WO2024121958A1

WO2024121958A1 - Printer

Info

Publication number: WO2024121958A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/045022
Authority: WO
Inventors: 祥史深草
Original assignee: 株式会社Fuji
Priority date: 2022-12-07
Filing date: 2022-12-07
Publication date: 2024-06-13

Abstract

This printer prints a viscous fluid onto an object by using a screen mask, is able to convey and replace a plurality of types of members for replacement including the screen mask, and comprises a pair of first conveyance surfaces and a pair of second conveyance surfaces. The pair of first conveyance surfaces extend in the horizontal direction and are used for conveying the screen mask. The pair of second conveyance surfaces extend parallel to the extending direction of the pair of first conveyance surfaces and are used for conveying a conveyance jig to which another member for replacement other than the screen mask is attached.

Description

Printer

This specification discloses a printing machine.

Conventionally, there are known devices that automatically replace exchangeable parts used in printing machines that print a viscous fluid on an object. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device that includes a storage device that stores exchangeable parts including a screen mask and is disposed in front of the printing machine to transport exchangeable parts between the printing machine and the device. The storage device has a storage section that can store the screen mask and a transport jig to which other exchangeable parts (squeegee and substrate support member) are attached, and a transport conveyor that transports the parts stored in the storage section back and forth. The printing machine has a pair of left and right transport rails that are disposed between the print processing section and the substrate fixing section and extend in the front-rear direction. The printing machine retracts the screen mask from above the transport rails, uses the transport rails to pull in the transport jig to replace exchangeable parts, and pulls in the screen mask and holds it on the transport rails.

International Publication No. 2018/105016

In the printing machine described above, when the screen mask and transport jig move between the printing machine and the storage device, the outer frames of the screen mask and transport jig rub against the frame receiving portion of the transport rail, causing wear and generating wear powder. When wear powder is generated on the transport rail, the wear powder increases transport friction, which may cause problems in transporting the screen mask and transport jig. In addition, when wear powder accumulates over time, the screen mask may ride up on the accumulated wear powder, which may reduce the flatness of the screen mask.

The primary objective of this disclosure is to provide a printing machine that can smoothly transport a transport jig equipped with a screen mask or replacement parts, regardless of long-term use.

This disclosure takes the following steps to achieve the above-mentioned primary objective:

The printing machine of the present disclosure comprises:
A printing machine that uses a screen mask to print a viscous fluid on an object and is capable of transporting and replacing a plurality of types of replacement parts including the screen mask,
a pair of first transport surfaces extending in a horizontal direction and used for transporting the screen mask;
a second transport surface extending parallel to the extending direction of the pair of first transport surfaces and used for transporting a transport jig having an exchange member other than the screen mask attached thereto;
The gist of the invention is to provide the following:

In the printing machine disclosed herein, different transport surfaces (first transport surface, second transport surface) are used for transporting the screen mask and for transporting replacement parts other than the screen mask. By dispersing the transport surfaces, the generation of wear powder can be reduced. As a result, when replacing the screen mask or other replacement parts, the transport jig to which the screen mask or replacement parts are attached can be transported smoothly, regardless of long-term use.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printing press and storage rack. FIG. 2 is a side view of the printing press and storage rack. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a storage rack, an exchange frame, and a transport rail. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a substrate support member and a replacement frame. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a running surface of a replacement frame of the screen mask. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a running surface of a replacement frame of a substrate support member. FIG.

Next, the form for implementing this disclosure will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an oblique view of the printing machine 10 and the storage rack 60. FIG. 2 is a side view of the printing machine 10 and the storage rack 60. FIG. 3 is an oblique view of the storage rack 60, the replacement frame 80, and the transport rail 40. FIG. 4 is an oblique view of the board support member 32 and the replacement frame 80. In FIGS. 1 to 3, the left-right direction is the X-axis, the front-back direction is the Y-axis, and the up-down direction is the Z-axis.

