Proposal for lightweight screenprinting frames
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Swerea IVF AB - Compraser Lab |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 500 000 |
| Project duration | December 2015 - November 2016 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | The strategic innovation programme SIP LIGHTer |
| Call | 2015-03711-en |
Important results from the project
The aim of the prestudy LättRam is to develop innovative concepts for lightweight and stiffer tools for screenprinting, eg. screen frames. The identified challenges in that area are effective joining methods, electrical isolation and thermal / electrical neutrality. Optimization of materials, processes and the right choice of manufacturing technology will minimize the total weight of screen frames by at least 20%, contributing to one of Lighters main goals.
Expected long term effects
Building a bridge between different industries and increase their interest in new materials and inovations will be one of the longterm goals. The screenprinting industry today is an industry that needs to be changed radically in order to keep up with developments in new areas such as printed electronics and solar panels. The result of that prestudy is a concept proposal for screen frames of industrially manufactured composite and aluminum profiles. The proposal includes recommendations on materials, construction and design.
Approach and implementation
To identify requirements and needs on screen printing frames, DS Smith AB as a printer, Marabu Scandinavia as a supplier and Midnight Composites AB as a composite company has been visited. Swerea helped with material analysing and simulation on screenframes with aluminium and composites. The project results were presented during a workshop together with the printing company DS Smith at the end of November 2016.