Welcome

There are many different names for Chemical Milling or Photo Etching. The terminology is hard to standardise with these sorts of industries as people on one side of the world are finding out things at the same time as people on the other side of the world, but they may give it another name. We call the processs Chemical Milling but it is also known as :- Photo etching, Photochemical milling, Photochemical machining, Photo milling, Photofabrication, or Chemical Blanking (in the USA).

The Chemical Milling (Photo Etching) process is used as a means to produce thin (up to approx. 3mm thick) metal components in all sorts of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. These components which would previously be made by conventional mechanical machining or blanking operations are cut to shape and size using acids to dissolve away the unwanted material, thus leaving you with components you require.

This Chemical Milling (Photo Etching) process offers many advantages over traditional machining methods. Chemically milled components are free from mechanical stresses, burrs, burnt edges or dross.

Low Cost Complex Shapes - There are also a lot of financial advantages to this process. It is just as easy for us to produce the most complex of shapes as it is to produce say the most simplest of shims.

Low Cost Tooling and Design Modifications - The only tooling used in Chemical Milling (Photo Etching) is a set of precision photographic negatives which are produced on the industry's best drawing and design packages. Once drawn these designs are saved and can be printed off as and when required. This gives you the ability to change the part at any time if required without expensive tooling modification charges. In a lot of cases using hard tooling methods of production these modifications sometimes meant the job would need to be completely re-tooled.

Low Cost Forming and Part Marking - With Chemical Milling (Photo Etching) you are able to surface etch detail into either one or both sides of a component this allows you to add detail to your components if required. Such detail could include anything from a part number, company logo, address, or even a picture. This process can also be used to inscribe lines onto the part which then allows you to form the part by hand as shown below.

Main Advantages Include:

Short lead times (normal lead time is 5 working days)

Complex profiles, burr and stress free components

Ideal for rapid prototyping and mass production

Design changes and modifications rapidly and economically produced

Half etch fold lines for economical forming or half etch part marking

Location
Etch Tech Limited are based in Alconbury near Peterborough with major motorway routes providing fast and convenient road access to many local county borders and nearby cities giving a fast response to your call. Our location has proven to be key in a fast customer response.

Who We Work For
Etch Tech Limited are able to take on work from Commercial, Retail and the Private Sector. Etch Tech Limited are more than happy to discuss any aspect of a project by phone or on location. Your needs are our business.