposed in front of the printing device 10, stores one or more types (five types in this case) of replaceable members 13, and exchanges one type of the replaceable members 13 with the printing device 10. This is a device that carries out the above (five types in this case) loading/unloading. The storage device 100 includes a housing 101 , a storage section 102 , a conveyor 104 , a conveyor elevating section 105 , and a storage control section 106 . The housing 101 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box and has a storage section 102 inside. A moving part such as casters is provided on the lower surface of the housing 101, so that, for example, an operator can move the storage device 100. The storage section 102 is a box that can store the replaceable member 13 and the conveyance jig, and a plurality of conveyors 104 are arranged inside. The transport conveyors 104 are arranged in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction, and in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, first to ninth transport conveyors 104a to 104i are arranged in order from the top. Each of the first to ninth conveyors 104a to 104i is configured as a pair of left and right belt conveyors, and conveys the placed object in the front-back direction. Note that, in FIG. 1, only four stages of the conveyor 104 are shown for convenience of illustration. The storage section 102 is configured to be able to place at least one replaceable member 13 on each of the first to ninth conveyors 104a to 104i. Furthermore, the storage section 102 has a plurality of storage areas 103 in the vertical direction divided by the first to ninth conveyors 104a to 104i. The storage area 103 has a first storage area 103a as an area above the first transport conveyor 104a, and similarly has second to ninth storage areas 103a as areas above each of the second to ninth transport conveyors 104b to 104i. It has ninth storage areas 103b to 103i. Note that the storage area 103 does not necessarily need to be inside the storage section 102. For example, a part of the cartridge transport jig 120 placed on the first transport conveyor 104a shown in FIG. It will be done. The storage section 102 is open at the front and back. This allows the operator to insert the replaceable member 13 into the storage section 102 from the front, and the storage device 100 to carry the replaceable member 13 into and out of the printing device 10 through the rear of the storage section 102. . The conveyor elevating section 105 is a mechanism for elevating the storage section 102 up and down, and includes, for example, a guide, a ball screw, and a drive motor (not shown). The conveyor 104 is raised and lowered by the conveyor lifting section 105 raising and lowering the storage section 102 .

In this embodiment, a cartridge conveyance jig 120 is placed on the first conveyor 104a, a squeegee conveyance jig 110 is placed on the second and third conveyors 104b and 104c, and a squeegee conveyance jig 110 is placed on the fourth and fifth conveyors A cleaning member conveyance jig 140 is placed on the conveyors 104d and 104e, a screen mask 55 is placed on the sixth and seventh conveyors 104f and 104g, and a cleaning member conveyor jig 140 is placed on the sixth and seventh conveyors 104f and 104g. A support member conveying jig 130 is placed on top. The distance between the vertically adjacent transport conveyors 104 is adjusted according to the height of the transport jig placed on each transport conveyor 104 and the replaceable member 13 attached to the transport jig. Note that the widths of each of the transport jigs 110 to 140 and the screen mask 55 in the left and right directions are determined so that they can be placed on any of the plurality of transport conveyors 104, and for example, the widths in the left and right directions are approximately the same. It has become.

The storage control unit 106 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU, and includes a ROM that stores processing programs, a RAM that is used as a work area, an HDD that stores various data, and the like. The storage control unit 106 controls the storage device 100 as a whole.

Next, the operation of the printing system 1 configured in this manner will be described. First, the printing process executed by the printing device 10 and the reading process that reads the identification information of the exchangeable members 13 stored in the storage device 100 in parallel with the printing process will be described. Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing how the printing process and the reading process are performed in parallel.

First, print processing will be explained. The print processing routine for performing the print processing is stored in the HDD of the print control unit 11, and is executed after the print control unit 11 receives an instruction from the operator to execute the print processing via the display operation unit 98, or after the print control unit 11 inputs an instruction to execute the print processing from the operator via the display operation unit 98. 11 inputs a print processing execution command from the management PC 150, the print processing is executed. When the print processing routine is started, the print control section 11 first performs a substrate transport and fixing process in which the substrate S is fixed by the substrate fixing section 60 and brought into contact with the screen mask 55, as shown in FIG. Specifically, the print control section 11 first drives the substrate conveyor 61 to convey the substrate S to the substrate fixing section 60, and then clamps and fixes the substrate S between the substrate guides 62. Further, the print control unit 11 adjusts the position of the screen mask 55 using the mask working unit 50 as necessary to align the pattern holes 58 and the substrate S. Next, the print control unit 11 raises the support stand 67 to bring the upper surface of the substrate support member 70 into contact with the lower surface of the substrate S, and fixes the substrate S to the substrate support member 70 by suction using negative pressure from the pressure reducing device. do. Then, the print control section 11 raises the substrate fixing section 60 to bring the upper surface of the substrate S into contact with the lower surface of the screen mask 55. After performing the substrate transport and fixing process, the print control unit 11 performs the solder supply process. Specifically, the print control unit 11 moves the supply head 41 above the screen mask 55, supplies air from the air supply unit 42, and discharges solder from the cartridge 49 onto the screen mask 55. After performing the solder supply process, the print control unit 11 performs a squeegee movement process. Specifically, the print control unit 11 moves the print head 21 and lowers the squeegee 30 (first squeegee 30a in FIG. 10) to bring the squeegee 30 into contact with the upper surface of the screen mask 55, and moves the squeegee 30 back and forth. The solder is printed on the substrate S by moving the solder in the direction shown in FIG. The print control unit 11 performs at least one of moving the first squeegee 30a backward and moving the second squeegee 30b forward on the screen mask 55. In this way, the print control unit 11 prints on the substrate S by performing a printing process including a substrate transport and fixing process, a solder supply process, and a squeegee movement process. The print control unit 11 repeatedly performs this printing process until the production process is completed. Note that the printing process may include the above-mentioned cleaning process and sheet feeding process. The print control unit 11 performs a cleaning process and a sheet feeding process to clean the back surface of the screen mask 55 at a predetermined timing such as every predetermined time period or every time a predetermined number of substrates S are printed.

While the printing device 10 is performing this printing process, the operator places replacement parts in the storage device 100 in advance in case one or more of the replaceable members 13 needs to be replaced, for example due to setup changes. The replaceable member 13 is stored. For example, if it is necessary to replace all of the five types of replaceable members 13 at the time of the next setup change, the operator will store each transport jig and the replaceable members attached to it in the storage device 100 as shown in FIG. The member 13 is stored. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the operator stores the cartridge transport jig 120 with the replacement cartridge 49 attached to the holder 122 in the first storage area 103a. At this time, the operator leaves at least one of the plurality of holders 122 of the cartridge transport jig 120 in an empty state, as shown in FIG. The operator stores the empty squeegee transport jig 110 in the second storage area 103b, and stores the squeegee transport jig 110 with two replacement squeegees 30 attached in the third storage area 103c. The operator stores the empty cleaning member transport jig 140 in the fourth storage area 103d, and stores the cleaning member transport jig 140 with the replacement module 81 attached in the fifth storage area 103e. The operator leaves the sixth storage area 103f open for carrying out the screen mask 55 in use from the printing apparatus 10, and stores the replacement screen mask 55 in the seventh storage area 103g. The operator stores the empty support member transport jig 130 in the eighth storage area 103h, and stores the support member transport jig 130 with one replacement board support member 70 attached in the ninth storage area 103i. . In this way, the operator can store the replaceable member 13 in advance in the storage device while the printing device 10 is performing printing processing, rather than when the replaceable member 13 needs to be replaced such as during setup change. It is sufficient to store it in 100. Therefore, the worker can prepare the replaceable member 13 for replacement during a time period when the workload is light.

