A system for aligning a mask and a product with high precision, featuring a
means for supporting a product in a fixed position and a mask adjacent to
the product so that the mask is movable relative to the product. The mask
is surrounded by a rectangular mask frame. At least one movable first
plunger presses against a first edge of the mask frame, while two movable
second plungers press against a second edge of the mask frame, where the
first and second edges are perpendicular. A first computer-controlled
movable push plate is designed to push the mask frame against said at
least one movable first plunger; pushing the mask frame in a first
direction. Two second movable computer-controlled plates are designed to
move the mask frame in a second direction by pushing the mask frame
against the two movable second plungers. The two second movable
computer-controlled push plates may also be used to rotate the mask frame
by moving one of the second movable push plates toward one of the movable
second plungers, while controlled simultaneously moving the other of the
second movable push plates away from the other of the movable second
plungers. A computer is used to determine the relative position of the
mask and the product prior to alignment; and that, to achieve proper
alignment of the mask and the product, the mask must be moved in the first
direction by a first distance, moved in the second direction by a second
distance, and rotated by a defined amount. The computer then signals the
first computer controlled movable push plate to push the mask frame in the
first direction by the first distance; and also signals the two second
computer-controlled movable push plates to push the mask frame in the
second direction by said second distance. If rotation of the mask is
required, the two second computer-controlled movable push plates are
signaled to rotate the mask frame by said defined amount.