SMD stencil printer

[davorin]

Good afternoon (o;

Is someone aware of an affordable manual SMD stencil printer like this model, which isn't currently in stock?



Price range around up to Euro 300 and available in the EU/Germany.

So far I used custom 3d printed PCB holders but stencil was never flat and close to the PCB therefore solder paste was running out under the stencil and smearing the solder pads.



muchas gracias
richard

[voltsandjolts]

That one you have pictured is in stock A4 size for 230euro

https://portal.multi-circuit-boards.eu/Shop/Index/SMD-Stencil-Printer?Sprache=en

[davorin]

This is odd....

When I visited this site today in the afternoon it said it will be on stock in around 2 - 3 weeks....
seems the delivery just came in (o;

Thanks for the refresh ;-)

BTW: Any tips for avoiding solder paste squeezing under the stencil? Tried today several times but the paste smeared between all TSSOP and ESP32 pads....

[davorin]

Ah bugger...

They don't deliver to private person...only companies, schools and the like...

[meshtron]

I have this one and have had great luck with it - I always use framed stencils though also.

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/ZHENGBANG-High-Precision-Manual-Solder-Paste_1600261854286.html

[davorin]

The shipping costs are almost that high as the stencil printer itself....

Guess I have to fire up my CAD software and CNC milling machine and just replicate this design....

[jpanhalt]

1) I went to a SS stencil from OSH stencils: https://www.oshstencils.com/#%20  Shipping of course would probably be prohibitive, but there may be local shops with the same price/quality.  The cost + shipping was very reasonable.

2) I made my own printer (attachment) using an eBay machine/tooling plate (a flat aluminum plate with pre-drilled and tapped holes) and a manual drill press.  You may need to scrape a little to get the fit just right.  I got the tooling plate from an US dealer for about $50.  I'd give a link, but eBay search for old orders is completely messed up.  The shoulder screws were from McMaster.  Of course, your suppliers will be different and metric.

[meshtron]

Yeah it's not a terribly complicated device for certain.  If you've got access to a mill and 3D CAD, might well be the right path.  Feel free to DM me if you want any info/pics about how it works (it's not complex but when I'm designing stuff I always love to see a "known good" example).

[temperance]

Is someone aware of an affordable manual SMD stencil printer like this model, which isn't currently in stock?

I don't consider that a stencil printer. Something like that is difficult to use for fine pitch components.

There is no tension on the stencil and the stencil is not held flat-without an air gap-onto the PCB. As such the stencil will warp while applying paste and you end squeezing paste between the stencil and the PCB.

[thm_w]

Here is another simple design, not sure which would work better: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008346534843.html

Link to OPs item: https://www.tindie.com/products/khs/mt-sp-a4-manual-stencil-printer/

[mon2]

The last shared link to Aliexpress seems more realistic of what these stencil printers should cost. The earlier links are just too high IMHO.

Try contacting Elissa - this company is a manufacturer of such SMT stencil printers. Met them in Shenzhen during my visit to Nepcon (Shenzhen).

Her details:

Website: www.smtwenzhan.com 
Skype: smtwenzhan[at]163.com
Tel/Wechat/Whatsapp: +86 13923713803
QQ: 2966592980
Add: 3F. Building D, Lihao Yongda Park, No.20 Dongfang Blvd, Matian, Guangming District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China 518106

[temperance]

Here is another simple design, not sure which would work better: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008346534843.html

That stencil printer is more like a nightmare.

-The arms (round rods) aren't strong enough to deal with the tension placed onto the stencil. The complete assembly will warp. (I have a Neoden printer suffering the same problem.)
-N X, Y and θ adjustments. It will be very difficult to place the stencil over the PCB.
-No proper stencil height adjustement.

Something low cost but not so fancy, capable of delivering the same performance:
https://nl.beta-layout.com/estore/order_product_details.html?wg=17&p=64

A proper stencil printer will cost > 1K.

The lowest cost stencil printer is just a very flat surface and some PCB material like this:
https://nl.beta-layout.com/estore/order_product_details.html?wg=17&p=21

Anything else without proper mechanics is a waste of money.

