A device (3000) for loading fluid into nozzle(s) of a nozzle-bearing body (3070) includes a first member (3010), having a first surface (3016), and a second member (3020) protruding from the first member (3010). The second member (3020) has second and third surfaces (3028, 3026), the second surface (3028) extending from the first surface (3016) at an angle. The first surface (3016) substantially complements the shape of the nozzle-bearing body's surface (3070). The device (3000) has a recess (3023) defined therein at least in part by the first and second surfaces (3016, 3028). When the device (3000) is placed into a working configuration with the nozzle-bearing body (3070), a tangent to the third surface (3026), in a region of the third surface (3026) proximate to where the second surface (3028) meets the third surface (3026), is substantially parallel to a tangent to the first surface (3016), in a region of the first surface (3016) where the first surface (3016) meets the second surface (3028), wherein, the recess (3023) forms a pocket for receiving the fluid.

A screen printing device has a screen printing stencil. At least two doctor blade systems, each acting on the screen printing stencil are provided. The at least two doctor blade systems are arranged to each apply printing ink to an object to be printed in the same printing process. Each of the doctor blade systems has at least one doctor blade. Each of the doctor blades is arranged to sweep over the screen printing stencil. Each of the doctor blade systems is individually controlled by a control unit. The at least one doctor blade of each of the doctor blade systems is moved by a robot. At least respective two-dimensional motion paths of the doctor blades of each doctor blade system are each freely programmed and are established by control of the robot.

A screen printing device has a screen printing stencil. At least two doctor blade systems, each acting on the screen printing stencil are provided. The at least two doctor blade systems are arranged to each apply printing ink to an object to be printed in the same printing process. Each of the doctor blade systems has at least one doctor blade. Each of the doctor blades is arranged to sweep over the screen printing stencil. Each of the doctor blade systems is individually controlled by a control unit. The at least one doctor blade of each of the doctor blade systems is moved by a robot. At least respective two-dimensional motion paths of the doctor blades of each doctor blade system are each freely programmed and are established by control of the robot.

A stencil printer is configured to print an assembly material on an electronic substrate. The stencil printer includes a frame, a stencil coupled to the frame, a support assembly coupled to the frame, and a print head gantry coupled to the frame. The print head gantry includes an elongate beam that rides along rails provided on the frame and a print head assembly supported by the print head gantry in such a manner that the print head assembly is configured to traverse the stencil during print strokes. The print head assembly includes a print head having a squeegee blade assembly configured to roll solder paste along the stencil. The stencil printer further includes a solder paste bead recovery system configured to remove a bead of solder paste from a top surface of the stencil and to deposit the bead of solder paste onto a new replacement stencil.

A squeegee for spreading a conductive paste across a stencil during a stencil printing process is provided. The stencil covers an underlying base such that the conductive paste is spread across the stencil and into openings in the stencil to contact the underlying base. The squeegee has a leading surface at the front of the squeegee, a trailing surface at the rear of the squeegee, and a bottom surface. The bottom surface is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the leading surface and the trailing surface. In some embodiments, a rear corner or edge of the squeegee is the contact point between the squeegee and the stencil. Some of the paste can be collected beneath the bottom surface and scraped along with the squeegee.

A squeegee for spreading a conductive paste across a stencil during a stencil printing process is provided. The stencil covers an underlying base such that the conductive paste is spread across the stencil and into openings in the stencil to contact the underlying base. The squeegee has a leading surface at the front of the squeegee, a trailing surface at the rear of the squeegee, and a bottom surface. The bottom surface is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the leading surface and the trailing surface. In some embodiments, a rear corner or edge of the squeegee is the contact point between the squeegee and the stencil. Some of the paste can be collected beneath the bottom surface and scraped along with the squeegee.

A stencil printer is configured to print an assembly material on an electronic substrate. The stencil printer includes a frame, a stencil coupled to the frame, a support assembly coupled to the frame, and a print head gantry coupled to the frame. The print head gantry includes an elongate beam that rides along rails provided on the frame and a print head assembly supported by the print head gantry in such a manner that the print head assembly is configured to traverse the stencil during print strokes. The print head assembly includes a print head having a squeegee blade assembly configured to roll solder paste along the stencil. The stencil printer further includes a solder paste bead recovery system configured to remove a bead of solder paste from a top surface of the stencil and to deposit the bead of solder paste onto a new replacement stencil.

The manual squeegee system applies one or more layers of inks to a targeted screen of a manual screen printing device. The manual squeegee system mechanically adjustably fixes the application pressure and the angle of attack of each of the one or more layers of inks. The manual squeegee system comprises a frame, a jib, a trolley, a plurality of slings, and a blade structure. The blade structure applies the one or more layers of inks at a consistent application pressure and the angle of attack. The plurality of slings attach the blade structure to the trolley. The trolley attaches the plurality of slings and the blade structure to the jib such that the position of the blade structure can be adjusted relative to the jib. The jib attaches the trolley to the frame. The frame attaches the manual squeegee system to the manual screen printing device.

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.

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.