Printing operation with improved stencil separation
AssigneeAsmpt Smt Singapore Pte. Ltd.
InventorTom FALCON
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Separation between a printing screen or stencil and at least one singulated workpiece following a printing operation is controlled by selective vertical actuation of a surround plate. In particular, an upward force may be supplied to the surround plate following printing, before and/or during separation. Drive means are provided to control movement of the surround plate, which may conveniently be located intermediate the surround plate and a conveyance unit.
Claims15
A printing machine for printing print medium onto a singulated workpiece held within a carrier, comprising:
- tooling which is vertically moveable within the printing machine, the tooling comprising a support surface for supporting the singulated workpiece thereon,
- conveyance means for positioning the carrier above the tooling so that the singulated workpiece held within the carrier is positioned above the support surface,
- a surround plate which comprises an opening dimensioned to receive the singulated workpiece in use, the surround plate being positioned above the tooling, and the carrier in use,
- wherein the printing machine comprises drive means mechanically engaged with the surround plate and operable to drive the surround plate vertically upwards relative to the tooling.
A method for printing a print medium onto a singulated workpiece, comprising the steps of:
- i) placing the singulated workpiece into a carrier,
- ii) transporting the carrier into a printing machine, the printing machine comprising:
- tooling which is vertically moveable within the printing machine, the tooling comprising a support surface for supporting the singulated workpiece thereon, and
- a surround plate which comprises an opening dimensioned to receive the singulated workpiece in use, the surround plate being positioned above the tooling,
- iii) positioning the carrier above the tooling so that the singulated workpiece is positioned above the support surface,
- iv) raising the tooling so that the support surface contacts the singulated workpiece and lifts it from the carrier and into the opening of the surround plate,
- v) depositing print medium onto the singulated workpiece by spreading print medium across an upper surface of a printing screen located above the singulated workpiece, and
- vi) separating the singulated workpiece from the printing screen by lowering the tooling,
- wherein step vi) comprises raising the surround plate relative to the tooling.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.