Paste
The Paste tab lets you configure and preview solder paste application settings. Gerbtrace supports both traditional stencil printing and modern jet printing modes.
Stencil mode
In stencil mode, solder paste is applied through a fixed laser-cut steel stencil. The paste layer from your Gerber data defines the aperture geometry. The viewer displays the paste layer as-is from the imported files.
Jet print mode
Jet print mode is designed for stencil-free paste deposition systems like the Mycronic MY600. Instead of fixed apertures, the system deposits controlled micro-droplets that build up the final paste deposit.
Dot configuration
- Dot Diameter – size of individual paste droplets (range: 0.22 – 0.60 mm)
- Dot Spacing – distance between adjacent droplets (range: 0.12 – 1.00 mm)
- Dot Pattern – Grid or Hex arrangement
- Dynamic Dot Control – auto-shrink dots on small pads
- Highlight Dots – toggle dot visibility overlay
- Show Jet Path – visualize the jet printer head movement path on the canvas, showing the order in which pads will be deposited
When to use jet printing
Jet printing is particularly useful for prototyping, frequent PCB revisions, complex mixed-technology boards, and fine-pitch components (QFN, BGA) that benefit from per-pad volume control.
See Jet Printing for a detailed technical overview of the MY600 system.
Export JPSys
Click Export JPSys to generate a JPSys JSON program file directly from the Paste tab. This opens the Export JPSys modal with paste pad data pre-loaded from the current project.
Switching modes
Toggle between Stencil and Jetprint using the radio buttons at the top of the Paste sidebar. The canvas preview updates immediately.