Shadow mask tensioning method

1. A method for tensioning a shadow mask comprising:

a) positioning a first side of a shadow mask into contact with the lower half of a tensioning frame;

b) positioning an upper half of the tensioning frame into contact with a second side of the shadow mask;

c) clamping the upper half of the tensioning frame to the lower half of the tensioning frame to form a tensioning frame, rigidly clamping the shadow mask between the two tensioning frame halves;

d) elevating the temperature of the tensioning frame, causing the tensioning frame to expand and place the shadow mask in tension;

e) positioning a lower half of a mounting frame into contact with the first side of the shadow mask in the tensioning frame while the tensioning frame is at an elevated temperature, where the tensioning frame is larger that mounting frame;

f) positioning an upper half of the mounting frame into contact with the second side of the shadow mask while the tensioning frame is at an elevated temperature;

g) clamping the upper half of the mounting frame to the lower half of the mounting frame, rigidly clamping the shadow mask between the two mounting frame halves while the tensioning frame is at an elevated temperature; and

h) unclamping the upper tensioning frame half from the lower tensioning frame half and removing the upper and lower tensioning frame halves while the tensioning frame is at an elevated temperature.

2. The method according to claim 1 where one or both halves of either or both of the tensioning frame or the mounting frame include multiple components which are assembled as they are brought sequentially into contact with the shadow mask.

3. A method for tensioning a shadow mask comprising:

a) positioning a first side of a shadow mask into contact with the lower half of a tensioning frame;

b) positioning an upper half of the tensioning frame into contact with a second side of the shadow mask;

c) clamping the upper half of the tensioning frame to the lower half of the tensioning frame to form a tensioning frame, rigidly clamping the shadow mask between the two tensioning frame halves where the tensioning frame contains an internal heat source;

d) elevating the temperature of the tensioning frame using the internal heat source to cause the tensioning frame to expand and place the shadow mask in tension;

e) positioning a lower half of a mounting frame into contact with the first side of the shadow mask in the tensioning frame while the tensioning frame is at an elevated temperature;

f) positioning an upper half of the mounting frame into contact with the second side of the shadow mask while the tensioning frame is at an elevated temperature;

g) clamping the upper half of the mounting frame to the lower half of the mounting frame, rigidly clamping the shadow mask between the two mounting frame halves while the tensioning frame is at an elevated temperature; and

h) unclamping the upper tensioning frame half from the lower tensioning frame half and removing the upper and lower tensioning frame halves while the tensioning frame is at an elevated temperature.

4. A method for tensioning a shadow mask comprising:

a) positioning a first side of a shadow mask into contact with the lower half of a tensioning frame;

b) positioning an upper half of the tensioning frame into contact with a second side of the shadow mask;

c) clamping the upper half of the tensioning frame to the lower half of the tensioning frame to form a tensioning frame, rigidly clamping the shadow mask between the two tensioning frame halves;

d) positioning a heat sink into contact with the shadow mask and then elevating the temperature of the tensioning frame elevating the temperature of the tensioning frame, causing the tensioning frame to expand and place the shadow mask in tension;

e) positioning a lower half of a mounting frame into contact with the first side of the shadow mask in the tensioning frame while the tensioning frame is at an elevated temperature, where the tensioning frame is larger than the mounting frame;

f) positioning an upper half of the mounting frame into contact with the second side of the shadow mask while the tensioning frame is at an elevated temperature;

g) clamping the upper half of the mounting frame to the lower half of the mounting frame, rigidly clamping the shadow mask between the two mounting frame halves while the tensioning frame is at an elevated temperature; and

h) unclamping the upper tensioning frame half from the lower tensioning frame half and removing the upper and lower tensioning frame halves while the tensioning frame is at an elevated temperature.

5. A method for tensioning a shadow mask comprising:

a) positioning a first side of a shadow mask into contact with the lower half of a tensioning frame;

b) positioning an upper half of the tensioning frame into contact with a second side of the shadow mask;

c) clamping the upper half of the tensioning frame to the lower half of the tensioning frame to form a tensioning frame, rigidly clamping the shadow mask between the two tensioning frame halves;

d) elevating the temperature of the tensioning frame, causing the tensioning frame to expand and place the shadow mask in tension;

e) positioning a lower half of a mounting frame into contact with the first side of the shadow mask in the tensioning frame while the tensioning frame is at an elevated temperature, where the tensioning frame is larger than the mounting frame;

f) positioning an upper half of the mounting frame into contact with the second side of the shadow mask while the tensioning frame is at an elevated temperature;

g) directing the flow of a cooling fluid over the shadow mask and then clamping the shadow mask between the two halves of the mounting frame, clamping the upper half of the mounting frame to the lower half of the mounting frame, rigidly clamping the shadow mask between the two mounting frame halves while the tensioning frame is at an elevated temperature; and

h) unclamping the upper tensioning frame half from the lower tensioning frame half and removing the upper and lower tensioning frame halves while the tensioning frame is at an elevated temperature.