I saw this article and needed to repost.  Please exercise caution if you attempt to built this.  Here is the full link to the instructions - link:

DIY Laser Cutter for PCB Stencils

Friday, 29 March, 2013 18:27 Last Updated on Friday, 29 March, 2013 23:14 Written by NJC

20 Comments

Introduction

Are you sick and tired of using a tooth pick to apply solder paste? Are you still using through hole components because you don’t want to deal with soldering surface mount devices (SMD)? If so, this post provides you with guidelines for building your very own laser cutter for cutting PCB stencils. With a total cost of approximately $200 (it can be significantly less if you already have parts laying around), this project can pay for itself very quickly. While you can get “low cost” stencils for your PCBs, they still can be quite expensive if you are only creating one or two boards.
The laser cutter can cut very accurate stencils from adhesive backed black vinyl sheets (on Amazon) for ICs with a pitch of 0.5mm (SON-10) and 0402 resistors (and possibly even smaller parts). These stencils are disposable and so cheap that you do not have to worry about using your stencils on one or two PCBs.

It gets better. You can use your RepRap as a laser cutter. All you need is a laser, a laser driver circuit board, and updated firmware (see below). While I built my laser cutter to be a laser cutter and not a 3D printer, I still used the RAMPS for the electronics even though it was built for the RepRap.
Before going onto how I built the laser cutter, I want to give you a quick overview of the design flow once everything is up and running:

• First, I create a circuit board and order it from either Seeedstudio or OSHPark. Eventually, I will be using HackEDA for my schematic designs (go check them out!).
• Next I make sure I have all the components I need.
• Once the boards arrive, I export the gerber files for the stencils from Eagle CAD using a simple CAM processor.
• I then run a custom Python script which reads a gerber file and outputs a G-code file that the RAMPS electronics can understand.
• Using pronterface (a RepRap interface software), I control the laser via G-code creating the stencil
• A few minutes later, a perfect stencil has been created!
• Using a credit card or razor blade I apply solder paste to the board.
• I then manually place the parts using tweezers (sadly I do not have a pick and place machine…. yet).
• Finally, I carefully place the populated board in my toaster oven reflow oven.
• Approximately 5 minutes later, a perfectly soldered surface mount PCB is ready to be tested!

It has literally never been easier to build a custom circuit board. One of the best parts of this project is that most of the software needed was already written. This makes it VERY easy get going once the build is complete. Never reinvent the wheel if you can help it! That being said, you can buy a cutter/plotter for $250 on Amazon and make stencils that way. I believe that I will be able to achieve significantly higher accuracy with no software magic using my custom laser cutter. This is a much “simpler” alternative that may not provide as good results for approximately the same price.

Zigbee IP is released

I found this on the Zigbee Alliance website: link. 

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While ZigBee hasn't become as ubiquitous in wireless as the likes of Bluetooth or WiFi, it has carved out niches in home automation and low-power gear. The format is about to expand its world a little further now that a more network-savvy spec, ZigBee IP, is officially available for everyone. The upgrade adds IPv6 and tougher security to the open mesh networking formula, letting it more easily join an internet of things where there's potentially billions of connected devices. The ZigBee Alliance isn't naming customers at this stage, although it's quick to note that ZigBee IP was built for smart grid use: don't be surprised if you first see it behind the scenes, keeping energy use in check.

Avnet is hosting an Embedded Conference in Michigan

I wanted to let you know that on April 24, 2013, Avnet will be hosting Embedded World at our Michigan office.  Avnet Electronics Marketing introduces Embedded World, a one-of-a-kind event that will provide
attending customers with a tour of the Embedded World. Hear from key lines and talk trends in
embedded processing, displays, software and storage. If you’re working on integrating, designing
and implementing technology in 2013 and beyond, then this event is for you.
For more info visit this link.

Good Overview on the PI Factory

Team,
I missed posting an article on PI day, but I thought it never is to late to talk about PI.  I just saw this great video link about Raspberry PI and how they are bringing production to the UK.   The volume of Raspberry PI's sold is amazing. 

Check out the video at this link.

Take care,

Jason

Next generation BeagleBone is coming...

Hello,

I am proud to announce that the next generation of the BeagleBone is coming out.  For those of you unfamiliar with the original BeagleBone, it is an applications processor board capable of being designed into HMI panels, simple tablets, industrial control systems, and medical devices.  BeagleBone is based on TI's Sitara line of processors and is a low-cost way to get started into higher end applications because the BeagleBone is only $89.  Now, BeagleBone is coming out with a brand new revision that is lower cost, higher performance, has an HDMI video port on it, and is a different color.  Here is an "un-zipping" and a video link.  I am so excited to get my hands on one:

Transistor Radios are still relevant

I saw this new book on building your own transistor radio.  My wife and I have purchased the book and we plan to build up a few of the different types of radios.  If you are interested in understanding the theory in a practical way, this book is definitely for you - link.

US Patent System - First to File

The US is going to be changing to a first-to-file system starting March 16, 2013.  The system as it exists today is the first-to-invent system as was changed in 2011 under the America Invents Act.  With the new system we will join every other country in the first-to-file approach.  The theory is that we will bring back efficiencies with the patent system.   Check out this law review of the different changes coming - link.