A tensioning frame (22) for tensioning a printing screen (3) comprises a plurality of elongate beams (30A-30D) which extend around the periphery of the printing screen (3) and define the tensioning frame (22), wherein at least one of the beams (30A-30D) comprises an opening (32) which is dimensioned to permit a printing screen (3) to be received therethrough, in a lateral direction (A). Mechanisms are described for engagement of the tensioning screen (22) and printing screen (3), as well as an apparatus and a method permitting the lateral loading of the printing screen (3).

Disclosed is a precision cut printing screen in which the features of a printing pattern are defined on a sheet material by a plurality of apertures within a target printing boundary. Also disclosed is a method of making the printing screen.

A screen printing form (1, 1′) for use in screen printing, in particular for producing a metallic contact structure of a photovoltaic solar cell, having a woven screen printing fabric (1b) with a plurality of elongate woven fabric elements, which are arranged in a first element direction and a second element direction perpendicular thereto, and a stencil (1c), arranged on the woven screen printing fabric (1b) that has at least one opening formed as straight channel with a channel width BK. The woven fabric elements have a spacing AF in the first element direction and a spacing which deviates by less than 5% from AF in the second element direction, and the woven fabric elements have a diameter DG in the first element direction and a diameter which deviates by less than 5% from DG in the second element direction. A screen printing device and screen printing form are also provided.

Disclosed is a printing screen assembly, a frame for a printing screen and method for their construction. The printing screen assembly has a frame (310) with an elongate first frame member (320, 320a) and an elongate second frame member (320, 320b) parallel to the first frame member (320, 320a) and in fixed relation thereto; and a corresponding cantilevered first and second tensioning arrangement (326) extending from each frame member (320) along a length thereof. A predictable pre-tensioning force may be applied by resiliently deflecting the tensioning arrangements (326) into contact with an abutment arrangement (328) and securing a printing screen to an attachment portion (326b) of the first tensioning arrangement (326a), while the first tensioning arrangement (326) is in contact with the first abutment arrangement (326a). The frame may be formed by preselecting the resilience of the tensioning arrangement (326) so as to preselect the tension applied when tensioning a printing screen in use.

Stencil frames for tensioning stencils of an angular shape are provided. The stencil frame comprises corner elements (2), edge elements (1), fastening elements (13) and tensioning devices with a tensioning device being associated with each edge element (1). The corner elements (2) each have two, mutually perpendicular, guiding profiles (12) which joined at an intersection of their axes and the edge elements (1) each have a uniaxial reception profile (11). Each reception profile (11) is connectable to two guiding profiles (12) by loose fit. Each tensioning device has at least one elastic element (5) and connects between two neighbouring corner elements (2). A line of force exerted by each tensioning device is parallel to the axis of its corresponding reception profile (11).

Disclosed herein are apparatuses for screen printing on a surface of a three-dimensional substrate comprising a substantially rigid, substantially planar frame having a perimeter defining a region within the perimeter having a given surface area; and a screen attached to the frame and extending across at least a portion of the surface area, wherein the screen comprises a first portion through which a liquid printing medium can pass onto a proximate three-dimensional substrate; and a second portion coated with an emulsion substantially preventing the liquid printing medium from passing through the second portion of the screen, wherein the screen has a fixed tension of less than about 20 N/cm. Methods and systems for screen printing on a surface of a three-dimensional substrate are also disclosed herein.

To provide a screen plate that can allow printing accuracy to be improved. A screen plate comprising a plate frame and a screen gauze formed of warp and weft fibers each made of a synthetic fiber, wherein the screen gauze is stretched on the plate frame under application of a predetermined tensile force, and the thickness of the screen gauze stretched on the plate frame is 88% or less based on the thickness of the screen gauze under application of no tensile force.

A stencil for use in stenciling complex symbols incorporates a stencil substrate employing a flexible material, having a plurality of symbols arranged thereon. A plurality of folding stiffeners are incorporated in the substrate, each stiffener being positioned to split symbols having stencil cutouts forming isolated elements within an interior of the symbol. The stiffeners are foldable about a vertex, to collapse into a raised position and bring together the split symbol, with the stiffeners supporting the isolated elements created by the cutouts and portions of the stencil cutouts forming the symbols that extend into coincident channels in the folding stiffeners, to bridge adjoining portions of said split characters.

A screen assembly is provided for screen printing and includes a screen with a perimeter frame and a tray covering the frame. The tray includes a central opening with an inner peripheral lip or edge which press fits against the screen to keep ink from contacting the frame during the screen printing process. After printing, the tray is removed from the frame so that the assembly can be cleaned and reused. The assembly and its method of use eliminates the need for conventional taping of the screen and frame.

Stencil frames for tensioning stencils of an angular shape are provided. The stencil frame comprises corner elements (2), edge elements (1), fastening elements (13) and tensioning devices with a tensioning device being associated with each edge element (1). The corner elements (2) each have two, mutually perpendicular, guiding profiles (12) which joined at an intersection of their axes and the edge elements (1) each have a uniaxial reception profile (11). Each reception profile (11) is connectable to two guiding profiles (12) by loose fit. Each tensioning device has at least one elastic element (5) and connects between two neighbouring corner elements (2). A line of force exerted by each tensioning device is parallel to the axis of its corresponding reception profile (11).