Southern Manufacturing — accuracy you can see, across stencils, tooling and laser applications

Southern Manufacturing (3–5 February) is a great moment to do what matters most in manufacturing: have proper conversations with customers — and back them up with tangible proof.

At Southern, we’re looking forward to:

• Great conversations with customers and new contacts

• Showing off real samples across laser-cut stencils, PCBA tooling, and laser applications

• Sharing how Tannlin’s broader laser capability supports everything from day-to-day production to more specialist challenges

The focus: one capability, three outputs

Tannlin brings together three areas that are often treated separately:

1. Laser-cut stencils designed for repeatable printing

2. PCBA tooling & fixturing that improves process stability beyond the print

3. Laser applications for parts and specialist manufacturing needs

Different outputs — one underlying strength: precision laser processing, delivered with speed and reliability.

What accuracy looks like in stencils

An SMT stencil is a precision process tool — engineered to control paste deposition consistently, board after board.

Small improvements in alignment, paste release and repeatability can create outsized gains in first-pass yield.

Tannlin’s stencil offer is built around that real-world need:

Stencil design that supports paste release

Tannlin’s CAD teams support stencil design & modifications, using practical experience to suggest changes that improve paste release — not just cut what’s in the file.

PCB measurement for improved alignment

For teams focused on reducing print variability, PCB measurement helps match your stencil image array to the manufactured PCB array for improved paste alignment.

Multi-level (welded step) capability for tighter paste control

Where component mix and board demands call for it, Tannlin’s multi-level stencil capability uses a proprietary welded step approach so designs can be optimised on a component basis, maintaining a consistent print surface while controlling thickness in targeted areas.

Coating + inspection as the quality layer

To support consistent printing over time, Tannlin offers:

• Stencil coating (nano-coated) to increase time between cleaning cycles and improve gasketing

• AOI inspection with 100% aperture checking plus measurement analysis, enabling Certificates of Conformance in-process

  
  

And because customers often need options that fit different lines and handling preferences, the stencil formats include Vectorguard, mesh mount and loose foil, with materials such as stainless steels, nickel and specialty alloys.

What accuracy looks like in PCBA tooling

Tooling rarely gets the spotlight — but it quietly decides how repeatable your process is.

At Southern, we’ll be talking about tooling in a very practical way: how fixtures reduce avoidable variation, protect assemblies, and make changeovers faster and more reliable.

Tannlin’s tooling approach starts with interpreting customer requirements using your data inputs — DXF, Gerber, ODB++ through to 3D models — developing designs in 3D CAD and presenting a complete proposal for review before anything is cut.

Key tooling categories include:

Print support plates + process carriers

For print, place and reflow, print support plates and process carriers are used to ensure the best print and optimal processing during PCBA manufacture.

Benefits include:

• Optimal PCB-to-stencil gasketing (a significant contribution to first pass yield)

• Protecting SMT components during second-side printing

• Faster set-up and product changeover

• Processing boards not compatible with standard conveyors, fiducial alignment to the carrier, and support for small form factor, flexi and hybrid PCBs

  
  

Solder carriers (wave)

For wave solder processes, tooling can include:

• Fully selective masking (bottom-side SMT components)

• Semi-selective masking (rout tabs, gold fingers and other critical elements)

• Open aperture designs

• Rotating carriers to adjust approach angle for optimum soldering

Benefits include elimination of hand masking, improved repeatability and first pass yield, higher throughput (multiple PCBAs per carrier), reduced warping, standardised conveyor width, and clamping approaches to reduce component lifting/movement.

Router plates + coating carriers

For downstream support:

• Router plates provide secure location and a level machining surface for de-paneling, reducing potential sources of damage and improving changeover speed.

• Conformal coating carriers support consistent, repeatable masking so coating is applied only where required — reducing manual masking effort.

In short: tooling is how you carry accuracy beyond the stencil print and into the rest of the line.

What accuracy looks like in laser applications

Our focus also includes what many people don’t immediately associate with a stencil supplier: thin-metal laser processing for parts and applications.

Tannlin specialises in high-accuracy thin metal laser cutting, using modern laser system technology and automation to support everything from initial R&D to volume manufacturing.

At Southern, we’ll be showing examples and talking through use cases, including:

• Laser welding

• Laser ablation

• Battery interconnects

• Fuel cell bi-polar plates

• Motor lamination stacks

  
  

Alongside the range of materials Tannlin processes — from stainless steel and aluminium through to electrical steel, magnetic alloys and specialist materials.

And importantly, there’s a clear production pathway:

• Evaluation: first-off run for approval with a detailed first article inspection report

• First report: transition planning to volume production, including automation and in-process inspection

• Production

  
  

That’s the broader laser capability story we’re excited to share at Southern: accuracy that scales — and a process that supports customers from proof of concept through to production.

See you at Southern Manufacturing

If you’re attending Southern Manufacturing (3–5 February), we’re looking forward to:

• Great conversations with customers and manufacturers

• Showing what Tannlin can support across stencils, tooling and laser applications

• Talking about accuracy in practical terms: what you’re building, what you’re seeing on the line, and where precision laser processing can make a measurable difference

  
  

Whether you come with a specific challenge or just want to explore capability, we’ll have plenty on the stand to show — and we’d love to meet you.