Patent Publication Number: US-6698345-B2

Title: Method and apparatus for printing on a curved substrate

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is claiming the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of the provisional application filed Jun. 21, 2000, under 35 U.S.C. §111(b), which was granted Ser. No. 60/213,047, and is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for, and a method of, printing a pattern on the inside radius of a curved substrate. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for, and a method of, printing a precise pattern on the inside radius of a curved substrate by the pivotal movement of a pendulum across the surface of a screen which is capable of receiving and transferring a printing ink to a surface of the curved substrate. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     Various methods of printing patterns on flat substrates have long been known. Methods of printing patterns on the outside radius of a curved surface are also known. It has been difficult, however, to find a reliable means to print complex, precise patterns on the inside surface, or inside radius, of a curved substrate. Such printing means would be particularly applicable to curved substrates, such as plastics or glass, which could be used as automotive glazings. 
     Examples of conventional printing apparati and methods of printing are disclosed in, for example: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,702 teaches a screen printing apparatus for screen printing on curved objects with relatively large radii of curvature, but does not teach a method or apparatus to print on the inside curve of such an object. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,182 teaches a stencil printing method and apparatus for printing directly on a curved surface, but again, teaches only printing on the outside surface of an object, and a moving diaphragm, rather than a pendulum, effects the printing of a pattern on the substrate. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,732 teaches a machine for printing on the outside of containers through use of a squeegee device, however, it does not teach printing on the inside radius of a curved surface, nor does it teach a pendulum printing apparatus. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,703 teaches a machine for printing a curved surface, but does not teach printing on the inside radius of a curved surface, use of a non-stationary squeegee or use of a printing screen conformable to the substrate on which the pattern is to be printed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,706 teaches a screen for printing on curved surfaces comprising a flexible frame which allows certain segments of the frame to flex into a shape complementary with the shape of the article to be printed. The patent does not teach, however, a pendulum-mounted squeegee for printing, nor does it teach printing on the inside radius of a curved surface. 
     International Application Publication No. WO00/78520, filed Jun. 22, 2000, teaches a process for manufacturing molded plastic curved automotive window panels in which a blackout and decorative border is printed on the perimeter of the panel with ink. To print on the curved surface of the window panel a squeegee wiper is mounted on a pendulum arm to provide a constant angle position as the screen is wiped by a swinging movement of the pendulum. A hinged frame allows it to roughly assume the same of the panel curvature. 
     Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a method of printing on the inside surface of a curved substrate, and to provide a relatively simple apparatus capable of doing so. It would be particularly advantageous to have such an apparatus and method of printing which is adaptable to high-volume manufacturing of, for example, curved, plastic, or glass automotive glazings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses the problem of printing a variety of precise patterns on a substrate material having a curved shape. This capability is particularly useful where first printing such a pattern and then attempting to bend the flat substrate material could cause deformation or marring of the printed pattern. The present invention is useful where the substrate is a plastic material, and is particularly useful where the substrate is an injection molded cylindrical polycarbonate material, such as can be used for an automotive glazing for windows. 
     More specifically, the apparatus and method of the present invention may be employed to print a pattern on the inside radius of a curved substrate where the radius of curvature is approximately 20-80 inches, measured from the pivotal mounting point of the pendulum, which is a component of the present invention, to the uppermost surface of the substrate on which a pattern is to be printed. 
     Another component of the apparatus of the present invention is the screen and the screen mounting frame which, prior to deflection, are in a generally flat, horizontal position above the curved substrate. The substrate is supported by a support member, itself having a curved surface, which, in general, conforms to the shape of the curved substrate. While in the flat, horizontal position, a flood bar is actuated, and moves across the screen, ensuring that the desired portion of the screen is uniformly covered with ink. Various printing inks suitable for different applications may be used in conjunction with the present invention. 
     The screen and screen mounting frame move, typically, in a downward direction, so that the screen substantially conforms with the shape of the curved substrate which has been placed beneath the screen. Once properly conformed to the shape of the curved substrate, a means for spreading printing ink across the now-curved screen moves across the screen. The means attached to a pendulum capable of pivotal movement is actuated and moves arcuately across the screen, with sufficient pressure being applied to the spreading means to transfer the ink through the mesh of the screen onto the inside radius of the curved substrate. Preferably, the spreading means is a squeegee, the material for the spreading edge of such squeegee being any suitable material such as a polyurethane material which is well-known in the art for squeegee construction. 
