During metalworking, the quality of the manufactured components is often impaired by stresses in the material.
As the name suggests, thermal stresses form when heat is released during metalworking. This problem occurs primarily during laser cutting. The heat development can be so strong that the material deforms. Even if these deformations are only slight, e.g. in the 1/3 micrometer range, laser-processed components often no longer meet the strict quality requirements placed on these parts.
Mechanical stresses, on the other hand, are typical for punching. In this process, the desired components are cut out of the sheet metal using punches, creating compressive or tensile stresses on the top or bottom of the processed sheet metal. These can extend from the cut edge far into the workpiece, have a detrimental effect on the flatness of the metal sheets and ultimately also impair the quality of the punched blanks. In the case of precision parts, such shortcomings must be overcome or, even better, avoided from the outset.
Of course, ways of reducing these stresses have already been sought. Thermally induced stresses have already been the subject of numerous studies. Today, it is therefore possible to predict exactly how strong they will be so that they can be dealt with more effectively.
Precision Micro believes that the real problem lies in the traditional sheet metal processing methods themselves.
Photochemical etching allows manufacturers to produce precision-engineered and stress-free components. The problems mentioned above, i.e. the heat generated during laser cutting and the compressive and tensile stresses observed during punching and other mechanical processes, do not occur in the first place. This means that undesirable deformation no longer occurs. There is no need for any post-treatment to meet the required quality specifications.
In photo etching, a sheet is laminated with a CAD-printed photo mask and then exposed to light. This creates an acid-resistant surface on selected areas, while the exposed areas dissolve after spraying with an acid solution. Photo etching is therefore a process in which the sheet metal is not exposed to mechanical or thermal stress. It also allows very individual design options and guarantees a high level of repeat accuracy. Consequently, it is ideally suited to the production of complex components of the highest
quality.
Compared to the conventional processes of laser cutting and punching, photo etching also offers manufacturers the advantage, which should not be underestimated, that the components can be repeatedly adapted to OEM specifications without great effort.
can be adapted to the OEM's specifications without great effort.
