EDITOR ’ S CHOICE PHOTOCHEMICAL ETCHING
PRECISION MICRO
Complex Metal Component Prototyping in as Little as 24 hours
Photochemical etching offers the chance to prototype from the widest range of materials , with little to no set-up costs and delivery in as little as 24 hours . However , it ’ s almost the sector ’ s best-kept secret with most design engineers defaulting to “ traditional ” methods .
COMPLEXITY MADE SIMPLE
Conventional sheet metal machining can face various issues when cutting certain metals , resulting in additional operations that can increase lead times . Chemical etching , by comparison , presents a more economical and efficient way to produce custom parts with complex designs and strict tolerances .
This is possible by UV printing the part design through a phototool stencil onto sheet metal laminated with a light-sensitive polymer . The design is then selectively etched , offering a less intrusive and more delicate process for creating intricate components .
The value of etching is truly found through the inexpensive and easily reworked phototools that ensure high accuracy and repeatability in production , perfect for providing OEMs with the critical components they need in short lead times for a great price .
TOP-QUALITY WITHOUT INTERVENTION
Precision components are vital elements of many applications and even the slightest blemish can create significant disparities in the quality of the final product .
Thermal and cutting edge stresses are familiar factors that affect the quality of the components produced . Etching eliminates potential stress as there ’ s no heat or physical impact . Similarly , with no harsh cutting , there are no burred edges .
REDUCING TIME IN R & D
Photochemical etching can simplify the development process as it eliminates stress and burring , allowing for products to be delivered to an exceptional standard in hours – rather than weeks or months . It also reduces tooling time and costs , with no expensive hard tooling required .
While chemical etching provides simplicity , the process also allows even the most complex of parts to be created , opening more design avenues .
It ’ s clear that chemical etching should be considered as a solution for cutting precision metal components , with reduced lead times , fewer costs and the ability to precisely cut even the most difficult metals in larger quantities .
To discover more visit www . precisionmicro . com
40 PECM Issue 53