     The length of the pendulum arm may be fixed or preferably the length of the pendulum arm may be adjustable so that it is capable of printing on curved substrates having radii of curvature between 20 and 80 inches, although, preferably between 38 and 60 inches. 
     Similarly, a number of different support members having differing shapes and curvatures may be utilized to accommodate substrates having different curvatures. This may be acceptable if only a small number of different curvatures is desired. If, however, a significant number of parts having different curvatures is envisioned, or rapid changeover from one curvature to another is anticipated, a single support member having substantial capability to adjust its shape might be desirable. Accordingly, both fixed and adjustable support members are disclosed herein. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a construction embodying the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is another perspective view of a construction embodying the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of a screen, a screen mounting frame and a support member embodying the construction of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of a screen with crosshairs located thereon embodying the construction of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view, taken in the direction of the arrows, along section line  5 — 5  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the construction shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a screen mounting frame locator; 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of a screen mounting frame locator; 
     FIG. 9 is a top view of a screen mounting frame locator; 
     FIG. 10 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the screen mounting frame locator; 
     FIG. 11 is a side view of the screen mounting frame locator of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 is a top view of the screen mounting frame locator of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 13 is a sectional view, taken in the direction of the arrows, along section line  13 — 13  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 14 is a sectional view, taken along the direction of the arrows, along section line  14 — 14  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a portion of the construction shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 16 is a sectional view, taken in the direction of the arrows, along section line  16 — 16  of FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a portion of the construction shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 18 is a sectional view, taken in the direction of the arrows, along section line  18 — 18  of FIG. 17; 
     FIG. 19 is a section view, taken in the direction of the arrows, along section  19 — 19  of FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 20 is a top view of a substrate located on a support member embodying the construction of the present invention; 
     FIG. 21 is a side view of the support member embodying the construction of the present invention; 
     FIG. 22 is a top view of a substrate located on a support member embodying the construction of the present invention; 
     FIG. 23 is a side view of the support member embodying the construction of the present invention; 
     FIG. 24 is a sectional view, taken in the direction of the arrows, along section line  24 — 24  of FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 25 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a portion of the construction shown in FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 26 is a top view of a substrate located on a support member embodying another construction of the invention; 
     FIG. 27 is a diagrammatic view of a construction embodying the present invention; 
     FIG. 28 is a diagrammatic view of the ink applied to a screen; 
     FIG. 29 is a diagrammatic view of a print stroke; 
     FIG. 30 is diagrammatic view of a construction embodying the present invention; 
     FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a construction embodying the present invention; and 
     FIG. 32 is another perspective view of a construction embodying the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a screen mounting frame  30  is depicted within a support structure denoted generally by the numeral  35 . Preferably, the screen mounting frame  30  is conformable to a curved substrate  40  having an inside radius  45  on which printing is to be effected. In a preferred embodiment, the curved substrate  40  has an inside radius  45  of approximately 20 to 80 inches. In a more preferred embodiment, the curved substrate  40  has an inside radius  45  of approximately 38 to 60 inches. The substrate  40  is preferably constructed of a polycarbonate material. The substrate material is not limited only to polycarbonate material but also includes materials commonly classified as plastics, glass or any other material. 
     As seen in FIG. 3, the screen mounting frame  30  has a right side  50 , a left side  55 , a front portion  60  and a rear portion  65 . Preferably, the right  50  and left  55  sides each have a vertically moveable center portion  70  and at least two vertically moveable end portions  75 . The center portion  70  is bounded by at least two hinges  80  as illustrated in FIGS.  3  and  5 - 6 . 
     In one embodiment depicted in FIG. 13, the center portion  70  is removably attached to a means for vertical movement by a clamp  85 . In an alternative embodiment depicted in FIGS. 7 through 12, a screen mounting frame locator  90  is used in place of the clamp  85 . The screen mounting frame locator  90  has a clamping portion  95  for placing the screen mounting frame  30  therein. The position of the screen mounting frame  30  is adjustable within the clamping portion thereby allowing the screen mounting frame  30  to be adjusted with respect to the substrate  40 . A first driving rod  100  is connected to the clamping portion  95 . The first driving rod  100  urges the clamping portion  95  to a right  105  or a left  110  side of the support structure  35  as depicted in FIG. 3. A second driving rod  115  urges the clamping portion  95  to a front  120  or a rear  125  portion (see e.g. FIG. 1 or  2 ) of the support structure  35 . The first  100  and second  115  driving rods are manually adjustable by rotating knobs  130  located on the end of each rod  100 ,  115 . Alternatively, the rods  100 ,  115  are adjustable by computer activated means  135 . 
