Electronics Manufacturing worked example

Solder Paste Usage at 94% paste usage efficiency: a worked example

This scenario runs the solder paste usage calculation on the strong side: 94% paste usage efficiency, with every other input held at its documented default. a process engineer or buyer needs enough paste for an SMT build without over-ordering

The inputs for this scenario

  • Boards or panels to print: 1,800 boards or panels (unchanged)
  • Solder paste per board or panel: 0.42 g / item (unchanged)
  • Paste usage efficiency: 94 % (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 82)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Theoretical paste deposited = boards or panels to print × solder paste per board or panel) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 804 g for required solder paste, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 756 g for theoretical paste deposited.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 48.26 g for paste waste allowance.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 94 % for paste usage efficiency.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where paste usage efficiency sits at 82% and the headline result is 922 g, this scenario comes in 12.77% below the baseline at 804 g.
  • Use it when ordering paste for a known build quantity, sizing a kanban bin at the printer, or comparing paste consumption across product lines. Treat this as a target state: the delta against the baseline quantifies what the improvement is worth before you commit to chasing it.

Results at a glance

  • Required solder paste: 804 g (headline result)
  • Theoretical paste deposited: 756 g
  • Paste waste allowance: 48.26 g
  • Paste usage efficiency: 94 %

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Solder Paste Usage calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.