The printer 10 of this embodiment uses a squeegee 22 to push the solder paste on the screen mask M into pattern holes formed in the screen mask M, thereby printing the solder paste onto the substrate S below through the pattern holes. The printer 10 is combined with a component mounter that mounts electronic components onto the substrate S on which the solder has been printed to form a production line. Furthermore, when changing the type of substrate S to be produced, the printer 10 is capable of automatically replacing the screen mask M and the substrate support member 32 that supports the substrate S according to the type of substrate S.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the printer 10 includes a printer main body 11, a housing 12 that houses the printer main body 11, an exchange device 50, a storage rack 60, and a control device (not shown) that controls the entire printer. The printer main body 11 includes a head device 20, a substrate transport device 30, a recognition unit 35, and transport rails 40.

The head device 20 is installed in the upper part of the printer body 11. As shown in FIG. 1, the head device 20 includes a head body 21 and a head moving unit 26 that moves the head body 21 in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction), which is the printing direction. The head moving unit 26 has a guide rail 28 extending in the front-rear direction, a Y-axis slider 27 that moves along the guide rail 28, and a motor (not shown) that drives the Y-axis slider 27. As shown in FIG. 2, the head body 21 has a pair of front and rear squeegees 22, a squeegee lifting unit 23 that is, for example, an air cylinder, that lifts and lowers the corresponding squeegee 22, a pusher 24, and a pusher lifting unit 25 that is, for example, an air cylinder, that lifts and lowers the pusher 24. The pair of squeegees 22 are plate-shaped members that extend in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the printing direction, and are inclined so as to move away from each other as they move downward when viewed from the left-right direction. A pair of transport rails 40 extending forward and backward are installed in the middle of the printer body 11, and the pusher 24, lowered by the pusher lifting unit 25, is moved forward and backward by the head moving unit 26, thereby pushing and moving the

replacement frames

70, 80 on the transport rails 40 forward and backward. As shown in FIG. 2, the

replacement frames

70, 80 move in and out of the housing 12 through a passage opening 36 provided in the middle of the front of the housing 12. The passage opening 36 is provided with a detection sensor 37 that detects the passage of the

replacement frames

70, 80.

The substrate transport device 30 is installed in the lower section of the printer body 11. The substrate transport device 30 loads and positions the substrate S, and also brings the substrate S into contact with and away from the screen mask M (rear surface). As shown in FIG. 2, the substrate transport device 30 includes a substrate transport section 31 that transports the substrate S in the left-right direction (X-axis direction), a substrate support member 32 as a backup member that supports the substrate S from below, and a substrate support member lifting section 33 that raises and lowers the substrate support member 32. The substrate support member 32 is replaced with one of a size suitable for supporting the substrate S depending on the type of substrate S.

The recognition unit 35 recognizes the substrate S and the substrate support member 32. The recognition unit 35 recognizes the position of the substrate S by reading marks attached to the top surface of the substrate S that has been transported and positioned by the substrate transport device 30, and recognizes the position and size of the substrate support member 32 by reading marks attached to the bottom surface of the substrate support member 32 that is supported by the exchange frame 80 on the transport rail 40.

The exchange device 50 receives the storage rack 60 that stores the replacement parts (screen mask M and substrate support member 32) used in the printer body 11 using the

replacement frames

70, 80, and transports the replacement parts between the storage rack 60 and the printer body 11. The exchange device 50 includes a left unit 51a installed on the left side of the front of the printer body 11, and a right unit 51b installed on the right side of the front of the printer body 11. The left unit 51a and the right unit 51b each have a rack support member 52 that receives the storage rack 60 and supports its lower surface from both the left and right sides, and a rack lifting unit 53 that raises and lowers the rack support member 52. The rack lifting unit 53 is composed of, for example, a combination of a ball screw mechanism and a motor, or a linear motor. The storage rack 60 supported by the rack support member 52 is raised and lowered together with the rack support member 52 by the rack lifting unit 53. Furthermore, the left unit 51a and the right unit 51b have a frame front-rear movement part 54 that moves the

