A multi-spectrum screen exposure system for curing printing emulsions, including an enclosure with a platen that is transmissive to at least some ultraviolet wavelengths of light, a cover shiftable between an open orientation wherein the platen is accessible to an operator and a closed orientation wherein the platen is covered and inaccessible to the operator, a light emitting diode illumination (LED) light source assembly supported within the enclosure and oriented to direct illumination toward the platen, the light emitting diode illumination light source assembly emitting at least some light in the ultraviolet wavelengths, and a control unit operably coupled to the light emitting diode illumination light source assembly by which the light emitting diode illumination light source assembly can be operated in a controlled fashion.

A screen printing method and an apparatus are provided for printing on objects (12) which can be rolled against a printing screen (34). The method and apparatus provide the possibility of printing on the region (13) of the object to be printed upon over the entire periphery thereof, that is over 360, even when the length of the final overall print image in the peripheral direction of the object is longer than the spacings between the individual objects passing through the printing station. For that purpose, the peripheral surface to which the final overall print image is to be applied is subdivided into at least two portions (13a, b) which are displaced relative to each other in the peripheral direction of the object (12). Each of those portions is provided with at least one individual print (53), wherein a plurality of individual prints applied to the same portion (13a, b) can supplement each other to afford a colored partial print image.

The invention refers to a method for forming an article having a decorative surface comprising: a) screen printing an ink composition comprising a curable composition onto at least one major surface of a thermoformable polymeric sheet; b) curing said curable composition to obtain a printed sheet having on at least one major surface an ink comprising a cured composition; and c) thermoforming the printed sheet to obtain a decorated article, wherein said curable composition comprises a polyisocyanate and a component comprising isocyanate reactive groups and wherein said ink composition contains a solvent or solvent blend in which said curable composition is soluble or miscible.

The invention refers to a method for forming an article having a decorative surface comprising: a) screen printing an ink composition comprising a curable composition onto at least one major surface of a thermoformable polymeric sheet; b) curing said curable composition to obtain a printed sheet having on at least one major surface an ink comprising a cured composition; and c) thermoforming the printed sheet to obtain a decorated article, wherein said curable composition comprises a polyisocyanate and a component comprising isocyanate reactive groups and wherein said ink composition contains a solvent or solvent blend in which said curable composition is soluble or miscible.

A multi-spectrum screen exposure system for curing printing emulsions, including an enclosure with a platen that is transmissive to at least some ultraviolet wavelengths of light, a cover shiftable between an open orientation wherein the platen is accessible to an operator and a closed orientation wherein the platen is covered and inaccessible to the operator, a light emitting diode illumination (LED) light source assembly supported within the enclosure and oriented to direct illumination toward the platen, the light emitting diode illumination light source assembly emitting at least some light in the ultraviolet wavelengths, and a control unit operably coupled to the light emitting diode illumination light source assembly by which the light emitting diode illumination light source assembly can be operated in a controlled fashion.

A multi-spectrum screen exposure system for curing printing emulsions, including an enclosure with a platen that is transmissive to at least some ultraviolet wavelengths of light, a cover shiftable between an open orientation wherein the platen is accessible to an operator and a closed orientation wherein the platen is covered and inaccessible to the operator, a light emitting diode illumination (LED) light source assembly supported within the enclosure and oriented to direct illumination toward the platen, the light emitting diode illumination light source assembly emitting at least some light in the ultraviolet wavelengths, and a control unit operably coupled to the light emitting diode illumination light source assembly by which the light emitting diode illumination light source assembly can be operated in a controlled fashion.

A screen printing safety system is provided. The system includes a screen printing machine, and a plurality of zones in the vicinity of the screen printing machine. Each of the zones includes at least one sensor for sensing encroachment past a predetermined point. The sensors are adapted to stop operation of the screen printing machine when encroachment is sensed in at least one of the plurality of zones.

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

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

A screen printing method includes performing a destaticizing action that removes static electricity with which a screen mask is charged, through a mask support member, which is positioned on a lateral side of a circuit board, before bringing the circuit board into contact with a lower surface of the screen mask, by bringing the conductive mask support member into contact with a lower surface of the screen mask as a result of raising the mask support member. The method includes subsequently performing screen printing by bringing the circuit board into contact with the lower surface of the screen mask as a result of raising the circuit board.