Support system and method for a screen printing unit

A method of supporting a printing screen unit in a screen printing machine, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a printing screen unit comprising a printing screen including a pattern of printing apertures through which printing medium is printed onto a workpiece;
• tensioning the printing screen to a first tension;
• printing printing medium onto a workpiece through the pattern of apertures in the printing screen;
• tensioning the printing screen to a second tension, which is lower than the first tension;
• and
• separating the printing screen unit from the workpiece.

A support system for supporting a printing screen unit in a screen printing machine, the support system including:

• a printing screen unit, the printing screen unit comprising a printing screen including a pattern of apertures through which printing medium is printed onto a workpiece;
• a support assembly comprising a support unit for supporting the printing screen unit, and a tensioning mechanism for tensioning the printing screen in a screen printing operation;
• and
• a control unit for controlling operation of the support assembly, wherein the control unit is configured to operate the tensioning mechanism to tension the printing screen to a first tension in a printing phase in printing printing medium onto a workpiece and a second tension, which is lower than the first tension, in a separation phase in separating the printing screen unit and the workpiece.