The flat screen printing machine operates on a cycle, and this can be illustrated with the working cycle of a monochrome semi-automatic hand screen printing machine. In this machine, one of the working cycles begins with the feeding of materials, followed by positioning and dropping. After that, the machine lowers down to the ink plate and rises back again to the ink plate. Afterwards, it goes through a squeegee stroke and then rises back up to the ink plate before dropping back down again. The machine then lifts the plate and goes through an ink return stroke before releasing the positioning and finally receiving the material.
Efficient operation in a continuous cycle requires each action to be completed quickly, ensuring the function is fulfilled in the shortest possible time. This approach foreshortens work cycles, ultimately bolstering productivity.
During the printing process, ink and the screen printing plate are pressed onto the ink plate, resulting in a contact line between the screen printing plate and the substrate. This line, known as the nip line, is formed at the edge of the squeegee and is made up of numerous embossed lines that comprise the printing surface. However, achieving the desired nip can be challenging due to the dynamic nature of the printing stroke.