Photochemical machining (PCM), also known as chemical etching and photochemical milling, is a process that produces complex, burr-free, thin sheet metal components using selective masking and acid to precisely remove material. Widely recognized as a leader in precision thin-metal etching, our PCM techniques use a strategic combination of exclusively designed equipment and patented processing techniques.
Vertically integrated nitinol supply chain, from Melt to Market™
Collaborative engineering & advanced manufacturing for market-ready solutions
Advanced manufacturing technologies, purpose-built equipment, and vertically integrated capabilities.
Technology to collect critical data and power implantable medical devices.
Focused solutions for MedTech and life sciences
Photochemical Machining
Photochemical Machining Features
- High-resolution complex components
- Through-etch for discrete components
- Partial-etch for blade sharpening
- Tight tolerance (± 10 microns)
Through-Etch Feature Tolerances
- 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 Feature Tolerances
- 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)
Substrate Size/Thickness
- 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)
Capabilities
- 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
Chemically Etched Blades and Sharps
- 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
PCM Materials
We perform photochemical machining on the following metals:
- Stainless steel
- Nitinol
- Copper
Key Markets
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
Unlocking the Potential of Photochemical Machining
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.
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