Fotofab’s chemical etching technology (photochemical machining) offers several benefits over traditional machining processes. We specialize in producing your parts by whatever means necessary – chemical etching, stamping, forming, metal fabrication, electroforming, and wire EDM to name a few.
The Fotofab process features a trio of fundamental improvements over other manufacturers, including reduced costs, faster speeds, and higher precision parts. We also do all of our manufacturing and material sourcing in the United States.
Fotofab products are made in the USA and distributed worldwide.
The affordable pricing, quick speed, and high precision of our photochemical etching, or acid etching, process ensure that it is the quintessential method for both production and prototyping of metal parts.
Benefits of Photochemical Machining (Chemical Etching)
Benefits of Photochemical Machining (Chemical Etching)Inexpensive Photools
Pricing for the majority of phototools used in chemical etching is between $300 and $400. This is thousands of dollars less than the cost of using hard tools for etching equivalent metal parts.
Faster Production
Photochemical machining (chemical etching) typically takes less than a day, often less than an hour, to complete. This means your custom, brand new parts are ready to ship the same day.
Standard lead times are between 5-7 days from order date, with an optional expedited service available.
Higher precision
Fotofab produces, stores, and uses the phototools in our in-house, temperature and humidity controlled clean room. The tools rarely leave this environment so there are no variations in size, and it remains consistent – as do we.
- Photochemical Machining or Chemical Etching has the ability to produce complex geometries within very strict tolerances, and the good news is that increased part complexity is very rarely a cost driver.
- Production Volume - We have the capabilities to help with your prototype and high volume production orders.
How quickly do you need your photo etched parts? Fotofab can deliver. Delivery options may be specified on your purchase order.
The Photo Etching Advantage
“Chemical etching (photo etching) is a photo-lithographic process whereby a phototool is used to block UV light from exposing the area of a sheet of metal which has first been cleaned and laminated with photoresist. The sheet is developed which washes away the unexposed photoresist leaving a very precise mask of hardened photoresist behind. This patterned sheet is then exposed to concentrated etchants which very precisely dissolve any exposed material.”
The Photo Etching Advantage
“Chemical etching (photo etching) is a photo-lithographic process whereby a phototool is used to block UV light from exposing the area of a sheet of metal which has first been cleaned and laminated with photoresist. The sheet is developed which washes away the unexposed photoresist leaving a very precise mask of hardened photoresist behind. This patterned sheet is then exposed to concentrated etchants which very precisely dissolve any exposed material.”
Learn More About Fotofab's Photochemical Etching Process
Metals We Chemically Etch
Here at Fotofab, we provide photochemical machining (chemical etching, acid etching) services for a wide range of metals, including:
- Hy-Mu 80
- Inconel (600, 718, and 750)
- Invar
- Iron
- Kovar
- Metglas
- Molybdenum
- Monel
- MuMetal
- Nickel
- Nickel Silver
- Permalloy 80
- Phosphorous Bronze
- Silicon Steel
- Spring Steel
- Stainless Steel
- Steel
- Titanium
- Tungsten
- Tungsten-Copper
Value Added Services for Chemically Etched Parts
Fotofab offers an array of value-added and finishing options to guarantee your project gets closer to the production finish line. While chemical etching is our core business, we have an extensive list of resources to give you a ready-to-use component, no matter what your requirements, including:
Are you working on a project and not sure about the design or have questions? Contact us or click below to learn more about our photochemical etching process and the solutions it provides.