Note that the operator attaches a bar code to each transport jig in advance, which represents identification information of the replaceable member 13 attached to the transport jig. For example, the operator makes sure that the identification information included in the barcode 126 of the cartridge transport jig 120 includes information indicating the type of cartridge 49 attached to the cartridge transport jig 120. Similarly, the operator makes sure that the identification information included in the barcode 57a of the screen mask 55 includes information indicating the type of the screen mask 55. In this way, the printing control unit 11 allows the reading unit 97 to read the barcode of each conveying jig and the screen mask 55 to determine which of the five types of replaceable members 13 the barcodes relate to. can be identified. The print control unit 11 also identifies detailed types among the replaceable members 13 of the same type, such as which type of cartridge 49 is attached to the cartridge conveying jig 120 among the plurality of types of cartridges 49, for example. You can also do that. Note that the barcode may also include information indicating the status of each transport jig (such as whether or not the holder is empty). For example, the barcode 126 of the cartridge transport jig 120 includes information on which of the plurality of holders 122 of the cartridge transport jig 120 the cartridge 49 is attached to (which holder 122 is empty). You can leave it there.

Next, the reading process will be explained. A reading process routine for performing the reading process is stored in the HDD of the print control unit 11, and is executed, for example, every predetermined time period or after an operator inputs an instruction to execute the reading process. When the reading processing routine is started, the print control unit 11 instructs the storage control unit 106 of the storage device 100 that the reading unit 97 can read the replaceable member 13 stored in the storage unit 102 or the empty conveyance jig. A command is output to move the robot to a certain position in sequence. Upon receiving this command, the storage control section 106 first raises and lowers the storage section 102 using the conveyor elevating section 105 so that the cartridge transport jig 120 on the first transport conveyor 104a is located at the same height as the reading section 97. Further, the storage control unit 106 transports the cartridge transport jig 120 in the Y direction by the first transport conveyor 104a as needed to move the barcode 126 to a position where the reading unit 97 can read it, and then transports the cartridge. The jig 120 is transported and returned to its original position. During this time, the print control unit 11 causes the reading unit 97 to read the barcode 126 and stores the obtained information in the HDD. The storage control unit 106 sequentially performs similar processing for the second conveyor 104b to the ninth conveyor 104i. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the storage device 100 has transported the squeegee transport jig 110 stored in the second storage area 103b to a position where the reading section 97 can read it. In this way, in the reading process, the print control unit 11 causes the storage device 100 to at least one of transport and raise/lower the replaceable member 13 to move it to a position where the reading unit 97 can read it. Through this reading process, the print control unit 11 can obtain information about the replaceable members 13 stored in each of the storage areas 103 of the storage device 100, and which type of transport jig is stored in each of the storage areas 103. Acquires and stores information necessary for the exchange process described later. In addition, the print control unit 11 detects that the reading unit 97 does not read information for a predetermined period of time even when the conveyance jig is conveyed by the conveyor 104. It is also possible to specify the storage area 103 (sixth storage area 103f in FIG. 10). Note that, as shown in FIG. 10, the reading section 97 is disposed on the front side of the printing device 10. Therefore, even if the replaceable member 13 and the like are transported from the front storage device 100 to the reading position of the reading section 97, the print processing section 20, supply section 40, mask working section 50, substrate fixing section 60, etc. in the printing process described above, There is no problem in the operation of the cleaning section 80. Therefore, the print control unit 11 can perform the reading process in parallel with the printing process. Thereby, the print control unit 11 can acquire information about the replaceable member 13 and the transport jig stored in the storage device 100 without stopping the printing process.

Regarding the operation of the storage device 100 during the reading process, the operation routine during the reading process is stored in advance in the storage unit of the storage control unit 106, and the print control unit 11 only outputs a command to start the operation routine. It's okay. Alternatively, the printing control unit 11 may sequentially output individual operation commands for the conveyor elevating unit 105 and the transport conveyor 104 to the storage control unit 106.

Next, a replacement process for automatically replacing the replaceable member 13 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the exchange processing routine. This exchange processing routine is stored in the HDD of the print control section 11. The print control unit 11 determines whether one or more types of replaceable members 13 necessary for the next print process are different from the current print process each time the print process is completed, based on information regarding the print process acquired from the management PC 150, for example. It is determined whether or not replacement processing is necessary. When the print control unit 11 determines that replacement processing is necessary, it starts a replacement processing routine. Note that the print control unit 11 performs the exchange processing routine while appropriately referring to the information acquired in the above-described reading process.

When the print control unit 11 starts the replacement processing routine, it performs cartridge replacement processing (step S100), cleaning member replacement processing (step S110), mask unloading processing (step S120), squeegee replacement processing (step S130), and substrate support member replacement processing. One or more of the processing (step S140) and the mask import processing (step S150) is performed as necessary. Note that since the cartridge 49 and the cleaning member 82 are consumables, not only when the type of each is changed, but also when it is necessary to perform a replacement process, at least one of the cartridge replacement process and the cleaning member replacement process may be combined. The consumables may be replenished without changing the type of consumables. For example, if one or more of the squeegee 30, screen mask 55, and substrate support member 70 needs to be replaced, at least one of the cartridge 49 and the cleaning member 82 may also be replaced. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when replacing the screen mask 55, squeegee 30, and substrate support member 70, the transport jig is transported using the transport rail 53 in all cases. Therefore, when it is necessary to perform at least one of the squeegee replacement process and the substrate support member replacement process, the mask unloading process is performed before these processes to evacuate the screen mask 55 from the transport rail 53, and these After the processing, a mask loading process is performed. Moreover, the process including the mask carry-out process and the mask carry-in process corresponds to the mask exchange process. Note that if there is no need to replace the screen mask 55, the screen mask 55 carried out in the mask carrying-out process is carried in in the mask carrying-in process. Hereinafter, each process of steps S100 to S150 will be explained using an example in which all five types of replaceable members 13 are replaced.

The cartridge replacement process in step S100 will be described. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of mounting the cartridge 49 on the supply head 41. When the cartridge replacement process is started, the print control unit 11 performs a cartridge unloading process for unloading the cartridge 49 attached to the supply head 41, and a cartridge loading process for loading the replacement cartridge 49. In the cartridge unloading process, the print control unit 11 first positions the cartridge transport jig 120 having the empty holder 122 on the first transport conveyor 104a at the height for transporting the cartridge 49 (unloading height). Then, the conveyor lifting section 105 is operated. The unloading height of the cartridge 49 is such that the cartridge 49 attached to the supply head 41 can be attached to the empty holder 122, and the height is such that the main body 49a can be inserted into the opening 124. . Next, the print control section 11 controls the print movement section 22 and the supply movement section 46 to move the cartridge 49 attached to the supply head 41 to a delivery position where it can be attached to an empty holder 122 of the cartridge transport jig 120. move it. Subsequently, the print control unit 11 releases the mounting of the cartridge 49 by the supply head 41 and attaches the cartridge 49 to the empty holder 122. In the cartridge loading process, the print control unit 11 first operates the conveyor lifting unit 105 so that the cartridge transport jig 120 is located at a height (carrying height) for loading the replacement cartridge 49. Note that in this embodiment, the carry-in height and the carry-out height of the cartridge 49 are the same, and the process of operating the conveyor elevating section 105 is omitted. Next, the print control unit 11 moves the supply head 41 to a receiving position where it can receive the replacement cartridge 49 attached to the holder 122, and attaches the replacement cartridge 49 to the supply head 41. After performing the cartridge unloading process and the cartridge loading process as described above, the print control unit 11 ends the cartridge replacement process.

