Evening all.

I'm trying to find out a bit about photo-etching or chemical etching. Does anyone know of any companies/places that can etch thin sheet metal (eg brass, or steel sheet) down to rther small sizes?

I'm not sure what the limits of accuracy and feature sizes using this process, so I was hoping that somebody might know something, or knows somebody who does!

Basically, I am looking to get some very small holes cut in some very thin sheet metal....

Cheers
Andy

hi andy i have a series of 2 articles recent in model engineers workshop magazine which i can scan for you if i can find them, they detail the process and even go as far to show you a diy method.

Tried etching Aluminium with caustic soda (drain cleaner) - it works but clarity is a bit suspect - and takes ages.

[Edited on 11/12/05 by Genesis]

Have a look at Tecan. We use them at work and they do some fantastic fine detail work but its not cheap especially for small quantities.

http://www.tecan.co.uk/UK/

or here, used these in the past

http://www.photofab.co.uk/quicktour/company.htm

[Edited on 11/12/05 by wicket]

[Edited on 11/12/05 by wicket]

Maplins sell kits to etch your own PCB's etc
Not sure if its a similar process but might be worth a look

what about spark erosion, any good?

Thanks for the replies folks. I've looked into all the DIY stuff, and none of it seems to be capable of the accuracy I am looking for.

I'm basically after some custom encoder wheels and filters for a custom CNC machine I am starting to design. To keep the encoder size reasonable, and keep the accuracy reasonable, I need to cram a lot of small apertures in a small space. the holes size could do with being as low as 0.35mm, depending on the size of the encoder wheel.

Thanks for the suggestions though (especially those links wicket. I've already emailed them to enquire!)

cheers
Andy

PS. I'm interested in hearing more about this DIY etching of ally panels using caustic soda!