     A screen mounting frame locator without driving rods  140  is located substantially opposite on the screen mounting frame  30  of the screen mounting frame locator  90  with driving rods  100 ,  115 . The screen mounting frame  30  is slidably located within this locator  140  to allow the screen mounting frame  30  to be adjusted over the substrate  40 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the means for vertical motion is a motor (not shown) connected to the center portion. In a more preferred embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, the means for vertical motion is at least one fluid driven cylinder  145  connected to the center portion  70 . The cylinder  145  is preferably pneumatically or hydraulically driven. 
     As depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, the vertically moveable end portions  75  are removably attached to the support structure  35  with pivotal clamps  150 . Preferably, the pivotal clamps  150  are slidably located along the end portions  75  of the screen mounting frame  30 . A threaded, substantially horizontal rod  155  threadably engages each pivotal clamp  150 . Rotating the rod  155  one direction causes the pivotal clamps  150  to diverge while rotating the rod  155  in the opposite direction causes the clamps  150  to converge. 
     Both the center portion  70  and the vertically moveable end portions  75  are removably attached to the support structure  35  to allow for the screen mounting frame  30  to be removed for repair or replacement. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, a screen  160 , having a leading portion  165 , a trailing portion  170 , a center portion  175 , a left portion  180 , a right portion  185  and a perimeter  190  is located within the screen mounting frame  30  preferably with an adhesive (not shown). The adhesive may be such as those commonly known by those skilled in the art for securing screens  160  to screen mounting frames  30 . Preferably, the screen perimeter  190  is secured to the screen mounting frame  30  with the adhesive. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the screen  160  is a high tension, low elongation material capable of receiving and transferring a pigment containing material, such as printing ink. In a more preferred embodiment, the screen  160  is a monofilament polyester material. The screen  160  may be such as that available from Dynamesh of West Chicago, Ill. 
     In an alternative embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the screen  160  has located thereon at least two crosshairs  191 . The crosshairs  191  are used to align the screen  160  with the substrate  40  as will be described in more detail below. 
     As depicted in FIG. 13, the support structure  30  has at least two flanges  195  for locating thereon the right  50  and left  55  (see e.g., FIG. 3) sides of the screen mounting frame  30 . Preferably, the flanges  195  are an “L” shaped structure with a vertical portion  200  of the “L” positioned to resist, or prevent, motion imparted to the screen  160  from the printing process. 
     Each flange  195  has a plurality of apertures  205  located in a horizontal portion  210  of the “L”. One or more spacers  215  may be located in the apertures  205  to elevate the screen mounting frame  30  off the horizontal portion. The spacers  215  increase the distance  220  (see e.g., FIG. 1) between the center portion  175  of the screen  160  and the substrate  40 . 
     A pendulum  225  is connected to the support structure  35  for pivotal movement above the screen  160 . The pendulum  225  has a right side  230 , a left side  235 , an upper portion  240  and a lower portion  245 , as illustrated in FIG.  2 . In a preferred embodiment, the pendulum  225  has at least one pivotal mounting  250  connected to the support structure  35 . In a most preferred embodiment, the pendulum  225  has a pivotal mounting  250  on the right side  230  and the left side  235 . 
     In one embodiment, the radius of the pendulum  225  is fixed (not shown). The fixed radius allows printing on substrates  40  having a curvature which substantially conforms to the radius of the pendulum  225 . The pendulum  225  must be replaced with a new pendulum  225  having a different radius if the curvature of the substrate  40  does not conform to the radius of the pendulum  225 . 
     In a preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 15, the pivotal mountings  250  are adjustable to allow the pendulum  225  to travel through a plurality of radii for printing on substrates  40  with different curvatures. In this embodiment, the radius  255  of the pendulum  225  is adjustable from approximately 20 to 80 inches, with the radius  255  of the pendulum  225  being preferably adjustable from approximately 38 to 60 inches. The radius  255  of the pendulum  225  is measured from the center  260  of the pivotal mounting  250  to the curved substrate  40 . 
