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Using a photoresist and etchants to corrosively machine away specific areas, photochemical etching machine , also known as photochemical machine, is a chemical milling process used to create sheet metal components.
The printed circuit board business gave rise to this process in the 1960s. High-complexity parts with incredibly fine detail can be produced accurately and affordably using photo etching. For thin gauge precision items, this method may provide more affordable substitutes for stamping, punching, laser or water jet cutting, or wire electrical discharge machining (EDM).
The tooling is made rapidly and cheaply. Because of this, the process may be easily modified for mass production and is ideal for prototyping. It avoids producing burrs or sharp edges and preserves dimensional tolerances.
To begin, optically clean and dimensionally stable photographic film is printed with the part’s shape. Two sheets of this film with negative pictures of the pieces make up the “phototool.” (meaning that the area that will become the parts is clear and all of the areas to be etched are black).
The top and bottom parts of the tool are formed by two sheets that are optically and mechanically aligned.The metal sheets are cleaned, trimmed to size, then laminated with a UV-sensitive photoresist on both sides. To establish close contact between the phototool and the metal plate, the coated metal is positioned between the two sheets of the phototool, and a vacuum is drawn. The plate is subsequently exposed to UV.
The etching line is a multi-chambered device that moves the plates on driven-wheel conveyors and has spray nozzle arrays above and below the plates. The etchant is commonly a heated, pressurized aqueous acid solution—often ferric chloride—that is applied to both sides of the plate.
The unprotected metal reacts with the etchant, thereby corroding it away quite quickly. The leftover resist is eliminated, the sheet of parts is washed, and it is dried after neutralizing and rinsing.
The Global Photochemical Etching machine market accounted for $XX Billion in 2023 and is anticipated to reach $XX Billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of XX% from 2024 to 2030.
From high volume manufacturing lines to small bench-top devices, Masteretch produces a variety of Photochemical Etching machine. All types can be connected to create a continuous manufacturing line and are available in etching, developing, stripping, and drying configurations.
Our clients manufacture using our equipment. Printed circuit boards, signs, nameplates, and labels, flexible stamping and embossing dies, photochemical milling, and etched stainless steel, brass, copper, and metal. In addition, the standard selection of Masteretch equipment, we can design and construct equipment specifically for your etching needs. Many of their consumers come to them hoping to accomplish a certain objective or solve a particular issue.
For instance, processing heavy materials, attaining a specific tolerance, or fulfilling a production volume objective. If one need creative solutions for a difficult assignment, Masteretch can assist. Some examples include Titanium etching devices, wide format etching devices Machines for cabinet etching Large-scale chemical milling etching machine for lathes
