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This section provides an overview for screen printing machinery as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 8 screen printing machinery manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked screen printing machinery companies as of December, 2024: 1.TODO IMPRESIÓN Systems, S.L., 2.Workhorse Products, 3.Systematic Automation Inc..
Table of Contents
Screen printing machinery is a type of stencil printing machine that uses a mesh material screen as the plate for printing.
Among the mesh material's grid, areas not needed for printing are solidified with emulsion to create a mask. Printing is then done using a plate that has been created to allow ink to pass through specific areas while blocking others. In the past, silk was used, and it was known as silk screen printing. However, nowadays, synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon are mainly used.
This technique is based on a stencil, where dye is applied over a pattern-cut template. Unlike offset printing, a method that transfers ink to the plate, screen printing allows for a thicker application of ink.
Screen printing machinery can be used on various materials, including paper, glass, plastic, synthetic resin, metal, fabric, and more. This is because it operates on the principle of pushing ink through the mesh. One significant feature is its ability to print not only on flat surfaces but also on cylindrical, conical, and even curved surfaces like bottles and cups.
There are various types of ink available for different weather resistance and special applications. It is used in visual printing materials such as advertisements. While it finds applications in many fields, including industrial products, daily necessities, and commercial purposes, below are some specific examples of printed materials.
Printed electronics involve forming electrical circuits using printing technology, with screen printing being one of the methods employed. It is considered effective in terms of high productivity, low cost, and low environmental impact. This technology is utilized in various electronic devices, particularly in components for smartphones and sensors. Specific applications include:
In particular, printed electronics are used in devices such as stacked ceramic capacitors, stacked inductors, chip resistors, solder paste printing, touch panel sensors, and flexible devices.
Screen printing machinery is a type of stencil printing that involves opening holes in the plate itself and rubbing ink onto it. Gravure printing and stenciling are also types of stencil printing. The screen printing process begins with the preparation of the printing screen in a step called "plate making."
The general plate-making process for screen printing is as follows. In recent times, digital screen plate-making machines have simplified these steps:
1. Frame Preparation
Determine the size of the frame (aluminum frame, cast frame, wooden frame, etc.) based on the size of the printed material. Choose the material and mesh count for the screen mesh.
2. Mesh Stretching
Use a mesh stretching machine to stretch the screen mesh onto the frame. During this process, use a dedicated cleaner and a plate cleaning machine to remove dust and debris from the stencil, enhancing the efficiency of the subsequent emulsion application.
3. Emulsion Coating
Apply a liquid photosensitive resin directly (direct method) or attach a film with photosensitive emulsion to the plate (indirect method) to coat with emulsion. Allow it to dry thoroughly.
4. Exposure and Development
Attach a positive film to the emulsion-coated plate and expose it. After exposure, develop it with water and let it dry.
5. Inspection and Pinhole Correction
Inspect for the presence of pinholes and repair them with a photosensitive agent.
In the printing process of screen printing, use a tool called a squeegee to push the ink accumulated in the screen's patterned (hole) area from the edge of the plate onto the printed material. The squeegee, typically made of rubber or polyurethane, comes in various shapes such as flat, sword-shaped, and angular. The angle and pressure setting of the squeegee are crucial elements in printing.
During printing, align the position of the printing area and use a scraper to flow ink onto the screen's patterned (hole) area. Conduct a test print with the subject in place to check for issues like ink smudging. After confirming no problems, proceed with the actual printing.
There are various types of inks that can be used with screen printing machinery. In addition to regular water-based and oil-based inks, examples include UV-curable inks, powders (gold, silver, pearl), and functional inks (fragrance, phosphorescent, mirror, color-changing), among others. The mesh used in screen printing also varies in mesh thickness and mesh count depending on the application.
In the printing process, the outcome is influenced by the shape, angle, and pressure of the squeegee. It is crucial to select the right combination based on the desired print result.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Anatol Equipment Manufacturing Co. founded in Waukegan, Illinois, USA, in 1982, is a manufacturer of screen printing machines. Products manufactured by the company are comet light flash cure units, dryers, textile screen printing machines, and pilot flash cure units. It also offers spare parts and maintenance services for its equipment. The company has a distribution network on 6 continents and 70 countries. In 2014 it introduced the all-electric VOLT automatic screen printing press.
M&R, founded in 1985 and headquartered in Roselle, Illinois, is a manufacturer of digital and screen-printing equipment, such as direct-to-film and direct-to-garment equipment. The company also sells a wide range of textile and graphics presses and dryers and manufactures over 100 types of equipment that address various industry needs. It holds over 75 patents dating back to 1983, and its parts department stocks over 10,000 different OEM parts, enabling it to replace parts over 25 years old. Its online store makes it easier for customers to order a wide range of OEM parts at any time.
Todo Impresion Systems, S.L., founded in 2003 and headquartered in Tarragona, Spain, is a manufacturer and supplier of various printing machines. The company’s products include thermoprinting, laser, and digital printing machines. It specializes in automation projects and integration of equipment into existing production lines. It also provides consumables and accessories ranging from exposure units and drying tunnels to screen printing inks and chemicals. Additionally, it offers services such as metalworking and painting, electrical and electronics integration, and elegant programming for stable and user-friendly operation. The company’s products serve the automotive, electronics, and household goods industries.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TODO IMPRESIÓN Systems, S.L. |
20.1%
|
| 2 | Workhorse Products |
14.5%
|
| 3 | Systematic Automation Inc. |
14.1%
|
| 4 | Anatol Equipment Manufacturing Co. |
13.2%
|
| 5 | Vastex International, Inc., |
10.3%
|
| 6 | Lawson Screen & Digital Products, Inc. |
9.8%
|
| 7 | The M&R Companies |
9.4%
|
| 8 | Riley Hopkins |
8.5%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the screen printing machinery page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
3 | 75.0% |
|
Spain
|
1 | 25.0% |
