Stencil Printers

[Pack34]

I'm in the market for a stencil printer. Part of my job is prototyping and small batch assembly (rarely, if ever, more than a 100 units at a time).

I was thinking that something like this one will work out nicely. The printing area is enough and the price is right. It looks like using a framed stencil it should be cut and dry, but I have doubt in how the PCB is to be secured to the bed so that re-adjustment between batches would be minimal.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Manual-solder-paste-printer-PCB-SMT-stencil-printer-S-size-300x240mm-/291166549253?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43cae0f505

I'd really like to not spend over $500 (since it's coming out of my pocket) and I've had good results with the cheap China reflow oven.

Does anyone here have experience with this type of stencil printer?

Regards,
Jason

EDIT://
Looking at an Alibaba listing of the (or similar) product in the link below, it looks like the method to hold the PCB in place is a "DIY" L bracket that you most likely tape down.

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Manual-Stencil-Printer_1511532063.html

The above do not have labeled part numbers, but I was able to find what looks like a more feature complete version dubbed the T4030 stencil printer, Alibaba link is below. It's priced higher than I would like, but my concerns with the $100 unit above seem to be addressed.

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Stencil-Printer-Manual-stencil-printer-T4030_363782055.html

[Pack34]

Just to provide an update to this. I bought the ebay one and although it works, it's not a real good option if you're doing anything fine pitch. 0603 and SOIC components are fine but when you have anything smaller it can be real difficult to keep everything aligned during use. There's just too much "play" in the stencil assembly that it can move during use.

My initial desired price point was just off the mark. You'll end up paying the additional price in hours working with the thing. I'm now targeting about 2k or less for the printer for my budget.

I'm now considering a couple upgrades. For the stencil printer I'm considering the STP-350 printer or a Manncorp RT2100.

I could swear I saw an article on Adafruit at one point talking about the STP-350 that it worked but had some of the issues I complained about above with my $200 version. The hinge looks to be the same style but the assembly looks more rigid and substantial so I will undoubtedly need to play with it some but it should work better.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STP-350-High-Precision-Manual-Stencil-Printer-/251919372906?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3aa790926a
https://www.manncorp.com/stencil-printing/smt-stencil-printers/manual-squeegee-stencil-printers/rt2100-manual-smt-stencil-printer.html

This style is most likely exactly what I want and need, but I just can't shell out 4k for a stencil printer.

https://www.manncorp.com/stencil-printing/smt-stencil-printers/manual-squeegee-stencil-printers/4500r-smt-manual-stencil-printer.html

[jc101]

Have you seen these?

http://be.eurocircuits.com/shop/offtheshelf/product.aspx?ad=13777&ano=ec-stencil-mate&an=ec-stencil-mate

Price wise it would probably fit within your budget. 

[mikeselectricstuff]

I use the Eurocircuits one - it works reasonably well, and the alignment pin system is surprisingly effective.
I think however that it is substantially over-engineered, and some aspects have room for improvement .
I am certain it would be possible to make something just as good for less than half the price with some cleverer engineering. 
I was thinking that you could probably do a lot of the structure in 3.2 or 4.8mm PCB material, which could be machined by a normal PCB house.

[rx8pilot]

I got the Manncorp RT2100. Dismal, horrible, useless.

To make it workable, you need a way to hold the PCB in place. I machined some magnetic holders that work fairly well. I have been doing fine-pitch printing with it - .4mm. The STP-350  looks much better, although I have not actually seen it in person.

My next step is to add a vision and laser grid above the printer to help with alignment. I have a low-cost setup for that.

Long edge, short edge, or corners work with these little PCB holders. Neo magnets on the bottom hold very well.



Action pic on Manncorp RT2100. Have been 99% successful printing fine pitch. Each PCB gets alignment tweaks.

[Pack34]

I got the Manncorp RT2100. Dismal, horrible, useless.

To make it workable, you need a way to hold the PCB in place. I machined some magnetic holders that work fairly well. I have been doing fine-pitch printing with it - .4mm. The STP-350  looks much better, although I have not actually seen it in person.

i can easily machine something more substantial to hold the pcb in place. My main concern is how sturdy the stencil assembly is. Does it stay solidly in place, or is there play to it?

[rx8pilot]

The stencil mechanism is tight enough to do fine pitch prints. It is not very elegant to say the least. As long as the PCB is restrained well it will  work.

I use 1/4-20 bolts as a stopper on the far edge of the stencil to support it. For the money, a bit disappointed.