Orbel is the leading manufacturer of thin gauge, tight tolerance photo etched metal components.
Photo Etching (also referred to as Photo Chemical Milling, Metal Etching, Chemical Machining and Photo Fabrication) allows us to produce the most intricate metal parts while maintaining extremely tight tolerances. This process provides a fast and cost effective approach to produce a wide variety of precision fabricated metal parts. One side, two side, and step etching processes are utilized on a daily basis.
Quick-Turn Prototyping & Production Requirements.
Orbel's state-of-the-art photo etching facility is designed to handle prototyping through volume production and uses the latest manufacturing techniques. In addition to highly sophisticated etching equipment, our production is supported by in-house photo plotting and artwork development. This industry-leading approach enables us to provide our customers with consistent products for any demanding application, from concept to shipment, in a matter of days.
Photo Etch Fabrication Lines
Forming and Plating Capabilities
In addition to Orbel vast photo etching experience, we also specialize in metal forming and finishing. Orbel can form any material we etch by use of our universal tooling which reduces tooling costs to our customers when developing custom formed metal parts. Orbel also offers in-house plating capabilities with 23 different types of metal finishes to meet any plating requirements.
Photo Etching Process
Orbel's photo etching process starts by the metal being coated with a photo resist and exposed to a controlled UV light source. This will leave an image identical to the tooling (artwork) on the resist. The material is then developed and the unexposed areas are stripped away leaving the bare metal to be etched away on an automatic etch line. Depending on what further processing needs to be done, parts can be made as individual "drop-outs" or can be left suspended in sheet form by tabs. The Photo Etching process can be performed on practically any type of metal. It is especially suited for thin foils where dimensional tolerances are required.
Photo Etching Advantages
- Low tooling cost and allows for quick design modifications
- No stress or work hardening
- No burrs or tooling wear
- Photo tooling costs are much less than typical tooling methods
Photo Etch UV Development
Orbel Advantages
- Extensive experience etching and forming beryllium copper, stainless steel, copper alloys, phosphor bronze, brass, nickel silver, MuMetal, and other materials
- Etching metal thicknesses from 0.0007" to 0.032"
- Etching panel sizes as large as 24"x72"
- Dedicated design and prototype departments
- Fast turnaround on prototypes and production
- Additional operations include forming, heat treating, and electroplating services
Photo Etching Applications
Orbel has produced parts for a variety of applications utilizing our photo etching technology. Our products are used by many of the world’s largest OEM’s in various industries including military, medical, automotive, energy storage, solar, telecommunications, instrumentation, wireless and microwave.
- EMI/RFI Shielding
- Board Level Shielding
- Actuator Springs
- Antennas
- Brackets, Washers
- Contacts
- Diaphragms
- Electrical Connectors
- Encoder Disks
- Filters, Screens, Sieves
- Flat Springs, Lead Frames
- Heat Sinks
- Shims, Spacers
- Signs, Plaques, Nameplates
Design Capabilities
- We offer design consultation with strong engineering and project management teams
- Typical turnaround time for a quote is less than 24 hours
- In-house photo tooling capability
We accept data files in any of the following formats to quickly develop photo tooling:
- SolidWorks
- .STP
- .IGES
- AutoCAD
- .DWG
- .DXF
