One of the extra tools someone might need when working with surface-mount components is a solder paste stencil, which not only simplifies the application of solder paste to a PCB but increases accuracy. These metal stencils can cost an annoying amount of money and take time to get delivered, so this group has developed a method to 3D print them instead.

Starting with a PCB design in one’s tool of choice, the Gerber files can be sent to the online Stenchill tool to generate the stencil. Alternatively, a KiCad plugin exists as well. The tool will output files for a 3D printer from there. An FDM printer is required, with either PLA or PETG filament, and some configuration in the slicer is needed to get the accuracy required for a useful stencil. But once that’s all set up, the printer can output a perfectly usable stencil at a fraction of the cost, and without having to wait days for delivery through the mail.

It’s not all upside, though. Although it might be better than applying solder paste with a syringe on a massive board or doing more than one smaller board by hand, it may not be as good as a metal stencil for extremely small pads. But for those who often find themselves using metal stencils and dealing with the downsides that come with them, this could be a viable alternative, especially when prototyping.

If you have a laser cutter handy, that opens up some additional options for stencil production.

在使用表面贴装元件时，可能需要的额外工具之一是焊膏钢网，它不仅能简化将焊膏施加到PCB上的过程，还能提高精度。这些金属钢网既贵得令人恼火，交付也需要时间，因此这个团队开发了一种方法来3D打印它们。

从用户选择的工具中的PCB设计开始，可以将Gerber文件发送到在线Stenchill工具来生成钢网。另外，也有一个KiCad插件可用。该工具会输出适用于3D打印机的文件。需要一台FDM打印机，使用PLA或PETG线材，并在切片软件中进行一些配置，以达到制作实用钢网所需的精度。一旦设置完成，打印机就能以极低的成本输出一个完全可用的钢网，而且无需等待数天的邮寄交付。

不过，这也并非全是优势。虽然这可能比在大型板上用注射器涂抹焊膏，或手工处理多个小型板要好，但对于极小的焊盘来说，效果可能不如金属钢网。但对于那些经常使用金属钢网并忍受其缺点的人来说，这可能是一个可行的替代方案，尤其是在原型制作阶段。

如果你手头有激光切割机，这会为钢网制作开辟一些额外的选择。