When attaching the cartridge 49 to the empty holder 122 in the cartridge unloading process, the print control unit 11 first inserts the main body 49a into the opening 124 of the holder 122 (an example of the delivery position) and then holds the clamp unit 43. Rotate to the release position. Then, as the clamp section 43 rotates, the cartridge 49 descends, and the cartridge 49 is supported by the support section 123 with the flange section 49b fitted into the engagement section 125. When attaching the replacement cartridge 49 to the supply head 41 in the cartridge loading process, the print control unit 11 first sets the connection part 49d of the replacement cartridge 49 directly below the air supply unit 42 (receiving position). An example of the position (FIG. 12A), the clamp portion 43 is rotated to the fixed position (FIG. 12B). When the clamp part 43 is located at the fixed position, the clamp part 43 pushes up the cartridge 49, releases the engagement between the flange part 49b and the engaging part 125, and positions the cartridge 49 in the detached position. At this time, the air supply section 42 is inserted into the connection section 49d, the cartridge 49 is positioned, and the supply head 41 becomes able to supply air to the main body section 49a. Then, the print control unit 11 moves the supply head 41 so that the main body 49a passes through the opening 124 (FIG. 12B).

The cleaning member replacement process in step S110 will be explained. When the cleaning member replacement process is started, the print control unit 11 performs a cleaning member unloading process for unloading the replacement module 81 and a cleaning member importing process for transporting the replacement module 81 for replacement. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the cleaning member carrying-out process. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the cleaning member import process. In the cleaning member carry-out process, the printing control unit 11 first operates the conveyor lifting unit 105 so that the empty cleaning member conveyance jig 140 is located at the height (carry-out height) for carrying out the replacement module 81. (Figure 13A). Here, the printing control unit 11 raises and lowers the fourth transport conveyor 104d on which the empty cleaning member transport jig 140 is placed to the unloading height. The height at which the exchange module 81 is carried out is such that the protrusion holding part 142 of the cleaning member conveying jig 140 is located below the protrusion 83d of the exchange module 81 attached to the mounting member 84. Furthermore, the printing control unit 11 controls the support member moving mechanism 88 to move the exchange module 81 to the front of the printing apparatus 10 (FIG. 13A). Note that the position of the exchange module 81 at this time may be, for example, a position at the front end of the area in which the exchange module 81 can be moved by the support member moving mechanism 88, or may be an initial position of the exchange module 81. Next, the print control unit 11 controls the placement member moving mechanism 89 to bring the placement member 84 into a protruding state, thereby moving the exchange module 81 to a delivery position where it can be attached to the cleaning member conveyance jig 140. (Figure 13B). In this embodiment, the delivery position is inside the storage unit 102, and the operation of the printing control unit 11 to move the replacement module 81 to the delivery position also serves as the unloading operation of the replacement module 81. In this state, each of the plurality of protrusions 83d of the exchange module 81 is located directly above each of the plurality of protrusion holding parts 142 of the cleaning member conveying jig 140. Subsequently, the printing control section 11 raises the storage section 102 using the conveyor lifting section 105. As a result, the protrusion holding portion 142 and the protrusion 83d engage, and the exchange module 81 is attached to the cleaning member conveyance jig 140 and ascends, and the exchange module 81 is removed from the mounting member 84 (FIG. 13C). . As described above, the replacement module 81 is carried out and delivered to the cleaning member conveyance jig 140. After that, the printing control unit 11 sets the mounting member 84 to a non-projecting state (FIG. 13D).

In the cleaning member loading process, the printing control unit 11 first moves the conveyor 104 above the height of the uppermost end of the mounting member 84 (here, the upper end of the abutting member 84a) in the protruding state (see FIG. 13C). The conveyor lifting section 105 is operated so that the replacement module 81 for replacement is located on the fifth conveyor 104e (here, the fifth conveyor 104e) (FIG. 14A). Next, the print control unit 11 controls the placement member moving mechanism 89 to bring the placement member 84 into a protruding state, thereby placing the exchange module 81 at a receiving position where it can be received from the cleaning member conveyance jig 140. The member 84 is moved (FIG. 14B). At this receiving position, the mounting member 84 is located directly below the replacement module 81 for replacement. Next, the storage unit 102 is lowered so that the cleaning member conveyance jig 140 on the fifth conveyor 104e is located at the height (carry-in height) for carrying in the replacement module 81, and then further lowered than the carry-in height. lower (FIG. 14C). As a result, the replacement module 81 is attached to the mounting member 84, and the cleaning member conveyance jig 140 is further lowered to release the engagement between the protrusion holder 142 and the protrusion 83d. Note that the carrying-in height of the replacement module 81 is the height when the replacement module 81 for replacement is lowered and attached to the mounting member 84 . Then, the printing control unit 11 brings the exchange module 81 into the printing apparatus 10 by placing the placement member 84 in a non-protruding state (FIG. 14D). As described above, the exchange module 81 is received from the cleaning member conveying jig 140 and is carried into the printing apparatus 10. After performing the cleaning member carry-out process and the cleaning member carry-in process as described above, the print control unit 11 ends the cleaning member replacement process.

The mask carry-out process in step S120 will be explained. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the mask carry-out process. When the mask carry-out process is started, the print control unit 11 first locates an empty conveyor 104 (here, the sixth conveyor 104f) at a height for carrying out the screen mask 55 (carry-out height). The conveyor elevating section 105 is operated as follows. The unloading height of the screen mask 55 is such that the sixth conveyor 104f and the conveyor rail 53 are at the same height. Next, the print control unit 11 causes the transport rod 38 to protrude downward and controls the print moving unit 22 to transport the screen mask 55 forward along the transport rail 53 (FIG. 15). Then, the printing control unit 11 causes the transport rod 38 to transport the screen mask 55 to the sixth transport conveyor 104f, and carries out the screen mask 55. Further, the print control unit 11 causes the sixth conveyor 104f to further convey the screen mask 55 forward, and stores the screen mask 55 in the storage unit 102. As a result, the screen mask 55 is removed from the transport rail 53, making it easier to transport other transport jigs on the transport rail 53. In FIG. 15, the transport rod 38 transports the screen mask 55 by pushing the end (rear end in this case) from the outside, but the invention is not limited to this; for example, the transport rod 38 can transport the screen mask 55 by pushing the inside of the frame 57. The screen mask 55 may also be transported. Similarly, when transporting a transport jig such as the squeegee transport jig 110 described later, the transport rod 38 may push the end of the transport jig from the outside, or the inside of the transport jig (for example, inside the frame 111). Alternatively, the replaceable member 13 attached to the transport jig may be pushed.

