Method and apparatus for tensioning a shadow mask for thin film deposition
AssigneeAdvantech Global, LTD
InventorBrian Arthur Bucci
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a method and apparatus for shadow mask tensioning, a shadow mask frame and an anchor frame are positioned in spaced relation defining a gap therebetween and a shadow mask is positioned on the shadow mask frame and the anchor frame with an interior portion of the shadow mask extending across the gap. An edge of the shadow mask is affixed to the anchor frame and the shadow mask is tensioned by urging the interior portion of the shadow mask into the gap. Once the shadow mask has been tensioned to a desired extent, the shadow mask is affixed to the shadow mask frame. Thereafter, the combination of the shadow mask affixed to the shadow mask frame is separated from the anchor frame.
Claims16
A shadow mask tensioning method comprising:
- (a) positioning a shadow mask frame and an anchor frame in spaced relation defining a gap therebetween;
- (b) positioning a shadow mask on the shadow mask frame and the anchor frame with a portion of the shadow mask extending across the gap;
- (c) affixing an edge of the shadow mask to the anchor frame;
- (d) following steps (a)-(c), tensioning the shadow mask by urging the portion of the shadow mask into the gap;
- and
- (e) following step (d), affixing the shadow mask to the shadow mask frame, wherein step (d) includes adjusting the tension at numerous, spaced locations of the portion of the shadow mask.
A shadow mask tensioning apparatus comprising:
- means for supporting a shadow mask with an interior portion of the shadow mask in alignment with a gap;
- means for anchoring one or more edges of the shadow mask;
- and
- means for individually urging numerous, spaced locations of the interior portion of the shadow mask into the gap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.