Precision Photochemical Etching for Complex Metal Parts

Stress-free. Burr-free.
Tight-tolerance components for mission-critical applications.

Whether you are in the prototype phase still going through design iterations, or are about to scale up production, E-Fab is ready to deliver high-precision photochemical etching services using our advanced equipment and skilled team of technicians. Our experts partner directly with engineers and buyers across all major sectors, including critical industries dependent upon a reliable U.S. supply chain like aerospace, defense, medical, and semiconductor manufacturing to deliver quality parts on time.

Still in the design phase? Let’s get you connected with one of our experts to kick-off your project today!

Ready to ramp up the volume? Let’s get you a quote today so we can hit the ground running!

Still Want to Know More About Photochemical Machining?

Photochemical machining, also known as photochemical etching or chemical milling, is a subtractive manufacturing process that uses photoresists and etchants to remove unwanted material to produce a highly precise metal component. Ideally, this process is used when working with thin materials that have complex geometry and dense design features, without inducing thermal stress and distortion into the component that typically takes place when using traditional manufacturing methods. 

Benefits of Photochemical Etching/Machining:

  • Burr-free and stress-free parts that do not require post-processing clean-up
  • Digital, low-cost tooling that can quickly and easily be changed for various design iterations
  • Increased design complexity/number of features does not equal increased cost
  • Compatible with various metal materials
  • Read more here

Our Capabilities at a Glance

Material Thickness0.0005 in  – 0.063 in (0.013 mm – 1.60 mm)
Standard Tolerance±0.0005 in – ±0.002 in , depending on material thickness and feature size
Minimum Feature Size120% of material thickness
Supported MaterialsStainless Steel, Copper, Tungsten, Titanium, Kovar, Invar, Molybdenum, Various Nickel Alloys and More
Volume FlexibilityPrototyping –  High-Volume Production
Secondary ServicesBonding, Plating, Forming, Finishing, Brazing, Packaging, and More
Quality CertificationsAS9100 and ISO9001:2015 Certified, ITAR Registered and RoHS Compliant

Industries That We Serve

Aerospace
Medical
Defense
Semiconductor
Telecommunications

What We Get Asked the Most (FAQs)

Typically, 2-4 weeks with expedited options available, depending on the project’s complexity and material availability

Absolutely, we offer comprehensive assistance throughout the process. Our engineers are ready to help you solve your challenges.

  • DXF, DWG, STEP, and SLDDRW, among other commonly used file formats.
  • Baluns, Screens, Needles, Circuits, Blades, Solder masks, Labels, Clamps, Standoffs, Battery Switches, Diaphragms, Plates, Boxes, Flow Cell, Springs, Grids, Ion Funnels, Shadow Masks, Circuit Boards, Leadframes, Baffles, Combs, Shields, Heatsinks, Stencils, Electrodes, Clips, Sensors, Lenses, Funnels, Ion Accelerators, Couplers, Ribs, PCBs, Flexes, Flanges, Contacts, Gaskets, BusBars, Microstrip Contacts, Transistors, Covers, Collimators, Terminals, Heat Spreaders, Retainers, Bars, Pins, Actuators, Filters, Brackets, Carriers, Apertures, Frames, Pole Pieces, Encoders, Shims, Cathodes, Stiffeners, Probes, Masks, Microstrips, Spacers, Battery Tabs, Straps, Discs, Lids, Polarizers, Rings, Washers, Antennas

What Separates E-Fab from the Rest?

With over 40 years of photochemical etching expertise, E-Fab delivers precision, consistency, and reliability across every project we contribute to. Our U.S.-based facility as well as other TPC facilities are  ISO 9001:2015 certified, ITAR certified, and RoHS compliant, ensuring that we maintain the highest quality standards for all the components we produce.

We offer rapid prototyping, scalable production, and the flexibility to work with a wide range of metals and alloys. From initial design collaboration to final delivery, our responsive engineering team partners closely with our customers to ensure that we support the exact requirements of their objectives.

Ready to Launch Your Next Metal Etching Project?

Whether you are a seasoned veteran who knows exactly what they need, or you could use some additional resources like our Design Guide, E-Fab is ready when you are to produce complex parts through our photochemical machining process, that we’ve spent decades mastering.

We look forward to supporting your mission and the opportunity to work together, Request a Quote today to get the conversation started.

If you need a capability that we do not offer at E-Fab, please let us know, and we will connect you with a TPC company that can help.

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