Support blocks for printed circuit boards (PCB's) and printed circuit board assemblies (PCBA's), wherein the support blocks are produced from a 3D printing process. The support block including a bottom surface having a vacuum connection; a top surface having at least one vacuum hole; at least one recessed surface that is offset from the top surface; and at least one vacuum channel extending from the vacuum connection to the at least one vacuum hole.

A platen assembly for printing on face masks which includes a base member having a plurality of jig members mounted thereon. The base member has a top surface and a bottom surface, with its bottom surface operative to attach to a platen holding mechanism of a conventional direct to garment printer. Each of the jig members may be attached to the top surface of the base member and hold a single face mask in such a manner that it can be printed on. Edges of the base member and of each jig member include interface portions which allow portions of the face mask to be selectively threaded through to more effectively keep the face masks in place, being held smooth and taught.

A platen assembly for printing on face masks which includes a base member having a plurality of jig members mounted thereon. The base member has a top surface and a bottom surface, with its bottom surface operative to attach to a platen holding mechanism of a conventional direct to garment printer. Each of the jig members may be attached to the top surface of the base member and hold a single face mask in such a manner that it can be printed on. Edges of the base member and of each jig member include interface portions which allow portions of the face mask to be selectively threaded through to more effectively keep the face masks in place, being held smooth and taught.

Apparatus for picking a garment having a front and a back and placing the garment over a pallet such that the front and the back of the garment are on the front and the back sides respectively of the pallet. The apparatus comprises a picking arm to approach the garment and then withdraw towards the pallet; and one or more adherence locations on the picking arm, the adherence location being smaller than the first side, the adherence location for contacting the garment and causing adherence of the garment at the contact location, thereby causing the picking arm to pull the front of the garment over the front of the pallet, the back of the garment sliding under the first side onto the back of the pallet. Adherence may involve freezing.

Apparatus for picking a garment having a front and a back and placing the garment over a pallet such that the front and the back of the garment are on the front and the back sides respectively of the pallet. The apparatus comprises a picking arm to approach the garment and then withdraw towards the pallet; and one or more adherence locations on the picking arm, the adherence location being smaller than the first side, the adherence location for contacting the garment using sticky material and causing adherence of the garment via the sticky material at the contact location, thereby causing the picking arm to pull the front of the garment over the front of the pallet, the back of the garment sliding under the first side onto the back of the pallet.

A screen printing press includes a base and a clamping mechanism which is connected to the base. The clamping mechanism has a first member, a second member disposed perpendicular to the first member, and an edge. The clamping mechanism has X, Y, and Z axes, The screen has a first surface and a second surface perpendicular to the first surface. A protruding stop is disposed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface. The screen is positioned in the clamping mechanism so that the first surface abuts the first member, the second surface abuts the second member, and the protruding stop abuts the edge. The base includes an open frame which defines a volume which is shaped and dimensioned to receive a burn unit, so that when the burn unit is placed within the volume the burn unit is visible.

A screen printing press includes a base and a clamping mechanism which is connected to the base. The clamping mechanism has a first member, a second member disposed perpendicular to the first member, and an edge. The clamping mechanism has X, Y, and Z axes, The screen has a first surface and a second surface perpendicular to the first surface. A protruding stop is disposed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface. The screen is positioned in the clamping mechanism so that the first surface abuts the first member, the second surface abuts the second member, and the protruding stop abuts the edge. The base includes an open frame which defines a volume which is shaped and dimensioned to receive a burn unit, so that when the burn unit is placed within the volume the burn unit is visible.

Disclosed is a pallet for printing on an article of clothing. The pallet includes a mount plate including a first end and a second end and a top plate including a first end and a second end. The second end of the top plate located at the second end of the mount plate. A gap is between the top plate and the mount plate. A collar plate is located on the first end of the mount plate. The first end of the mount plate extends beyond the first end of the top plate to define a space between the top plate and the collar plate.

Disclosed is a pallet for printing on an article of clothing. The pallet includes a mount plate including a first end and a second end and a top plate including a first end and a second end. The second end of the top plate located at the second end of the mount plate. A gap is between the top plate and the mount plate. A collar plate is located on the first end of the mount plate. The first end of the mount plate extends beyond the first end of the top plate to define a space between the top plate and the collar plate.

In a forward movement, an article is conveyed to a printing device via a transfer position while being kept mounted in a first holder for printing by the printing device. The article is returned to the transfer position together with the first holder after printing. An article to be printed after the above article is mounted into a second holder in parallel with at least a part of the forward movement, the printing and a return movement. This is capable of printing on the articles in a short throughput time also when the articles are those having a three-dimensional shape such as bottles and in-vehicle components.