What is photochemical machining?

Photochemical machining (PCM) involves creating engraved images or designed cutouts using a computer process that exposes thin sheets of metal to light and various chemicals. Industrial industries can use PC milling virtually any type of sheet, including aluminum, brass or copper along with nickel and silver. Photochemical machining techniques can be used to produce fine electronic components, medical implants or extremely complex etchings. Basic chemical etching using citric acid dates for thousands of years.

engineers usually create the desired image using computer design software, commonly called CAD drawing software. When used for cutting specific parts, technicians replicate this formula in columns and rows that create multiple images on one screen. The computer transmits an image to a laminate film that has a Mylar® base and a silver emulsion coating. Before photochemical machining, the metal will undergo a thorough cleaning process, whiCH ensures adhesion to a photographic film. After cleansing the diluted solution, the leaf undergoes rinsing the water and the heated process of drying.

When machining a complete metal cutout, laminate technicians or sandwiches, a piece of metal between two pieces of Phototool. Only one side of the metal must be covered during engraving or etching. Technicians laminine the metal using a dry cylinder method or wet immersion. During this process, cameras use the proper alignment of metals and film. Laminate and Phototool match each other in dimensions.

The cylinder method includes a metal through a cylinder where the machine inserts a sheet between two pieces of laminate. Lamination requires an environment without contamination and removal of possible air bubbles. The wet dive method means immersion of metal in a liquid film and baking in the oven to solidify the film. The photochemical process continues by exposing the laminated ultraviolet metalHe will light up with a high intensity and paint the picture on the Phototool.

After exposure, the technicians expose the laminated metal to a developmental solution that removes any undeveloped laminate. Through the transport belt, the laminated metal enters the chamber lined with spray nozzles located above and below the conveyor. Hot etching acid spray metal from one or both sides depending on the desired design. Acid dissolve a metal that is not covered with laminate without leaving the coarse edges or changing the quality of the metal. This step in the process of photochemical machining creates a finished picture created on the CAD drawing.

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part is now subject to water rinsing and exposed to a stripping solution that removes any remaining laminate. The leaf passes through one final rinse of water followed by dry air drying. Technicians can use microscopes for final inspection AS with a means of quality control.