The Photo Etching Process

• A means of fabricating thin gauge precision metal parts

• Metal thickness ranges from .001" to .080" depending on the type of metal

• Metals include many alloys of steel, copper, aluminum, molybdenum and more. Click here for an expanded list.

• Alternative to stamping, punching, laser, water jet and wire EDM

• Low cost tooling in one day

• Part sizes from .020" diameter to 24" x 60"

• Quantities from handfuls to 100,000s

Tell Us About Your Project

The Photo Etching Process: Step-by-Step

• 1

  Data files in 2-D CAD (DXF or DWG) format preferred.

• 2

  Cad files are used to generate a Gerber file for plotting

• 3

  The Gerber file is output to a high resolution photo-plotter and mylar phototools are developed and registered

• 4

  Metal is measured and sheared from coils

• 5

  Metal sheets are scrubbed, cleaned and rinsed.

• 6

  Clean, dry metal is laminated with photopolymer film in a safe-light clean room.

• 7

  The phototool and the laminated metal are precisely positioned in a vacuum frame UV exposure unit.

• 8

  The exposed sheets are developed to remove the unexposed photopolymer, leaving bare metal to be etched.

• 9

  The heated etching acid is sprayed at the metal from both sides, dissolving the unneeded metal areas. The metal sheets are rinsed four times.

• 10

  The photopolymer is stripped using a heated solution of caustic and water. The parts are rinsed multiple times and dried in a turbo dryer. The clean, dry parts are delivered to our Quality Inspection department.

• 11

  The parts are thoroughly inspected in accordance with our Quality Management System and to the customer’s specifications. Conforming parts are packaged and shipped.