Design files for this project can be found here.
3/16/2015 – Revision C update
6/25/2015 – Download link for my custom software added

Here is a design for a precision paste dispenser that I’ve been working on for the last few months. The goal of this project was to build a solder paste dispenser with a focus on consistent performance, 3D printable design, and minimal use of extraneous parts. While other designs exist (see here, here, here, here, or here), none of the existing designs are capable of low-volume paste dispensing at a consistency required for surface mount parts. These existing implementations are inherently limited by their design: they all use basic pneumatic or belt driven systems that simply don’t offer enough control. Commercial solutions certainly exist (see the Nordson’s EFD series, Fisnar’s PDV-1000 and RV5000DPM, IntelliSpense’s Auger Valve system, Techcon System’s TS7000, and Nordson ASYMTEK Spectrum II) but they usually run well into thousands of dollars ($5k+) for a basic system.