     The pivotal mounting  250  has a first side  265  releasably attached to a support structure pivotal mounting bar  270  and a second side  275  releasably attached to a pendulum pivotal mounting bar  280  as illustrated in FIG.  15 . The support structure pivotal mounting bar  270  is connected to the support structure  30  and the pendulum pivotal mounting bar  280  is connected to the pendulum  225 . As depicted in FIG. 16, the two sides  265 ,  275  are connected by an axle  285  which allows the sides  265 ,  275  to turn with respect to one another when the pendulum  225  is in motion. When the first side  265  of the pivotal mounting  250  is attached to the support structure pivotal mounting bar  270  and the second side  275  is attached to the pendulum pivotal mounting bar  280 , the entire weight of the pendulum  225  is supported by the pivotal mounting  250 . 
     When the radius  255  of the pendulum  225  must be adjusted, the weight of the pendulum  225  must be removed from the pivotal mounting  250 . The pendulum  225  has at least one locking rod  290  for locking the pendulum  225  to the support structure  35 . Preferably, a left  295  and a right  300  locking rod are connected to the pendulum  225  and are releasably connected to the support structure  35 . When engaged with the support structure  35 , the locking rods  295 ,  300  support the weight of the pendulum  225 , thereby removing the weight from the pivotal mountings  250 . 
     As depicted in FIG. 15, a right  305  and a left  310  pivotal mounting are each preferably engaged with a threaded, substantially vertical rod  315 . The rod  315  moves the pivotal mountings  305 ,  310  up or down when not attached to the support structure pivotal mounting bar  270  and the pendulum pivotal mounting bar  280 . In a most preferred embodiment, the threaded vertical rods  315  of the right  305  and left  310  pivotal mountings are mechanically connected by gearing  320  so that the movement and positioning of one creates substantially identical movement and positioning in the other as illustrated in FIG.  17 . 
     An indicator  325  for indicating the radius  255  set for the pendulum  225  is preferably connected to the pivotal mounting  250 . The indicator  325  points to a graduated index  330  connected to the support structure  35 . 
     As shown in FIG. 18, the pendulum  225  is connected to translation means  335  for translating the pendulum  225  across the screen  160 . In a preferred embodiment, the translation means  335  is a carriage  340  connected to the right  230  and left  235  (see e.g., FIG. 2) sides of the pendulum  225  and moveably connected to the support structure  35 . In a more preferred embodiment, the pendulum  225  is connected to a cam  345  located within the carriage  340 . The shape of the cam  345  compensates for the pendular motion of the pendulum  225  as the carriage  340  travels along at least one substantially horizontal track  350  during the printing process. A plurality of wheels  355  connected to each carriage  340  rides on at least one track  350  connected to the support structure  35 . 
     Preferably, the carriages  340  are driven by at least one belt  360  connected to at least one electrically powered motor  365 , however, other driving means such as hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders are within the scope of this invention. A computer  135  is in communication with the motor  365  to control the motor  365  according to the printing process. 
     In a preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 31, at least one gravity fed drip tube  366  is located adjacent the screen  160  for locating pigment containing material  367 , or printing ink, onto the screen  160 . In an alternative embodiment depicted in FIG. 32, at least one ink sprayer  368  is located adjacent the screen  160  for locating printing ink onto the screen  160 . Pigment containing material may also be manually located on the screen  160 . 
     A flood bar  370  is moveably connected to the lower portion  245  of the pendulum  225  as illustrated in FIG.  15 . The flood bar  370  is constructed out of an aluminum alloy, however, other materials known in the art for constructing flood bars  370  are within the scope of the present invention. 
     The flood bar  370  is attached to means  375  located on the pendulum  225  for raising and lowering the flood bar  370  to the screen  160 . In a preferred embodiment, the means  375  for raising and lowering the flood bar  370  includes at least one fluid driven cylinder  380 . The fluid driven cylinder  380  may be either hydraulically or pneumatically driven. In either case, it is preferred that a computer  135  is in communication with the cylinder  380  to control the raising and the lowering of the flood bar  370  during the printing process. Other means for raising and lowering the flood bar  370  may include electric motors (not shown) or manually driven mechanical means (not shown). 
