Strengthening stencil supply with Laser-Cut Stencils and Laser Applications

Why laser-cut stencil resilience is under pressure

For SMT and electronics manufacturing teams, laser-cut stencils are a critical link between design and production.

At the same time, supply-chain resilience has become a stronger focus across the industry. Many OEMs and EMS providers have revisited how they source key items like solder paste stencils, what capacity sits behind their supply, and how they would respond if demand changes or a site is constrained.

As a UK manufacturer of laser-cut SMT stencils, screen stencils and paste stencils, with multiple high-precision laser systems and production sites across the UK, Tannlin is designed to support reliable supply.

Alongside stencils, Tannlin also provides PCBA tooling and high-accuracy thin metal Laser Applications, giving manufacturers a broader set of options for managing line-critical hardware from a single specialist in thin-metal laser processing.

Building stencil capacity the UK can rely on

Tannlin’s stencil pages highlight several elements that matter directly to operations leaders and process engineers:

• Multiple UK stencil production sites – Tannlin supplies precision laser-cut stencils and custom parts from more than one UK location.

  
  

• Established thin-metal laser expertise – over 25 years of experience in high-accuracy thin metal laser processing.

  
  

• A focus on process control and quality – Tannlin highlights continuous investment in laser systems, inspection and process improvement.

  
  

For production teams, expanded stencil capacity and multi-site capability translate into practical advantages such as:

• More headroom when several new product or programme changes overlap

  
  

• Less dependence on a single stencil production site

  
  

• Greater confidence that stencil manufacturing can keep pace with changing schedules

  
  

3 ways Tannlin supports stencil resilience

1. Multiple UK sites dedicated to precision laser-cut stencils

   
   

2. Expanded stencil capacity to support changing demand

   
   

3. Process control built on over 25 years of thin metal laser experience

De-risking dual-sourcing and site disruption

Across electronics manufacturing, many organisations use dual-sourcing or multi-site strategies to improve supply-chain resilience. Laser-cut stencils are part of that picture, alongside components and other key materials.

While every strategy is different, the aims are similar:

• Avoid over-reliance on a single stencil site

  
  

• Maintain access to capacity if demand spikes or schedules shift

  
  

• Support critical programmes with more robust supply options

  
  

Tannlin’s published capabilities map naturally onto these goals:

• Multiple UK stencil sites and laser systems increase available capacity for SMT stencils and custom foils.

  
  

• High-accuracy laser cutting and integrated inspection via Tannlin’s stencil cutting systems support consistent quality at higher throughput.

  
  

• A long-standing focus on thin-metal laser processing underpins how increased capacity is managed.

  
  

For manufacturers building a dual-sourcing or multi-site framework, these characteristics are relevant factors when assessing how a partner contributes to overall resilience.

Beyond stencils: tooling and Laser Applications under one roof

Tannlin’s offer extends beyond laser-cut stencils into PCBA tooling and Laser Applications, all centred on high-accuracy thin metal processing.

PCBA tooling

On the PCBA tooling side, Tannlin provides fixturing and specialised tooling for PCB assembly and repair processes, drawing on extensive engineering experience.

Published benefits include poke-yoke solutions for consistent manufacture and a wide range of fixtures for assembly, repair, hand operations and verification.

This includes items such as:

• Support fixtures and pallets

  
  

• Selective solder and wave solder tooling

• Test and verification jigs

  
  

These solutions are designed to support stable, repeatable PCBA processes where mechanical support and accuracy are critical.

Laser Applications

Tannlin’s Laser Applications focus on high-accuracy thin metal laser cutting, with multiple manufacturing sites across Europe and a scope that runs from initial R&D through to volume manufacture.

Example application areas listed include:

• Battery interconnects

  
  

• Fuel cell bipolar plates

  
  

• Components for everyday white goods and advanced applications

  
  

By combining:

• laser-cut stencils,

  
  

• PCBA tooling, and

  
  

• laser-cut thin metal parts for wider applications,

  
  

with one thin-metal specialist, manufacturers can reduce fragmentation in their supplier base for line-critical hardware and keep related engineering discussions with a single, technically focused partner.

What this means for UK OEMs and EMS providers

For operations leaders, process engineers and technical buyers, the value of this joined-up offer lies in concrete outcomes rather than abstract positioning.

Bringing together laser-cut stencils, PCBA tooling and Laser Applications with one provider that:

• runs multiple UK stencil sites,

  
  

• and focuses on high-accuracy thin metal laser processing,

  
  

can help support:

• More robust stencil supply for existing and new programmes

  
  

• Simpler coordination between stencil, tooling and thin-metal parts for a given

  product family

  
  

• Clearer visibility of capacity and capability as volumes change

  
  

Typical situations where these capabilities are relevant include:

• Scaling a mature product where build volumes are increasing

  
  

• Introducing new designs with different stencil or tooling requirements

  
  

• Moving or consolidating production between sites

  
  

• Reviewing how many partners are involved in line-critical hardware

  
  

Tannlin’s emphasis on thin-metal expertise, process control and continuous improvement gives context for how these situations can be supported in practice.

If you are reviewing your current stencil supply, exploring dual-sourcing for laser-cut stencils, or looking to connect stencils with PCBA tooling and Laser Applications, Tannlin invites you to get in touch and discuss your requirements.

Talk to us about your stencil strategy 

You can also:

• Explore our laser-cut stencils

• See our Laser Applications

• Discover PCBA tooling

Closing: a long-term focus on capacity and process

Tannlin was founded on the development of one of stencil laser cutting systems and has focused on high-accuracy thin metal solutions ever since.

Today, that experience underpins:

• Expanded UK capacity for laser-cut stencils

  
  

• Multi-site capability for both stencils and Laser Applications

• A complementary range of PCBA tooling and support products

  
  

For OEMs and EMS providers, this combination offers a way to make stencil supply, tooling and thin-metal components a more stable part of the electronics manufacturing supply chain.