Making a Solder-Paste_Stencil using 3D-Print is very easy (if you have a Slicer and Printer that is decent enough). Using ORCA-Slicer (Official version)
YouTube Video is posted here (same video as below)
A Video-Demo of doing it and Video of Flexible-Result:
Prepatory Note(s):
• I just grabbed several SMD parts from Kicad’s Library… some Small, some Large
• Best to use Textured Bed (keeps the Print in place without adhesive/other)
• Can make the Shield as thin as 0.08mm (using Orca’s Adaptive Layer feature) but, best to use 0.2+ to ensure Quality and Trouble-Free process
• Fine Pitch SMD pads/etc… Be reasonable about expectations thus, prefer using larger Pad’s and Pitch’s - the result will be very good
• Use a Small Diameter Nozzle; I used 0.25mm Nozzle
The Process - Video shows Using PCB from Kicad with a Mounting-Pin for Location (not needed but, I wanted to include it for User’s wanting one)
• Plotting SVG in Kicad
• Using ORCA-Slicer: added a Primitive Cube and set it’s Height=0.2
(Note, To ensure Good Quality, I changed it to 0.25 before Printing, to ensure Two-Layers get printed)
First-Layer-Height is set to 0.15mm Purple, Top-Layer is Red)
• Added a Negative-Part using the SVG from Kicad
• Infill Density = 100% (yields Solid Print’s)
• Sliced it and, Bingo! Ready for Printing
I did Not Purge the previously used Orange Filament thus, the first-layer-print-lines are Orange, Top-layer is Black
Zero Gaps, Zero Holes, Zero Strings, Zero Deformations… Zero anything except for Excellent Quality Print and Usable Shield
3D-Print time was 13 minutes Used PLA (generic brand)
The Process
The Result
