The need for smaller, intricate, and accurate metal parts is growing every day. Chemical etching companies are playing a vital role in various sectors such as the medical, aerospace, electronic, etc. Unlike stamping and mechanical machining, chemical etching is a stress-free process. Chemical etching companies have devised a quality system that can transform raw metal sheets into vital parts.
In this article, we’ll explore five photochemical etching companies, including Conard Corporation, Precision Micro, MET Manufacturing Group, TMNEtch, and BE-CU Etch, and compare the chemical etching services they offer.
5 Best Chemical Etching Companies
1.TMNetch
Among the photochemical etching companies listed, TMNetch stands out for custom solutions and a very close relationship with customers. The company shines with unusual materials and complex geometries that stump traditional manufacturing. Their veteran engineers take on manufacturing challenges that others can’t.
Key Features
- Manufacturing capabilities for materials from 0.002 to 0.060 inches thick
- Tolerances as fine as ±0.0005 inches on critical dimensions
- Finely detailed internal details and undercuts in a single operation
- Variations in thickness on single parts
- Finishes on surfaces to meet medical device requirements
- Design optimization advisory from the concept development stage
- Material selection advice and qualification testing
Pros
- Coordinate measuring machines and optical inspection systems provide quality verification
- Each part is dimensionally verified before shipment
- Statistical process control information is kept up to date for all production runs
- Extensive experience in medical device components with FDA understanding in compliance
- Technical assistance is offered throughout the entire project process
- Work done on prototypes and low-volume specialty applications on a willingness basis
2. Conard Corporation
Conard Corporation is a chemical etching firm that has been providing photochemical etching services for over 50 years. Founded in 1965, they are based in Glastonbury, Connecticut, and they supply the aerospace, automotive, power generation, and medical sectors. Their products meet the high-quality level these sectors demand.
Key Features
- Specialty in aluminum etching with the capability for complex multi-level components
- As close as ±0.001 inches in tolerances
- Precision placement within ±0.001 inches
- Secondary operations and assembly capabilities
- AS9100/ISO 9001 certifications and ITAR listing
- Parts from 0.020″ diameter up to 24″ x 58″
Pros:
- More than 50 years of photochemical etching experience and knowledge
- Extensive engineering support from design through production optimization
- State-of-the-art equipment and environmental controls for reliable results
- Flexibility in scheduling to meet tight project deadlines
- Complete secondary operations minimize the use of multiple vendors
- Long-standing reputation in aerospace and medical markets
Cons
- Not appropriate for parts with sharp internal angles or deeply etched pockets having vertical sidewalls
- Has slightly undercut mask sizes owing to lateral etching behavior
- Process drawbacks owing to chemical etching not being very well known and poorly understood by most customers
- Increased expense in smaller prototype production runs versus high-volume runs
3. Precision Micro
Following the photochemical etching companies list is Precision Micro, located at its top-grade processing plant in Birmingham, UK, and specializes in complex components with tolerances to ±0.025mm. They operate in the automotive, aerospace, medical, and industrial markets, manufacturing more than 60 million high-precision metal components per annum.
Key Features
- Stainless steel components up to 1.5mm thick processing capability
- Copper and brass precision parts manufacturing
- Clean room facility specifically designed for medical applications
- Advanced measuring equipment for thorough quality control
- Rapid prototyping with parts delivered in days as opposed to weeks
- Hybrid laser cutting and CNC machining manufacturing capabilities
- Over 60 million parts capacity for high-volume production
Pros
- Speed differentiation with rapid prototyping development for quicker time-to-market
- Single-source supplier consolidating several manufacturing processes in a single facility
- A clean room environment guarantees precise results in medical and semiconductor uses
- Dimensional inspection of every batch with strict adherence to quality standards
- Dominant presence in automotive, aerospace, and medical industries
- Proven history with high-volume production experience
Cons
- Limited thickness capability to 1.5mm maximum in stainless steel
- The UK location can cause shipping delays and expenses to North American customers
- High-volume production emphasis may not be suitable for customers requiring specialized low-volume runs
- Tolerance specifications are not as specific as some competitors at ±0.025mm compared to ±0.001″
4. MET Manufacturing Group, LLC
MET Manufacturing Group is based in Mishawaka, Indiana. They produce precision metal parts that cannot economically be made with any other process. They’ve built their reputation on quality and customer service.
Key Features
- ISO 9001:2015 certification with fully detailed quality systems
- Fixture and tool design capabilities are internally managed
- Statistical process control monitoring throughout the production
- Full job documentation and traceability on repeat orders
- Standard alloys processing: stainless steel, copper, brass
- Specialty materials experience: titanium, Inconel, Kovar
- Emphasis on electronics industry parts such as circuit boards and heat sinks
Pros
- Solid engineering personnel collaborate directly with customers for design optimization
- Detailed record-keeping allows for repeated order fulfillment
- Total process monitoring from receipt of raw material through final inspection
- Affordable solutions for precision metal parts hard to produce anywhere else
- Proven proficiency in electronics and industrial control systems
- Prototype and production volume capabilities with complete traceability
Cons
- Primarily electronics industry-oriented, which could restrict knowledge in other markets
- The Indiana location would not be convenient for customers on the West Coast
- A smaller company size than its larger rivals could impact capacity during high demand
- Limited marketing presence means that they are less recognized in the wider market
5. BE-CU Etch
BE-CU Etch is among the photochemical etching businesses that provide competitive pricing with quality specifications. Their photochemical etching serves a variety of industries, from automotive sensors to medical implant components. They have projects of any size with a proven track record.
Key Features
- A variety of surface finishes and treatments are offered
- Rapid prototyping services for fast turnaround
- High-volume production capacity for bulk orders
- International shipping and logistics coordination
- Design upload and quoting web portal for ease
- Digital workflow management software integration
- Automated quality reporting systems with real-time tracking
- Multi-lingual engineering workforce familiar with global standards
Pros
- A competitive pricing structure makes services accessible to various budget levels
- Digital integration streamlines ordering and production monitoring processes
- Global reach with multi-lingual support and international shipping capabilities
- Design review and manufacturability recommendations help optimize costs
- Automation technology ensures consistent quality with reduced lead times
- Versatile project handling from small prototypes to high-volume production
Cons
- Global operations can pose communication issues across time zones
- Focusing on competitive pricing can come at the expense of premium service levels
- Less established reputation than longer-term industry leaders
- Consistency of quality may differ between various production facilities
- Limited specialization in narrow, high-precision industries such as aerospace or medical devices
Conclusion
Chemical etching companies continue to develop to address precision needs in various industries. Each photochemical etching business covered has something unique to contribute to the industry. When selecting chemical etching services, keep in mind your particular requirements: material needs, tolerance requirements, volume requirements, and schedule limitations.
TMNetch is especially beneficial for businesses requiring tailored solutions and specialty applications. They are best suited for applications that call for photochemical etching accuracy and technical superiority.
