The material is most typically stainless. Cost varies by vendor and technology. I used to quote an average of $500 n.r.e. per stencil. This covered the cost of a chem etch stencil without shocking the customer, and was very close on the few laser stencils I purchased. Local vendors exist in most regions. Aperatures are created by a variety of processes including; chemical etching, laser cutting, die punching (esp. plastic), and electroforming the stencil over a positive "mold" of the aperatures. All these methods work well for somebody, otherwise the product with no sales would disappear from the marketplace. Same day turn / next day delivery is a reasonable lead time request. Regards, Brad Vanderhoof -----Original Message----- From: Ed Cosper [SMTP:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 1998 9:21 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] solderpaste screen Hi all, I have a few quick questions regarding solder paste stencils. 1. What do most of you use as a stencil? I've seen what appears to be a 6 to 7mil aluminum type material when I visit our customers. Is that somewhat standard. 2. What is the cost of a typical paste stencil? What could I use a guideline to determine what one will cost? 3. Where can I get them? Is there any located in the Oklahoma, Texas or Mo. Area? 4. What process is used to generate the clearances on the stencil. Are they etched or machined? 5. What are standard lead times for a Stencil. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you, Ed Cosper Graphic Electronics Inc. Tulsa OK ################################################################ TechNet E-Mail Forum provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c ################################################################ To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body: To subscribe: SUBSCRIBE TechNet <your full name> To unsubscribe: SIGNOFF TechNet ################################################################ Please visit IPC's web site (http://www.ipc.org) "On-Line Services" section for additional information. For technical support contact Hugo Scaramuzza at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.312 ################################################################ ################################################################ TechNet E-Mail Forum provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c ################################################################ To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body: To subscribe: SUBSCRIBE TechNet <your full name> To unsubscribe: SIGNOFF TechNet ################################################################ Please visit IPC's web site (http://www.ipc.org) "On-Line Services" section for additional information. For technical support contact Hugo Scaramuzza at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.312 ################################################################