Tecan, a leading provider of chemically-etched precision parts, is proud to reveal a significant stage in its ongoing business evolution, the launch of a website dedicated to surface mount (SMT) stencils and accessories at stencils.co.uk.
The website will be the UK’s leading site devoted to SMT stencils and includes stencils, frames, squeegee blades, rework tools and other accessories to support the SMT printing process. Users will now be able to select from a range of options to order stencils online for next day dispatch and account holders can check order status, order history and re-order and up-issue previous stencil orders.
This announcement coincides with the launch of other new initiatives for Tecan stencils, including stencil nano-coating options and the addition of the TetraBond stencil system to its wide range of stencil framing options.
A brand new range of squeegee blades can also be purchased directly from the website, with many sizes available for next day dispatch. This range includes blades compatible with many of the leading SMT printers on the market and includes single-thickness laser-cut or mobile-edge etched options. Fully bespoke squeegee blades can also be ordered from the website.
“As Tecan celebrates its 50th birthday, we are delighted to present this dedicated site, showcasing our SMT stencils and rework solutions, and allowing our customers to buy online for the first time. stencils.co.uk was developed as a result of direct consultation with our customers and the site has been designed to simplify the stencil ordering process and to provide users with full traceability of their stencil orders with Tecan.”
“Tecan has always been at the forefront of innovation and we are confident this website provides a best-in-class solution.”
David Worsdell, Product Manager
You can find out more at stencils.co.uk
Tecan’s stencils background
Tecan played a key role in the development of the first ever metal stencil in 1974 and throughout the 70s and 80s supplied photo-etched stencils exclusively to SMT printer manufacturers. Tecan produced Tecfoil™ the first re-mountable stencil frame in the UK and subsequently pioneered multi-level laser-formed stencils combining laser-cutting with precision etching and electroforming. Its team of experienced CAD engineers have years of knowledge in optimising stencil design from Gerber data, ensuring that paste volumes match individual component requirements.
A focus on co-development has enabled Tecan to work closely with pioneering companies across the global electronics industry producing SMT stencils, RFI screening cans and many other important components including connectors and lead frames.
Tecan’s stencil solutions:
SMT stencils
Tecan combines its knowledge of the latest surface mount technology advances with unique experience in three complementing manufacturing processes – electroforming, laser-cutting and chemical-etching. This enables the production of multi-level stencils whose design optimises the precise delivery of the individual paste volumes required by the diversity of components on the PCB.
Tecan is licensed to produce stencils for all of the most popular re-mountable frame formats on the market. From our proprietary, easy-to-use, manual tensioning system Genesis, to VectorGuard and Tetra frames – all types can be catered for. Fixed frame stencils are available in a specially designed lightweight aluminium – with high-grade polyester mesh enabling the stencil to be bonded under high tension.
Squeegee blades
Tecan’s compatible squeegee blades are manufactured from a durable metal and include a reactive mobile edge to ensure good contact with the squeegee side of the stencil throughout the printing process. They out-perform traditional polyurethane blades, single thickness metal blades and coated blades and are suited to both single thickness and multi-level stencils (with raised or recessed areas).
Rework solutions
Tecan’s rework stencils accurately mimic the footprints and aperture sizes corresponding to both device requirement and the original stencils used in production to ensure precise registration of new solder spheres onto pre-printed flux deposits.
Tecan provides the industry with a variety of high-quality rework solutions including dip transfer plates, BGA re-balling stencils, direct component printing stencils, reflow reflector shields, as well as customised rework stencils.