The squeegee replacement process in step S130 will be explained. When the squeegee replacement process is started, the print control unit 11 performs a squeegee unloading process for unloading the squeegee 30 and a squeegee loading process for loading a replacement squeegee 30. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the squeegee unloading process. In the squeegee carry-out process, the print control unit 11 first makes sure that the conveyor 104 (here, the second conveyor 104b) on which the squeegee conveyor jig 110 with the empty holder 112 is placed is at the same height as the conveyor rail 53. The conveyor elevating section 105 is operated so that the height (unloading height) is reached. That is, the printing control unit 11 positions the second conveyor 104b at the same height as the above-mentioned unloading height of the screen mask 55. Then, the second transport conveyor 104b and the transport rod 38 are controlled to transport the squeegee transport jig 110 into the printing apparatus 10 (FIG. 16A). Next, the printing control section 11 controls the printing movement section 22 and the squeegee lifting section 23 to move the first squeegee 30a attached to the squeegee fixing section 24 forward, and fills the empty space on the front side of the squeegee conveyance jig 110. Attach the first squeegee 30a to the holder 112 (FIG. 16B). Similarly, the print control unit 11 moves the second squeegee 30b backward and attaches the second squeegee 30b to the empty holder 112 on the back side of the squeegee conveyance jig 110 (FIG. 16C). Then, the print control unit 11 transports the squeegee transport jig 110 to which the squeegee 30 is attached by the transport rod 38 to the second transport conveyor 104b, and carries out the squeegee transport jig 110 (FIG. 16D). Further, the print control unit 11 causes the second conveyor 104b to further convey the squeegee conveyance jig 110 forward, and stores the squeegee conveyance jig 110 in the storage section 102.

In the squeegee carry-in process, the print control unit 11 carries the squeegee 30 in the reverse procedure of the squeegee carry-out process described above. That is, the printing control unit 11 first sets the third conveyor 104c on which the squeegee conveying jig 110 with the replacement squeegee 30 attached thereto so that the conveyance rail 53 is at the same height (carry-in height). The conveyor lifting section 105 is operated. Next, the printing control unit 11 transports the squeegee transport jig 110 using the third transport conveyor 104c and the transport rod 38. Next, the print control unit 11 controls the print moving unit 22 and the squeegee lifting unit 23 to move the front squeegee fixing unit 24 forward, and the squeegee 30 attached to the front holder 112 of the squeegee conveyance jig 110 moves forward. Attach it to the front squeegee fixing part 24. Similarly, the print control unit 11 moves the rear squeegee fixing unit 24 rearward, and attaches the squeegee 30 attached to the rear holder 112 of the squeegee conveyance jig 110 to the rear squeegee fixing unit 24. Thereafter, the print control unit 11 carries out the squeegee conveyance jig 110 from which the squeegee 30 has been removed using the conveyance rod 38, and causes the third conveyor 104c to store the squeegee conveyance jig 110 in the storage section 102.

Here, the delivery of the squeegee 30 from the squeegee fixing part 24 to the holder 112 and the receiving of the replacement squeegee 30 from the holder 112 to the squeegee fixing part 24 will be described in detail. For convenience of explanation, receiving the squeegee 30 will be explained first. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of attaching the squeegee 30 to the squeegee fixing part 24. Note that FIG. 17 shows how the front squeegee fixing part 24 receives the squeegee 30. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the positioning member 33 and the air cylinder 25 along the vertical and front-back directions, and the center row of FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the regulating member 26 and the shaft member 35 along the vertical and front-back directions. 17, the right column of FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the squeegee fixing part 24 and the squeegee 30 seen from the upper right front. When receiving the squeegee 30, the print control unit 11 first lowers the squeegee fixing part 24, puts the squeegee fixing part 24 in a released state, and moves the squeegee fixing part 24 forward from the rear of the squeegee 30 to be received. (Fig. 16B, Fig. 17A). As a result, the cylinder shaft 25a is inserted into the opening 33a of the squeegee 30. At this time, the shaft member 35 of the squeegee 30 is inserted between the claws 27a and 27b of the regulating member 26. Then, at a position where the cylinder shaft 25a comes into contact with the positioning member 33 and forward movement of the cylinder shaft 25a is restricted by the positioning member 33, the two are positioned in the front-rear direction (FIG. 17B). This position is the receiving position of the squeegee 30. In the present embodiment, the receiving position is a position where the rear surface of the positioning member 33 facing the opening 33a (the dead end portion of the opening 33a) comes into contact with the front surface of the cylinder shaft 25a. However, the receiving position may be a position where the flange 25b and the positioning member 33 come into contact with each other and the forward movement of the flange 25b is restricted by the positioning member 33. Furthermore, when the squeegee fixing part 24 is located at the receiving position, the recess 28a of the regulating member 26 is located directly above the protrusion 34 of the squeegee 30 (FIG. 17B). Subsequently, the print control section 11 controls the air cylinder 25 to switch the squeegee fixing section 24 from the released state to the fixed state (FIG. 17C). As a result, the flange 25b rises to the fixed position and pushes up the grasped surface 33b of the positioning member 33. As a result, the flange portion 36 is pushed up, the engagement between the flange portion 36 and the engaging portion 115 of the holder 112 is released, and the squeegee 30 is moved to the removal position. Further, the protruding portion 34 of the squeegee 30 rises, fits into the recesses 28a and 28b of the squeegee fixing portion 24, and engages with the regulating member 26. The engagement between the restricting member 26 and the protruding portion 34 restricts the movement of the squeegee 30 in the front-rear direction relative to the squeegee fixing portion 24 . In addition, in the fixed state, the gripped surface 33b, which is the lower surface of the positioning member 33, and the gripped surface 32a, which is the upper surface of the mounting member 32, are connected to the upper surface of the cylinder shaft 25a of the squeegee fixing part 24 and the lower surface of the regulating member 26. By being held, the squeegee 30 is gripped and fixed to the squeegee fixing part 24. Then, the print control section 11 controls the print movement section 22 to move the squeegee fixing section 24 backward. As a result, the flange portion 36 of the squeegee 30 passes through the opening 114, and the squeegee 30 is completely removed from the holder 112 (FIG. 17D). Note that when receiving the second squeegee 30b for replacement from the holder 112 on the rear side of the squeegee conveyance jig 110 to the squeegee fixing section 24, the printing control section 11 may perform an operation that is symmetrical to the above-mentioned operation.

The squeegee 30 can be transferred from the squeegee fixing section 24 to the holder 112 by the reverse procedure of the above-mentioned receiving procedure. When transferring the first squeegee 30a to the holder 112 on the front side of the squeegee transport jig 110, the print control unit 11 first lowers the squeegee fixing part 24 on the front side, and then inserts the squeegee fixing part 24 from the rear of the holder 112. Move it forward. This positions the flange portion 36 directly above the engaging portion 115 of the empty holder 112. This position is the delivery position of the squeegee 30. Next, the print control unit 11 switches the squeegee fixing unit 24 from the fixed state to the released state. As a result, the engaging portion 115 and the flange portion 36 are engaged, the squeegee 30 is located at the attachment position, and the squeegee 30 is attached to the holder 112. Further, the engagement between the regulating member 26 and the protrusion 34 is released. Then, the print control section 11 moves the squeegee fixing section 24 backward. Note that when delivering the second squeegee 30b to the holder 112 on the rear side of the squeegee conveying jig 110, the print control unit 11 may perform an operation that is symmetrical to the above-mentioned operation.

