Dangerous Prototypes Open Source Hardware

Getting Stencil8 Holes correct

April 08, 2016, 09:41:09 pm

Hey all,

Anyone managed to get a stencil back with stencil8 holes intact?

I've used adding a round pad in the same spot as a drill of the same size in eagle to create a hole for the location peg to be drilled in the pcb, as well as a hole in the stencil to allow the stencil to locate over the pegs too. My GTP looks like this (note the 4 circles in the corners):

[attachment=1]

But the stencil I got back has had those removed:

[attachment=0]

It's still a working stencil so I can't complain, but it would be good to know for next time so I can make sure that making space for the holes in my design doesn't go to waste :) (and actually get around to using my stencil8 block after owning it for a couple of years)

Thanks as always to the boys and girls at DP!

Sol

Re: Getting Stencil8 Holes correct

Reply #1 – April 08, 2016, 11:30:35 pm

Also there is something wrong with the large pads (I think inductors?!)

Re: Getting Stencil8 Holes correct

Reply #2 – April 10, 2016, 06:41:11 am

Unfortunately most stencil shops are assume those holes are pick-and-place fiducials, and have been trained to delete them.  It is really irritating.

Many stencil houses explicitly ask you about this when you place your order.  For example, StencilsUnlimited has a pulldown box with choices "delete", "half-etch" and "etch-through".

As an aside, where did you get your Stencil8 block from?  I can't find them anywhere anymore and I damaged mine.  This stinks because I have a ton of stencils and boards that are designed around the 2.5mm/10mm system.

PS, don't forget that you need to make the holes in your stencil 2.55mm, not 2.50mm.

Re: Getting Stencil8 Holes correct

Reply #3 – May 02, 2016, 01:35:35 am

Sadly I got my stecil8 board years ago from https://www.tindie.com/products/arachni ... full-grid/ (I know the owner of the store) Not sure if he is planning to do another run or not.

Re: Getting Stencil8 Holes correct

Reply #4 – May 03, 2016, 04:21:18 pm

[quote author="solexious"]Sadly I got my stecil8 board years ago from https://www.tindie.com/products/arachni ... full-grid/ (I know the owner of the store) Not sure if he is planning to do another run or not.[/quote]

I know Ian and Jin (DP) were trying to get some made in China but struggled to find someone who would meet the tolerances.