Animated video shows benefits of precision metal parts and components

The photo-chemical etching (PCE) process is used to produce geometrically complex, often feature-rich electronic parts and components for the electronics sector. For electronics OEMs ensuring micron-scale tolerances are achieved on such parts is vital given the safety-critical nature of many electronics applications.

Manufacturers are increasingly turning to PCE as they are under pressure to create smaller and increasingly complex precision metal components. As with any process selection, OEMs need to be aware of the specific attributes of the chosen manufacturing technology when looking at design attributes and parameters. The versatility of PCE and its unique advantages as a precision sheet metal machining technology makes it an engine for design innovation, and can truly be used to manufacture parts that would be deemed impossible if using alternative metalworking technologies.

Now, micrometal (incorporating HP Etch and Etchform) release of an animated film that focuses on the intricacies and application possibilities of photo-chemical etching (PCE).

Jochen Kern, Head of Sales & Marketing at micrometal says, “As a precision sheet metal machining technology, PCE achieves exacting tolerances, is highly repeatable, and in many instances is the only technology that can cost-effectively manufacture precision metal components with the accuracy necessary in demanding and often safety-critical applications. PCE has many attributes that can truly stimulate innovation and ’stretch the boundaries’ with the inclusion of challenging product features, enhancements, complexity, and efficiency. Our newly released animation will help to stimulate manufacturers to appreciate the full potential of the technology.”

Kern continues: “micrometal boasts many innovations in the PCE process. For example, and showcased in the animation is our continuous PCE process, meaning that metal can be processed continuously from the introduction of the initial raw material (typically on a reel) to the final packaging step (which can see finished parts delivered on a reel). The company’s continuous production technology allows for the manufacture of endless strips of components (so-called reel-to-reel production) enabling the manufacture of customer-specific highly precise parts in industrial volumes wound onto reels for ease of further processing post-delivery. Metal strip thicknesses can be between 25 and 400 microns. The continuous PCE process also avoids problems associated with batch-to-batch variations, effectively processing one large batch rather than a number of smaller batches. It is only in this way that PCE process experts like micrometal can truly claim that the first and the millionth part will actually be the same.”

micrometal can process and deliver up to 800-meter-long metal strips on reel, and these are often requested in industries that already demonstrate a high degree of automation in their own processing. 

Thus, the etched parts provided in reels by micrometal can be selectively coated or used by ‘Pick & Place’ at the final point of production. Such procedures are already widely implemented in the medical and automotive industries where micrometal services a number of market-leading and blue-chip OEMs.

See micrometal’s animation HERE.