SMD agony
Moderators: David Barker, Jerry Messina
SMD agony
Plopping solder paste is painful when you have half a dozen prototypes to make.
I was wondering about a DIY stencil and squeegying the paste.
I see that MEGA UK have brass sheet with photo-resist on both sides.
Theoretically, I could make a stencil using the usual develop+etch methods.
Then squeegy the paste through the holes.
Any better ideas?
I mean better (+ low cost) ideas
I was wondering about a DIY stencil and squeegying the paste.
I see that MEGA UK have brass sheet with photo-resist on both sides.
Theoretically, I could make a stencil using the usual develop+etch methods.
Then squeegy the paste through the holes.
Any better ideas?
I mean better (+ low cost) ideas
There is a member here by the name of Ryan who does stencils http://www.ohararp.com/Stencils.html
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Thanks Gents.
I had a look at the Prototype costs at PCBPOOL.
I could see a Free desolder sucker but no stencil. I'll look further.
Thanks for the other advice.
Note, I'm in UK so delivery time is an issue too.
In my enthusiasm I order a bit of this brass sheet.
Should be in my mitts by tomorrow.
I'll give it a go ... and if (when?) it goes pants I'll get the proper boys to do it
I had a look at the Prototype costs at PCBPOOL.
I could see a Free desolder sucker but no stencil. I'll look further.
Thanks for the other advice.
Note, I'm in UK so delivery time is an issue too.
In my enthusiasm I order a bit of this brass sheet.
Should be in my mitts by tomorrow.
I'll give it a go ... and if (when?) it goes pants I'll get the proper boys to do it
Let me know how it pans out with the brass sheet.
If you get stuck gimme a shout my laser WILL cut stencils, infact thats all it gets used for most of the time
I'm in the UK too.
Me and Ryan have the same laser system , although his is a bit more powerfull and bigger than mine.
Its size that counts hehe
If you get stuck gimme a shout my laser WILL cut stencils, infact thats all it gets used for most of the time
I'm in the UK too.
Me and Ryan have the same laser system , although his is a bit more powerfull and bigger than mine.
Its size that counts hehe
If you can read this you are too close
Sheet arrived. Stencil made.
Not brilliant, could do better.
But, yes it worked. I have done my first squeedgee and solder.
Was it worth the hassle?
In terms of £/hour charge rates + materials cost I doubt it. But it does mean I can make one on a Sunday morning after Church.
If I had a hot spray etcher it may have even taken less than 30 minutes.
(And by 'eck it's less frustrating than squeezing/splodging paste onto pads - esp when the damned stuff refuses to stick even though I warmed it up)
Raistlin , please can you post or PM me how much you'd charge.
Is cost based on 'per sq Inch'? (So I can do a ballpark cost calc)
I take it you use that expensive plastic stuff?
Can you do straight from gerbers? Rough time scales?
Method of payment? Gold, blood, cash , cheque or flesh? I haven't got Paypal.
Not brilliant, could do better.
But, yes it worked. I have done my first squeedgee and solder.
Was it worth the hassle?
In terms of £/hour charge rates + materials cost I doubt it. But it does mean I can make one on a Sunday morning after Church.
If I had a hot spray etcher it may have even taken less than 30 minutes.
(And by 'eck it's less frustrating than squeezing/splodging paste onto pads - esp when the damned stuff refuses to stick even though I warmed it up)
Raistlin , please can you post or PM me how much you'd charge.
Is cost based on 'per sq Inch'? (So I can do a ballpark cost calc)
I take it you use that expensive plastic stuff?
Can you do straight from gerbers? Rough time scales?
Method of payment? Gold, blood, cash , cheque or flesh? I haven't got Paypal.
well you have to buy a pcb to get the free stencil
http://www.pcb-pool.com/ppuk/order_prod ... js.html#00
fill in the size, quantity, layers and at the bottom theres a checkbox for your free stencils
i use them a lot for pcb's as they take eagle files directly so theres no messing with gerber generation.
http://www.pcb-pool.com/ppuk/order_prod ... js.html#00
fill in the size, quantity, layers and at the bottom theres a checkbox for your free stencils
i use them a lot for pcb's as they take eagle files directly so theres no messing with gerber generation.
Hmmm..