Photo-etching

High precision photo-etching / chemical milling / chemical maching

Photo-etching, also know as chemical milling or chemical machining, is the process of removing metal by means of chemical etching. The animation describes the process in detail. All metal types and shapes are candidates for chemical milling, especially contoured parts which are not easily machined.

The chemical milling process is really a very simple process, although it is loaded with subtle control requirements that need constant attention. Stork Veco’s many years of experience have rendered the process routine and high quality parts are produced reliably and within schedule restraints.

The Photo-etching process is precise, quick, economical and flexible. It cuts metal clean without any burrs and is a low-temp process that eliminates heat affected zones, dross and striations commonly seen on laser-cut or stamped parts. Etched parts can be formed, shape-set, plated or finished in a variety of ways. It is an economical process at high volume productions as well as many parts can be processed simultaneously, making chemical milling an extremely cost effective alternative to machining, punching, laser-cutting and wire erosion. This makes the photo-etching technology a highly cost-effective method for prototyping to very large series.




The most common materials that can be etched are:

• Cu and Cu-alloys (like brass, phosphor bronze, CuBe)
• Ni and Ni-alloys
• Stainless Steel (301, 302, 304, 316, 430 etc.) and other stainless steel alloys like Kovar and Invar

Special material (alloys) can be etched on demand

Technical specifications  
 

Material thickness(t)	0.050 - 1.0 mm	Pitch tolerances	± 0.0025 - 0.010 mm x distance
Tolerances	depends on material thickness, limit ± 0.010 mm t: 0.050 - 0.100 mm = ± 0.3t/0.2t t: 0.100 - 0.200 mm = ± 0.2t/0.15t t: > 0.200 mm = ± 0.1t	Etch profile (a)	t: 0.015 - 0.050 mm a » 0.2t t: 0.050 - 0.100 mm a » 0.2/0.1t t: 0.100 a » 0.1t
Minimum  slot width	t: 0.025 - 0.050 mm = 1.6t t: 0.050 - 0.100 mm = 1.0/1.3t t: > 0.100 mm = 0.8t	Corner radii	r = 0.5 - 0.1t
Minimum  hole size	t: 0.025 - 0.050 mm = 2.2t t: 0.050 - 0.100 mm = 1.6t t: > 0.100 mm = 0.8/1.2t	Corner radii	r = 0.5 - 0.1t
Minimum bar width	t: 0.050 - 0.200 mm = 1.0t t: > 0.200 mm = 1.0t	Post treatments	matt black, Au, Ru, Pt, lead-tin plated etc.

If your needs exceed the specifications listed our specialits are at hand assist you in searching for the right solution for your application.