The substrate support member replacement process in step S140 will be explained. When the substrate support member replacement process is started, the print control unit 11 performs a substrate support member carry-in process to carry out the substrate support member 70 and a substrate support member carry-in process to carry in the replacement substrate support member 70. FIGS. 18 and 19 are explanatory diagrams of the substrate support member carrying-out process. In the substrate support member carrying-out process, the printing control unit 11 first moves the support member transporting jig in which at least one of the first and second protrusion holding parts 132 and 133 and the third and fourth protrusion holding parts 134 and 135 is vacant. The conveyor elevating section 105 is operated so that the conveyor 104 (here, the eighth conveyor 104h) on which the ingredients 130 are placed and the conveyor rail 53 are at the same height (unloading height). That is, the print control unit 11 positions the eighth conveyor 104h at the same height as the above-mentioned unloading height of the screen mask 55. Next, the printing control unit 11 controls the eighth conveyor 104h and the conveying rod 38 to carry the support member conveying jig 130 into the printing apparatus 10 (FIG. 18A). Note that the print control unit 11 is configured such that the protrusion holders (here, the third and fourth protrusion holders 134 and 135) to which the substrate support member 70 is attached are moved from directly above the protrusions 71 and 72 of the substrate support member 70 in the front-rear direction (here The supporting member conveying jig 130 is conveyed so that it is shifted to the rear). Subsequently, the printing control unit 11 causes the pair of side frames 60b, 60b to be separated back and forth by the substrate guide moving unit 63, and controls the support platform lifting unit 65 and the fixed part lifting unit 66 to raise the substrate support member 70. (Figure 18B). As a result, the protrusions 71 and 72 of the substrate support member 70 rise above the first to fourth protrusion holding parts 132 to 135. The position of the substrate support member 70 at this time is the delivery position of the substrate support member 70. Subsequently, the print control unit 11 moves the support member transport jig 130 forward using the transport rod 38 to place the third and fourth protrusion holding parts 134 and 135 directly below the protrusions 71 and 72 of the substrate support member 70. (Figure 18C). Then, the print control unit 11 lowers the support stand 67. As a result, the protrusions 71 and 72 of the substrate support member 70 engage with the third and fourth protrusion holding parts 134 and 135, and the substrate support member 70 becomes attached to the support member conveyance jig 130 (FIG. 19A). Thereafter, the print control unit 11 lowers the entire substrate fixing unit 60 and transports the support member transport jig 130 to which the substrate support member 70 is attached forward by the transport rod 38 . Take it out (Figure 19B). Further, the print control unit 11 causes the eighth conveyor 104h to further convey the supporting member conveying jig 130 forward, and stores the supporting member conveying jig 130 in the storage section 102. Note that the printing control section 11 may perform the next substrate support member loading process without lowering the substrate fixing section 60.

The print control unit 11 can carry out the substrate support member import process in a reverse procedure to the above-described substrate support member carry-out process. In the substrate support member loading process, the print control unit 11 first makes sure that the ninth conveyor 104i on which the support member conveyor jig 130 to which the replacement substrate support member 70 is attached is placed at the same height as the conveyor rail 53. The conveyor elevating section 105 is operated so as to reach the (carry-in height). Next, the print control unit 11 transports the support member transport jig 130 using the ninth transport conveyor 104i and the transport rod 38, and transports the replacement substrate support member 70 to above the support table 67. Subsequently, the printing control unit 11 raises the support base 67 to raise the substrate support member 70 and connect the protrusions 71 and 72 to the protrusion holders (here, the third and fourth protrusion holders 134 and 135). Release the engagement. The position of the substrate support member 70 at this time is the receiving position of the substrate support member 70. After that, the printing control unit 11 moves the supporting member conveying jig 130 forward or backward to shift the positions of the protrusions 71 and 72 and the third and fourth protrusion holding parts 134 and 135 back and forth, and then supports The platform 67 is lowered. Then, the print control unit 11 lowers the entire substrate fixing unit 60 and transports the support member transport jig 130 forward by the transport rod 38 to carry out the support member transport jig 130. Further, the print control unit 11 causes the ninth conveyor 104i to further convey the supporting member conveying jig 130 forward, and stores the supporting member conveying jig 130 in the storage section 102.

The mask loading process in step S150 will be explained. The print control unit 11 can carry out the mask carry-in process in the reverse order of the mask carry-out process described above. In the mask carry-in process, the print control unit 11 first positions the conveyor 104 (here, the seventh conveyor 104g) at the height (carry-in height) for carrying in the replacement screen mask 55. The conveyor elevating section 105 is operated. The carrying-in height of the screen mask 55 is the same as the carrying-out height of the screen mask 55. Next, the printing control unit 11 transports the replacement screen mask 55 backward by the seventh transport conveyor 104g and the transport rod 38, and carries in the replacement screen mask 55. After performing steps S100 to S150 above, the print control unit 11 ends the exchange processing routine.

The printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment described in detail above includes the cartridge 49, the squeegee 30, the cleaning member 82, the screen mask 55, and the substrate support member 70. For each of the replaceable members 13 including two or more types including at least one type (all five types in this embodiment), at least the movement of the replaceable member 13 to the replacement position and the carrying in and out of the replaceable member 13 are performed. It is equipped with a moving part that performs one of the two. More specifically, the moving section includes a print moving section 22 and a supply moving section 46 that move the cartridge 49 to the exchange position and carry the cartridge 49 in and out, and a print moving section 22 and a supply moving section 46 that move the squeegee 30 to the exchange position. It includes a squeegee elevating section 23, a printing moving section 22 for carrying in and out the squeegee 30, a conveyance rod 38, and a conveyance rail 53. Further, the moving section includes a cleaning moving section 87 that moves the cleaning member 82 to the replacement position and carries in and out the cleaning member 82, a printing moving section 22 that carries in and out the screen mask 55, a conveyance rod 38, and a conveyance rail 53. , a support platform elevating section 65 and a fixed section elevating section 66 that move the substrate support member 70 to the replacement position, a printing moving section 22, a transport rod 38, and a transport rail 53 that transport the board support member 70 in and out. , is equipped with. The printing apparatus 10 includes a printing control section 11 that controls the moving section and executes a replacement process for replacing the replaceable member 13. Therefore, the printing apparatus 10 can automatically replace two or more types (five types in this embodiment) of replaceable members 13.

Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 10, the moving unit has a common moving mechanism that moves two or more types of members included in the replaceable member 13. Specifically, the print moving unit 22 is a common moving mechanism for moving the cartridge 49, the squeegee 30, the screen mask 55, and the substrate support member 70. The transport rod 38 and the transport rail 53 are common moving mechanisms for moving the squeegee 30, the screen mask 55, and the substrate support member 70. Therefore, the printing apparatus 10 can automatically replace each of two or more types of replaceable members 13 using the same moving mechanism. Therefore, the printing device 10 can have a more compact device configuration than, for example, a case where the printing device 10 includes a separate moving mechanism for each type of replaceable member 13.

