Self-contained vacuum module for stencil wiper assembly

A stencil printer comprising:

• a stencil;
• a material applicator to apply material on the stencil;
• and
• a stencil wiper assembly to selectively wipe the stencil, the stencil wiper assembly comprising a vacuum plenum module including
• a vacuum plenum assembly having a wiper blade and a plenum chamber, in direct fluid communication with the wiper blade the plenum chamber having an opening formed therein, and
• a vacuum generator mounted on the plenum chamber of the vacuum plenum assembly and in direct fluid communication with the plenum chamber, the vacuum generator having an opening proximate to the opening of the plenum chamber to provide the direct fluid communication between the vacuum chamber and the plenum chamber.

A method of cleaning a stencil of a stencil printer comprising a stencil wiper assembly having a vacuum plenum, in direct fluid communication with a wiper blade of the wiper assembly the method comprising:

• loading substrate into the stencil printer;
• dispensing material onto the substrate through the stencil;
• cleaning the stencil with the vacuum plenum of the stencil wiper assembly;
• and
• generating a vacuum directly at the vacuum plenum to create a vacuum within the vacuum plenum.