Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a method for stencil printing a layer on or onto a printing surface with a stencil comprising applying a stencil with a first part and a second part to the printing surface and applying a layer of material to the printing surface through the stencil. The first part and the second part cover a non-continuous region of the printing surface.

A solar cell module production method involves applying adhesives on a light-receiving surface and a rear surface of a solar cell having electrodes on the light-receiving surface and the rear surface, and positioning and attaching a wiring material on the adhesives. Specifically, the adhesives are applied via screen printing, and different screen plates are used on the light-receiving surface side and the rear surface side to apply a greater amount of adhesive on the rear surface side than on the light-receiving surface side.

A conveyor system for a stencil printer includes a pair of rail members, with the pair of rail members extending through a frame and configured to transport the substrate through the stencil printer. The conveyor system further includes, for each rail member, a lift tool assembly coupled to the rail member. The lift tool assembly includes a lifter portion, a main plate secured to the lifter portion, and a clamping member coupled to the main plate. The clamping member is configured to move horizontally between a substrate engaged position and a substrate disengaged position. The lift tool assembly further includes a thin foil coupled to the main plate. The thin foil is configured to move vertically and horizontally, independent from the clamping member.

A conveyor system for a stencil printer includes a pair of rail members extending through a frame and configured to transport the substrate through the stencil printer. A lift tool assembly is configured to support the substrate at a transport height and a print height. The lift tool assembly includes a lifter portion configured to be engaged by a support of the lift table assembly. A foot of the lifter portion has at least two permanent magnets configured to secure the foot of the lifter portion to the support when engaging the support to the lifter portion, and at least one vacuum pocket formed in a bottom surface of the foot of the lifter portion. The vacuum pocket is configured to selectively secure the lifter portion in place on the support.

An electrostatic screen printer includes: an electrically conductive screen arranged in non-contact with a printing medium; sponges for rubbing a powder into the screen; and a direct current power source for applying a voltage to the printing medium and the powder, wherein the powder rubbed into the screen is adhered to the printing medium by electrostatic induction. The electrostatic screen printer includes a rotation mechanism for rotating the sponges, a parent revolution mechanism for parent revolution of the sponges, and a child revolution mechanism for child revolution of the sponges. The revolution speed ratio of the child revolution to the parent revolution may preferably be 4.0 or greater, a scraper is provided on the parent revolution mechanism so as to be interlocked with the revolution of the sponges, and the scraper is arranged so as to scrape the powder on the screen toward an axis of the parent revolution because of the interlocking.

Methods, devices, and systems are provided for the encapsulation of electronic devices. The encapsulation includes positioning an electronic device in a cavity of a mold, and screen or stencil printing an encapsulant, in a liquid form, around the flexible electronic device. The mold is of a sufficient thickness to allow the encapsulant to completely cover electronic components mounted on a first surface of the electronic device.

An apparatus includes a frame, a unit coupled to the frame and configured to deposit material on the electronic substrate, and a substrate support assembly coupled to the frame. The substrate support assembly is configured to support the electronic substrate. The substrate support assembly includes a worktable and a fixed support secured to the worktable. The fixed support extends from a first edge of the worktable to a second edge of the worktable. The substrate assembly further includes an adjustable support releasably secured to the worktable. The adjustable support extends from the first edge to the second edge and spaced from the fixed support. The substrate assembly further includes at least one guide mechanism configured to releasably secure the adjustable support in place on the worktable.

A stencil printer includes a frame, a stencil coupled to the frame, and a print head coupled to the frame to deposit and print viscous material over the stencil. The stencil printer further includes a lift table assembly configured to support the substrate in a transport position and a print position, and a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a pair of rail members coupled to the frame. The pair of rail members extends through the frame and is configured to transport the substrate through the stencil printer. The conveyor system further includes, for each rail member, a lift tool assembly coupled to the rail member. The lift tool assembly is configured to cooperate with the lift table assembly and to engage and support the substrate at a transport height and a print height.

A squeegee assembly is disclosed for use in a solder paste printing system. The squeegee assembly includes an elongated primary blade holder holding a primary blade adapted for movement in a first direction, and one or more secondary blades mounted to the primary blade holder in a following position with respect to the first direction of movement of the primary blade.

A method of screen printing positionally synchronizes a plurality of pallet assemblies on a first screen printing machine with a plurality of pallet assemblies on a second screen printing machine. A screen printed garment having a properly aligned first image received from the first screen printing machine is transferred on a portion of one of the pallet assemblies on the first screen printing machine to one of the plurality of pallet assemblies on the second printing machine. The properly aligned first image on the garment is in proper positional alignment with a screen printing head on the second screen printing machine such that a second image complimentary to the first image is printed on the garment in proper position on the garment relative to the first image without user intervention to positionally locate the first image relative to the screen printing head on the second machine.