Furthermore, the printing device 10 commonly uses two or more types of members included in the replaceable member 13, and at least one of the member and the transport jig for the member (in this embodiment, the screen mask 55 and each transport jig 110). , 120, 130, and 140). Thereby, the printing device 10 can identify the replaceable member 13 by reading each barcode, and therefore can perform the replacement process more appropriately. Further, since the printing device 10 uses the same reading unit 97 to read barcodes for each of two or more types of members (all five types in this embodiment), for example, the printing device 10 reads different barcodes for each type of replaceable member 13. The device configuration can be made more compact compared to the case where a reading section is provided.

Furthermore, the printing device 10 is capable of transporting the replaceable members 13 into and out of the storage device 100 that stores the replaceable members 13, and the printing control unit 11 controls the exchangeable members stored in the storage device 100. One or more types of identification information among the 13 are read by the reading unit 97 during printing processing. Therefore, the printing device 10 can read one or more of the barcodes 57a, 116, 126, 136, and 146 on the replaceable member 13 in advance before the replacement process. Therefore, the printing device 10 can perform the exchange process in a shorter time than when reading all barcodes during the exchange process.

Furthermore, in order to cause the reading unit 97 to read one or more barcodes among the replaceable members 13, the print control unit 11 positions the replaceable members 13 stored in the storage device 100 so that the reading unit 97 can read them. A command is output to the storage device 100 to move the storage device 100 to the maximum. Therefore, even if the reading unit 97 cannot read each barcode 57a, 116, 126, 136, and 146 while stored in the storage device 100, the print control unit 11 moves the replaceable member 13 to the storage device 100. This allows the reading unit 97 to read each barcode 57a, 116, 126, 136, and 146. Furthermore, since the barcode is read during the printing process, even if the storage device 100 moves the replaceable member 13 for reading, there is little effect on the time required for the replacement process.

The storage device 100 also includes a storage section 102 that stores the above-mentioned replaceable members 13, and one or more types of the replaceable members 13 (in this embodiment, a squeegee 30, A conveyor 104 for carrying in and out three types of screen masks 55 and substrate supporting members 70 is provided. Therefore, since the printing device 10 only needs to transfer the replaceable member 13 with the storage device 100 instead of with the operator, it becomes easier for the printing device 10 to automatically replace the replaceable member 13. Furthermore, the printing control unit 11 carries out the loading and unloading of cartridges 49 and exchange modules 81 that are not carried in and out by conveyance on the conveyor 104 using a mechanism on the printing apparatus 10 side.

The storage device 100 also includes a conveyor lifting section 105 that moves up and down the storage section 102, and the storage section 102 has a storage area 103 that stores at least one type (all five types in this embodiment) of the replaceable members 13. It has nine stages in the vertical direction. Therefore, since each of the plurality of storage areas 103a to 103i can store a replaceable member 13, the storage portion 102 can easily store two or more types of replaceable members 13. Furthermore, since the conveyor elevating section 105 can adjust the height of the replaceable member 13 when transferring the replaceable member 13 to and from the printing device 10, this storage device 100 can be used for each printing device 10 or for each replaceable member 13. The exchangeable member 13 can be delivered at an appropriate height for each type.

The storage unit 102 also stores the replaceable member 13 (cartridge 49 here) that has the highest height at which it is carried into the printing apparatus 10 among the replaceable members 13 into the first storage area at the top of the multiple storage areas 103. It is stored in area 103a. Therefore, compared to, for example, the case where the cartridge 49 having the highest loading height is stored in a location other than the first storage area 103a at the top, it is easier to reduce the lifting range required for the conveyor lifting section 105.

Further, the storage section 102 stores the replacement module 81 including the cleaning member 82 attached to the protrusion holding section 142 of the cleaning member conveying jig 140, and the conveyor elevating section 105 moves the cleaning member 81 by raising and lowering the storage section 102. By raising and lowering the conveyance jig 140, the replacement module 81 to be received (delivered) from the printing apparatus 10 is attached to the cleaning member conveyance jig 140. In addition, the conveyor elevating unit 105 lifts and lowers the cleaning member conveying jig 140 by raising and lowering the storage unit 102, thereby removing the replacement module 81 attached to the cleaning member conveying jig 140 from the cleaning member conveying jig 140 and printing. Transfer to device 10. Therefore, the conveyor elevating section 105 can also serve as a mechanism for transferring the exchange module 81 between the storage device 100 and the printing device 10.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the storage unit 102 stores the cartridge 49, which has the highest loading height into the printing device 10 among the replaceable members 13, in the first storage area 103a at the top. Not limited. Further, the storage unit 102 may store the member having the lowest height when being carried into the printing apparatus 10 among the replaceable members 13 in the lowest stage of the plurality of storage areas. For example, the cleaning member 82 may be stored in the ninth storage area 103i on the ninth conveyor 104i.

In the embodiment described above, the print control unit 11 performs the reading process during the print process, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the print control unit 11 may first perform a reading process before steps S100 to S150 when executing the exchange process in FIG. 11. Alternatively, instead of performing the reading process, the print control unit 11 may input information regarding the replaceable member 13 and the transport jig stored in the storage unit 102 from the management PC 150 or receive information from the operator via the display operation unit 98. You can also enter the Further, a rule may be predetermined as to which empty transport jig should be stored in which storage area 103, or which type of replaceable member 13 should be stored in which storage area 103. Such rules may be determined in advance. In this case, the print control unit 11 stores the rules in advance, and if the operator stores the transport jig and the replaceable member 13 in the storage area 103 according to the rules, the print control unit 11 will not perform the reading process. It's okay.

In the embodiment described above, the printing device 10 was provided with the reading section 97, but the invention is not limited thereto, and the storage device 100 may be provided with the reading section 97, for example. In this case, instead of the print control section 11 , the storage control section 106 may perform the above-described reading process and output the acquired information to the print control section 11 . In this case as well, the storage control unit 106 can perform the reading process without stopping the printing process by the print control unit 11.

In the embodiment described above, the exchangeable member 13 transported by the transportation jig has a barcode attached to the transportation jig, but the barcode is not limited to this, and the exchangeable member 13 may also have a barcode attached. . Further, in the above-described embodiment, a bar code is attached to the conveying jig and the screen mask 55, but the bar code is not limited to the bar code, and a two-dimensional code or the like may be attached.

In the embodiment described above, the printing device 10 has the printing movement unit 22 as a movement mechanism common to four types of movement among the five types of replaceable members 13, but the present invention is not limited to this, and all five types of movement are possible. may have a common movement mechanism. For example, although the mounting member moving mechanism 89 switches the replacement module 81 and the mounting member 84 between the protruding state and the non-protruding state, this switching may be performed by the transport rod 38. For example, the transport rod 38 may be configured to protrude downward to the same height as the exchange module 81, and the print moving unit 22 may move the transport rod 38 back and forth to switch between the protruding state and the non-protruding state. In this case, the print moving section 22 becomes a common moving mechanism for moving all five types of replaceable members 13. The printing apparatus 10 also includes a common movement mechanism (for example, a printing movement section 22, a conveyance rod 38, a conveyance rail 53 ). Alternatively, the printing apparatus 10 may use a common movement mechanism (for example, It may also include a printing moving section 22 and a conveying rod 38).

