Electroformed Framed Stencils are nickel-based, electroform foils permanently mounted in a stencil frame using a mesh border to tightly stretch the stencil foil taut in the frame.

Electroformed stencils offer the best paste release characteristics available and are frequently used for fine pitch (20 mil to 12 mil pitch) SMT applications on printed circuit boards. They are also used for µBGA's, Flip Chip, and Wafer Bumping (12 mil to 6 mil pitch).

Nickel Stencil Production
Electroforming creates a nickel stencil with a unique gasketing feature that reduces solder bridging and minimizes the need for underside stencil cleaning. The stencil is created by imaging photoresist on a substrate (or mandrel) where the apertures are intended and then plating - atom by atom - the stencil around the resist to the desired thickness.

The nickel atoms are deflected by the photoresist to create a trapezoidal configuration. When the stencil is removed from the substrate, the top becomes the contact side to create the gasketing effect. This process provides near-perfect registration with no geometric limitations, smooth vertical side-walls with a built-in taper and low surface tension to enhance paste release.

Laser Cut Aperture Wall

Electroformed Aperture Wall

Advantages of Electroformed Stencils

• The smooth trapezoidal sidewalls of an electroformed stencil allow for better paste release compared to polished laser or etched stencils. They provide fine and ultra-fine pitch apertures with paste transfer efficiencies at 95% and above.
• Nickel has a lower coefficient of friction compared to stainless steel, which allows for a better roll of the solder paste and decreases wear on squeegee blades.
• Electroform foils are harder than full hard stainless steel of comparable thickness, providing for longer stencil life (hardness 500 Hv and greater). This durability is advantageous for high-volume runs.
Since the process occurs at an atomic scale, the aperture tolerances are in the micron range. Typically, +/- 10 microns (.0004”) are achieved. Post-processing size compensation is not required
• Large aperture counts can be completed faster and more efficiently with an electroform stencil due to the electroform process itself. This allows for a denser image area without any distortion due to heat transfer caused by laser cutting. (pad count: 1 to unlimited)
• Allows for thinner stencils due to the increase in paste transfer efficiencies. Available in 1 to 12 mil thicknesses with 0.1 mil increments.
• Superior printing characteristics and lower defect rates guarantee high process yields.

AVAILABLE SIZES
Frame Size	Max. Foil Size	Max. Image Size
8”x10” ID Cast	6”x8”	4”x6”
12”x12” ID Cast	10”x10”	8”x8”
12”x17” ID Cast	10”x15”	8”x13”
15”x15” ID Cast	13”x13”	11”x11”
20”x20” ID Cast	19”x19”	17”x17”
23”x23” OD Tubular	19”x19”	17”x17”
23”x27” OD Tubular	19”x23”	17”x21”
24”x24” ID Cast	22”x22”	20”x20”
29”x29” OD Tubular	24”x24”	22”x22”
Fuji (all syles) Tubular
Cast frames are solid aluminum. Tubular or Extruded frames are hollow.