SMD stencil printer - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: davorin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 03:35:51 pm
content: 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 graciasrichard

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 04:46:03 pm
content: That one you have pictured is in stock A4 size for 230eurohttps://portal.multi-circuit-boards.eu/Shop/Index/SMD-Stencil-Printer?Sprache=en

author: davorin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 04:52:11 pm
content: 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....

author: davorin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 04:57:06 pm
content: Ah bugger...They don't deliver to private person...only companies, schools and the like...

author: meshtron
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 07:49:28 pm
content: 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

author: davorin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 07:57:40 pm
content: 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....

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 08:19:48 pm
content: 1) I went to a SS stencil from OSH stencils:https://www.oshstencils.com/#%20Shipping 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.

author: meshtron
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 08:27:50 pm
content: 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).

author: temperance
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 08:40:56 pm
content: QuoteI 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.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 09:02:58 pm
content: Here is another simple design, not sure which would work better:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008346534843.htmlLink to OPs item:https://www.tindie.com/products/khs/mt-sp-a4-manual-stencil-printer/

author: mon2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 09:39:39 pm
content: 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:Quote

author: temperance
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 10:02:49 pm
content: QuoteThat 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=64A 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=21Anything else without proper mechanics is a waste of money.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 10:57:46 pm
content: 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?

author: prutser
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2025, 03:24:00 pm
content: 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.

author: jmelson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2025, 11:38:29 pm
content: I made my own stencil frame, see :http://pico-systems.com/images/StencilFrame.JPGandhttp://pico-systems.com/images/Stencil.JPGI now have added a hinge to the back to use framed stencils.Jon

author: Fire Doger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2025, 12:37:08 pm
content: I have made a very similar to this. Vacuum works really well.