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laserinfo:pcb_stencils [2009/05/06 20:03] ladyada |
laserinfo:pcb_stencils [2016/01/28 18:05] |
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- | ====== How to make PCB solder paste stencils ====== | ||
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- | You'll need: | ||
- | - A laser cutter | ||
- | - Kapton film, I like the 1 mil thick 1 ft square sheets from [[McMaster-Carr|http://www.mcmaster.com/#2271K2]] | ||
- | - Solder paste such as [[Kester No-Clean|http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=KE1507-ND]] | ||
- | |||
- | Software: | ||
- | - PCB layout software (well, thats how I do it) - this example will use EagleCAD | ||
- | - [[Pentalogix ViewMate Gerber viewer software|http://www.pentalogix.com/Download/download.html#item8]] | ||
- | - [[PDFCreator|http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=57796]] or some other free PDF printer | ||
- | |||
- | ===== Create Gerber files of cream layer ===== | ||
- | This is the PCB we'll be making a stencil for. It only has one chip but of course you can use a more complex layout | ||
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- | {{:laserinfo:eagle.gif|}} | ||
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- | Your PCB software should be able to create/export the Cream Layer (solder paste layer) in Gerber RS274x format. In Eagle you can make your own Job for this quite easily | ||
- | |||
- | {{:laserinfo:creamjob.gif|}} | ||
- | |||
- | Also export the Dimension layer (PCB outline) since that will help a lot in registration | ||
- | |||
- | ===== Import cream Gerber in ViewMate ===== | ||
- | |||
- | Start up ViewMate and File>Import>Gerber one of the Gerber files generated | ||
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- | {{:laserinfo:import.gif|}} | ||