RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

The Manufacturing Process of Stencil Electronics

Stencils are important in electronic manufacturing. These days, electronic manufacturers use stencils to
print solder paste. The paste creates deposits on the printed circuit board to firmly hold electronic
components. It is important to apply the paste in the right volume and position. This precision is very
important when applying paste.

Therefore, the use of stencils is crucial in applying solder paste. These stencils help to regulate solder paste
printing. Also, stencils make solder paste application easier for surface mount device (SMD). Stencils offer
great benefits to electronics manufacturing. In this article, we will discuss the role of stencils in electronics
manufacturing.

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Table of Contents

What is PCB Stencil?

A stencil is a sheet of steel used to apply solder paste on a circuit board for SMT component placement. Also,
the PCB stencil features laser-cut openings. This stencil deposits the paste on marked areas on a bare circuit
board. Therefore, it keeps components placed on the circuit board firm.

The main function of a PCB stencil is to deposit the appropriate amount of paste on SMT pads. This
enables the solder joint between the component and the pad perfect as regards mechanicals strength and
electrical connection. A PCB stencil makes the application of paste easier and faster. Also, it ensures
accuracy and precision when applying paste.

PCB stencil manufacturers design stencils by creating holes via lasers on a stainless steel foil. These holes
are created at the positions where PCB assemblers need to place surface mount components on the PCB.
This allows the PCB assembler to place the stencil on top of the circuit board and align it using position
points. These positioning points are also known as fiducial marks.

After proper alignment, the assembler applies the paste using a metal squeegee blade. Therefore, the paste is
generously and precisely applied to the bare circuit board. After this, the assembler can place the
components on the circuit board.

A PCB stencil manufacturer creates apertures or openings through laser beams on a hard steel-foil based
sheet. The stencil is then placed on top of the circuit board. Solder paste stencils, reusable stencil frames are
permanently glued. The metal stencil and lead free solder paste. Laser cut stencil are the best option for
PCBs. Electroformed stencils offer good quality.

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Important Considerations for PCB Stencil Design

Stencil thickness

The thickness of the sheet determines the amount of solder paste released through the opening. With the
accurate thickness, the PCB stencil will release the desired amount of solder paste. The aperture size and
the sheet thickness are crucial factors that impact the amount of solder paste deposited on the PCB.

Also, deposition of extra solder can result in solder bridging. Meanwhile, deposition of less solder can cause
weak solder joints. Therefore, this can affect the performance of the final printed circuit boards.

Aperture design

Another crucial factor that can affect solder joint is the aperture design. The chances of defects like solder
beads and solder bridging depend on the aperture design. The opening of the stencil is usually smaller than
the pad size of the circuit board. It is possible for the solder paste to stick to the aperture wall after solder
deposition. Therefore, the PCB pad’s area should be more than two-thirds of the area inside the aperture
wall.

Stencil alignment

Stencil designers add registration marks known as fiducial marks to the stencil and PCB. These marks help
to ensure proper alignment between the stencil and PCB. Also, it helps to achieve a perfect print of solder
paste.

Stencil material

The material of the stencil will impact its ability to provide paste from the aperture to the PCB pad. The best
material for stencil is stainless steel. This is a major reason why stainless steel stencils are commonly used in
the PCB industry. Also, the stencil material determines solder paste release via the apertures.

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Types of PCB Stencils

There are different types of PCB stencils.

Framed PCB stencils

These stencils have a casing around them. The stencil frame ensures the stencil sheet is tight enough for the
appropriate exactness. Also, framed stencils are specifically designed for a high degree of screen printing of
PCBs. Framed stencils feature smooth aperture walls. Also, these stencils have clean laser-cut apertures.
Therefore, it creates permanent non-fading fiducial.

Frameless stencils

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Frameless stencils are laser cut solder paste stencils. These stencils work with stencil tensioning systems.
Frameless SMT stencils are less expensive than framed stencils. Also, they deliver great quality and
performance despite their low cost. These stencils don’t feature a fixed casing around then.

Prototype stencils

Prototype stencils are usually made from Gerber or CAD files to match prototype printed circuit boards.
Also, these stencils are frameless. Prototype stencils are specially designed for manual printing.

Electroformed stencils

These solder paste stencils are usually nickel-based. An electroformed stencil provides the best release of
solder paste. Also, these stencils are widely used for fine pitch. The nickel in electroformed stencils feature
a low coefficient of friction compared to that of stainless steel. Also, electroform foils are much harder than
hard stainless steel. This offers a longer stencil life.

