A screen mesh is essentially a stencil used in various fabrication processes to define the shape of a deposited material layer.
Understanding Screen Mesh
Based on reference information, the screen mesh functions as a stencil in which the empty sections produce the final shape of the fabricated layer. Imagine it like a template where certain areas are open, allowing material to pass through, while others are blocked.
In a typical setup, the screen mesh is mounted on a screen frame. It is then placed slightly above the bottom layer onto which the material will be deposited. A thin layer of the material, often described as a thin film of ink or paste, is applied onto the surface of the mesh.
How Screen Mesh Works
The process leveraging a screen mesh relies on its design as a stencil. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Stencil Creation: The mesh has specific areas that are open (the "empty sections") and others that are blocked. These open sections correspond directly to the desired pattern or shape of the layer being created.
- Material Application: A substance, such as ink or paste, is spread across the top surface of the screen mesh.
- Pattern Transfer: Pressure (often from a squeegee) is applied, forcing the ink or paste through the open sections of the mesh onto the substrate below.
- Shape Formation: Because only the material in the "empty sections" passes through, the substance forms a layer on the bottom surface precisely in the shape defined by the stencil.
This technique is fundamental in processes like screen printing, where ink is transferred through a mesh onto fabric or paper, or in thick-film technology used in electronics manufacturing to deposit conductive or resistive pastes onto substrates. The screen mesh is critical for achieving accurate and repeatable patterns.
