FAQ

Ordering & Shipping FAQs

Ordering

How long does it take to get a response after I request a quote?
We will reply with an estimate the next day or later, as we need to review the drawings, etc.
What information do I need for your estimate?
Please send us the product drawing or CAD data. (If you don’t have them, please provide us with design specification information, material, plate thickness, dimensions, etc.)

Please inform us of the quantity, delivery address and desired delivery date.

Can you help me if I don’t have a drawing?
If you have an idea but no drawings, please feel free to contact us.

(Please let us know your design specifications, such as material, plate thickness, and dimensions.)

Can you handle requests for prototypes from a single item?
We can handle both prototyping and mass production, and can handle prototypes from as little as one item.

Please feel free to contact us.

Is it possible to receive and make products with CAD data?
It is possible. The data handled are as follows

2D CAD: DXF/DWG (AutoCAD 2010 and below)
3D CAD: SolidWorks/PARASOLZD/IGES/STEP

Do you support mass production of etching?
We can handle both prototyping and mass production, and can also handle small-lot mass production.

Please feel free to contact us.

Is there an initial cost for etching?
The cost of the original plate is required. It is very low compared to the cost of molds, etc., so the total cost can be reduced.
Can you tell me the flow from inquiry to estimate to order?
Please refer to “Flow of transaction“. Even if you do not have a drawing, please contact us for assistance.
Can I cancel my order?
No cancellation is allowed after placing an order.
What are my payment options?
Payment can be made by T/T in advance (Telegraphic Transfer).

Shipping

How long does it take for delivery?
The standard production time for prototypes is 3 to 4 weeks, with additional shipping time (duration varies by country).

Please contact us if you are in a hurry.

Is it possible to deliver products overseas?
Yes, it is possible. We have delivery records of our products all over the world.

Our overseas bases include our Hong Kong warehouse, China factory, Philippines factory, and Thailand factory.

What are my international shipping options?
Prototypes and other products are basically delivered by international courier services such as DHL and FEDEX.
How long does it take for delivery?
The standard production time for prototypes is 3 to 4 weeks, with additional shipping time (duration varies by country).

Please contact us if you are in a hurry.

What is the cost of delivery?
It’s basically based on the DHL and FEDEX price lists.

The cost will vary depending on the shipping method, destination, weight and customs.

How can I track my delivered products?
You can track your package by entering the tracking number on the website of each international courier company (such as DHL).

Contact us

Etching FAQs

Etching (in general)

What types of etching processes are available?
There are two types of etching: wet etching using liquid and dry etching using reactive gas.

We use wet etching.

What is ”photo-etching”?
“Photo-etching” is a technology to create a shape pattern on metal using photoengraving technology, and then corrode or dissolve the metal using etching solution.

Our company performs photo-etching processing.

Does the etching process cause burrs or distortions?
The etching process does not place stress on the metal, so unlike machining or pressing, it does not cause burrs, distortions, or chips.
I can’t decide if etching is the best processing method. Can you help me?
Please feel free to contact us.

In addition to etching, we also offer machining and press work, and can make proposals to meet your needs.

Can we request post-processing after the etching process?
Yes, we offer one-stop service for various post-processing (bending, spot welding, black treatment, etc.).
What is a ”bridge”?
A “bridge” is a joint.
It is a joint between the product and the frame when multiple products are attached to a metal plate.
What is ”half-etching”?
“Half-etching” is different from through-etching in that the etching is done in the form of a pocket of about 50-70% of the plate thickness.
What is ”double-sided etching” and ”single-sided etching”?
In “double-sided etching”, the material is etched on both sides, while in “single-sided etching”, the material is etched on one side and then corroded and dissolved by the etching solution.
What is a ”side edge”?
“Side edge” is a phenomenon that occurs due to the photo-etching method, where the processed cross section is not perfectly vertical.

The edge height is within 10 to 20% of the plate thickness.

Etching material

What material can you etch?
Materials of etching process products are as follows

Metal: Stainless steel (SUS), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), nichrome (NCH), others
Special metal: Molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), tungsten (W), etc.

For encoder related products, we mainly use metal (SUS/nickel clad material) and PET film.

Can you etch stainless steel?
Yes, we can. We can etch SUS304, SUS316, SUS420, SUS430, etc.
Can you etch aluminum?
Yes, we can. Please contact us for technical specifications.
Can you etch titanium?
Etching is possible under certain conditions. Please consult with us.

Etching accuracy

What thicknesses can be handled by etching?
The standard plate thickness is t=0.01mm to 1.0mm.

