Method and apparatus for through hole substrate printing

A method of printing conductive ink on a first and second substrate having different through hole designs from each other comprising:

• providing a printing nest station having a plurality of pointed pins for supporting said first substrate in a substantially flat and horizontal position during a printing operation and so that none of said pointed pins block a through hole in said first substrate;
• placing said first substrate on said pointed pins;
• printing conductive ink on said substrate;
• applying a vacuum to said printing nest so that ink is drawn through said first substrate through holes and so that no ink contacts the surfaces of said printing station that supports said substrate;
• removing said vacuum and said substrate;
• said second substrate having a through hole design such that at least one of the through holes in the second substrate is blocked by a pointed pin if properly placed on said printing station to be printed;
• moving any pointed pins blocking a through hole of said second substrate to a position so that when said second substrate is placed on said printing station none of the through holes are blocked by a pointed pin;
• applying ink to said second substrate;
• applying a vacuum to said printing nest station so that ink is drawn through the through holes in said second substrate and so that ink does not contact any of the surfaces supporting said second substrate;
• and
• removing said vacuum and second substrate.

An apparatus for applying conductive ink to a substrate having first and second opposed surfaces, perimeter portions, and an interior portion having through holes extending between the first and second surfaces, said apparatus comprising:

• a first and second opposed shoulders to support the substrate along portions of the perimeter;
• a vacuum chamber defined by four side walls and a printing nest plate, wherein a side wall extends downwardly from a shoulder, and wherein the printing nest plate comprises a plurality of pointed pins constructed and arranged to support the substrate;
• a plurality of vacuum holes formed in the printing nest plate;
• and
• a vacuum pump communicating with the vacuum holes.