New JLCPCB nano coat stencils - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: loki42
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2025, 01:51:23 pm
content: Just got one of these yesterday and used it for the first time today. I thought something was wrong with my SPI because the results were so good and so consistent, full shift, zero defects including the first print where I kneaded the paste. Very tiny variations and no build up in the apertures. The stuff is magic. I kept the wipe frequency same as normal but I think I should drop it down a lot because there was no build up. I might set it to wipe on stencil inspection and see how that goes. I feel a bit silly I haven't been using nano coated stencils from other suppliers already. Are there other good cheap nano coated stencil suppliers with an online pricing thing? Either way, I'm very happy with the results so far. No idea yet how the coating holds up.

author: Jackster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2025, 01:54:08 pm
content: You can get stencil cleaner with the "nano coating" stuff in it.

author: 48X24X48X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2025, 02:27:59 pm
content: I like these man but when I ordered the framed version few days ago, the option weren't there. There's basically no paste residue at the bottom. Also making cleaning a much easier.

author: loki42
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2025, 03:03:34 pm
content: Quote from: 48X24X48X on June 17, 2025, 02:27:59 pmI ordered last week... framed stencil standard MPM / DEK size.What's the stencil cleaner with the nano magic? I'd love to use it for my existing stencils.

author: law
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2025, 09:56:48 pm
content: Maybe a dumb question - does cleaning the stencil with regular stencil cleaner remove the nano coating?

author: Jackster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2025, 11:36:26 pm
content: Quote from: law on June 17, 2025, 09:56:48 pmThe metal on metal contact will do more damage to it than the cleaner.You do scrape away the surface of the stencil. They are only rated for X amount of scrapes before the thickness is then out of spec.And the constant abrasion from the solder balls will also remove it from the paste holes so it removes it from the walls of those as well.When I get stencils in from anywhere, they get cleaned immediately with stencil cleaner and it has the "nano coating" in it that provides that projective layer.JLC do not clean their stencils. If you wipe them with a bit of wetted paper towel, you will see how much machining grease and fine particulates come off them.

author: Pinkus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2025, 10:01:54 am
content: I have never bothered with a special stencil cleaner and have always used IPA. But a special cleaner with included nano coating could be indeed interesting. I would be grateful for a recommendation of a special product / manufacturer. Thx!

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 18, 2025, 10:42:32 am
content: Quote from: Pinkus on June 18, 2025, 10:01:54 amIMHO cleaning with IPA is a pain in the ass with a subpar result in the end. I apply a tiny amount of Electrolube SWAS (saponifies the flux instead of simply diluting it), go over the holes with a toothbrush several times, rinse with water. The result is a perfectly clean stencil with no solder particle or flux remains which is hard to achieve with using organic solvents.

author: loki42
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2025, 02:49:25 pm
content: Quote from: Jackster on June 17, 2025, 01:54:08 pmWhat's the brand / part number of stencil cleaner you use with nano stuff? I've got Kyzen in my ultrasonic and under stencil and used techspray when cleaning by hand. If the nano slippery stuff is safe for the under stencil wipe that would be pretty snazzy as it would auto top up.According to the JLCPCB site the coating is some kind of high vacuum / thermal Physical vapor deposition process (PVD) which is common for carbide tooling inserts. Probably has pretty different behaviour from a spray, though I've got no idea how effective the spray is.

author: SMTech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2025, 04:01:38 pm
content: Quote from: loki42 on June 18, 2025, 02:49:25 pmI have not seen a cleaner with built in nano coating, conceptually that seems problematic - uneven buildup, clogging etc.A nano coating is typically applied to the bottom of a stencil coating the bottom and aperture edges. so metal on metal scraping is not so much of an issue. The DIY option is to buy the coating as a wipe and apply it yourself to a clean stencil. ASMPT sell these as Nanoclear which appears to be an Aculon product. The process seems to still be new enough that its surrounded by patents and licensing .....

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2025, 05:18:34 pm
content: IS It the same stuff as the car the idea is hydrophobic ? The coatings are really popular for cars

author: Rat_Patrol
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2025, 02:52:59 am
content: Just placed an order for a few prototype boards, going to try out their coating. Not a complicated board, but we will see how it compares anyway!

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 26, 2025, 04:36:35 am
content: I just got a couple of these today with my latest prototype PCBs, some of which are using a lot more fine pitch parts than I normally use - but still only 0.5mm.Excited to see if they can improve my somewhat dodgy stencilling technique, in particular the need for a wipe every few boards.

author: wemme
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2025, 12:15:21 am
content: I used a nanocoated JLC stencil the other day and worked pretty good.What cleaners do people use. I normally use IPA?RegardsBart

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 20, 2025, 12:43:31 pm
content: I tried mine out and found they were very slippery - which I guess is the intention, but as they were custom size and unframed it made it very had to keep it in alignment. I don't have a proper jig for unframed stencils, but never had a problem doing the usual thing with old PCBs and masking tape.I also could tell a difference with the coating after just a few cycles of use. I believe 15-20 total prints, and 3 cleanings with IPA, and I could easily see the coating was no longer as effective as the IPA droplets no longer stayed in balls due to surface tension. Not sure if that was due to use of IPA or surface damage from the (plastic) squeegee. The small apertures still cleaned very well, and the coating on the back of the stencil still seemed good. Not enough use to really see how they would hold up to more operations and cleanings, and due to a revision and different panelisation needed I won't likely be using these ones again.So my main feedback is that I wouldn't recommend them unless used in frames, or with a proper frameless stencil printer.

author: loki42
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2025, 11:33:22 pm
content: Cleaning wise Kyzen in my ultrasonic and machine automatic under stencil and used techspray when cleaning by hand. All seem to work very well with the nanocoat. Jlcpcb now day they've got ultrasonic resistant glue for the stencils but I never noticed the old ones falling apart...

author: Rat_Patrol
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2025, 12:53:07 am
content: Quote from: loki42 on July 20, 2025, 11:33:22 pmI absolutely burned up the framed JLC stencils in my UC cleaner. Not the first time, not the second, but after 50 washes, I was mixing epoxy