Stencil printers and the like, optical systems therefor, and methods of printing and inspection
OwnerDan Ellenbogeninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optical system for use with printers and the like, printers incorporating such optical systems, methods for printing substrates and for inspection thereof are provided. The optical system may include one or more image capturing devices, and an image processing device for processing images captured by the image capturing devices to provide image data. The optical system is adapted for providing image data corresponding to at least two capture areas of substantially different dimensions on a common focusing plane or on different focusing planes of the optical system.
Claims53
An optical system for use with printers and the like, comprising:
- at least one image capturing device and an image processing device for processing images captured by the or each said image capturing device to provide image data;
- a positioning mechanism for positioning the or each said image capturing device into optical alignment with respect to at least one position on at least one focusing plane associated with the printer to enable images to be captured thereat;
- wherein the optical system is adapted for providing said image data corresponding to at least two capture areas of substantially different dimensions on a same or different said at least one focusing plane.
A printing apparatus for printing a substrate, comprising
- a frame;
- a stencil support, adapted for mounting thereto a stencil;
- a support for supporting the substrate at least during dispensing of said material thereon;
- wherein said apparatus is configured for providing reversible relative movement between said stencil holder and said support at least from a mutually superposed position to a mutually non-superposed position;
- and
- an optical system coupled to said frame, said optical system comprising:
- at least one image capturing device and an image processing device for processing images captured by the or each said image capturing device to selectively provide image data of said substrate and of a said stencil when held by said stencil holder;
- a positioning mechanism for positioning the or each said image capturing device into optical alignment with respect to at least one position on at least one focusing plane associated with the printing apparatus to enable images to be captured thereat;
- wherein the optical system is adapted for providing said image data corresponding to at least two capture areas of substantially different dimensions on said at least one focusing plane.
An optical system for use with printers and the like, comprising:
- at least one image capturing device and an image processing device for processing images captured by the or each said image capturing device to provide image data, wherein the optical system is adapted for providing said image data corresponding to at least two capture areas of substantially different dimensions on a common or different said focusing plane of said optical system.
A method for printing a material on a substrate via a stencil, comprising:
- (a) performing an alignment procedure between a stencil and the substrate based on first image data corresponding to at least one first capture area of each one of said stencil and said substrate, prior to printing the material on the substrate;
- and
- (b) performing an inspection procedure on the printed substrate based on second image data corresponding to at least one second capture area of said substrate;
- wherein said at least one first and second capture areas are of substantially different dimensions one from the other.
A method for inspecting a printed substrate, previously printed at a substrate print position via a stencil located at a stencil print position at least during printing of said substrate, comprising:
- inspecting the substrate from an inspection position generally superposed over said substrate print position, such that said inspection position is spaced from the substrate at a spacing not less than a spacing between the stencil print position and the substrate.
A method for inspecting a printed substrate, previously printed at a substrate print position via a stencil located at a stencil print position at least during printing of said substrate, comprising:
- inspecting the substrate from an inspection position generally superposed over and vertically aligned with said stencil print position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.