Importance

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Abstract

A multi-color printing apparatus for screen printing workpieces in diverse colors. The apparatus has a plurality of printing units, each located at a work station, and spaced about a central support. A number of radially extending support arms cantilevered from a rotatable central support carry the workpieces between printing stations. After being indexed to its approximate final position at a particular work station, the support arms engage a brake pad to absorb rotational energy and to control motion of the support arm during a final, precise alignment step wherein a fork member is advanced toward a roller mounted on the support arm to precisely align and lock the support arm during the screen printing operation. Also disclosed is a collar for rotatably mounting the central support at its bottom end. The collar has two portions, one mounted to the central support and the other mounted to a desired location in the printing apparatus. Ball bearings are received in opposed grooves in the two collar portions to provide a precise alignment and thrust bearing supprt for the central support. Also disclosed is a guide plate mounted adjacent the central support. Rollers mounted on arms attached to the central support contact the edge of the plate and are adjustable to locate the upper end of the column about a true vertical axis of rotation and to prevent inclination of the central support about this vertical axis of rotation.

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First Claim