What is photo 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

Photo etching, also known as chemical etching or metal etching, is a highly precise, tightly controlled corrosion process used to produce complex metal components with very fine detail.

Why use photo etching?

The photo etching process offers a cost-effective alternative to stamping, punching, laser and waterjet cutting when machining precision components from thin gauge metals – up to 1.5mm thick – including stainless steel, nickel and nickel alloys, aluminium, copper and copper alloys and hard-to-machine metals such as titanium.

When component integrity is critical, photo etching is often the only suitable metal machining technology as metal temper and magnetic properties are unaffected.

Precision Micro and photo etching

Precision Micro has been at the cutting edge of etching technology for over half a century. By working in partnership with our customers, we create highly innovative solutions to a wide range of engineering challenges. That is why Precision Micro has won a reputation as the industry innovator, trusted to deliver by major international companies in over 30 countries worldwide.

Why partner with Precision Micro?

 

  • Unrivalled know-how – Precision Micro has pioneered etching technology 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

Have a component you would like to discuss?

Talk to an engineer       Request a quotation

 

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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