SMT Stencils

Laser Cut Stencils

All stencils are cut on LPKF–YAG laser equipment to ±4 micron axial precision over the full 600×600mm working area. Trapezoidal apertures to the internationally preferred 8-micron taper for optimum paste release.

Laser cut SMT stencils
Standard Stencil

Laser Cut Stencils

Precision SMT stencils for solder paste deposition on printed wiring boards. Available in a full range of foil thicknesses to suit your process requirements.

Max size 600 × 600mm
Foil thickness 50 – 250 micron
Axial precision ±4 micron (X/Y)
Aperture taper 8 micron (international standard)
Equipment LPKF–YAG laser
Advanced

Step & Relief Stencils

For PCBs that combine standard and fine-pitch SMT components on the same board. Step stencils have varying foil thickness in defined areas; relief stencils feature etched recesses for labels, masks, or vias.

  • Accommodate mixed-pitch component layouts
  • Step areas reduce paste volume for fine-pitch devices
  • Relief etching for board features and labels
Step and relief stencils
Paste in hole stencil PCB
Mixed Technology

Paste-in-Hole (PIH) Stencils

Cost-effective assembly of boards with both surface mount and through-hole leaded components using intrusive reflow technology. Eliminates a separate soldering operation.

  • Intrusive reflow — one reflow oven pass
  • Reduces assembly cost for mixed boards
  • IPC-compliant aperture design

Glue Dot Stencils

Replace dispensing machines using existing process equipment. Deposits dots of varying heights based on aperture size and stencil thickness.

PCB Inspection Templates

Quick component verification against layout. Delivery within 3–4 working days. Ideal for production quality checks.

BGA Repair Stencils

Enables rapid rework and replacement of faulty BGA components using flux and solder paste. Precise aperture alignment for reliable results.


Precision Fabrication

Precision Metal Parts

Laser cutting and chemical photo-etching for prototype and volume production of precision metal components. No tooling costs, same-day prototyping available.

Precision laser cut metal parts
Laser Cut

Laser Cut Parts

Same-day prototype and volume production. No tooling costs. LPKF–YAG laser equipment cuts a wide range of metals to tight tolerances.

  • No tooling costs — immediate prototyping
  • Same-day prototype service
  • LPKF–YAG laser for precision cuts
  • Suitable for prototype to volume orders
Chemical Etching

Chemical Etched Parts

Photo-chemical etching (also called chemical milling) produces intricate components to close tolerances. Suitable for flat metal parts with complex features.

  • Photo-chemical (photochemical) etching process
  • Close tolerances on complex geometries
  • Burr-free edges, no heat-affected zones
  • Suitable for thin metals and fine features
Chemical etching process

RF Cans

Electromagnetic shielding cans for RF-sensitive circuits, produced via two methods:

Laser-cut stainless steel

With nickel plating for conductivity and corrosion resistance.

Chemically etched brass

With optional tin plating for solderability.


Framing Systems

Stencil Frames

Pneumatic, Zelflex, and VectorGuard framing systems provide accurate, consistent stencil tensioning for fast deployment across multiple projects.

Pneumatic stencil frame

Pneumatic Frames

Four-sided stretch frames for fast clamping of metal stencils. Perfect tensioning across the full stencil — no continuous air connection required during printing.

  • Fast exchange — changeover in one minute
  • Perfect, even tensioning all over the stencil
  • One frame used across multiple stencil projects
  • No air connection needed during printing
Zelflex stencil frame

Zelflex Protect Frames

Stencil held in equally distributed tension with adjustable air pressure. Features innovative perforation for quick, repetitive stencil changes.

  • Patented air-compression tensioning system
  • Uniform tension across the work surface
  • Adjustable air pressure
  • Quick foil exchange with perforated design
DEK VectorGuard frame

DEK VectorGuard

Unique patented tensioning system — not air-pressure dependent. Provides automatic, accurate tensioning requiring minimal operator training.

  • Not air-pressure dependent
  • Automatic, accurate tensioning
  • Minimal training required
  • Significant advantages over mesh-mounted systems

Prototype stencil printer
Stencil Printing

Prototype & Pre-Production Stencil Printer

Stencil printing is the process of depositing solder paste on printed wiring boards (PWBs) to establish electrical connections between components and board pads. Our prototype printer enables professional results for new designs and pre-production runs.

  • Vertical and horizontal stencil separation for optimum paste deposit
  • Professional assembly quality for prototype boards
  • Reduces the complexity of setting up new designs
  • Available for demonstration at our Midrand facility

Cleaning Systems

SAWA Ultrasonic Stencil Cleaners

Effectively removes solder paste from fine-pitch apertures using ultrasonic vibration applied directly to the stencil. Three models available to suit different production volumes.

SAWA SC-5000GBS ultrasonic cleaner

SC-5000GBS

The SAWA 5000 applies ultrasonic vibration directly to the stencil for powerful cleaning capability. Stencils are cleaned within minutes at a fraction of the cost of comparable systems.

SC-500HE

SC-500HE

High-efficiency ultrasonic cleaning system for regular production environments. Effective on even the most challenging fine-pitch apertures.

Ecobrid

SC-AH600 Ecobrid

Eco-friendly hybrid cleaning system combining ultrasonic and chemical cleaning for maximum effectiveness with reduced chemical usage.

Contact us for SAWA product specifications, pricing, and demonstration arrangements.

Enquire About SAWA Cleaners

Request a Quote

Provide your Gerber or CAD data and our engineering team will prepare a quote — same-day turnaround available at no extra charge.