In the embodiment described above, the print control unit 11 performs the mask unloading process before performing the squeegee replacement process in the exchange process routine, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the squeegee conveying jig 110 and the squeegee fixing section 24 can transfer the squeegee 30 in an area in front of the screen mask 55 without retracting the screen mask 55, the print control section 11 There is no need to carry out the mask unloading process before the exchange process.

Although not particularly described in the above-described embodiment, the print control unit 11 stores all the necessary replacement replaceable members 13 in the storage device 100 based on the information acquired in the reading process at the start of the replacement process routine. It may be determined whether or not it is stored. When the print control unit 11 determines that the necessary replacement replaceable member 13 is not stored, it outputs error information indicating this to at least one of the display operation unit 98 and the management PC 150, and The operator may be informed that the replaceable member 13 is in short supply. Note that, when the print control unit 11 determines that a necessary replaceable member 13 is not stored, it may perform a process of replacing a type of replaceable member 13 other than the replaceable member 13. For example, even if the replacement cartridge 49 is not stored in the storage device 100, if any of the other four types of replaceable members 13 needs to be replaced, the print control unit 11 can replace them. Processing may be executed. In this way, while the operator is preparing the missing replaceable member 13, the other replaceable member 13 can be replaced.

In the embodiment described above, the storage device 100 includes the storage control section 106, and the print control section 11 indirectly controls the storage device 100 by outputting a command to the storage control section 106. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The storage control unit 106 may be omitted. In this case, for example, the printing control section 11 may directly control the conveyor 104 and the conveyor lifting section 105 through communication.

In the embodiment described above, the storage device 100 is provided with a moving section and is movable by the operator, but the storage device 100 is not limited to this and does not need to include the moving section. Further, the storage device 100 may be configured as a self-propelled AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle) having a drive mechanism that drives a moving section. In this case, the storage device 100 may move to a location where the replacement replaceable member 13 is stored, and automatically store the replacement replaceable member 13 in the storage section 102.

In the embodiment described above, the replacement of the replaceable member 13 was mainly explained when changing the setup, but the replacement timing is not limited to this. For example, for consumables such as the cartridge 49 and the cleaning member 82, the print control unit 11 may perform a replacement process when a sensor that detects the remaining amount detects that the consumables are out of stock.

In the embodiment described above, the printing device 10 automatically exchanges all five types of replaceable members 13 with the storage device 100, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, for one or more of the replaceable members 13, the printing apparatus 10 itself may have two or more holders to which the replaceable members 13 can be attached. In this case, if the operator attaches the replaceable member 13 to at least one holder and leaves at least one holder empty, the printing device 10 can automatically exchange the holder with the holder. can. In this manner, the printing apparatus 10 may perform a replacement process for one or more of the replaceable members 13 without carrying them in or out.

In the embodiment described above, the storage device 100 stores all of the replaceable members 13 other than the screen mask 55 in the storage unit 102 while being attached to the transport jig, but the replaceable members 13 other than the screen mask 55 are stored in the storage unit 102 while being attached to the holder. All you have to do is stay there. For example, the storage device 100 may store one or more types of replaceable members 13 other than the screen mask 55 while being attached to a holder that cannot be transported by the transport conveyor 104. Even in this case, if the printing device 10 has a mechanism for transferring the replaceable member 13 to and from the storage device 100, automatic replacement can be performed as in the embodiment described above. For example, in the storage device 100 of the above-described embodiment, the cartridge 49 and the replacement module 81 can be automatically replaced without the storage device 100 transporting them back and forth, so at least one of the cartridge 49 and the replacement module 81 is It may be attached to a fixed holder instead of the transport jig.

In the embodiment described above, the printing device 10 is configured to be able to automatically replace all five types of replaceable members 13; however, the present invention is not limited to this, and one type including at least one type other than the screen mask 55 The above-described replaceable member 13 may be automatically replaced. Furthermore, if the printing device 10 is capable of automatically replacing two to four of the five types of replaceable members 13, any combination of the five types of automatically replaceable replaceable members 13 may be selected. . Further, one to four types of members among the five types of replaceable members 13 may be configured so that they cannot be replaced by an operator (that is, they are not replaceable members). Furthermore, the printing device 10 does not need to include one or more of the five types of replaceable members 13. For example, the printing apparatus 10 may not include the cleaning section 80 including the cleaning member 82.

The printing device and storage device of the present disclosure may be configured as follows.

In the printing device of the present disclosure, the moving unit may have a common moving mechanism that moves two or more types of members included in the replaceable member. In this way, this printing apparatus can automatically replace each of two or more types of replaceable members using the same moving mechanism. Therefore, this printing apparatus can have a more compact apparatus configuration than, for example, a case where the printing apparatus includes separate moving mechanisms for each type of replaceable member.

The printing device of the present disclosure may be provided with a reading unit that reads identification information attached to at least one of the replaceable members and the transport jig for the member, which is common to two or more types of members included in the replaceable member. In this way, the printing device can identify the replaceable member by reading the identification information, and therefore can perform the replacement process more appropriately. In addition, because the printing device reads the identification information of each of the two or more types of members with the same reading unit, the device configuration can be made more compact compared to, for example, a printing device provided with a separate reading unit for each type of replaceable member.

In this case, the printing device is capable of transporting the replaceable member into and out of a storage device that stores the replaceable member, and the exchange control unit is configured to control the exchangeable member stored in the storage device. The reading unit may read identification information of one or more of the members during the printing process. In this way, this printing device can read in advance the identification information of one or more types of replaceable members before the replacement process. Therefore, this printing apparatus can perform the replacement process in a shorter time than, for example, when reading the identification information of all replaceable members during the replacement process.

In this case, the exchange control unit may cause the reader to read the identification information of one or more types of the replaceable members during the printing process, and may cause the exchange controller to read the replaceable members stored in the storage device. A command may be output to the storage device to move the storage device to a position where it can be read. In this way, even if the reading section cannot read the identification information while the replaceable member is stored in the storage device, the replacement control section moves the replaceable member to the storage device so that the reading section can read the identification information. Furthermore, since the identification information is read during the printing process, even if the storage device moves the replaceable member for reading, there is little effect on the time required for the replacement process.

The storage device of the present disclosure includes:
A member used in a printing device that performs a printing process using a viscous fluid on a printing target using a screen mask, the member comprising: a cartridge containing the viscous fluid; a squeegee; and a cleaning member used to clean the screen mask. , a storage unit that stores two or more types of replaceable members, including at least one of the cartridge, the squeegee, and the cleaning member, among the screen mask and a support member that fixes the printing target;
a transport unit that carries one or more of the replaceable members in and out between the storage unit and the printing device;
It is equipped with the following.

This storage device stores two or more types of replaceable members, and transports one or more of the replaceable members into and out of the printing device. Therefore, since the printing device only needs to transfer the replaceable member to the storage device rather than to the operator, it becomes easier for the printing device to automatically replace the replaceable member. This storage device may exchange replaceable members with the printing device of the present disclosure in any of the above embodiments. Note that if there is a replaceable member that is not transported by the transport unit of the storage device, the replaceable member may be transported by a mechanism on the printing device side.

The storage device of the present disclosure may include an elevating section that moves up and down the storage section, and the storage section may have a plurality of storage areas in the vertical direction for storing at least one type of the replaceable member. In this way, each of the plurality of storage areas can store a replaceable member, so that the storage section can easily store two or more types of replaceable members. In addition, since the lifting section can adjust the height of the replaceable member when transferring the replaceable member to and from the printing device, this storage device can adjust the height appropriately for each printing device and each type of replaceable member. Exchangeable parts can be exchanged.

