Photo Etching – Chemical Etching
Chemical milling corrosively machines away selected sheet metal material to produce a complex part with fine detail. Photo etching can be used as an alternative to stamping, punching, water jet cutting or EDM for very thin gauge parts.
Typical material thickness-under 0.05” (1.3mm).
This process is also called Photo chemical machining – PCM, Chemical etching, Chemical milling.
- Stainless Steel , Copper , Brass , Aluminum
- Maximum size sheet: 11.8 in x 23 in
- Pressing plus etching available
Guidelines for the design of etched components
General Tolerance
| Thickness | Tolerance |
|---|---|
| ≤ 0.002 in | +/- 0.0002 – 0.0004 in |
| 0.002 – 0.005 in | +/- 0.0004 – 0.00078 in |
| 0.005 – 0.008 in | +/- 0.0012 – 0.0016 in |
| ≥ 0.01 in | +/- 0.002 in |
Minimum Hole Size
| Thickness | Minimum Hole Diameter |
|---|---|
| 0.002 – 0.004 in | 1.2x material thickness (in) |
| 0.006 – 0.0078 in | 1.1x material thickness (in) |
| ≥ 0.01 mm | 1.0x material thickness (in) |
Minimum Line Width
| Thickness | Minimum Line Width |
|---|---|
| 0.004 in | 0.0025 in |
| 0.006 – 0.0078 in | 0.004 in |
| ≥ 0.01 in | ≥0.006 in |
Etch Profile
Etch profile is maintained at approximately 10-20% of the material thickness.
Materials
Our most commonly used materials:
- Copper and Copper Alloys
- Stainless Steel: SS304, SS301, SS302, SS316, SS430
- Nickel & Nickel Alloys
- Mild Steels and Fe-Alloys
