Photo etching is a process that creates precise metal components by using light and chemicals.
Understanding Photo Etching
Based on the provided reference, photo etching is a manufacturing method used to shape metal. It involves several key steps:
- Image Fixing: An image is first transferred onto a sheet of metal. This is done using ultra-violet light to fix the image onto the metal surface, typically after applying a photoresist coating.
- Chemical Etching: After the image is fixed, chemicals (referred to as etching solution) are applied. This solution selectively removes the metal material that is not protected by the fixed image.
- Material Removal: The etching solution continues to dissolve and remove the metal until the desired shape is achieved. More and more material is removed over time.
- Final Component: The result is a metal component where only the shape defined by the initial image remains. The reference highlights that this process yields a metal component that is "far more precise" than shapes created by cutting methods.
In essence, it's a sophisticated process combining photography principles (using light to transfer an image) and chemical processes (etching) to produce intricate and precise metal parts.
