Direct to mesh screen stencil creation
AssigneeDuralChrome AG
InventorsJohn Cecil Harwell, Shlomo Hermon, Alexander Kleinmann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A direct to mesh (DtM) screen printer for creating a screen stencil is provided. The DtM screen printer includes a frame to hold a pre-stretched mesh in place during application of a jettable emulsion, a fixture to hold the frame, a platen to hold a release fluid against one side of the pre-stretched mesh, a fluid dispenser for dispensing the release fluid onto the platen or mesh, and a printer carriage supporting a print head for printing the jettable emulsion on a side of the pre-stretched mesh opposite the platen. A process is also provided, the process being for using the DtM screen printer to prepare the screen stencil for screen printing.
Claims15
A direct to mesh screen printer for creating a screen stencil, including:
- a frame that holds a pre-stretched mesh in place during application of a jettable emulsion:
- a fixture that holds the frame;
- a release fluid;
- a platen that holds the release fluid against one side of the pre-stretched mesh;
- a fluid dispenser for dispensing the release fluid onto the platen or mesh;
- and
- a printer carriage supporting a print head for printing the jettable emulsion on a side of the pre-stretched mesh opposite the platen, wherein the release fluid inhibits dot-gain while providing a smooth, non-reactive surface for the jettable emulsion after curing.
A process, including:
- providing a direct to mesh screen printer, including a fixture that holds a frame, which holds a pre-stretched mesh in place during application of a jettable emulsion, a release fluid, a platen that holds the release fluid against one side of the pre-stretched mesh, and a printer carriage supporting a print head for printing the jettable emulsion on a side of the pre-stretched mesh opposite the platen;
- placing the frame in the fixture;
- dispensing the release fluid onto the platen or mesh;
- bringing the platen and the mesh together to a taut configuration;
- printing the jettable emulsion on the mesh;
- and
- curing the jettable emulsion using UV radiation, wherein the release fluid inhibits dot-gain while not adhering to the jettable emulsion following curing of the jettable emulsion.
A direct to mesh screen printer for creating a screen stencil, including:
- a frame that holds a pre-stretched mesh in place during application of a jettable emulsion;
- a fixture that holds the frame;
- a release fluid;
- a platen that holds the release fluid against one side of the pre-stretched mesh;
- a fluid dispenser for dispensing the release fluid onto the platen or mesh;
- and
- a printer carriage supporting a print head for printing the jettable emulsion on side of the pre-stretched mesh opposite the platen, wherein the release fluid comprises water and at least one emulsifier in a sufficient amount to prevent evaporation of the release fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.