replacement frames

70, 80 in the storage rack 60 forward and backward from both the left and right sides using belts, rollers, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, the storage rack 60 is a storage body that has a pair of left and right support rails 61 in multiple stages, and can store replacement parts on each support rail 61. In addition,

openings

62, 63 are formed on the front and rear sides of the storage rack 60, which are located on the printing machine body 11. The replacement parts are inserted and removed by an operator through the opening 62 on the front side, and are carried in and out by the frame front-rear moving unit 54 through the opening 63 on the rear side. When the storage rack 60 is received by the exchange device 50, the frame front-rear moving unit 54 sends the replacement parts supported on the support rails 61 located at approximately the same height as the transport rails 40 of the printing machine body 11 out of the multiple stages of support rails 61 of the storage rack 60 by the rack lifting unit 53 to the printing machine body 11. In addition, the frame front-rear moving unit 54 sends the replacement parts supported on the transport rails 40 of the printing machine body 11 to the support rails 61 of the storage rack 60 located at approximately the same height as the transport rails 40. The storage rack 60 may be transported to the receiving position of the exchange device 50 by an operator, or may be loaded onto an automatic transport vehicle (AGV) and automatically transported to the receiving position of the exchange device 50 by the automatic transport vehicle.

The replacement frame 70 is a frame that supports the screen mask M. The screen mask M is a thin metal plate that is supported by the replacement frame 70 with a certain tension applied. While still supported by the replacement frame 70, the screen mask M is positioned and fixed in the working area on the transport rail 40 and used for printing.

As shown in FIG. 4, the replacement frame 80 is a frame that supports the board support member 32 and has approximately the same left-right width as the replacement frame 70. The replacement frame 80 comprises a rectangular outer frame 81, a pair of support parts 82 that are fixed to the outer frame 81 facing each other and support the board support member 32 from both sides, and a cam follower 83. A plurality of cam followers 83 (e.g., four each) are rotatably supported on the inside and underside of the left side part 81a and right side part 81b of the outer frame 81.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the transport rails 40 are installed at approximately the same height as the passage opening 36 (see Figure 2) in the middle section of the printer body 11, and are a pair of left and right long rails extending in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The transport rails 40 have a pair of left and right first transport surfaces 41 used to transport the replacement frame 70 (screen mask M), and a pair of left and right second transport surfaces 45 used to transport the replacement frame 80 (substrate support member 32).

Each of the pair of left and right first conveying surfaces 41 has a flat conveying surface body 42 extending in the front-rear direction, and a plurality of support parts 43 that are provided at a predetermined interval in front of and behind the conveying surface body 42 and protrude above the conveying surface body 42. That is, each first conveying surface 41 has a step due to each support part 43. As shown in FIG. 5, each support part 43 has an abutment surface that abuts against the lower surface of the replacement frame 70 (outer frame) of the screen mask M, and supports the screen mask M in a horizontal position by the abutment surface. The abutment surface of the support part 43 has good flatness accuracy and height accuracy ensured by cutting processing or the like. This makes it easier to ensure the flatness of the screen mask M compared to when the replacement frame 70 (outer frame) is supported by the conveying surface body 42. In addition, a circumferential groove 44 recessed further than the conveying surface body 42 is formed around the support part 43. As a result, the grooves 44 can receive wear particles generated when the replacement frame 70 supporting the screen mask M slides over the support part 43, preventing the wear particles from adhering to the conveying surface main body 42 and the support part 43.

The pair of left and right second conveying surfaces 45 are provided continuously on the inside of the pair of left and right first conveying surfaces 41. As shown in FIG. 6, each second conveying surface 45 is formed by a flat surface without steps extending forward and backward at a position one step lower than the outer first conveying surface 41 (conveying surface main body 42). As described above, cam followers 83 are provided on the inner and lower surface of the left side portion 81a and the right side portion 81b of the outer frame 81 of the exchange frame 80, and the exchange frame 80 runs along the conveying rail 40 by the cam followers 83 rolling on the second conveying surface 45. As shown in FIG. 6, the pair of left and right first conveying surfaces 41 (support portions 43) are formed so that they are lower than the lower surface of the outer frame 81 of the exchange frame 80 when the cam followers 83 are in contact with the second conveying surface 45. This allows the exchange frame 80 to be smoothly conveyed.

