Methods and devices that identify a silkscreen data file associated with a physical printed circuit board and use an image of the physical printed circuit board to display a virtual silkscreen over the image of the physical printed circuit board.

The preparation of a screen stencil is provided, using a direct to mesh screen stencil printer. The DtM screen printer includes a frame for holding a pre-stretched mesh in place during application of a jettable emulsion, a fixture to hold the frame, a platen to hold a release paper against one side of the pre-stretched mesh, and a printer carriage supporting a print head for printing the jettable emulsion on a side of the pre-stretched mesh opposite the platen. The release paper is configured to inhibit dot-gain while not adhering to the jettable emulsion following its curing. A method is also provided, the method being for using the DtM screen printer to prepare the screen stencil for screen printing.

A stencil for use in stenciling complex symbols incorporates a stencil substrate employing a flexible material, having a plurality of symbols arranged thereon. A plurality of folding stiffeners are incorporated in the substrate, each stiffener being positioned to split symbols having stencil cutouts forming isolated elements within an interior of the symbol. The stiffeners are foldable about a vertex, to collapse into a raised position and bring together the split symbol, with the stiffeners supporting the isolated elements created by the cutouts and portions of the stencil cutouts forming the symbols that extend into coincident channels in the folding stiffeners, to bridge adjoining portions of said split characters.

A stencil for use in stenciling complex symbols incorporates a stencil substrate employing a flexible material, having a plurality of symbols arranged thereon. A plurality of folding stiffeners are incorporated in the substrate, each stiffener being positioned to split symbols having stencil cutouts forming isolated elements within an interior of the symbol. The stiffeners are foldable about a vertex, to collapse into a raised position and bring together the split symbol, with the stiffeners supporting the isolated elements created by the cutouts and portions of the stencil cutouts forming the symbols that extend into coincident channels in the folding stiffeners, to bridge adjoining portions of said split characters.

In embodiments, the present invention relates to a method of producing a multilayered printed item, comprising: (a) providing a coating of curable composition comprising a polymer powder, at least one plasticizer, and at least one monomer and/or oligomer, onto the substrate or a thereon previously applied layer or coating; (b) heating the curable coating composition to a temperature of about 70-120 C., to provide a gelled curable coating; (c) providing a coating of curable composition comprising a polymer powder, at least one plasticizer, and at least one monomer and/or oligomer, onto the previously applied layer or coating; (d) heating the other curable as above, to provide second gelled curable coating; (e) before crosslinking is performed, the multilayer-coated substrate formed is heated to a temperature of about 130-160 C.; and (f) crosslinking the heated multilayer-coated substrate, by irradiation and/or subjection to heat at a temperature of about 165-190 C.

A composite stencil for applying designs to walls and other surfaces is disclosed. The stencil includes a porous textile support layer to which a flexible stencil mask is bonded by an adhesion layer. The support layer supports unconnected parts of the stencil mask without bridges common with traditional stencils. Further, the textile support layer in the open areas of the stencil can be colored with a sublimation dye to suggest to a user the colors that should be applied in the various areas of the stencil. A pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to the back of the stencil. In use, the stencil is removably adhered to a surface by the pressure sensitive adhesive, whereupon paint or other pigment is applied through the textile support layer to the surface. The lack of bridges permits the entire design to be applied with a single stencil in a single session. The stencil is cleanable and reusable to apply additional designs.

A transparent conductive film (TCF) and methods for creating the TCF. The TCF includes a substrate having a surface, a metal mesh layer over at least a portion of the surface of the substrate, and a conductive layer over the metal mesh layer. The conductive layer includes carbon nanotubes and a binder.

A transparent conductive film (TCF) and methods for creating the TCF. The TCF includes a substrate having a surface, a metal mesh layer over at least a portion of the surface of the substrate, and a conductive layer over the metal mesh layer. The conductive layer includes carbon nanotubes and a binder.

Disclosed is a precision cut printing screen in which the features of a printing pattern are defined on a sheet material by a plurality of apertures within a target printing boundary. Also disclosed is a method of making the printing screen.

A direct to mesh (DtM) screen printer for creating a screen stencil is provided. The DtM screen printer includes a fixture to hold a frame, which holds a pre-stretched mesh in place during application of a jettable emulsion, a platen having a cavity and an array of holes in a top surface of the platen, a non-woven fabric placed on the top surface of the platen and saturated with a release fluid located against one side of the pre-stretched mesh, and a printer carriage supporting a print head for printing the jettable emulsion on a side of the pre-stretched mesh opposite the non-woven fabric.