John,
     We are using the stencil thickness +2 mils/-1mil (just as Stella
Neyman specified in her response).  We have a Hi-Check and can measure
volume, but I do not measure the volume.  At my previous company I started
to set up a volume measurement chart, but after testing many samples and
reading up on the paste measurement, I came the conclusion that in
production just measuring the height is best.  If you are doing some
trouble shooting of the process, volume measurement can be helpful.  You
can figure out what your volume measurement should be because you know you
aperture size and your stencil thickness.  However, if you are using laser
cut and the apertures are cut trapezoidal shape, forget it, with some
calculation you could figure the volume, but you won't reliably measure it.
My advice, just worry about the paste thickness and that the paste is where
you want it on the pad and is not slumping.

Brad Kendall

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