Photo etching has been adopted by automotive OEMs because it can produce complex mesh patterns and high definition surface engraving simultaneously – impossible with traditional sheet metalworking.
Digital tooling gives interior trim designers the freedom to experiment without incurring expensive set-up or modification charges as they seek competitive differentiation for their vehicles. With no hard tooling necessary, products can make the transition from prototype to production in a matter of hours.
A sound approach: 100% scratch and blemish-free speaker grilles
Speaker grilles
Metal speaker grilles were once produced exclusively from thick, woven aluminium wire. Photo etching offers aesthetic and functional advantages.
- Thinner, with superior rigidity
- Higher durability
- Greater open area with finer apertures
- High definition logos at no added cost
- Openings at any size, shape or position at no added cost
- Burr and stress-free to ±0.025mm accuracy
- 100% scratch and blemish-free
Precision Micro is a world leading manufacturer of photo etched speaker grilles, supplying tens of thousands each week for marques including Mercedes C Class and Jaguar XJ.
Dashboard fascias
Manufactured from 0.5mm-1mm thick aluminium, photo etching can be used to surface engrave and emboss intricate, blemish-free tactile surfaces. With photo etching, you pay by the sheet so there is no limit on design complexity. As one of the few suppliers to offer sheets to 600mm x 1500m, we guarantee economical volume supply.
Tread plates
Unlike traditional pressed tread plates, photo etching can incorporate sharp aperture and directional mesh patterns for backlighting and can be personalised with owners’ names or signatures.
Typical Applications
- Speaker grilles
- Dashboard fascias
- Treadplates
