Zum Inhalt springen
Home  › ... Soldering technology › SMT stencils

Photocad SMT stencils

Photocad manufactures high-precision, laser-cut SMT stencils for solder paste printing - a process that is essential for electronics production in industry, aerospace and robotics. 

With state-of-the-art laser technology, innovative coating processes and comprehensive quality management, Photocad guarantees the highest product quality for optimum PCB assembly.

With over 20,000 stencils per year for almost 600 customers in the electronics industry, Photocad is one of the leading manufacturers of SMT stencils in Germany.

Photocad SMT stencils for samples & prototypes

When assembling prototypes and small series, the cost of providing an SMT stencil plays an important role. Photocad offers a cost-conscious alternative: a fully-fledged laser-cut SMT stencil for a fixed price of EUR 49. We also produce sample stencils with a special holder for standard printers.

Advantages:

  • Cost-effective version of an SMT stencil for assembling your sample, prototype or small series
  • checked with LPKF Scan-Check and 3,600 pads
  • Free archive bag for the stencil
  • Postal delivery within Germany included
  • We offer optional surface finishing of the stencil (electropolishing, nanocoating)
  • the print result of the sample corresponds to the quality in series production
SMT stencils for samples & prototypes

Photocad SMT step stencils

In many applications today, a wide variety of components are used on one PCB, which requires the application of different amounts of solder paste in one printing process. SMT stencils are therefore in demand for mixed assembly, some of which are provided with thickness gradations. They are known as stepped, step-up/down or multi-level stencils.

Advantages:

  • High precision, minimal tolerances
  • Various step heights possible
  • Suitable for many quick-clamping systems
  • Fast production according to individual requirements
  • Very good price-performance ratio
SMT step stencils

Photocad Electropolished SMT stencil

Laser cutting of SMD stencils produces melting residues on the inner walls of the openings, which can impair the quality of the print result. Electrochemical polishing and deburring (electropolishing) improves a number of properties of metallic surfaces in a single operation. The micro-roughness of the stencil surface is significantly reduced. The aperture walls are smoothed and the finest burrs are removed. Standard surface treatment (brushing on both sides) is not sufficient for particularly fine applications. In these cases, surface refinement by electropolishing and/or nano refinement is recommended.

 
Advantages of electropolishing:
 
  • Electropolishing only works in the micro range, without changing shapes and macro structures, so the SMT stencil is not exposed to any mechanical or thermal stress
  • The quality of the solder paste print is increased, as the smooth walls improve the release behavior of the solder paste
  • The stencil is easier to clean
  • The results are reproducible with high accuracy
Electropolished SMT stencil

Photocad Nano-coated SMT stencils

The process of nano-enhancement of SMT stencils is an effective and cost-effective application that offers additional protection against contamination and thus significantly increases the service life of printing stencils. Fine stencil structures in particular can be printed stably and reliably over a large number of printing processes without having to clean the metal stencil. The nano-coating seals the SMT stencil, making it resistant to dirt particles, solvents and alkaline cleaners. 

Advantages of nano refinement:
 
  • Once cured, nano coating is highly resistant to chemicals and mechanical stress, heat and frost and is UV-stable
  • If applied correctly, there is no risk to health
  • The surface strength and scratch resistance are significantly improved, so that mechanical abrasion caused by normal use has virtually no effect
  • Aggressive environmental influences have no negative consequences
  • A surface with a nano coating repels liquids much more effectively and thus reduces the adhesion of dirt
Nano-coated SMT stencils