Progressive stencil printing
View Patent ↗A progressive stencil printing system and method for applying encapsulant onto an inkjet printhead body is described. The system relates to a continuous stencil printing apparatus that can print encapsulant on different types of inkjet printhead bodies and clean the stencil during production.
1. A stencil printing system for applying encapsulant onto an inkjet printhead body comprising:
a stencil film comprising a first stencil pattern and a second stencil pattern, each of the stencil patterns corresponding to a pattern of encapsulant adhesive to be applied onto an inkjet printhead body;
a first drive device coupled to the stencil film to move the film along a given path;
an encapsulant-dispensing device for applying encapsulant to a printhead body through one of the first and second stencils; and
a cleaning device positioned downstream of the encapsulant dispensing device for removing residual encapsulant from said film,
wherein the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the first stencil onto a first printhead body and the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the second stencil onto a second printhead body.
2. The stencil printing system of claim 1 wherein said cleaning device comprises a cleaning blade that contacts the film at an angle to remove residual encapsulant from the film.
3. A stencil printing system for applying encapsulant onto an inkjet printhead body comprising:
a stencil film comprising a first stencil pattern and a second stencil pattern, each of the stencil patterns corresponding to a pattern of encapsulant adhesive to be applied onto an inkjet printhead body;
a first drive device coupled to the stencil film to move the film along a given path;
an encapsulant-dispensing device for applying encapsulant to a printhead body through one of the first and second stencils; and
an optical sensor, the optical sensor capable of detecting features on the stencil indicative of a parameter selected from the group consisting of location, timing, identity and combinations thereof
wherein the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the first stencil onto a first printhead body and the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the second stencil onto a second printhead body.
4. A stencil printing system for applying encapsulant onto an inkjet printhead body comprising:
a stencil film comprising a first stencil pattern and a second stencil pattern, each of the stencil patterns corresponding to a pattern of encapsulant adhesive to be applied onto an inkjet printhead body;
a first drive device coupled to the stencil film to move the film along a given path;
an encapsulant-dispensing device for applying encapsulant to a printhead body through one of the first and second stencils; and
a means for identifying a type of printhead body to be printed
wherein the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the first stencil onto a first printhead body and the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the second stencil onto a second printhead body.
5. The stencil printing system of claim 4 wherein said means comprises data input to a controller by an operator.
6. The stencil printing system of claim 4 wherein said means comprises a controller including automated means for identifying a type of printhead body.
7. The stencil printing system of claim 6 wherein said automated means comprises an image-capture device or scanner.
8. A stencil printing system for applying encapsulant onto an inkjet printhead body comprising:
a stencil film comprising a first stencil pattern and a second stencil pattern, each of the stencil patterns corresponding to a pattern of encapsulant adhesive to be applied onto an inkjet printhead body;
a first drive device coupled to the stencil film to move the film along a given path;
an encapsulant-dispensing device for applying encapsulant to a printhead body through one of the first and second stencils; and
a cleaning bath disposed downstream of said encapsulant dispensing device for removing residual encapsulant from said stencil, said cleaning bath containing a solvent,
wherein the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the first stencil onto a first printhead body and the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the second stencil onto a second printhead body.
9. The stencil printing system of claim 8 wherein said cleaning bath is an ultrasonic solvent bath.
10. A stencil printing system for applying encapsulant onto an inkjet printhead body comprising:
a stencil film comprising a first stencil pattern and a second stencil pattern, each of the stencil patterns corresponding to a pattern of encapsulant adhesive to be applied onto an inkjet printhead body,
a first drive device coupled to the stencil film to move the film along a given path;
an encapsulant-dispensing device for applying encapsulant to a printhead body through one of the first and second stencils, and
at least one of an optical sensor capable of detecting features on the stencil indicative of a parameter selected from the group consisting of location, timing, identity and combinations thereof, and a means for identifying a type of printhead body to be printed
wherein the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the first stencil onto a first printhead body and the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the second stencil onto a second printhead body and wherein each of the first and second printhead bodies includes a nozzle plate.
11. A stencil printing system for applying encapsulant onto an inkjet printhead body comprising:
a stencil film comprising a first stencil pattern and a second stencil pattern, each of the stencil patterns corresponding to a pattern of encapsulant adhesive to be applied onto an inkjet printhead body,
a first drive device coupled to the stencil film to move the film along a given path;
an encapsulant-dispensing device for applying encapsulant to a printhead body through one of the first and second stencils, and
at least one of a cleaning device positioned downstream of the encapsulant dispensing device for removing residual encapsulant from said film and a cleaning bath disposed downstream of said encapsulant dispensing device for removing residual encapsulant from said stencil, said cleaning bath containing a solvent
wherein the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the first stencil onto a first printhead body and the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the second stencil onto a second printhead body and wherein each of the first and second printhead bodies includes a nozzle plate.