     As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 15, a squeegee  385  is also moveably connected to the lower portion  245  of the pendulum  225 . The squeegee  385  is constructed out of a polyurethane material, however, other materials known in the art are well within the scope of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the squeegee  385  is adapted to selectively contact the screen  160  during pivotal movement of the pendulum  225 . In a more preferred embodiment, the squeegee  385  is attached to means  390  located on the pendulum  225  for raising and lowering the squeegee  385  to the screen  160 . In a most preferred embodiment, the means  390  for raising and lowering the squeegee  385  is at least one fluid driven cylinder  395  substantially as disclosed above for the flood bar  370 . The squeegee  385  is pivotally attached  400  in at least one place to the pendulum  225  to allow the angle at which the squeegee  385  contacts the screen  160  to be adjusted. 
     As depicted in FIG. 20, the curved substrate  40  is supported by a support member  405  having an upper surface  410 . Preferably, the upper surface  410  is constructed of a polycarbonate material. In a preferred embodiment, a recess  415  is formed in the polycarbonate material which substantially conforms to the shape and curvature of the substrate  40  as illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24. 
     In one embodiment depicted in FIG. 21, the support member  405  has a plurality of fixed support bars  420  located beneath the upper surface  410 . In this embodiment, the fixed support bars  420  can accommodate an upper surface  410  which substantially conforms to the location of the support bars  420 . If the desired upper surface  410  does not substantially conform to the fixed support bars  420 , a different support member  405  must be used. 
     In an alternative preferred embodiment, the support member  405  has a plurality of adjustable support bars  425  located beneath the upper surface  410  as illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 23. The adjustable support bars  425  are pivotally mounted  430  and vertically adjustable  435  to conform to a plurality of upper surfaces  410  for a plurality of substrates  40  having different curvatures. The support bars  425  are vertically adjustable with slides  440  located on the support member  405 . The adjustable support bars  425  allow a single support member  405  to remain connected, as described below, to the support structure  35 . 
     The upper surface  410  is mechanically connected to the upper support member  405 , preferably with a plurality of screws  445 , however, other mechanical fasteners known in the art are well within the scope of the invention. 
     The substrate  40  is located on the upper surface  410  according to two preferred embodiments. In a first embodiment depicted in FIG. 22, a vacuum  450  securely locates the substrate  40  in the recess  415  of the upper surface  410  of the support member  405 . The upper surface  410  of the support member  405  has a plurality of apertures  455  in communication with the vacuum  450 . The apertures  455  communicate the vacuum  450  to the substrate  40  and urge it downwardly in the recess  415  during the printing process. The vacuum  450  secures the substrate  40  within the recess  415  so that the substrate  40  is located flush with the upper surface  410 . 
     In a second embodiment depicted in FIG. 20, at least one male fitting  460  located on a perimeter edge  465  of the substrate  40  is located within a corresponding female fitting  470  located on the upper surface  410  of the support member  405 . Where there is more than one male fitting  460 , they are preferably located on adjacent perimeter edges  465 . In a more preferred embodiment, the male fittings  460  are located on a right side  475  and a trailing edge  480  of the substrate  40 . A section of tape  485  is located across each male fitting  460  to securely locate the substrate  40  in the recess  415  and to ensure that the substrate  40  is located flush with the upper surface  410 , as depicted in FIGS. 20 and 25. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the upper surface  410  has at least two crosshairs  486  located thereon. The crosshairs  486  are aligned with the crosshairs  191  located on the screen  160  as will be described in more detail below. 
     As shown in FIG. 20, the support member  405  has a plurality of wheels  490  which engage at least one substantially horizontal track  495 . The track  495  is oriented to locate the support member  405  substantially beneath the screen  160  during the printing process. The track  495  allows the support member  405  to be slidably removed from the support structure  405  to load or unload a substrate  40  therefrom. 
     A motor  500 , depicted in FIG. 27, for moving the support member  405  along the track  495  is preferably connected to the support member  405 . In a preferred embodiment, the motor  500  is in communication with a computer  135  to energize and de-energize the motor  500  during the printing process. In an alternative embodiment, the support member  405  may be manually moved along the track  495 . 
     A locking device  505 , as depicted in FIG. 19, engages the support member  405  to reduce, or prevent, lateral movement of the support member  405  during the printing process. Preferably, the locking device  505  has a spring-loaded male portion  510  which is received by a catch  515 . The male portion  510  may be released from the catch  515  either manually or by engaging a solenoid (not shown) which urges the male portion  510  free from the catch  515 . Preferably, the solenoid is in communication with the computer  135  for control. 