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How to Manufacture A PCB Stencil

A PCB stencil feature hundreds or thousands of opening created with high precision. Therefore, it is not
advisable to manually create these holes. There are three methods for making circuit board stencils. These
methods are electroforming, chemical etching, and laser cutting. The laser cut stencils is the most popular
PCB stencil.

Here, we will go through the process of PCB stencil manufacturing by using a laser cutter.

Stack the mylar sheet

You need to stack two sheets together. Then, heat the mylar sheets until you detach the first sheet from the
stack. The second sheet will suck the melted pad of the first sheet. Therefore, this allows you to pull the
first sheet off.

Export design files from EagleCAD

Export your cream layers via a cam file. Using ExpressPCB, open the file menu and choose the “Export
DXF Mechanical Drawing.”

Swell pads in viewmate

You will have to compensate for the melting caused by the cutting process. This is because meting enlarges
the pad size. Therefore, you will have to cut down the size of the pad. To import the cream layers into

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ViewMate, you need to choose File>Import>Gerber. After this, select Setup>D codes. Choose all columns
and open Operations>Swell. Input the value for the size adjustments based on the laser specifications.

Use Autocad to swell pads

You can use AutoCAD to scale down the DXF’s content. Also, you will need to highlight the drawings in
the AutoCAD window. Key in the proper scale figure when the Scale Factor dialog comes up. This will
place the drawing in the appropriate scales. After doing this, you can now print out the finished drawing.

Cut the stencils

You will need to adjust the settings on the laser cutter to appropriately cut through the already stacked Mylar
sheets. The laser’s heat will melt the first sheet. However, the second sheet will absorb the first sheet’s
melted pad. Therefore, this enables you to neatly pull out the first sheet.

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How to Ensure Quality Solder Paste Printing

PCB assembly involves solder paste printing. Therefore, precise printing of this paste is crucial for accuracy
for a PCB assembly. However, some crucial elements help to ensure quality paste printing.

Stencil installation

Pool alignment of stencil can result in solder bridge. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure there is precise
alignment between the circuit board and the stencil.

Blade stroke speed

Blade stroke speed will impact the amount and shape of the paste deposition. Also,this affects the solder
paste printing quality. Generally, you should set the stroke speed between 20 to 80mm/s. You must adjust
the blade’s speed relative to the solder paste’s viscosity.

PCB mounting

Before you start solder paste printing, you need to mount the target PCB to the work table using a vacuum or
mechanical clamp. Also, you should secure this circuit board with support pins at the center of the circuit
board. This ensures it doesn’t move during printing.

Squeegee pressure

The pressure of the squeegee blade will impact the amount of paste deposited. If the pressure is more, there
will be less solder deposition. Also, this is because the pressure squeezes the gap between the circuit board
and the stencil.

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Squeegee blade set up

After mounting the stencil firmly on the printed circuit board, you will apply the solder paste to the stencil.
You will need a squeegee blade to fill paste in the stencil apertures.

Thorough cleaning

Thoroughly cleaning the stencil will get rid of any solder paste. Also, this will get the stencil prepared for the
next printing.

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The Importance of Stencil in Surface Mount Assembly Process

Stencil is widely used in the surface mount assembly process to achieve an accurate and repeatable
deposition of solder paste. High volume screen printing can impact PCB board functionality. Also,the stencil
design is crucial to achieving a high-yield assembly process. Low amounts of solder can cause dry solder
joints.

The type of surface mount devices on the PCB determines the optimum foil thickness. The thickness of the
stainless steel foil varies. Also, laser-cut stencils are commonly used for surface mount device.

Conclusion

Stencil printing is an integral aspect of PCB assembly. Also, this process could be very tricky. The slightest
error can ruin the whole PCB assembly process. Also, PCB stenciling helps to mount all solder joints in the
PCB. This helps to save time and eliminate error in the solder joint. The PCB stencil helps to achieve smooth
aperture walls. Printed circuit boards perform better with accurate stencil printing.

Related Posts:

1. The Process of Making Stepped Stencil

2. How Additive Manufacturing Impacts Jabil Manufacturing Process

3. What is Flex PCB Manufacturing Process

4. What is Microelectronics Manufacturing Process

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