• 2 min read
Print PCB stencils at home with Stenchill
Stenchill turns PCB Gerber files into 3D-printable solder paste stencils in seconds, targeting prototyping and small-batch assembly.
Image: Hacker News
Stenchill is a browser-based tool that converts PCB Gerber ZIP files into 3D-printable solder paste stencils, aiming to make stencil production faster and cheaper for prototyping and small batches. The pitch is simple: upload files from KiCad, Eagle, Altium, and similar tools, preview the stencil in 3D, tweak settings if needed, then download an STL for home printing.
The site positions itself as an alternative to ordering a professional stencil, which it says typically costs $15–30 per side. It also highlights a practical niche: creating stencils for older PCBs after the fact, without reordering from a board house. Built-in registration shoulders are included to help with alignment.
A stencil, as the site explains, is a thin plate with openings that match the solder pads on a PCB. You place it on the board, spread solder paste with a squeegee, and then place SMD components before reflow. The goal is faster, more consistent paste application than using a syringe.
Stenchill is explicitly aimed at 0603 and larger passive components and large-pitch ICs. For finer work such as 0402 parts or fine-pitch BGA, the site recommends a laser-cut stencil instead. For better results on small pads, it suggests using a 0.2 mm nozzle.
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The project also has a KiCad plugin that can launch stencil generation directly from the PCB Editor, while the web app handles the 3D preview.
The tool is already being used by Barbatronic, described on the site as a French maker and robotics creator active on Twitch since 2019, with hardware tutorials on YouTube and membership in the Karibous team that competes in the French Robotics Cup.
“Stenchill was actually born in one of his streams. A chat discussion convinced me the idea was worth building and that I had the skills to ship it.”
The site also includes recommended print settings for these stencils:
- Material: PLA or PETG
- Nozzle: 0.2 mm recommended; 0.4 mm still acceptable
- Layer height: 0.1 mm
- Stencil thickness: 0.3–0.4 mm
- Infill: 100%
- Wall generator: Arachne
- Print speed: 30–40 mm/s
For hardware hackers building short runs, that combination could make solder paste stencils a same-day print instead of a separate order.
Design & UX Editor
Yuki believes that a great product is defined by how it feels. She critiques software interfaces, hardware ergonomics, and the philosophy of design in tech. With a background in industrial design, she analyzes the subtle decisions that make tools intuitive or infuriating. She advocates for accessible, human-centric technology.
via Hacker News
