From 8a8b4c4dd5b59be7c65978532e12ee7396e68f34 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jeff Moe <moe@forksand.com>
Date: Sat, 21 Dec 2019 14:02:23 -0700
Subject: [PATCH] Add FlatCAM stencil paste HOWTO stub

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 HOWTO/laser-solder-paste-stencil-flatcam.md | 110 ++++++++++++++++++++
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 create mode 100644 HOWTO/laser-solder-paste-stencil-flatcam.md

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+# HOWTO make SMT Stencils with LASER
+
+This documents how to make solder paste stencils with a LASER
+using FlatCAM.
+
+## Equipment Used
+
+* LulzBot TAZ 6.
+
+* J-Tech Photonics 3.8W LASER.
+
+* Graytex Papers "Clear Transparencies for Color Laser Printers" (P/N 235-8511).
+5 mil (0.127 mm), clear.
+
+
+## Software Used
+
+* Debian.
+
+* KiCAD.
+
+* FlatCAM.
+
+
+# KiCAD
+This HOWTO assumes you already have a KiCAD file ready.
+You will need to export the paste layers from KiCAD.
+This process is for one or two layer boards. You could make
+stencils for more layers, but that is only useful if you have a
+process to assemble PCBs with more than two layers.
+
+## KiCAD Steps
+
+Do thusly:
+
+* Open your KiCAD `.pro` file.
+
+* Click on "PCB Layout Editor" icon.
+
+* Go to `File` --> `Plot...`.
+
+* `Plot Format`: `Gerber`.
+
+* `Output directory`: Where you would like the output file to go.
+
+* `Included Layers`: Include the one layer you want to create a stencil for.
+Example: `F.Paste` for the front solder paste layer or `B.Paste` for the
+back solder paste layer.
+
+* Under `General Options`:
+
+* `Plot Border and title block`: Unchecked.
+
+* `Plot footprint values`: Unchecked.
+
+* `Plot footprint references`: Unchecked.
+
+* `Force plotting of invisilble values / refs`: Unchecked.
+
+* `Exclude PCB edge layer from other layers`: Checked.
+
+* `Exclude pads from silkscreen`: Unchecked. XXX confirm.
+
+* `Do not tent vias`: Unchecked.
+
+* `Use auxiliary axis as origin`: Unchecked. XXX confirm.
+
+* `Drill marks`: `None`.
+
+* `Scaling`: `1:1`.
+
+* `Plot mode`: `Filled`
+
+* `Default line width`: `0.1 mm`. XXX confirm.
+
+* `Check zone fills before plotting`: Checked.
+
+* Under `Gerber Options`:
+
+* `Use Protel filename extensions`: Unchecked.
+
+* `Generate Gerber job file`: Unchecked.
+
+* `Subtract soldermask from silkscreen`: Unchecked.
+
+* `Coordinate format`: `4.6, unit mm`. XXX confirm.
+
+* `Use extended X2 format`: Unchecked.
+
+* `Include netlist attributes`: Unchecked.
+
+* Under `Output Messages` show debug as you like. You can `Save...`
+the file if you want, but it isn't needed. Useful just for debugging.
+
+* `Run DRC...` button: Don't run this.
+
+* `Generate Drill Files...` button: Don't run this.
+
+* Now that everything is set up, hit the `Plot` button. This
+will export a file to the `Output directory` specified above.
+
+* If it says: `Zone fills are out of date. Refill?`, click
+`Refill`.
+
+* After `Plot`, hit the `Close` button.
+
+* Exit KiCAD: `File` --> `Exit`.
+
+# FlatCAM
+Open FlatCAM and import the Gerber file exported above...