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Stencils with two PCB layouts

Stencils with two PCB layouts

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I am curious if there is any benefit to using two different ... - Feb 01, 2024 by SMTA-74685453 SMTA

You can also cover unused part with Kapton tape on the botto... - Feb 01, 2024 by Deni

We do this often on smaller boards. More than saving money ... - Feb 01, 2024 by jdengler

I worked at a place that routinely put up to six images on o... - Feb 02, 2024 by Stephen

Do it all the time. With an automatic printer you would have... - Feb 02, 2024 by Spoiltforchoice

It's very common practice to have multiple images on one ste... - Feb 02, 2024 by Thomas

We had Ekras and would lie about the size of the board. Tha... - Feb 02, 2024 by Stephen

I have noticed that at least for lasercutted stencil the pri... - Feb 07, 2024 by madisreivik

We commonly put two images on a stencil 180 deg apart to sav... - Feb 07, 2024 by Tom

I was going to mention this. Make sure the images are where... - Feb 07, 2024 by ProcEng1

SMTA-74685453

#90509

Stencils with two PCB layouts | 1 February, 2024

I am curious if there is any benefit to using two different PCB paste layouts on one stencil. If I have a small PCB with a layout that doesn't take up much space on the stencil, would it be worth it to have both the secondary and primary side apertures on the same stencil?

If the primary and secondary apertures are spaced far enough, you could potentially have have the squeegee stop before it pastes over the layout that is currently not in use. I'm relatively new to the industry so I'm not an expert on this stuff, but my company always buys two stencils for both sides of the PCB. I know stencils aren't that expensive but maybe someone has tried this before and deemed it a bad/good idea.

This message was posted via the Electronics Forum @ SMTA SMTA

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Deni

#90510

Stencils with two PCB layouts | 1 February, 2024

You can also cover unused part with Kapton tape on the bottom side of the stencil. We did it in the past, but today you can order stencils from JLC for almost nothing, so...

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jdengler

#90511

Stencils with two PCB layouts | 1 February, 2024

We do this often on smaller boards. More than saving money it reduces the storage space.

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Stephen

#90512

Stencils with two PCB layouts | 2 February, 2024

I worked at a place that routinely put up to six images on one stencil. Having two stencils for small boards seems so wasteful to me. Unless you are running them on two lines.

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Spoiltforchoice

#90513

Stencils with two PCB layouts | 2 February, 2024

Do it all the time. With an automatic printer you would have your two images at opposite edges of the stencil and to switch between them you would remove the stencil and rotate it so the one you want is at the front. Naturally you need to make sure there is good space between them for your solder fillet & squeegee to start from.

For low volume one offs printed manually I have even had 4 or more sets of apertures on a single stencil. However they are impossible to difficult to use in a proper printer.

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Thomas

#90517

Stencils with two PCB layouts | 2 February, 2024

It's very common practice to have multiple images on one stencil, it saves money & store space. The biggest drawback I would say is the stencil would wear out faster than as single, due to more frequent usage. One more thing, before you place the order for stencil to have multiple images, you want to add instruction how far to set the images apart(easier set up for the operators).

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Stephen

#90518

Stencils with two PCB layouts | 2 February, 2024

We had Ekras and would lie about the size of the board. That would bring it in with an offset. It was an OEM and years earlier they had used kapton stencils. The operators would occasionally complain about an old stencil but have to wait until there was space on a new one. I think six was the most we went up to.

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madisreivik

#90536

Stencils with two PCB layouts | 7 February, 2024

I have noticed that at least for lasercutted stencil the price is mostly for apertures, so not much savings.

For hand stenciling it may give some minor cost benefits but is it worth it? Messing around with tape and stuff...

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Tom

#90539

Stencils with two PCB layouts | 7 February, 2024

We commonly put two images on a stencil 180 deg apart to save space and reduce cost. We keep the image centered left/right because the machines don't like it when they are offset, but turning them around front to back is no issue.

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ProcEng1

#90540

Stencils with two PCB layouts | 7 February, 2024

I was going to mention this. Make sure the images are where your printer will allow you to position a board. SOme printers will let you "cheat" the board dimensions, but not all. Also keep in mind which orientation you want the board to go through, as you probably won't be able to rotate it later.

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