Photochemical Machining

Photochemical machining also known as photochemical milling or photo etching. is the process of fabricating sheet metal components using etchants or a photo resist, to machine away selected areas by corrosion. Photochemical machining started in the 1960s and was an offshoot of the printed circuit board industry. Photochemical machining is commonly used to produce highly complex components, with fine detail and accuracy. Photochemical machining can be used on practically any commercially available alloy or metal such as brass, copper, nickel, steel, stainless steel and titanium. Photochemical machining is used in a wide range of industrial applications, some of which are heat sinks, metal gaskets, flexible heating elements, pressure membranes, springs and electrical contacts.