PCB stencils

PCB Stencil Service

Used in solder paste applications, our multi-use stainless steel stencils provide absolute quality and precision. The current and most widely used technology for soldering components onto a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is Surface Mount Technology (SMT).

While older soldering method of pin through-hole soldering use liquid solder, SMT use a physical paste form of solder then melt this paste in a heated oven to form the solder joint.

Stencil Application in SMT Assembly Methods

SMT method provides several advantages over liquid-solder method: reduced time of production; increased production capacity; increased density of components that can be mounted onto a PCB; reducing needed design surface area of a PCB to produce a more compact product.

The sole purpose of an SMT stencil is to transfer solder paste to a bare circuit board.A well designed stencil can help to prevent 60% to 70% of SMT solder defects through the soldering process. The three commonly-occurring stencil printing defects include the following: misaligned print; erroneous stencil printing due to improper printing parameters; misalignment between PCB fiducials vs. stencil fiducials.

Stencil Fabrication

The fabrication of a stencil starts when a stainless steel foil is laser cut to create an opening for every surface mount device on the board, using the design Gerber files for the PCB project. Once the stencil is properly aligned on top of the board, solder paste is applied over the openings (making a single pass, using a metal squeegee blade). When the stainless steel foil is separated from the board, solder paste will remain, ready for placement of the SMD. This process, as opposed to hand soldering methods, ensures consistency and saves time.

Stainless steel foil thickness and aperture opening size control the volume of paste deposited on the board. Too much solder paste causes solder balling, bridging, and tomb-stoning. A lack of solder paste creates insufficient solder joints. All of which compromise the electrical functionality of the board.

Stencil at PCB International

At PCB International, we offer many different stencil ordering options; some of which are listed below:

  1. Hand stencil (for single component rework, bent up on two sides for easier handling) $99
  2. Prototype stencil (for PCBs with components on top/bottom sides) as separate stencils $198
  3. Prototype stencil (for PCBs with components on top/bottom sides as one single stencil comprising component openings for both sides) $99
  4. Oversized prototype stencil (for PCBs larger than 10" x 12") $139
  5. Framed stencil with cast aluminum frames, sizes ranging from 8x10 to 29x29 $199 - $269
  6. Other options upon request.

Accessories that are offered include pick and place tool, solder paste only, AssemblyPro fixture, extra thin/thick stencil less than 0.004" or over 0.008" in thickness.

Contact PCB International to learn how our stencils can improve your PCB assembly efficiency and production capacity!

Stencil Products Cost Description
Hand Stencil $99 Single component rework stencil, bent up on two sides for handling
Prototype Stencil $99 Prototype stencil (up to 10” x 12”), squeegee, and board holder
Oversized Prototype Stencil $139 Prototype stencil (exceeding 10” x 12”), squeegee, and board holder.
Basic Proto Stencil Kit $99 Basic Prototype Stencil Kit (up to 10" x 12"), Stencil, squeegee, and board holder.
Prototype Stencil Kit-Leaded $159 Prototype stencil (up to 10” x 12”), leaded solder paste, pick & place tool, temperature marker (331° thru 379°), 1 pair of gloves, and 2 alcohol wipes.
Oversized Prototype Stencil Kit-Leaded $179 Prototype stencil (exceeding 10” x 12”), leaded solder paste, pick & place tool, temperature marker (331° thru 379°), 1 pair of gloves, and 2 alcohol wipes
Prototype Stencil Kit-Lead Free $149 Prototype stencil (up to 10” x 12”), lead free solder paste, pick & place tool, temperature marker (390° thru 450°), 1 pair of gloves, and 2 alcohol wipes.
Oversized Prototype Stencil Kit-Lead Free $179 Prototype stencil (exceeding 10” x 12”), lead free solder paste, pick & place tool, temperature marker (390° thru 450°), 1 pair of gloves, and 2 alcohol wipes.
Prototype Flat Foil $99 Flat foil used for hand printing
Frameless Stencil for Universal Frame $149 Frameless stencil to fit an interchangeable plate system. Includes SMT, PRO 2, QTS, SPR
Frameless Stencil for Zelflex Protect 22.5 x 22.5 $199 Frameless stencil for use in a Zelflex Protect Frame
8 x 10 Cast Framed Stencil $199 Cast Aluminum 8 x 10 framed stencil
12 x 12 Cast Framed Stencil $199 Cast Aluminum 12 x 12 framed stencil
12 x 17 Cast Framed Stencil $219 Cast Aluminum 12 x 17 framed stencil
15 x 15 Cast Framed Stencil $219 Cast Aluminum 15 x 15 framed stencil
20 x 20 Cast Framed Stencil $249 Cast or Extruded 20 x 20 framed stencil
29 x 29 Cast Framed Stencil $269 Extruded Aluminum 29 x 29 framed stencil
29 x 29 Low Profile Framed Stencil $269 Low Profile (1/2” thick frame) 29 x 29 framed stencil
20 x 20 Extruded Framed Stencil $249 Extruded Frame 20 x 20 Stencil
23 x 23 Extruded Framed Stencil $259 Extruded Frame 23 x 23 Stencil
23 x 25 Extruded Framed Stencil $259 Extruded Frame 23 x 25 Stencil
29 x 29 Extruded Framed Stencil $269 Extruded Frame 29 x 29 Stencil
SPR Plate (16" x 19" APS20) $150 SPR Plate (16" x 19" APS20)
Fuji4000 Framed Stencil $299 Extruded Aluminum Frame for Fuji 4000
Pick and Place Tool $35 Pick and Place Hand Tool
Solder Paste Only-Lead Free 12 grams $31 Lead Free RoHS solder paste - ZeroLead No-Clean Solder Paste 12 grams in a 10cc syringe.  Part# ZLSP-10cc
Solder Paste Only-Leaded 12 grams $29 Leaded solder paste - ZephPaste Eutectic Solder Paste SPE-0012 - No-Clean 63Sn/37Pb Solder Paste 12 grams in a 10cc syringe.
QTS 20 x 20 Universal Frame $1,650 QTS 20 x 20 Universal Frame
Pro 2 20 x 20 Universal Frame $890 Pro 2 20 x 20 Universal Frame
SMT 20 x 20 Universal Frame $1,450 SMT 20 x 20 Universal Frame
AssemblyPro Fixture $99 Fixture for assembling double sided PCB’s. Requires a Prototype stencil for each side of the board. Fixture custom machined to order. This product has a 2 day lead time from receipt of order.
Metal Charge $40 Stencil thickness less that 0.004” and over 0.008”
Call us for help on ordering PCB stencils

If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to call us at 206-310-3624 or Contact Us

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