Photo-etching

MELTEC’s photo-etching

MELTEC produces industrial precise components and other products by photo-etching. In addition to metal etching, we provide everything from “precision etching” with our unique technology to etching on special materials and 3D shapes. We also offer one-stop services for combined processing and surface treatment after etching.
The advantages of photo-etching include:
– Manufacture of perfect precision parts without burrs, strains, flashes, or work-hardening.
– Drastic reduction of initial cost as no expensive tooling is required, unlike stamping work.
– Ideal for prototypes as shorter production and delivery times are possible.
– Suitable for mass production as many pieces can be processed simultaneously.

1.Metal etching

1.Thickness and size

Processed plate thickness: t = 0.01 mm ~ 0.5 mm
Please contact us for other thicknesses.
Maximum size: 600 x 1100

2.Processing materials

Metals: Stainless steel (SUS304/SUS316/SUS420/SUS430, etc), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), nichrome (NCH), and others

3.Working limit

Processing limits vary depending on the thickness of the materials. The following is a general approximation.
The minimum width of D is equivalent to the material thickness, i.e., 0.05 mm, while the minimum size of W is equivalent to half of the material thickness, i.e., 0.03 mm.

t ≦ hole width (which is generally 1.5x bigger than material thickness).
The minimum width of D for mass production is around 0.07 mm.

t ≧ remaining width (Minimum remaining width is 70% of material thickness)

Material thickness(t) Minimum hole width (D) Minimum remaining width
t ≦ 0.05 To be determined by a test run To be decided by test run
Over t=0.05 t×100% About t×70%

 

4.Dimentional tolerance

Although tolerance changes depending on thickness and shape, ±10-15% of thickness is standard tolerance. For other details, please contact us.

5.Side edges

Due to the nature of photoetching, it is unavoidable that the cross section of the etched edge is not completely vertical. The length of this side edge is within 10%-20% of the plate thickness. We consider the material, shape, and thickness of the product and use precisely managed correction techniques to manufacture the most optimal product.

6.Double side and single side etching

Double side etching: Both the front and the back sides of the material are corroded and melted by etching solution to penetrate the material, which is the general method.
Single side etching: Only one side of the material is corroded and melted to make a hole in the material.

7.Half-etching

Different from full (penetrating) processing, this technique engraves a pocket shape to a depth of around half of the material’s thickness. Combining half-etching with full (penetrating) etching allows us to produce intricate designs.

8.Tab properties

In the etching process, tabs are required to connect the product with the frame. If you have any preferences for the position and shape of the tabs, please contact us in advance. We also provide a non-tabbed product.x

2.Precision hybrid etching (etching + electroforming)

An alternative to electroforming

For a more intricate form, our unique three layer metal Ni-Cu-Ni patented material is processed by etching + electroforming.

  • Shape-stability: Dimensional tolerance +/- 0.003. Aspect ratio at least 1:2. Greater stability than that of electroforming.
  • Flatness: Three-layer annealed metal material (Ni-Cu-Ni) solves the warping problem of electroforming.
  • Mass production: Lower cost than electroforming

Applications

Metal masks for firm formation, Scales for encoders, Optical masks (Black surface finishing)

3.Etching special materials(Mo/Ti/Al/etc.)

Special materials that are hard-to-cut such as molybdenum, titanium, and aluminum can be etched at our factory. Please contact us about Elgiloy/Inconel/Hastelloy and other special materials.

Etching example of Molybdenum(Mo)
Mo Min.hole dia.0.02
thickness(t)  0.01  0.02  0.05  0.10  0.15  0.30
tolerance  ±0.004  ±0.007  ±0.010  ±0.015  ±0.020  ±0.030

Etching example of titanium

Etching example of aluminum

4.3D etching

We’ve made the extremely difficult etching to curved and three-dimensional services a reality. Etch and half-etch round bars as well as the inside and outside of curved surfaces.

Etching to all around the circumference of a round bar

Etching to all around the inside of a curved surface

Etching on the edge face of a material

Polyimide heaters

5.Thin-film etching

Thin-film metal which is vapor-deposited on various base materials is chemically etched to make patterns. Etching on thin film material that is sputtered and vaporized such as ITO, Aluminum, Zinc Suilfide, and Nickel is carried out to create intricate patterns.

Technology highlights

  • A variety of base materials can be processed, from plastic such as polycarbonate, PET, and acrylic, to glass and metals.
  • Thin-film metal: Ai, Ni, Cu, Cr, Zn, Ti, Si, Nb, Mo, W, S, etc.
  • Base material: glass, ceramic, glass epoxy, PI, PC, PMMA, PET, metal, etc.
  • Base material exterior processing: Material exteriors can be stamped and cut all while maintaining the positional accuracy of the patterns.

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