[jpanhalt]

I found something similar to what I got.  $45 on eBay,  Unfortunately it's in the US, but the search term may help.  MIC-6 aluminum is flat compared to ordinary rolled aluminum plate.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125976495186?

[prutser]

A colleague of mine made something similar for me using his CNC.

Before I had it, I used to put the PCB "in between" other PCBs and taped the stencil. I was not able  to get the paste applied correctly on 0.25mm QFN pads using this procedure. 
Using this kind of stencil printer (both the PCB and the stencil cannot move), I could apply the paste for the QFN properly.
I have only used it for small PCBs where it is easier to keep the stencil flat on the PCB.

[jmelson]

I made my own stencil frame, see :  http://pico-systems.com/images/StencilFrame.JPG
and http://pico-systems.com/images/Stencil.JPG  I now have added a hinge to the back to use framed stencils.
Jon

[Fire Doger]

I have made a very similar to this. Vacuum works really well.

[khs]

Good news,

the stencil printer is available again.

We learned that there is an astonishing number of ways for laser cutters to ruin the nice brushed surface of the base plate.

Additional: And if the base plate looks neat, it may still be that it is warped, so there is no flat surface for the stencil..

Meanwhile the problems are solved, but every day I have to hear that our stencil printer is an quite easy product to make... 

[SMTech]

Good news,

the stencil printer is available again.

We learned that there is an astonishing number of ways for laser cutters to ruin the nice brushed surface of the base plate.

Additional: And if the base plate looks neat, it may still be that it is warped, so there is no flat surface for the stencil..

Meanwhile the problems are solved, but every day I have to hear that our stencil printer is an quite easy product to make... 

I'd rather gouge out my eyes with a wooden spoon, but you do you.

[khs]

An acquaintance of mine once got a compressed air hose shoved right into his eye. His eye survived, but the retina didn't.

So I don't think it's possible to poke your eye out with a wooden spoon.

[davorin]

Well nice that it is on stock again...

But can't order as your web site says: "We solely sell to business customers and public institutions"
And I am not both of them (o;

[jpanhalt]

My experience with solder paste is limited to the one stencil printer shown.  It seems most printers support the board on a flat surface.  That way, as you apply pressure to the board, you don't risk deforming it and forcing paste between the stencil and board in the middle.  The only reason I can imagine for using rails to support the board is if components are on the back side.

[Rat_Patrol]

My experience with solder paste is limited to the one stencil printer shown.  It seems most printers support the board on a flat surface.  That way, as you apply pressure to the board, you don't risk deforming it and forcing paste between the stencil and board in the middle.  The only reason I can imagine for using rails to support the board is if components are on the back side.

That is what pin support is for.

I 3D print custom holding jigs with supports for each board. They have built in "pin supports" for when you are pasting the top side, and components are already reflowed on the bottom. Same jig, so install is just part of setting up the line for that run.

[jmelson]

My experience with solder paste is limited to the one stencil printer shown.  It seems most printers support the board on a flat surface.  That way, as you apply pressure to the board, you don't risk deforming it and forcing paste between the stencil and board in the middle.  The only reason I can imagine for using rails to support the board is if components are on the back side.

My fixture (link to pictures in reply # 14) holds the board from the edges, as I often do dual-sided assembly.  For larger boards I put a small stack of washers under the middle of the board to prevent it from deflecting.  That has always worked well.
Jon 

[alex_]

What are your thoughts on these stencil printers ? various sizes available
https://jlcmc.com/product/b/L15/BR12406/smt-pcb-manual-solder-paste-stencil-printer-1010

[khs]

Well nice that it is on stock again...

But can't order as your web site says: "We solely sell to business customers and public institutions"
And I am not both of them (o;

Yes, Multi-CB is our distributor selling to business customers and public institutions only.

But there are three other ways to get the stencil printer: First is Ebay, second is Tindie and third is to contact me via khs-instruments directly.
 
Btw: We've made a new website https://smt-stencilprinter.com/ to provide smart phone users an easier navigation...