What is a solder paste stencil?

A stencil is a thin plate with openings matching the solder pads on your PCB. Place it on the board, spread solder paste with a squeegee, then position your SMD components before reflow. The result: precise and uniform paste deposits, much faster than using a syringe.

How much does a 3D-printed PCB stencil cost?

With Stenchill, generating your stencil file is completely free. You only need PLA or PETG filament and a 3D printer. A professional stencil costs $15-30 per side, while a 3D-printed one costs just a few cents of filament.

What 3D printer settings should I use for a solder paste stencil?

Use 0.1mm layer height, 100% infill, PLA or PETG material, and a 0.2mm nozzle for best results (0.4mm nozzle is acceptable). The stencil thickness should be 0.3-0.4mm (3-4 layers).

Which EDA tools are compatible with Stenchill?

Stenchill works with Gerber files from KiCad, Eagle, Altium Designer, and any other tool that exports standard Gerber files.

Are my Gerber files stored on the server?

When a generation succeeds, your Gerber file is processed and discarded immediately. When a generation fails, only the Paste and Edge Cuts layers are kept temporarily so the bug can be investigated and fixed; copper layers, silkscreen, drill files, BOM and schematics are never stored. In individual file mode, only the Paste and Edge Cuts layers are uploaded in the first place; your other layers stay on your machine.