SMD Stencil Creation

1 Required Software (Linux)

• Eagle (free edition is enough)
• Python version 2.4 or later

apt-get install python

• SimpleParse version 2.1.0 or later

apt-get install python-simpleparse

• gerbmerge 1.8 or higher

https://github.com/fightingwalrus/gerbmerge
http://downloads.sourceforge.net/project/salix-sbo/13.37/gerbmerge/gerbmerge-1.8.tar.gz
https://github.com/provideyourown/gerbmerge

• gerbv (a Gerber File Viewer)

apt-get install gerbv

2 Introduction

We want to fill an SMD stencil with as many PCBs to make optimal use of the space.

The top and bottom cream layers together with the board outlines are exported through Eagle as CAM job and then processed with gerbmerge and manual absolute placement to create one combined gerber file that can be sent to an SMD stencil manufacturer.

3 External Manuals & References

http://www.gedasymbols.org/user/stefan_tauner/tools/gerbmerge/doc/index.html

4 1. Export Gerber Files from Eagle

Eagle CAM Job to create required gerber files (plus a few others that we don't need for the stencils):

File:OSHPark-4layer silk.zip

Note: Make sure the bottom cream side has the "mirror" checkbox checked when running the job.

The three essential files/layers we need are:

1. Cream Top (*.tcream.ger)
2. Cream Bottom (*.bcream.ger)
3. Board Outline (*.boardoutline.ger)