For other thicknesses, please contact us.

Do the processing dimensions (punching width / remaining width) change depending on the plate thickness?
Yes, it does.
The punching width is 150% of the board thickness, and the remaining width should be 70% of the board thickness.
What are the dimensional tolerances?
Dimensional tolerances vary depending on plate thickness, shape, etc., but are generally ±15% of plate thickness.
Please contact us for details.
What is the dimension of the minimum processing hole (minimum punching width)?
The minimum hole size is about 0.07mm (punching width is 150% of the board thickness).

Please contact us if you need a smaller hole.

How much will the corner R be after etching?
The corner R of the outside of the product is about 50% of the board thickness, and the corner R of the punching part inside the product is 80% or less of the board thickness.

Contact us

Encoder scale FAQs

What is ”linear encoder strip”?
“Linear encoder strip” is a linear scale that is incorporated into a linear encoder device.

The encoder device reads the slits (scales) on the scale and precisely controls the position movement.

What is a ”encoder disk (encoder code wheel)”?
The disk scale incorporated in a rotary encoder device is called an “encoder disk” or “encoder code wheel”.

The encoder device reads the slits (scales) on the scale to precisely control the positional movement.

What are ”transmissive” and ”reflective” types?
There are two types of optical encoders: transmissive and reflective.

Transmissive type: The sensor light “passes through” the slit to read the data.
Reflective type: The sensor light “reflects off” the slit and the data is read.

What is ”bar”?
“Bar” is a line of graduation on a scale.
Optical encoders use a slit to transmit, block, or reflect light, which is then converted into signals.
What is ”pitch”?
“Pitch” is the distance between slit patterns that are repeated at regular intervals.

For example, one pitch (20µm) is defined as 10µm for the black line and 10µm for the white line of adjacent bars on the scale.

What is ”dimensional tolerance”?
“Dimensional tolerance” is a certain amount of error between the measured value and the reference dimension.

For example, if the reference dimension is 10 mm and the dimensional tolerance is +0.5, a measured value of 10.5 mm is still within the acceptable range.

What is ”resolution”?
In a sensor, “resolution” is equivalent to sensitivity and represents the smallest unit of measurement.
What is ”LPI”?
“LPI (Lines Per Inch)” is the resolution of a linear type encoder, which represents the number of pulses output per inch.
What is ”CPR”?
“CPR (Counts Per Revolution)” is the resolution of a disk encoder, and represents the number of pulses output per revolution.
What is the ”light-to-dark ratio”?
“Light-to-dark ratio” is the difference in brightness between the reflective and non-reflective bars on a reflective scale.
What is ”reflectance”?
“Reflectance” is one of the performance requirements for reflective scales.

The larger the difference between high and low reflectance, the higher the signal performance and the easier it is for the sensor to recognize.
There are encoder scales with high precision metal specifications such as “Mirror Black®”.

What is ”coaxiality”?
“Coaxiality” refers to the magnitude of the deviation of the axis line that should be on the same line as the datum axis line from the datum line.

It is important that the centers of the axes of cylindrical and cylindrical-shaped components are aligned.

If the coaxial axis is not aligned, the signal will not be stable and a clean waveform cannot be produced.
If you require high precision coaxiality, we recommend using a hybrid metal scale.

Contact us

About MELTEC FAQs

Do you have high-precision etching technology?
We have a hybrid etching technology that uses our own cladding material.

Hybrid etching allows through-hole diameters of less than the plate thickness. (In the case of normal etching, the limit is 1.5 times the plate thickness.)
Hybrid etching can control tolerance of ±0.008mm (±0.015mm for normal etching).

Can you manufacture scales for reflective encoders?
Yes, we can.
We can produce reflective encoder scales in PET film and etched versions.
Is it possible to apply anti-reflection treatment to etched products?
It is possible.
Black treatment such as “low temperature chrome plating”, “black oxide film”, and “black dyeing” are available.
What are some typical examples of etching processes?
These include encoder scales, apertures, shutter plates, filters, spacers, washers, etc.
What kind of processing can you handle?
Our main processing technology is precision photo etching.

As complex processing, we offer electroforming, surface treatment, injection molding, and sheet punching.

Do you have any overseas branches?
We have factories and sales representatives in the Philippines and Thailand.
What kind of quality control system do you have in place?
We have obtained ISO certification as follows.

Headquarters factory: ISO9001/ISO14001 certification
China factory: ISO9001 certification
Philippine Plant: ISO9001/ISO14001 certification
Thailand Plant: ISO14001 certification.

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