Photochemical Machining

• High-resolution complex components
• Through-etch for discrete components
• Partial-etch for blade sharpening
• Tight tolerance (± 10 microns)

• Through-etch feature minimum size is equal to the material thickness plus 0.025 mm
• Standard through-feature tolerance is ± 15% of metal thickness
• Critical through-feature tolerance is ± 10% of metal thickness (±0.010 mm min)
• Standard center-to-center tolerance is ± 0.010 mm

• Partial-etch thickness reduction capability is available for single or multiple areas and depths
• Standard partial-etch features are 65% reduction in material thickness (0.025 mm min)
• Standard partial-etch depth tolerance is ± 10% of metal thickness removed (± 0.004 mm min)

• Thickness range: 0.025 mm – 0.780 mm
• Standard sheet size: 12″x27″ (305 mm x 686 mm)
• Capable of etching sheets up to 20” x 27” (508 mm x 686 mm)

• High-volume manufacturing
• On-site automation and tooling team to iterate and scale quickly
• Glass photo tools for precision high-volume capability
• Experts in advanced etching techniques such as surface texturing and partial depth etching

• Applications include:
  • Minimally invasive tissue dissection
  • Peripheral artery disease catheters for angioplasty
• Benefits:
  • No heat-affected zones
  • Tight tolerances from cutting edge to proximal features
  • Supports complex geometries

We perform photochemical machining on the following metals:

• Stainless steel
• Nitinol
• Copper

Innovators developing groundbreaking medical devices rely on our photochemical machining capabilities to create new technologies that advance treatment options and improve patient lives. Market applications for components and implants produced with our photochemical machining process include, but are not limited to:

• Neurovascular
• Ophthalmic
• Diabetes
• Electrophysiology
• Minimally invasive surgery
• Neuromodulation
• Surgical Robotics
• Sports medicine

WHITEPAPER

Photochemical Machining:
How It Works & Key Advantages in Medical Device Manufacturing

Discover the power of photochemical machining (PCM) and its revolutionary impact on the medical device industry. This whitepaper provides a comprehensive overview of PCM, including its intricate processes, remarkable benefits, and vital considerations for engineers.