The Advantages of Chemical Etching

The Advantages of Chemical Etching

A World Apart in a World of Parts

WWW.FOTOFAB.COM 773.463.6211

http://www.fotofab.com/



Advantages Overview I

• Rapidly Produce PrototypesoQuick turn around timesoFast shipping

• High Precision MachiningoYields precise, uniform partsoCapable of tight tolerances

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Advantages Overview II

• Cost-Effective ProductionoLower cost tooling and design changesoPrice not based on part complexity

• Stress-Free PartsoPhysical properties remain unalteredoParts are burr-free and stress-free

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Advantages Overview III

• Inventory and Brand Managemento Etch part numbers for integrated inventory controlo Etch logos for branding

• Complete Design Flexibilityo Produce multiple parts on one sheeto Etch numerous metalsoChoose finishing options

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Etching Advantage IRapidly Produce Prototypes



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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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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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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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Etching Advantage IIHigh Precision Machining



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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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• 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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• 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


Etching Advantage IIICost-Effective Production



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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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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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Etching Advantage IVStress-Free Parts



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Stress-Free Parts

• Inherently burr free parts• No stress to the metal• Physical properties remain

unaltered

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Stress-Free Parts

• Parts can be either:1. Removed by Fotofab2. Shipped in sheets

with tabs

• Tabs can be customized

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Etching Advantage VInventory and Brand Management



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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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Etching Advantage VIComplete Design Flexibility



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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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• 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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• 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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• 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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For More Information onChemical Etching, Visit:

www.Fotofab.com

Call: 773.463.6211Email: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


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The Advantages of Chemical Etching