In this case, the storage unit may store the member that has the highest loading height to the printing apparatus among the replaceable members in the uppermost stage of the plurality of storage areas, or The member having the lowest height to be carried into the printing apparatus may be stored in the lowest stage of the plurality of storage areas, or at least one of the following may be performed. In this way, for example, when storing a component with the highest loading height in the top shelf of multiple storage areas, the required lifting range of the lifting section can be reduced compared to when storing it in a location other than the top shelf. Easy to make small. Similarly, for example, when storing a component with the lowest loading height in the lowest level of multiple storage areas, the lifting range required for the lifting section is smaller than when storing it in a location other than the lowest level. Easy to make small.

The storage device of the present disclosure includes an elevating section that moves up and down the storage section, the storage section stores one or more of the replaceable members in a state attached to a holder, and the elevating section , by raising and lowering the holder by raising and lowering the storage section, the replaceable member received from the printing device is attached to the holder, or the replaceable member attached to the holder is removed from the holder and attached to the printing device. or at least one of the following. In this way, the elevating section that raises and lowers the storage section can also serve as a mechanism for transferring the replaceable member between the storage device and the printing device. Note that the holder may be fixed to the storage section or may be transportable. For example, the replaceable member may be attached to a holder included in a transport jig that can be transported by the transport unit.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention can be utilized for the printing apparatus which prints a viscous fluid on printing objects, such as a board|substrate.

1 printing system, 10 printing device, 11 printing control section, 13 replaceable member, 20 printing processing section, 21 printing head, 22 printing moving section, 23 squeegee lifting section, 23a piston rod, 24 squeegee fixing section, 25 air cylinder, 25a cylinder shaft, 25b flange, 26 regulating member, 27a, 27b claw portion, 28a, 28b recess, 30 squeegee, 30a, 30b first and second squeegee, 31 squeegee blade, 32 mounting member, 32a gripped surface, 33 Positioning member, 33a opening, 33b gripped surface, 34 protrusion, 35 shaft member, 36 flange, 38 transport rod, 40 supply section, 41 supply head, 41a back plate section, 41b fixing member, 42 air supply section, 43 Clamp part, 44 Rotation motor, 45 Remaining amount sensor, 46 Supply moving part, 46a Guide, 46b Ball screw, 48 Drive motor, 49 Cartridge, 49a Main body part, 49b Flange part, 49d Connection part, 50 Mask working part, 51 Mask fixing part, 52 Position adjustment part, 53 Conveyance rail, 55 Screen mask, 56 Mask body, 57 Frame, 57a Barcode, 58 Pattern hole, 60 Board fixing part, 60a Main body, 60b Side frame, 61 Substrate conveyor , 62 substrate guide, 63 substrate guide moving section, 65 support platform elevating section, 66 fixed section elevating section, 67 support platform, 70 substrate support member, 70a main body section, 71, 72 projection section, 73 suction port, 75 identification section, 76 barcode, 80 cleaning section, 81 replacement module, 81a first roller, 81b second roller, 82 cleaning member, 83 mounting member, 83a box, 83b bearing, 83c gear, 83d protrusion, 83e receiving member, 83f opening Part, 83g Engagement shaft, 84 Placement member, 84a Contact member, 84b Lifting device, 84c Claw member, 84d Connection portion, 86 Support member, 86a Take-up motor, 86b Gear, 86c Lock mechanism, 86d Lock member, 87 Cleaning moving unit, 88 Support member moving mechanism, 88a Y-axis slider, 88b Guide rail, 89 Placement member moving mechanism, 89a Drive source, 89b Connection unit, 89c Telescopic rail, 97 Reading unit, 98 Display operation unit, 100 Storage device , 101 housing, 102 storage section, 103 storage area, 103a to 103i 1st to 9th storage areas, 104 transport conveyor, 104a to 104i 1st to 9th transport conveyor, 105 conveyor lifting section, 106 storage control section, 110 Squeegee conveyance jig, 111 frame, 112 holder, 113 support section, 114 opening, 115 engaging section, 116 barcode, 120 cartridge conveyance jig, 121 frame, 122 holder, 123 support section, 124 opening, 125 connection joint, 126 barcode, 130 support member conveyance jig, 131 frame, 132 to 135 first to fourth protrusion holding parts, 136 barcode, 140 cleaning member conveyance jig, 141 frame, 142 protrusion holding part, 146 bar Code, 150 Management PC, S board.

Claims (9)

A printing device that performs a printing process using a viscous fluid on a printing target using a screen mask,
A cartridge containing the viscous fluid, a squeegee, a cleaning member used for cleaning the screen mask, the screen mask, and a support member for fixing the printing target, the cartridge, the squeegee, and the cleaning member. a moving unit that performs at least one of moving the replaceable member to a replacement position and carrying in and out the replaceable member for each of the two or more types of replaceable members including at least one of the above;
an exchange control unit that controls the moving unit to execute an exchange process of exchanging the replaceable member;
Printing device with. The moving unit has a common moving mechanism that moves two or more types of members included in the replaceable member.
The printing device according to claim 1. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2,
a reading unit that reads identification information commonly attached to at least one of the member and a conveyance jig for the member and a conveying jig for the member, common to two or more types of members included in the replaceable member;
Printing device with. The printing device is capable of transporting the replaceable member into and out of a storage device that stores the replaceable member,
The exchange control unit causes the reading unit to read identification information of one or more types of the replaceable members stored in the storage device during the printing process.
The printing device according to claim 3. The exchange control unit allows the reading unit to read the replaceable member stored in the storage device when causing the reading unit to read identification information of one or more types of the replaceable members during the printing process. outputting a command to the storage device to move it to a certain position;
The printing device according to claim 4. A member used in a printing device that performs a printing process using a viscous fluid on a printing target using a screen mask, the member comprising: a cartridge containing the viscous fluid; a squeegee; and a cleaning member used to clean the screen mask. , a storage unit that stores two or more types of replaceable members, including at least one of the cartridge, the squeegee, and the cleaning member, among the screen mask and a support member that fixes the printing target;
a transport unit that carries one or more of the replaceable members in and out between the storage unit and the printing device;
Storage device with. The storage device according to claim 6,
an elevating section for elevating and lowering the storage section;
Equipped with
The storage section has a plurality of storage areas in the vertical direction for storing at least one type of the replaceable member.
Storage device. The storage unit may store the member that is the highest in height to be carried into the printing apparatus among the replaceable members in the uppermost stage of the plurality of storage areas, or may store the member that is the highest in height to be carried into the printing apparatus among the replaceable members. The member having the lowest carrying height is stored in the lowest stage of the plurality of storage areas, or at least one of the following is performed.
The storage device according to claim 7. The storage device according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
an elevating section for elevating and lowering the storage section;
Equipped with
The storage unit stores one or more of the replaceable members in a state attached to a holder,
The elevating unit is configured to attach the replaceable member received from the printing device to the holder or remove the replaceable member attached to the holder from the holder by raising and lowering the holder by raising and lowering the storage unit. and/or pass it to a printing device.
Storage device.

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