A system or method of fully automating a changeover and/or a replacement process within a stencil printer includes a stencil printer having at least one item scheduled for replacement within the stencil printer, a stockroom configured to store a plurality of items, and a delivery device. The delivery device is configured to transport an item of the plurality of items to the stencil printer, remove a used item scheduled for replacement, install the item of the plurality of items on the stencil printer, transport the used item to a station configured to inspect and perform one or more functions on the used item to render the used item ready for use, and transport the used item to the stockroom for future use within the stencil printer.

A stencil printer includes a frame, a stencil coupled to the frame, and a support assembly coupled to the frame, with the support assembly including tooling configured to support the electronic substrate in a print position beneath the stencil. The stencil printer further includes a print head assembly coupled to the frame in such a manner that the print head assembly is configured to traverse the stencil during print strokes. The print head assembly includes a squeegee blade assembly and at least one paste cartridge to deposit solder paste on the stencil. The stencil printer further includes an end effector configured to pick up and release items from a tooling tray. The stencil printer further includes a movable cart configured to interface with the stencil printer to deliver changeover and/or replacement items within a stencil printer.

A stencil printer includes a frame, a stencil coupled to the frame, and a support assembly coupled to the frame, with the support assembly including tooling configured to support the electronic substrate in a print position beneath the stencil. The stencil printer further includes a print head assembly coupled to the frame in such a manner that the print head assembly is configured to traverse the stencil during print strokes. The print head assembly includes a squeegee blade assembly and at least one paste cartridge to deposit solder paste on the stencil. The stencil printer further includes an end effector configured to pick up and release items from a tooling tray. The stencil printer further includes a movable cart configured to interface with the stencil printer to deliver changeover and/or replacement items within a stencil printer.

A stencil printer includes a frame, a stencil coupled to the frame, and a support assembly coupled to the frame, with the support assembly including tooling configured to support the electronic substrate in a print position beneath the stencil. The stencil printer further includes a print head assembly coupled to the frame in such a manner that the print head assembly is configured to traverse the stencil during print strokes. The print head assembly includes a squeegee blade assembly and at least one paste cartridge to deposit solder paste on the stencil. The stencil printer further includes an end effector configured to pick up and release items from a tooling tray. The stencil printer further includes a movable cart configured to interface with the stencil printer to deliver changeover and/or replacement items within a stencil printer.

A screen-frame attachment apparatus to which a screen frame for holding a screen is to be attached, the screen-frame attachment apparatus including: an apparatus-side positioning part that positions the screen frame, the apparatus-side positioning part being associated with a frame-side positioning part provided on a periphery of the screen frame, wherein the apparatus-side positioning part positions the screen frame in accordance with a projection provided on one of the apparatus-side positioning part or the frame-side positioning part being inserted into a recess provided in another of the two parts.

A screen-frame attachment apparatus to which a screen frame for holding a screen is to be attached, the screen-frame attachment apparatus including: an apparatus-side positioning part that positions the screen frame, the apparatus-side positioning part being associated with a frame-side positioning part provided on a periphery of the screen frame, wherein the apparatus-side positioning part positions the screen frame in accordance with a projection provided on one of the apparatus-side positioning part or the frame-side positioning part being inserted into a recess provided in another of the two parts.

A screen printing device includes a printing work part; a mask storage part including a plurality of accommodating sections each capable of accommodating a screen mask; a transfer device that transfers the screen mask between each of the accommodating sections and the printing work part; a pair of first guide members that is disposed in the printing work part, and guides the screen mask during the transfer, the pair of first guide members having a variable interval; a pair of second guide members that is disposed in the accommodating sections, and guides the screen mask during the transfer; and a guide width determination device that determines whether or not the interval between the pair of first guide members coincides with the interval between the pair of second guide members.

A screen printing device includes a printing work part; a mask storage part including a plurality of accommodating sections each capable of accommodating a screen mask; a transfer device that transfers the screen mask between each of the accommodating sections and the printing work part; a pair of first guide members that is disposed in the printing work part, and guides the screen mask during the transfer, the pair of first guide members having a variable interval; a pair of second guide members that is disposed in the accommodating sections, and guides the screen mask during the transfer; and a guide width determination device that determines whether or not the interval between the pair of first guide members coincides with the interval between the pair of second guide members.

A screen printing apparatus includes: a mask guide; a mask moving mechanism; and a squeegeeing mechanism. The mask guide is provided with a mask standby position, a printing-job performing position, and a mask shelter position in this order from a first end to a second end of the mask guide. The mask moving mechanism moves the used mask positioned at the printing-job performing position to the mask shelter position such that it is possible to pick up the used mask from the second end of the mask guide.

A screen printing apparatus includes: a mask guide; a mask moving mechanism; and a squeegeeing mechanism. The mask guide is provided with a mask standby position, a printing-job performing position, and a mask shelter position in this order from a first end to a second end of the mask guide. The mask moving mechanism moves the used mask positioned at the printing-job performing position to the mask shelter position such that it is possible to pick up the used mask from the second end of the mask guide.