There are many different ways to machine, tool and fabricate metal parts. One of the most precise and cost efficient methods is photochemical machining, also known as chemical etching. This presentation explains the key advantages chemical etching has over other means of metal fabrication.

1. The Advantages of
Chemical Etching
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2. The Advantages of Chemical Etching
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Advantages Overview I
• Rapidly Produce Prototypes
oQuick turn around times
oFast shipping
• High Precision Machining
oYields precise, uniform parts
oCapable of tight tolerances
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3. The Advantages of Chemical Etching
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Advantages Overview II
• Cost-Effective Production
oLower cost tooling and design changes
oPrice not based on part complexity
• Stress-Free Parts
oPhysical properties remain unaltered
oParts are burr-free and stress-free
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4. The Advantages of Chemical Etching
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Advantages Overview III
• Inventory and Brand Management
o Etch part numbers for integrated inventory control
o Etch logos for branding
• Complete Design Flexibility
o Produce multiple parts on one sheet
o Etch numerous metals
o Choose finishing options
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5. Etching Advantage I
Rapidly Produce Prototypes
A World Apart in a World of Parts
WWW.FOTOFAB.COM 773.463.6211
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6. The Advantages of Chemical Etching
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Rapidly Produce Prototypes
• Get parts to market faster
• Phototools produced in two
hours or less
• Post plating and forming
completed quickly
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7. The Advantages of Chemical Etching
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Rapidly Produce Prototypes
• Custom parts made to order in
as little as 1 day
• Custom orders shipped in as
few as 3 days
• Standard lead-times of 5
business days
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8. The Advantages of Chemical Etching
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Rapidly Produce Parts Like…
• Step Lids
• Crystal Systems
• Flat Springs
• Screens
• Lamination Segments
• Lead Frames
• Connectors
• Masks
• RF/EMI Shielding
• Contacts
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9. Etching Advantage II
High Precision Machining
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10. The Advantages of Chemical Etching
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High Precision Machining
• Precise, uniform parts
• Easily produce parts with very
fine details
• Micro precision controlled
process for multidimensional
etching
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11. The Advantages of Chemical Etching
WWW.FOTOFAB.COM 773.463.6211
High Precision Machining
• Produce unconventional designs
(strict tolerances within .0005”)
(thickness range from 0.0001” to .062”)
• Achieve tight tolerances
(+/- 10% of thickness)
• Etch small bars and holes
(120% of thickness)
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12. The Advantages of Chemical Etching
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High Precision Machining
• Maximum part size is 24” x 39”
(610mm x 990mm)
• Minimum part size is >0.001”
(0.0254mm)
• Center-to-center (location)
tolerance ±.0005” (0.0127mm)
• Inside and outside corner radii
(90% of metal thickness) 12

13. Etching Advantage III
Cost-Effective Production
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14. The Advantages of Chemical Etching
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Cost-Effective Production
• Costs thousands less than hard
tooling methods
• Price not based on geometry
• Produces intricate parts
economically
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15. The Advantages of Chemical Etching
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Cost-Effective Production
• Internal part features are “free”
• Accommodates low cost, last
minute design changes
• Prototype to production using
the same process
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16. Etching Advantage IV
Stress-Free Parts
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17. The Advantages of Chemical Etching
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Stress-Free Parts
• Inherently burr free parts
• No stress to the metal
• Physical properties remain
unaltered
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18. The Advantages of Chemical Etching
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Stress-Free Parts
• Parts can be either:
1. Removed by Fotofab
2. Shipped in sheets
with tabs
• Tabs can be customized
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19. Etching Advantage V
Inventory and Brand
Management
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20. The Advantages of Chemical Etching
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Inventory and Brand Management
• Brand parts with logos
• Add contact information
• Etch part numbers for integrated
inventory management
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21. Etching Advantage VI
Complete Design Flexibility
A World Apart in a World of Parts
WWW.FOTOFAB.COM 773.463.6211
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22. The Advantages of Chemical Etching
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Complete Design Flexibility
• Mixed graphic tooling for etching multiple parts on one sheet
• Fully formed parts, or etched bend channels for hand forming
• Etch many different metals, even thin or brittle metals
• Choose from over 16 different finishing options
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23. The Advantages of Chemical Etching
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• Stainless Steel
• Titanium
• Nitinol
• Copper
• Beryllium Copper
• Brass
• Nickel
• Inconel
• Gold
• Silver
• Platinum
• Palladium
• Nickel Silver
• Phosphor bronze
• Aluminum
Design Flexibility: Metal Options
• Silicon steels
• Mu metal
• Permalloy 80
• Spring steels
• Molybdenum
• Silicon wet etch
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24. The Advantages of Chemical Etching
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• Tin
• Tin/Lead
• Copper
• Nickel
• Gold
• Silver
• Selective Plating
• Anodizing
• Teflon (PTFE)
• Blackening
• Passivation
• Electropolishing
• Painting
• Silk Screening
• Tumbling
• Polishing
• Many more…
Design Flexibility: Finish Options
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25. The Advantages of Chemical Etching
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• Tape & Reel Packaging
• Waffle Trays
• Custom Packaging
• Heat Treating
• Brazing/Welding/Soldering
• Parts Assembly
• Metal Machining
• PEM Nut Installation
• Laser Cutting/Wire EDM
Design Flexibility: Added Services
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26. A World Apart in a World of Parts
For More Information on
Chemical Etching, Visit:
www.Fotofab.com
Call: 773.463.6211
Email: sales@fotofab.com