Furthermore, side walls 46 are provided on the inner ends of the pair of left and right second transport surfaces 45 that face each other. The side walls 46 are primarily intended to prevent wear powder generated when the replacement frame 80 (substrate support member 32) is transported on the second transport surfaces 45 from falling onto the substrate S, substrate transport device 30, etc.

Here, the replacement of the screen mask M is performed as follows. That is, the control device of the printing machine 10 first controls the pusher lifting unit 25 and the head moving unit 26 to push the replacement frame 70 supporting the screen mask M on the first transport surface 41 with the pusher 24 to move it on the first transport surface 41, and to transport the replacement frame 70 from the passage opening 36 to the outside of the housing 12. Next, the control device controls the replacement device 50 to recover the replacement frame 70 to the storage rack 60. Next, the control device controls the replacement device 50 to remove the replacement frame 70 supporting a new screen mask M from the storage rack 60 and to transport it into the housing 12 from the passage opening 36. Then, the control device controls the pusher lifting unit 25 and the head moving unit 26 to push the transported replacement frame 70 with the pusher 24 to move it on the first transport surface 41, and to transport and position the replacement frame 70 (new screen mask M) to the working area.

In addition, the substrate support member 32 is also replaced as necessary. The substrate support member 32 is replaced in a state where the screen mask M (replacement frame 70) on the transport rail 40 is retracted to the storage rack 60. The control device of the printing machine 10 controls the replacement device 50 to remove the empty replacement frame 80 from the storage rack 60 and carry it into the housing 12 through the passage opening 36. Next, the control device controls the pusher lifting unit 25 and the head moving unit 26 to push the empty replacement frame 80 carried into the housing 12 with the pusher 24 to move it on the second transport surface 45, thereby moving the replacement frame 80 to the working area. Next, the control device controls the substrate support member lifting unit 33 to raise the substrate support member 32 and transfer the substrate support member 32 to the replacement frame 80 on the second transport surface 45. Note that the transfer of the substrate support member 32 can be performed, for example, by using a method described in International Publication No. WO 2018/105016. Next, the control device controls the pusher lifting unit 25 and the head moving unit 26 to push the replacement frame 80 with the pusher 24 to move it on the second transport surface 45, and to transport the replacement frame 80 from the passage opening 36 to the outside of the housing 12. Then, the control device controls the replacement device 50 to recover the replacement frame 80 to the storage rack 60. Next, the control device controls the replacement device 50 to take out the replacement frame 80 supporting the new substrate support member 32 from the storage rack 60, and to transport it into the housing 12 from the passage opening 36. Next, the control device controls the pusher lifting unit 25 and the head moving unit 26 to push the replacement frame 80 brought into the housing 12 with the pusher 24 to move it on the second transport surface 45, and to transport the replacement frame 80 (new substrate support member 32) to the working area. The control device then controls the substrate support member lifting unit 33 to lift the substrate support member 32 and transfer the new substrate support member 32 to the substrate support member lifting unit 33. The control device then controls the pusher lifting unit 25 and the head moving unit 26 to push the empty replacement frame 80 after the substrate support member 32 has been transferred by the pusher 24 to move it on the second transport surface 45, and to transport the replacement frame 80 out of the housing 12 through the passage opening 36. The control device then controls the replacement device 50 to retrieve the empty replacement frame 80 into the storage rack 60.

