Pneumatic stencil tensioning system

Multi-use pneumatic stencil tensioning frame. Allows easy stencil mounting / dismounting.

Fig.1 Pneumatic tensioning stencil frame

Key advantages:

Technological:

Smooth and simultaneous tensioning of the stencil on the frame for all four sides
Stencil tension is controlled by air pressure supplied to the frame
Enlarged print area comparing to framed stencils
The frame can be used absolutely autonomous after the air pressure supply is disconnected
No specialized tools are needed for mounting the stencil on the frame
Easy stencil cleaning, because there aren't frame components incompatible with solvents used for stencil cleaning.
Stencil changing is performed in short time by one person
The stencil is fixed directly on the frame; therefore, it’s not needed to be mount on glue or mesh

Economical:

Reduces the cost of assembled product, as there is no necessity to spend money for individual frames for each stencil
Fast cost recovery due to lower cost of full-metal frameless stencils
Stencils for such tensioning systems doesn't include patent fees in their cost
As there is no frame on the stencil, stencils store space is reduced

Operation

Air pressure connected to the frame gradually fills the elastic tubing inside the frame leading to simultaneous movement of four pin bars for all four sides of the stencil at the same time and ensuring uniform stencil tensioning on the fixing pins. Once the operation pressure is achieved (approx. in 5 sec), air pressure is disconnected. Check valve on the frame prevents air out and allows to use the frame with tensioned stencil and be disconnected from air supply for several days.

You can watch a short movie showing key capabilities of tensioning frames for stencil's tensioning. Stencil mounting / dismounting is shown.

Movie 1 A short movie about tensioning frames for stencils.

Stencil tensioning process:

Flip the frame face down and place it on a horizontal surface
Remove protective bars by sliding them off fixing pins
Align the stencil on the frame by edge perforation (the printer squeegee side down)
Slightly press the stencil by quick-release protective bars
Connect air supply (4-6 bar / 60-90 psi depending on stencil thickness)
As soon as the stencil will be tensioned, turn off the air supply

Stencil dismounting:

Flip the frame face down and place it on a horizontal surface
Release air pressure of the tubing (by the same way like deflating of car tires by nipple pressing) by pressing the frame air valve
Remove protective bars by sliding them off fixing pins
Remove the stencil

Each of procedures take not more that 2-3 minutes.

The air supply tubing attachment is based on a steel connector. To make a connection just plug the connector into air

jack, and it will be fixed by special ring.

Fig.2 Air valve of the stencil tensioning frame

To remove the tubing the ring should be pressed back, and the connector will be unplugged of the air jack. The ring is large (diameter about 1,5 cm) and located on the connector itself, which is very easy-to-use.

Available frame sizes

Frames can be made practically for all printer models:




Fig.3 Examples of stencil tensioning frames made for different printer models.

Using of adapters allows even standard frames to be fit in non standart printer models

Fig.4 Adapters for mounting stencil frames to printers with larger attachment points dimension than the frame has.

You can order a frame with larger attachment area sizes (as a rule, most of industry stencil printer models has such), while the stencil frame by itself will have smaller size.

Fig.5 A frame with adapter for mounting to a printer with larger attachment points dimension than the frame has. The stencil has smaller size and therefore will cost less.

Additional options

Additional options like built-in air pressure gauge installed inside the frame allows being sure of the stencil tension pressure and monitoring it.

Fig.6 Built-in pressure gauge inside the frame allows monitoring of air pressure

All frames are supported by default with files for producing of stencils for them. In addition, the cost of stencils for such tensioning systems doesn’t include patent fees which significantly decreases cost of them.

We produce stencils for such tensioning systems in short time and with high quality allowing quick cost recovery for these frames by shortening downtime and manufacturing costs decreasing.

If you are interested in any additional information about tensioning stencil frames, please, send your request, mentioned your stencil printer model.