Making 3D printable circuit board solder paste stencils

Adafruit Blog details a tool called Stenchill that turns PCB design files into three-D-printable solder paste stencils. Instead of paying fifteen to thirty dollars per stencil, makers can now generate the file in seconds and print it on their own three-D printer. The technique works best for standard components like zero-six-zero-three passives and larger integrated circuits, though finer-pitch boards still benefit from laser-cut alternatives. The printed stencils include built-in alignment shoulders for precise positioning, making the soldering process significantly faster and more accurate than the traditional syringe method.

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