METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CHANGING WEB MATERIAL IN A STENCIL PRINTER

摘要

A quick-change material module of a stencil wiper assembly(56) for wiping a stencil(36) of a stencil printer(30) includes a supply roller(62) to receive a roll of material(64), a take-up roller(66) to receive used material, and a drive to move the material across the stencil(36) between the supply roller and the take-up roller. The supply roller(62) is designed to move between an operating position in which the module functions to wipe the stencil and a changing position in which the supply roller is accessible to change the roll of material. A pivot mechanism(90) is further disclosed for pivoting the supply roller between the operating and changing positions. A frame(76, 78) supports the supply roller, the take-up roller, and the drive(68). The pivot mechanism includes at least one pivot arm(92, 94) having one end rotatably attached to the supply roller and an opposite end pivotably attached to the frame. A method for changing a roll of material(64) within a quick-change material module of a stencil wiper assembly(56) designed to wipe a stencil(36) of a stencil printer (30) is further disclosed.