Precision engineering refers to the fabrication of micro-products and elements with various techniques and processes. Standard precision engineering technologies include Electroforming, Photo Chemical Etching, Laser Micro Machining, Laser Cutting, Micro Stamping, etc.
(1) Electroforming
Electroforming is an additive manufacturing process specialized for producing high-precision metal parts. Its uniqueness is that you can grow metal parts atom by atom, providing extreme accuracy and high aspect ratios.
The electroforming process allows extremely precise duplication of the mandrel. The high resolution of the conductive patterned substrate allows finer geometries, tighter tolerances, and superior edge definition. This results in perfect process control, high-quality production, and very high repeatability. This makes electroforming perfectly suitable for low-cost production and high volumes.
To learn more about Electroforming, download our Electroforming Whitepaper here.
(2) Chemical Etching
Chemical Etching (also known as Photo-Chemical Machining (PCM) and Chemical Milling) is as precise as it is quick and economical. Complicated, multi-level, multi-feature, high-precision parts can be produced without the need for expensive tooling or machinery.
Compared to ‘traditional’ machine processes such as CNC Machining, Stamping, Pressing, and Wire Erosion and even more ‘contemporary’ processes such as Laser Cutting and Electro-Chemical Machining, Chemical Etching with its flexible tooling and scalability provide you with an extremely competitive alternative right through from prototyping to large scale production. Rapid prototypes can be produced from your drawings in a matter of days.
Chemical etching is a precisely reproducible process, tolerances quoted on etched features on your parts will typically be +/- 10% of the material thickness.
To learn more about Chemical Etching, visit the website of our sister company Tecan.
(3) Laser Micro Machining
Laser Micromachining, also known as laser plating or laser milling, is an accurate material ablation process at the micron level. It is a form of laser processing in which the material to be processed is transferred from solid to gaseous in a concise pulse duration.
- A wide range of materials is possible
- No heat-affected zone
- High accuracy (at micron level)
- Capability with various shapes
(4) Laser Cutting
Laser Cutting has proven to be a widely used modern production process with applications in a variety of industries. Laser cutting has numerous advantages over traditional mechanical cutting or plasma cutting. It is at a higher precision level with laser cutting, especially in the long run since the laser beam doesn’t wear during the process.
- High accuracy (+/- 3 microns)
- High cutting speed
- The small heat-affected zone (HAZ)
- Small cutting width
- Burr free
- High reliability and repeatability
- Wide range of material options
(5) Micro Stamping
Stamping, also known as pressing, is a manufacturing process that places flat sheet metal into a stamping press, where a tool and die surface form the metal into the desired shape. The trend of miniaturization has driven the industry to the micro-level, which is referred to as Micro Stamping. Compared to Stamping, or Micro Stamping, Electroforming has a shorter lead time, lower costs, better quality, and more design flexibility.
See an overview of the different technologies here.
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