     The process of printing on the inside radius  45  of a substrate  40  is described hereinafter. As shown in FIG. 3, the screen  160  having a pattern  520  to be imparted to the substrate  40  is connected to the screen mounting frame  30  preferably with an adhesive. The screen  160  is connected to the screen mounting frame  30  so that tension is located in the screen  160  substantially between the right  50  and left  55  sides of the frame  30 . Preferably, substantially no tension is provided in the screen  160  between the front portion  60  and the rear portion  65  of the mounting frame  30 . Placing tension in the screen  160  only between the right side  50  to the left side  55  reduces, or prevents, wrinkling, or tenting, of the screen  160  when the screen  160  is deflected during the printing process. 
     The screen mounting frame  30 , having a screen  160  mounted therein, is located on the flanges  195  of the support structure  35 . Preferably, the screen mounting frame  30  is manually located on the flanges  195 . 
     In one embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the screen mounting frame  30  is located within at least one clamp  85  to connect it with the means for vertical movement  145 . Preferably, the center portion of the screen mounting frame  70  is located within the clamp  85 . 
     In an alternative embodiment depicted in FIGS. 7 through 12, the center portion of the screen mounting frame  70  is located within the screen mounting frame locator with driving rods  90  and the screen mounting frame locator without driving rods  140 . 
     As shown in FIG. 20, the support member  405  is moved out of the support structure  35  by first releasing the locking device  505  and then rolling the support member  405  from the support structure  35  along the tracks  495 . The support member  405  moves out of the support structure  35  either manually or by the motor  500  discussed above. The support member  405  moves along the track  495  until the support member  405  is substantially free from the support structure  35 . 
     In the embodiment wherein the support member  405  is adjustable, the pivotally mounted, vertically adjustable support bars  425  are located to substantially conform to the upper surface  410  of the support member  405 . The upper surface  410  is selected to conform substantially to the shape and curvature of the substrate  40  and then connected to the support member  405 . 
     The substrate  40  is loaded into the support member  405  either manually or robotically or by other suitable means. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 22 wherein a vacuum  450  is used to secure the substrate  40  onto the support member  405 , the vacuum  450  is engaged thereby urging the substrate  40  securely into the recess  415 . In the alternative embodiment depicted in FIG. 20, the male fitting  460  located on the perimeter edge  465  of the substrate  40  engages the corresponding female fitting  470  located on the upper surface  410  of the support member  405 . A section of tape  485  is located across each male fitting  460 . The tape  485  urges the substrate  40  into a lower left hand corner  525  of the support member  405 . Urging the substrate  40  into the lower right hand corner  525  of the support member  405  resists, or prevents, the substrate  40  from moving out of the recess  415  as the squeegee  385  moves over the substrate  40  through the screen  160 . 
     The support member  405  is then moved back into the support structure  35  either manually or by the above-mentioned motor  500 . The locking device  505  engages the support member  405  thereby reducing, or preventing, lateral motion of the support member  405  once the support member  405  is located within the support structure  35 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the support member  405  is moved vertically until located adjacent a lower surface  530  of the screen  160 . The vertical motion may be imparted to the support member  405  manually or at least one computer actuated fluid driven cylinder  535 . 
     The screen  160  and the substrate  40  are aligned manually either by the operator matching the screen  160  with the substrate  40  or by the operator aligning the crosshairs  486  on the substrate  160  and the crosshairs  191  on the screen  160  as shown in FIGS. 4 and 22. The crosshairs can also be aligned by the computer  135 . 
     In the embodiment wherein the distance  220  between the center  175  of the screen  160  and the substrate  40  needs to be increased, spacers  215  are inserted into the apertures  205  located in the flanges  195  as depicted in FIGS. 7-8,  10 - 11  and  13 . The spacers  215  are designed having varying degrees of thickness so if a small increase in distance  220  is required, one or more thin spacers  215  are located in the apertures  205 . Conversely, if a large increase in distance  220  is required, one or more thick spacers  215  are located in the apertures  205 . 
     In the embodiment wherein the distance  540  between the sides  180 ,  185  of the screen  160  and the substrate  40  needs to be increased, the pivotal clamps  150  are moved inward toward the center portion  70  as depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6. Moving the pivotal clamps  150  toward the center portion  70  causes a downward deflection of the center portion  70  to urge the end portions  75  upwardly at a greater angle from the screen  160  than if the pivotal clamps  150  were located away from the center portion  70 . Locating the end portions  75  at a greater angle from the screen  160  increases the distance  540  from the side portions  180 ,  185  of the screen  160  to the substrate  40 . 
