Photochemical machining (PCM) is a precision manufacturing process that blends chemistry and photolithography to produce intricate metal components without mechanical stress or heat distortion. For engineers seeking high accuracy, design flexibility, and cost-effective scalability, PCM offers a compelling alternative to traditional machining methods.
Photochemical machining is a subtractive process that uses photoresist and chemical etchants to selectively remove metal from thin sheets. Unlike laser cutting or stamping, PCM is non-contact and non-thermal, preserving the integrity of the material.
Photochemical machining offers several engineering advantages that make it ideal for high-precision applications:
PCM is widely used across industries where precision and complexity are important:
To optimize your design for PCM, consider the following:
Typical range: 0.0005" to 0.060". Thinner materials allow for finer detail.
Minimum feature size depends on material thickness, but features as small as 0.001" are achievable.
Standard tolerances are ±10% of material thickness. Tighter tolerances may be possible with optimized designs.
PCM produces clean, burr-free edges ideal for functional and aesthetic applications.
If you're an engineer or product developer looking to push the boundaries of precision and efficiency, photochemical machining could be the solution you've been searching for.
Our team specializes in turning complex designs into high-performance components, quickly, affordably, and with unmatched precision.
Contact us today to discuss your project or request a free design consultation.