In this way, in this embodiment, the screen mask M and the substrate support member 32 are transported using different transport surfaces (first transport surface 41, second transport surface 45). Therefore, the transport surfaces can be dispersed, and the generation of wear powder can be reduced. Even if wear powder is generated due to the sliding between the replacement frame 70 and each support part 43 of the pair of left and right first transport surfaces 41 when replacing the screen mask M, the generated wear powder is stored in the grooves 44 formed around each support part 43. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the adhesion and accumulation of wear powder on the transport surface main body 42 and the support parts 43, and it is possible to prevent the replacement frame 70 from riding on the accumulated wear powder and reducing the flatness of the screen mask M. In addition, the replacement frame 80 of the substrate support member 32 is transported by the cam followers 83 rolling on the pair of left and right second transport surfaces 45, so that the replacement frame 80 can be transported smoothly. Furthermore, the pair of left and right second transport surfaces 45 are provided inside the pair of left and right first transport surfaces 41 at a position one step lower than the first transport surfaces 41, so even if wear powder is generated on the second transport surfaces 45 as the replacement frame 80 is transported, the wear powder can be prevented from adhering to the first transport surfaces 41. In addition, since side walls 46 are provided at the inner ends of the pair of left and right second transport surfaces 45 facing each other, even if wear powder is generated on the second transport surfaces 45 as the replacement frame 80 is transported, the generated wear powder can be prevented from falling onto the substrate transport device 30 or the substrate S.

Here, the correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the present disclosure described in the claims will be explained. That is, the screen mask M and the substrate support member 32 of the present embodiment correspond to the replacement member of the present disclosure, the printer 10 corresponds to the printer, the first transport surface 41 corresponds to the first transport surface, the replacement frame 80 corresponds to the transport jig, and the second transport surface 45 corresponds to the second transport surface. Also, the transport surface main body 42 corresponds to the transport surface main body, and the support portion 43 corresponds to the support portion. Also, the recessed groove 44 corresponds to the recess. Also, the cam follower 83 corresponds to the cam follower. Also, the side wall 46 corresponds to the side wall.

It goes without saying that this disclosure is in no way limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms as long as they fall within the technical scope of this disclosure.

For example, in the embodiment described above, the replacement frame 80 is transported by the cam followers 83 provided on the outer frame 81 rolling on the second transport surface 45. However, the cam followers 83 may be omitted, and the replacement frame 80 may be transported by sliding on the second transport surface 45.

In the above-described embodiment, the pair of left and right second conveying surfaces 45 are provided inside the pair of left and right first conveying surfaces 41, but they may also be provided outside the pair of left and right first conveying surfaces 41.

In the above-described embodiment, the second transport surface 45 is used to transport the replacement frame 80 to which the substrate support member 32 is attached. However, the second transport surface 45 may be used to transport a replacement frame (transport jig) to which a replacement member other than the screen mask M (e.g., a squeegee 22) is attached, as long as it is used in the printing machine 10. Note that when the squeegee 22 is attached to the replacement frame as a replacement member and transported over the second transport surface 45, the squeegee 22 can be transferred to the head body 21 using, for example, the method described in WO 2018/105016.

In the above-described embodiment, the printer of the present disclosure is applied to printing solder as a viscous fluid on a substrate S as an object. However, the object may be other substrates such as three-dimensional objects, and the viscous fluid may be a conductive paste, adhesive, etc.

As described above, in the printing machine disclosed herein, different transport surfaces (first transport surface, second transport surface) are used for transporting the screen mask and for transporting replacement parts other than the screen mask. By dispersing the transport surfaces, the generation of wear powder can be reduced. As a result, when replacing the screen mask or other replacement parts, the transport jig to which the screen mask or replacement part is attached can be transported smoothly, regardless of long-term use.

