Capability Guidelines


These guidelines are to help you understand our capability.
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CAD Data – HOW TO SUPPLY YOUR DATA


We can accept the following file formats:

Please supply to our Sales team by email.

  • DWG

  • IGES

  • DXF

  • Gerber

  • Step

  • or fully dimensioned drawing

How to supply your files

  • Please ensure all lines are continuous (no breaks) and all dimensions on nominal.

  • Please provide a scale line on data.

  • For QA inspection measurement we require a drawing with critical features identified.

  • Please clearly identify any ½ etched features and which side of part, detail is required.

MATERIALS, THICKNESSES & SIZES


  • Advanced Chemical Etching (ACE) processes more than 2000 different metal types in a wide range of sheets sizes, thicknesses, finishes and grades.

  • We can also etch special metals on request and work with customer-supplied material. All dimensions & tolerances are a guide only, all subject to metal type, part size, feature and volumes.

Metal Family Thickness range Maximum Sheet Size
Steel & Stainless Steels 0.005mm – 1.5mm 600mm x 1500mm
Nickel & Nickel Alloys 0.01mm – 1.5mm 600mm x 1500mm
Copper & Copper Alloys 0.01mm – 2.0mm 600mm x 1500mm
Aluminium Alloys 0.025mm – 2.5mm 600mm x 1500mm
Titanium & Titanium Alloys 0.01mm – 1.0mm 300mm x 500mm

ETCHING TOLERANCES & FEATURES


Metal Thickness Hole / Slot Size Bar Size Internal Radius External Radius Profile Tolerance Etch Profile Cusp
0.050mm 0.100mm 0.100mm 0.050mm 0.040mm ±0.025mm 10-20% x T
0.100mm 0.110mm 0.110mm 0.100mm 0.080mm ±0.025mm 10-20% x T
0.150mm 0.170mm 0.170mm 0.150mm 0.120mm ±0.025mm 10-20% x T
0.200mm 0.220mm 0.220mm 0.200mm 0.160mm ±0.025mm 10-20% x T
0.250mm 0.275mm 0.275mm 0.250mm 0.200mm ±0.030mm 10-20% x T
0.500mm 0.550mm 0.550mm 0.500mm 0.400mm ±0.055mm 10-20% x T
0.700mm 0.770mm 0.770mm 0.700mm 0.560mm ±0.077mm 10-20% x T
1.000mm 1.100mm 1.100mm 1.000mm 0.800mm ±0.110mm 10-20% x T
1.500mm 1.650mm 1.650mm 1.500mm 1.200mm ±0.165mm 10-20% x T
2.000mm 2.200mm 2.200mm 2.000mm 1.600mm ±0.220mm 10-20% x T

Corner Radii


With photo etching, the smallest inside and outside corner radius achievable is directly proportional to the thickness of the selected metal being processed.
  • A - Outside corner radius – minimum of 75% material thickness

  • B - Inside corner radius – minimum of 100% material thickness

Etching Principle Cusp and Feature Sizes


During etching, the front and back of the metal is attacked simultaneously resulting in an etch cusp, this is usually 10-30% of material thickness.

Advanced Chemical Etching (ACE) controls the process to produce a range of profiles.
Etching Profile
Etch Profiles

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