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# HOWTO make SMT Stencils with LASER
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This documents how to make solder paste stencils with a LASER
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using Inkscape. This is the preferred method over using FlatCAM,
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for now.
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## Equipment Used
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* LulzBot TAZ 6.
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* J-Tech Photonics 3.8W LASER.
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* Graytex Papers "Clear Transparencies for Color Laser Printers" (P/N 235-8511).
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5 mil (0.127 mm), clear.
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## Software Used
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* Debian.
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* KiCAD.
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* Inkscape.
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* J-Tech Photonics Inkscape Plugin.
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# KiCAD
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This HOWTO assumes you already have a KiCAD file ready.
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You will need to export the paste layers from KiCAD.
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This process is for one or two layer boards. You could make
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stencils for more layers, but that is only useful if you have a
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process to assemble PCBs with more than two layers.
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## KiCAD Steps
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Do thusly:
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* Open your KiCAD `.pro` file.
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* Click on "PCB Layout Editor" icon.
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* `File` --> `Export` --> `SVG...`.
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* `Output directory`: Where you would like the output file to go.
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* Under `Layers:`
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* Under `Copper Layers:` Uncheck all.
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* Under `Technical Layers:`
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Include the one layer you want to create a stencil for.
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Example: `F.Paste` for the front solder paste layer or `B.Paste` for the
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back solder paste layer.
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* Under `Options:`
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* `Default Pen Size`: `0.05 mm`. XXX confirm.
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* `Print Mode`: `Black and white`.
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* `SVG Page Size`: `Board area only`.
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* `Print Board Edges`: Unchecked.
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* `Print mirrored`: Unchecked.
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* `Pagination`: `One file per layer`.
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* Under `Output Messages` show debug as you like. You can `Save...`
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the file if you want, but it isn't needed. Useful just for debugging.
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* Now that everything is set up, hit the `Export` button. This
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will export a file to the `Output directory` specified above.
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* After `Plot`, hit the `Close` button.
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* Exit KiCAD: `File` --> `Exit`.
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# Inkscape
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In these steps, you take the `.svg` file exported from KiCAD,
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open it in Inkscape, and use a plugin to export gcode.
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## Inkscape Initial Setup
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The first time you do this process, you need to set up the
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Inkscape plugins. It is only needed the first time.
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* First you need to download the plugins. It is available from
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upstream here:
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https://jtechphotonics.com/Downloads/Inkscape/JTP_Laser_Tool_V2_2%20-%20inkscape%209_2%20version.zip
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* If the above URL is unavailable, there is a mirror in this repo here:
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https://code.forksand.com/forksand/pcba/src/branch/master/equipment/laser/inkscape/jtech
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* For example, it could be done thusly:
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```bash
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git clone https://code.forksand.com/forksand/pcba
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cd pcba/equipment/laser/inkscape/jtech
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mkdir ~/.config/inkscape/extensions/
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cp -p dxf_input.inx dxf_input.py laser.inx laser.py ~/.config/inkscape/extensions/
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```
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## Inkscape Steps
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Steps to generate gcode from an SVG file.
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