In such a printing machine of the present disclosure, the pair of first conveying surfaces may have a step, and the pair of second conveying surfaces may have no step. In this way, the conveying jig can be smoothly conveyed on the second conveying surfaces. In this case, the pair of first conveying surfaces may have a conveying surface main body and a support portion that is raised as the step at a position higher than the conveying surface main body and supports the screen mask in a horizontal position. In this way, by ensuring the accuracy of the support portion, the flatness of the screen mask can be well maintained without ensuring the accuracy of the entire first conveying surface. Furthermore, in this case, the first conveying surface may have a recess around the support portion that is recessed deeper than the conveying surface main body. The recess can receive wear powder generated when the screen mask is conveyed using the first conveying surface.

Furthermore, in the printing machine disclosed herein, the pair of second conveying surfaces may be provided at a lower position than the pair of first conveying surfaces. In this way, it is possible to prevent wear powder generated when the conveying jig is conveyed on the second conveying surfaces from adhering to the first conveying surface that conveys the screen mask.

Furthermore, in the printing machine disclosed herein, the transport jig may be provided with cam followers that roll on the second transport surface, and the pair of first transport surfaces may be provided at a position lower than the bottom surface of the frame of the transport jig when the cam followers are in contact with the second transport surface. In this way, the transport jig can be transported smoothly.

Furthermore, in the printing machine disclosed herein, the pair of second conveying surfaces may be provided contiguous to the inside of the pair of first conveying surfaces, and side walls may be provided at the ends of the pair of second conveying surfaces facing each other. In this way, it is possible to prevent wear powder generated when the conveying jig is conveyed using the second conveying surfaces from falling.

　This specification also discloses the technical idea of changing "the printing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4" in claim 6 as originally filed to "the printing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5" and the technical idea of changing "the printing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4" in claim 7 as originally filed to "the printing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6".

This disclosure can be used in the printing machine manufacturing industry, etc.

10 printing machine, 11 printing machine body, 12 housing, 20 head device, 21 head body, 22 squeegee, 23 squeegee lifting section, 24 pusher, 25 pusher lifting section, 26 head moving section, 27 Y-axis slider, 28 guide rail, 30 substrate transport device, 31 substrate transport section, 32 substrate support member, 33 substrate support member lifting section, 35 recognition section, 36 passage opening, 37 detection sensor, 40 transport rail, 41 first transport surface, 42 Transport surface main body, 43 support portion, 44 groove, 45 second transport surface, 46 side wall, 50 exchange device, 51a left unit, 51b right unit, 52 rack support member, 53 rack lift portion, 54 frame front-rear movement portion, 60 storage rack, 61 support rail, 62, 63 opening, 70, 80 exchange frame, 81 outer frame, 81a left side portion, 81b right side portion, 82 support portion, 83 cam follower, M screen mask, S substrate.

Claims

A printing machine that uses a screen mask to print a viscous fluid on an object and is capable of transporting and replacing a plurality of types of replacement parts including the screen mask,
a pair of first transport surfaces extending in a horizontal direction and used for transporting the screen mask;
a second transport surface extending parallel to the extending direction of the pair of first transport surfaces and used for transporting a transport jig having an exchange member other than the screen mask attached thereto;
A printing press comprising:
2. The printing press according to claim 1,
The pair of first conveying surfaces have a step,
The pair of second conveying surfaces does not have a step.
Printer.
3. The printing press according to claim 2,
the pair of first conveying surfaces each having a conveying surface main body and a support portion that is raised at a position higher than the conveying surface main body as the step and supports the screen mask in a horizontal position;
Printer.
The printing machine according to claim 3,
The first conveying surface has a recess around the support portion that is recessed deeper than the conveying surface main body.
Printer.
A printing press according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The pair of second conveying surfaces are provided at a lower position than the pair of first conveying surfaces.
Printer.
A printing press according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The conveying jig is provided with a cam follower that rolls on the second conveying surface,
the pair of first conveying surfaces are provided at a position lower than a bottom surface of a frame of the conveying jig when the cam followers are in contact with the second conveying surface;
Printer.
A printing press according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
the pair of second conveying surfaces are provided contiguously on the inner side of the pair of first conveying surfaces,
Side walls are provided at the ends of the pair of second conveying surfaces facing each other.
Printer.