Since 1965, we have photochemically etched high-quality precision Aluminum parts for critical applications. At Microphoto, customer satisfaction is our utmost priority. Compliant with ISO9001, our robust quality management system ensures every etched-metal part meets applicable industry standards and project specifications. We are registered with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, or ITAR, enabling us to perform etched-metal services for manufacturers that support U.S. military and space agencies.
We source material from trustworthy mills and compliance is verified upon arrival. Quality control personnel use precise testing and inspection equipment. All orders are audited for accuracy before shipment. Microphoto has quality and delivery ratings consistently exceeding 99%.
Our team transforms aluminum into precision parts with photochemical etching, which is also referred to as chemical etching or photo etching. In this process, chemical etchants are cut into unprotected areas of a metal surface to create a design or image according to your specifications.
Unlike traditional stamping, our process produces aluminum components that are burr-free, stress-free, and without any recast layers that can result from laser cutting or WEDM processing.
With a soft and silvery-white appearance, aluminum is considered the world’s most abundant metals. It naturally generates a protective thin oxide coating that protects against degradation. This material also has a long life and is completely recyclable, making it environmentally friendly.
Aluminum easily binds with other elements like iron, silicon, copper, magnesium, manganese, and zinc. As a result, alloyed aluminum has a range of characteristics.
Pure and alloyed aluminum is made into components found in everyday and critical applications, from automobile accessories and electrical wiring systems to appliances and aerospace parts. Here are common aluminum alloy grades:
When applications require components manufactured from strong-but-lightweight materials, aluminum and its alloys are often the metals of choice. Turning this high-performance material into precision piece parts can be tough, however.
Manufacturing with aluminum can cause a number of obstacles, such as Aluminum’s ductility causes galling and pick-up when machined, high heat reflectivity makes it challenging to laser cut, and the material also work-hardens when punched. These issues can lead to nonconforming products, which can cause unwanted downtime or, worse, premature failure.
With Microphoto, however, these issues are of no concern. An innovative photochemical etching process and unmatched dedication to craftsmanship, ingenuity, and quality enable us to transform aluminum into complex parts quickly and effectively. Contact us today!
Talk to a technical engineer about your project.