Screen loading system
AssigneeAsmpt Smt Singapore Pte. Ltd.
InventorChristopher Sheppard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tensioning frame (22) for tensioning a printing screen (3) comprises a plurality of elongate beams (30A-30D) which extend around the periphery of the printing screen (3) and define the tensioning frame (22), wherein at least one of the beams (30A-30D) comprises an opening (32) which is dimensioned to permit a printing screen (3) to be received therethrough, in a lateral direction (A). Mechanisms are described for engagement of the tensioning screen (22) and printing screen (3), as well as an apparatus and a method permitting the lateral loading of the printing screen (3).
Claims16
A tensioning frame for tensioning a printing screen, the tensioning frame comprising:
- a plurality of elongate beams which extend around the periphery of the tensioning frame and define the tensioning frame, the tensioning frame being substantially planar, wherein at least one of the beams comprises an opening in a lateral side thereof which is dimensioned to permit a printing screen to be received therethrough in a direction parallel to the plane of the tensioning frame, and
- wherein each beam comprises a blade which is movable along a range of travel in a direction normal to the plane of the tensioning frame, between a withdrawn position in which the blade is spaced from the printing screen in use and an operational position in which the blade contacts the printing screen in use.
A tensioning frame for tensioning a printing screen, the tensioning frame comprising a plurality of elongate beams which extend around the periphery of the tensioning frame and define the tensioning frame, the tensioning frame being substantially planar, each beam comprising:
- an engagement body at least partially located within the beam, the engagement body carrying an engagement arm for engaging with a printing screen in use, the engagement body being movable with respect to the beam along a range of travel in a plane normal to the length of the beam;
- and
- an actuator operatively connected to the engagement body for moving the engagement body, and the hence engagement arm, relative to the beam,
- wherein the engagement arm is movably mounted to a respective engagement body such that the engagement arm is movable relative to the engagement body.
A method of loading a printing screen into a tensioning frame, comprising the steps of:
- i) providing a tensioning frame, and
- ii) inserting a printing screen into the tensioning frame through a side thereof;
- wherein the tensioning frame is substantially planar and comprises an opening in a lateral side thereof, dimensioned to receive the printing screen in a direction parallel to the plane of the tensioning frame, and
- wherein the tensioning frame comprises:
- a plurality of elongate beams which extend around the periphery of the tensioning frame and define the tensioning frame, the tensioning frame being substantially planar,
- an engagement body at least partially located within a beam, the engagement body carrying an engagement arm for engaging with a printing screen in use, the engagement body being movable relative to said beam along a range of travel in a plane normal to the length of said beam, and
- wherein the engagement arm is movably mounted to a respective engagement body,
- and wherein step i) comprises moving the engagement arm relative to the engagement body into a retracted position in which, in step ii), the printing screen may be fully inserted into the tensioning frame without contacting the engagement arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.