A delivery device is configured to deliver changeover and/or replacement items within a stencil printer. The delivery device includes a housing configured to support replacement and/or replenishment items, the housing having wheels or casters to enable the housing to roll along a relatively flat surface, at least one support structure configured to store items for the stencil printer, and one or more device configured to transport items from the delivery device to the stencil printer and from the stencil printer to the delivery device.

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 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.

There is provided a screen printing apparatus including: a mask plate on which a plurality of pattern holes are formed; a carrier supporter which supports a carrier which has a plurality of first openings and in which a plurality of workpieces are disposed on the plurality of first openings; a backup unit which has a plurality of workpiece supporters; a raising and lowering unit which lifts up the plurality of workpieces from the carrier and returns the plurality of lifted-up workpieces to the carrier; an aligner which aligns the plurality of workpieces in accordance with arrangement of the plurality of pattern holes; an overlapper which relatively moves the backup unit and the mask plate; and a print head which prints a paste on the plurality of workpieces on the plurality of workpiece supporters through the plurality of pattern holes.

There is provided a screen printing apparatus including: a mask plate on which a plurality of pattern holes are formed; a carrier supporter which supports a carrier which has a plurality of first openings and in which a plurality of workpieces are disposed on the plurality of first openings; a backup unit which has a plurality of workpiece supporters; a raising and lowering unit which lifts up the plurality of workpieces from the carrier and returns the plurality of lifted-up workpieces to the carrier; an aligner which aligns the plurality of workpieces in accordance with arrangement of the plurality of pattern holes; an overlapper which relatively moves the backup unit and the mask plate; and a print head which prints a paste on the plurality of workpieces on the plurality of workpiece supporters through the plurality of pattern holes.

A screen-printing machine includes a mask holding device; a board holding device configured to grip a board; a positioning device to relatively position the board and the mask; and a control device. The board holding device includes a lifting and lowering table positioned in an up-down direction by a lifting and lowering mechanism, and a backup block including a mounting surface on which the board is placed, an installation surface disposed parallel to the mounting surface on an opposite side thereof, multiple suction holes to penetrate in a thickness direction between the mounting surface and the installation surface, and a chamber recessed section formed on an installation surface side so as to surround positions of the multiple suction holes, and in which an air chamber made by the chamber recessed section is configured when the backup block overlaps an upper face of the lifting and lowering table.

Deflector units for use with a printing blade in printing a print medium through a printing screen, which are self-adjustable in a vertical direction for controlling production of rolls of print medium.

A feedback information generation method for a solder inspection apparatus includes: receiving an input of information on the number of buffers which are disposed between the solder inspection apparatus and a screen printer for printing solder on printed circuit boards and are configured to support the printed circuit boards to be introduced into the solder inspection apparatus so as to put the printed circuit boards on standby; generating feedback information by using the input information and an inspection result of the printed circuit boards by the solder inspection apparatus; and transmitting the feedback information to the screen printer. Feedback information may be generated in consideration of the number of buffers, thereby preventing the feedback information from being excessively generated as well as ensuring the accuracy of the feedback information.

A feedback information generation method for a solder inspection apparatus includes: receiving an input of information on the number of buffers which are disposed between the solder inspection apparatus and a screen printer for printing solder on printed circuit boards and are configured to support the printed circuit boards to be introduced into the solder inspection apparatus so as to put the printed circuit boards on standby; generating feedback information by using the input information and an inspection result of the printed circuit boards by the solder inspection apparatus; and transmitting the feedback information to the screen printer. Feedback information may be generated in consideration of the number of buffers, thereby preventing the feedback information from being excessively generated as well as ensuring the accuracy of the feedback information.

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.