Photo-etch businesses

General Discussion General Modeling Discussion
1

Hi,

I’ve been searching for photo-etching firms that accept projects from small commercial businesses. I’m hoping someone here might be able to provide leads.

I’ve searched Thomas Register online and will make phone calls from info culled there.

GMM, I believe, contracts with Plano models, which is not accepting new business.

Fotocut in New York state isn’t equipped to handle electronic files.

I have yet to hear from Indiana Micro Etch in response to a query made by me.

I hope someone has suggestions. Thank you much,

Brian Chapman
Granger Roads
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

2

If your project is hobby related, you might try TOM’S MODELWORKS.
http://www.tomsmodelworks.com/
Ray

3

Ray, thank you for this tip. I’ll contact Tom’s Modelworks and discover what he’s about . . . primarily ships, I take it. BB61 Rules! <g

Thanks again,

Brian Chapman

4

PE is the same process used to make electronic circuit boards. Try them, I know from my own experience that most will work to small orders.
Good luck,
Bruce

5

" . . . work to small orders." Music to my ears. Thanks, Bruce.

Brian Chapman

6

Have you given any thought to doing your own? Check at Radio Shack, they have kits and supplies for that sort of thing

7

I’ve built a replica of Randy Gordan-Gilmore’s power spray etching unit. Also have a vacuum/UV exposure unit and am using special laser paper on which to print masks at 1200 dpi. But, I’ve still got problems.

  1. Fine detail etching requires non-stretch, high-resolution film output to create accurate and unvarying photo masks. Such service is almost impossible to find today, what with the direct-to-plate process that seems to have swept the printing industry.

  2. Applying the photo resist to the metal to be etched is problematic, too. Although yesterday I may have finally found a procedure that works well with minimal bubbles/wrinkles in the applied photo resist.

All this is fine for prototyping but not the best for low volume commercial production. I do thank you for your reply and suggestion . . . I should have mentioned earlier that I do produce some photo etch work. Sincerely,

Brian Chapman

8

Brian,

I don’t know why you didn’t receive a response from Indiana Micro Etch but I would give them another call. Ask for Dennis. His number is (574)293-3342. I have done business with them and they are set up to us AutoCAD files. They do very good quality work and their lead time was rather quick. I also feel that their prices are very reasonable as well as their tooling charges. It’s worth giving them another chance.

Rusty

9

Rusty,

I phoned Dennis at Micro Etch last Thursday, I think it was. He hadn’t yet looked at the AutoCad file I sent to him but did so while I was on the phone with him. Said he would get back to me; hasn’t yet.

Maybe this is a particularly busy time for him. Hope he gets back to me.

Thank you much,

Brian

Brian Chapman