Screen mesh parameters
When choosing a mesh for your application, the mesh opening must be large enough for at least three of the ink or paste particles to pass through at once, otherwise the mesh will clog. Deposit thickness relates to mesh thickness and open area percentage.
Aperture size (w) describes the distance between to neighbouring warp or weft wires, measured in the centre of the aperture.
Mesh count is calculated upon the number of apertures per English inch (25.4 mm). Wire cloth with square or right angled apertures should be described using aperture size (w) and wire diameter (d).
Open area (Ao) describes the sum of all apertures as a percentage of the entire surface area.
Mesh thickness (D) is based on the wire diameter and the weaving process. Thickness measurement is carried out prior to tensioning.
Theoretical ink deposit (Vth) is an approximate value considering ink cubes forced through the wire cloth, whose volume is determined by the mesh aperture (w) and the cloth thickness (D). The cubes then flow together to form an even wet ink film of theoretical thickness on the substrate.
