Maximum process stability
The permanently secure connection between the stencil and the frame ensures consistent tension throughout the entire service life. This creates stable printing conditions and minimizes process-related variations.
Fixed-frame stencils:
Guarantees for Process Reliability
Printing errors, uneven paste deposits, or increasing scrap rates are often caused by a stencil that isn’t optimally tailored to the application. Rigid-frame SMD stencils offer the advantages of dimensional stability, high repeatability, and maximized squeegee area. Becktronic supports you in selecting the optimal rigid-frame stencil for your manufacturing process and works with you to develop the best solution, both technically and economically.
Quick-clamping system or fixed-frame stencil?
Not every production line has the same requirements for stencil printing. Batch size and quality level, for example, are distinguishing factors. In practice, there are two basic systems: stencils for quick-change frames and fixed-frame stencils. While quick-clamping systems are particularly appealing due to their flexibility and space-saving storage, their tension stability and reproducibility depend on the specific clamping process and how they are handled in day-to-day production.
Fixed-frame stencils, on the other hand, provide consistently constant tension thanks to the permanent connection between the stencil sheet and the frame. This creates stable printing conditions and is an important prerequisite for reproducible results and high process reliability. Fixed-frame stencils clearly demonstrate their advantages over quick-clamping systems , particularly when dealing with high print volumes, fine structures, or tight tolerances.
Maximum process stability
Maximum Repeatability
Maximum Repeatability
Fixed-frame stencils enable particularly precise and repeatable positioning during the printing process. This is especially advantageous for fine-pitch applications, small apertures, and high-quality requirements.
Less setup effort and fewer sources of error
Less setup effort and fewer sources of error
Since no clamping or readjustment is required, the effort involved in setting up the printing process is reduced. At the same time, potential sources of error caused by improper clamping are avoided.
Product Variants of Our Rigid-Frame Stencils
We offer the aluminum profile frame or aluminum slope frame that you need for your SMD stencil. Depending on your requirements, you can choose between a frame mesh made of steel or polyester. Alternatively, we also offer direct bonding of the SMD stencil to the frame. To respond quickly and flexibly to your individual requirements, we always have a large number of different frame sizes in stock. We keep supplied frames in stock so they can be reused for future orders.
Steel or polyester mesh
We use either stainless steel mesh or high-strength polyester mesh to stretch the stencil film within an aluminum frame. Both technologies offer reliable SMT printing performance and are widely used throughout the electronics manufacturing industry.
Advantages:
- Proven and cost-effective stencil technology
- Consistent printing quality for standard SMD applications
- Available in a wide range of frame sizes and stencil thicknesses
- Suitable for prototypes, small-batch production, and mass production
- Good dimensional stability and stencil tension
- Compatible with standard stencil cleaning processes
- Reliable performance for most SMD printing requirements
Direct Adhesion BECdirect
BECdirect completely eliminates the need for steel or polyester backing material. Instead, the stencil film is bonded directly to the frame, creating an extremely stable printing surface with significantly improved tension and a larger usable printing area.
Why switch to BECdirect?
- 26% more print area:
Without a backing material, the entire inner frame area can be utilized. - Lower cost per print area:
The larger usable printing area reduces the stencil’s effective operating costs by 30% per cm². - Longer service life:
Thanks to greater mechanical stability and durability, the stencil’s service life is extended by up to 30%. - Higher and more uniform tension:
Directly bonded stencils achieve tension values of up to 60 N/cm (compared to 48 N/cm for stencils on mesh fabric). This ensures better print resolution and ink transfer, lower print variations, and greater process stability.
Process Knowledge for Better Print Results: That's Why Becktronic
The quality of an SMD stencil is not determined solely by the material, sheet thickness, or aperture size. What matters most is how well it is tailored to the requirements of your assembly, your printing process, and your manufacturing environment.
With many years of experience in solder paste printing and stencil technology, Becktronic helps customers find the perfect stencil for their electronics manufacturing—from selecting the right stencil type to fine-tuning relevant process parameters.
- Comprehensive Consulting Instead of Product Sales
- Expertise in paste printing and SMT
- Technical support during the printing process
- Greater process reliability and reproducibility
What Our Customers Say
We're extremely satisfied—we just send an email with the Gerber files attached and a few sentences, and two days later they deliver a stencil that fits perfectly.
OEM, automotive industry
The stencils are already of very high quality, and customer support and service (…) are also excellent and always very courteous.
EMS, Medical and Energy Technology
You can't improve on perfect service.
EMS, Consumer Electronics
(…) Their expertise is outstanding and has significantly improved our process.
OEM, Building Automation
When is it worth using a fixed-frame stencil?
Fixed-frame stencils are particularly well-suited for demanding SMT manufacturing processes with high quality requirements, fine structures, tight tolerances, or high print volumes. Thanks to their consistently high tension and stability, they ensure reproducible print results over long periods of use.
How do fixed-frame stencils differ from quick-clamp systems?
With a fixed-frame stencil, the stencil sheet is permanently and securely attached to the frame. This ensures that the tension remains constant and independent of the tensioning process. Quick-tensioning systems offer greater flexibility in storage and transport, but do not achieve the same stability and repeatability in every application as fixed-frame stencils.
Which fixed-frame stencil is right for my application?
The optimal stencil depends on various factors, including the assembly, aperture design, sheet metal thickness, batch sizes, and the printing technology used. Becktronic assists you in selecting and designing the right solution to ensure long-term process reliability and print quality.
For which industries and applications are framed SMD stencils suitable?
Fixed-frame precision stencils are used wherever the highest standards of print quality and reproducibility are required. Typical applications include the automotive industry, industrial electronics, medical technology, aerospace, and high-precision EMS manufacturing.
What are the advantages of the larger squeegee surface area offered by fixed-frame stencils?
The larger usable printing area provides more space for the optimal positioning of printed circuit boards and panel layouts. At the same time, cost-effectiveness improves because the available space can be used more efficiently.
Does Becktronic also provide support for optimizing the printing process?
Yes. Becktronic’s consulting services go beyond simply manufacturing stencils. Thanks to our many years of experience in solder paste printing and SMT processes, we help customers select the right stencil technology and optimize the relevant printing parameters.
