Precision Micro etches custom shims, gasket and washers, flat, formed or assembled, for a variety of technical applications, including energised springs for Formula 1, damping shims for fuel injection and ultra-thin, titanium shims for satellite fuel tanks.
Economical precision and accuracy
From simple spacer washers to complex cylinder head gaskets for racing engines, photo etched springs, gasket and washers are accurate to ±0.025mm, flat-and burr-free, with no rough edges that could interfere with other mating components. The flexibility of the photo etching process means complex designs, including internal and external tab/location washers, can be manufactured quickly using low-cost digital tooling.
Materials
Precision Micro etches over 2,000 materials types – including all grades of stainless steels, Sandvik strip steels and cobalt-chromium based alloys – and is Europe’s only production titanium photo etching specialist, a material often specified for aerospace, medical, automotive and sanitary ware shims due to its light weight, strength, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility.
We produce medical springs as small as 200μm for glucose monitoring and brazing foils to 1500mm for heat exchangers used in photolithography cooling systems. Thicknesses can range from 0.010mm to 1.5mm.
Forming and finishing
Three-dimensional, lipped or formed gaskets can be produced in-house. A comprehensive range of finishing technologies – including passivation, electropolishing and electroplating – ensures finished component can be supplied from a single source.
Benefits at a glance
- Over 2,000 metal types – including hard to machine metals
- Low-cost digital tooling
- Burr- and stress free – metal temper and magnetic properties unaffected
- Accuracy to ±0.025mm
- In-house forming, finishing and plating
- Lead-times in days, not months
Typical Applications
- Energised springs
- Damping shims
- Washers
- Gaskets
- Sealing shims
Processes
Materials
- Steel and stainless steels
- Nickel and nickel alloys
- Copper and copper alloys
- Aluminium
- Titanium and titanium alloys
- Full material stock list