     Pigment containing material  367 , or printing ink, is located on an upper surface  545  of the screen  160 , which is oriented in a substantially flat, horizontal orientation. FIG. 5 depicts the screen mounting frame is a substantially flat, horizontal orientation. Locating ink  367  on a horizontal screen  160  reduces, or prevents, the ink  367  from spreading to areas of the screen  160  where it is not desired. 
     As depicted in FIG. 28, the pendulum  225  is located proximate the trailing portion  170  of the screen  160  to begin its printing stroke and so as not to obstruct the addition of ink to the screen  160 . The ink  367  is evenly applied across the screen  160  by engaging the fluid driven cylinder  380  connected to the flood bar  370  which places the flood bar  370  in contact with the trailing portion  170  of the screen  160 . The motor  365  connected to the carriage  340  is then activated by the computer  135 , thereby moving the flood bar  370  across the upper surface  545  toward the leading portion  165  of the screen  160  as illustrated in FIG.  29 . At the leading portion  165  of the screen  160 , the fluid driven cylinder  380  is engaged and the flood bar  370  moves away from the leading portion  165  of the screen  160 . 
     The computer  135  then actuates the fluid driven cylinder  145  connected to the center portions  70  of the screen mounting frame  30 . The center portions  70  are driven downward thereby deflecting the end portions  75  and placing the screen  160  in a predetermined curvilinear shape substantially identical to the curvature of the substrate  40  as depicted in FIG.  6 . 
     With the screen  160  in the deflected orientation, the computer  135  actuates the fluid driven cylinder  395  connected to the squeegee  385  to move the squeegee  385  toward the leading portion  165  of the screen  160  until contact is made. As depicted in FIG. 30, the motor  365  connected to the carriage  340  is engaged by the computer  135  thereby moving the squeegee  385  in a pendular motion from the leading portion  165  to the trailing portion  170  of the screen  160 . The pendular motion of the squeegee  385  against the screen  160  urges the screen  160  against the substrate  40  and the ink  367  through the screen  160  and onto the substrate  40 . 
     The tension in the screen  160  urges the screen  160  away from the substrate  40  after the squeegee  385  has passed. Urging the screen  385  away from the substrate  40  reduces, or prevents, the possibility of smearing or distorting the ink  367  applied to the substrate  40 . 
     The computer  135  again actuates the fluid driven cylinder  395  connected to the squeegee  385  thereby moving the squeegee  385  away from the trailing portion  170  of the screen  160  as illustrated in FIG.  31 . The fluid driven cylinders  145  connected to the center portions  70  of the screen mounting frame  30  are actuated thereby moving the screen  160  to a substantially flat, horizontal position. In a process which is substantially the reverse of the load process described above, the support member  405  moves downwardly from the screen  160  and then outwardly from the support structure  35 . The substrate  40 , now having printing located thereon, is removed from the support member  405  either manually or robotically. 
     In the embodiment wherein the radius  255  of the pendulum  225  is adjustable and adjustment is required, the pendulum  225  is attached to the support structure  35  by threadably engaging at least two connecting rods  550  attached to the pendulum  225  with the support structure  35 . Attaching the pendulum  225  to the support structure  35  removes the weight of the pendulum  225  from the pivotal mountings  305 ,  310 . With the weight of the pendulum  225  removed from the pivotal mountings  305 ,  310 , the mountings  305 ,  310  may be released from the support structure pivotal mounting bar  270  and the pendulum pivotal mounting bar  280 . The pivotal mountings  305 ,  310  may then be adjusted up or down to increase or decrease the radius  255  of the pendulum  225 , respectively. The pivotal mountings  305 ,  310  are adjusted by rotating at least one wheel  555  mechanically connected to the threaded rod  315 . Rotation of the rod  315  causes the pivotal mountings  305 ,  310  to adjust up or down. Additionally, as the rod  315  is mechanically connected to the left pivotal mounting  310 , rotation of the wheel  555  causes the left pivotal mounting  310  to be adjusted to an identical location as the first pivotal mounting  305 . 
     The pivotal mountings  305 ,  310  are then re-attached to the pendulum pivotal mounting bar  280  and the support structure pivotal mounting bar  270 . The pendulum  225  is then released from the support structure  35  by disengaging the connecting rods  550  from the support structure  35 . 
     In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiments, however, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its scope or spirit.