Metal etching

Photo etched springs are burr- and stress-free with zero distortion or surface imperfections Photo etching produces complex mesh patterns simultaneously, so you only pay for the first hole Photo etching is suitable for almost any metal - including those hard-to-machine - without tool wear

Benefits at a glance

  • Unlimited complexity – you only pay for the first hole
  • No expensive hard tooling required
  • Low-cost design iterations – fast
  • Burr and stress-free – metal temper and magnetic properties unaffected
  • Lead-times in days, not months
  • Virtually any metal
  • Accuracy to ±0.025mm

What is metal etching?

Metal etching, also known as photo etching, chemical etching or chemical milling, is a subtractive metal machining process which uses etchant chemistry to produce complex, highly accurate metal components.

Why use metal etching?

For feature dense, tight tolerance parts profiled from thin gauge metals to 1.5mm thick – including stainless steel, aluminium, nickel, brass, copper and titanium – etching provides an economical alternative to stamping, punching, laser and waterjet cutting.

No mechanical force or heat is used during the metal etching process, meaning material properties are unaltered and etched components are free from stresses and burrs.

Precision Micro and metal etching

Precision Micro has been at the forefront of metal etching technology for more than 50 years and is trusted by industries leading names to deliver innovative solutions to a wide range of high-value engineering challenges.

Why partner with Precision Micro?

 

  • Unrivalled know-how – Precision Micro has pioneered photo etching for over half a century
  • Proven capability – AS 9100, TS 16949, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accredited
  • Largest capacity – 44,000 sq ft state-of-the-art photo etching plant
  • Material know-how – we specialise in etching hard-to-machine metals
  • 2,000+ metal variants – standard and specialist material types and
    grades
  • Global support – we have sales offices and partners in locations that enable us to respond quickly to demand
  • Added value – we offer a number of additional services including wire EDM, electropolishing, forming, finishing and plating
  • Low risk – backed by £2 billion global engineering group Meggitt PLC

Want to know more?

See how photo etching works

The basic principles of photo etching can be demonstrated in nine process steps.

Technical guidelines

Created to guide you through designing for the photo etching process, outlining achievable tolerances and component features.

Talk to us

With backgrounds which include CAD, machining, technical and operations planning, our sales engineers have the photo etching know-how to answer your questions.

Request samples

Component samples designed specifically to demonstrate the features and benefits of photo etching.

Request a quote

Submit your component data for technical evaluation and pricing.

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