Chemical etching for automotive

CHEMICAL ETCHING in THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR


Photofab are a specialist supplier to the automotive industry. Chemical etching is an ideal solution for the manufacture of certain specialist automotive parts. With over 50 years of experience manufacturing for the automotive industry, we understand what it takes – with part integrity being critical to ensure safety.

The range of products we produce for the automotive industry is vast, from shims and spacers in F1 engines, to tread plates and vehicles to speaker grilles on many well-known premium vehicles. We have also helped produce fuel cell plates to develop zero emission hydrogen vehicles.

We have worked with a number of high-profile manufacturers in their pursuits of automotive excellence. We understand the specific needs of the automotive industry, such as demand cycles changing – we are always reacting the fast-paced industry and reacting to demand leaving you with a constantly stable supply of exactly what you need. We can produce components in a range of metals, including steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper alloys and nickel alloys. You can read our full range of materials on this page.

For more information on how we can reduce your costs & improve lead time contact our dedicated account managers on 01480 226699 or email enquiries@photofab.co.uk.

Download our brochure to see what Photofab brings to the automotive sector:

Automotive - Photofab
Automotive - Photofab

Engine Management

We can assist in producing parts for engine management and we work with some of the leading designers across the industry. The items we photo etch may not be the most technical elements of the engine design, but the critical benefits provided by photo etching enable other aspects of the design to function as intended. This includes damping shims for fuel injection, spacers and washers for Formula 1 cars, gaskets, flexures and so much more.

Automotive - Photofab
Fuel cell chemical etching

Fuel Cell Plates

Photofab have worked with many leading car manufacturers in the quest for zero emissions through fuel cell plate technology, commonly used in hydrogen powered vehicles. Photo etching as a process provides the ability to combine fine features, controlled etched channels and high accuracy. Photofab can assist in the development of bipolar fuel cell plates.

The development of fuel cell plates can be seen in various applications from cars and airplanes through to domestic boilers. They all have one thing in common – the quest for efficiency, and the hope of gaining competitive advantage over their competitors.

Automotive R&D

Photofab can assist in research and development in the automotive sector. We have worked work with small design houses through to many of the leading car manufacturers across the globe. How do manufactures make their vehicles stand out in a highly competitive marketplace? Design! Turning moving from A to B into a real experience. Designers need parts that allow them to bring their vision to life. Nobody is better suited to this than Photofab, as we have experience in bringing designs into production from every stage – including from simple sketches!

Automotive Components

  • Busbars
  • Shims
  • Gaskets
  • Speaker Grilles
  • Tread Plates

Fuel Injectors

Actuators

Contacts

Terminals

RFI Shielding

Metals Suitable for Chemical Etching

The foundation of the component is the metal.


Photofab take great care in the selection of the right metal for the component application. Wherever possible, Photofab use a special photo-etching grade, which is more uniform in thickness and flatter than normal stock. Our engineers and metallurgists will be pleased to advise on the grade of metal suitable for your application.

An extensive range of metals in various degrees of hardness and thickness are held in stock ready to meet a Rapid Delivery service. Metal thickness of 0.005 to 1.5 mm is suitable for through etching, while any thickness of sheet material can be surface etched.

The following list of metals is suitable for chemical etching and forming, and many are held in stock. If you don’t see what you need, please telephone us on 01480 226699 or contact us using the form below.

metal-stainless-steel

Stainless Steels

Austenitic (301, 302, 304, 316, S526, S527), Martensitic (321, 410, 420), Precipitation Hardened (17/7), Heat Resisting (309, 310)


metal-other-steels

Other Steels

Mild Steel, Carbon Steel, Tool Steel, Spring Steel, Transil, Losil.


nickel-alloys

Nickel Alloys

Nichrome, Mu Metal, Nickel Copper (70/30), Inconel, Nickel Brazing Foil.


metal-nickel-iron-alloys

Nickel/Iron Alloys

Invar, Alloy 42, Kovar, Radio Metal.


metal-copper

Copper

Tough Pitch 101, Oxygen free – High Conductivity.


metal-copper-alloy

Copper Alloys

Brass, Phosphor Bronze, Beryllium Copper, Nickel Silver, Ferry Constantan.


metal-aluminium

Aluminium and Aluminium Alloys


metal-silver

Silver and Alloys

Silver, Silver Alloys, Silver/Copper, Silver/Palladium, Silver Brazing Alloys.


DEDICATED engineering

Photofab understands the importance of skilled engineering when designing components and putting them into production. Therefore, we have heavily invested in a dedicated secondary engineering unit, the aim of this is to offer an even greater service and flexibility to our customers.

Originally set up to provide an in-house solution to support the etching division, it has proven so popular with our customers that Photofab are now offering toolroom, forming and finishing as stand-alone services. This means our customers now have access to a new level of flexibility – enjoying the convenience of full-service manufacture or pick and choose services to suit them. It truly is a complete service from Photofab.

Photofab continues to offer cutting-edge services and outstanding lead times, and we can do so because of continuous investment in our people and our processes, leading to class-leading output and lead times – including our rapid 24 hour turnaround service.

photofab metal forming

Automotive - Photofab

The benefits of
working with Photofab

We are world leaders in the development of photochemical technology to produce intricately shaped components. We have produced over 70,000 different components over the years and are highly regarded for our chemical etching process. Our engineers at Photofab offer many services that you can find here, and will offer advice to improve the product and reduce the costs.

Photofab 24h quotes

24-hour quotation service

Photofab account managers

Dedicated account managers

Photofab rapid manufacturing

Rapid manufacturing service

Photofab cost-effective

Cost saving stock of uni-tooling

Photofab etch fold

Etched fold lines for tool-free forming

Photofab chain management

Full manufacturing service and supply chain management

Photofab support

Access to manufacturing and technical advice and expertise

Photofab accreditation

Quality accredited to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and SC21 Bronze

Photofab customer service

The Photofab difference


One of the key reasons Photofab enjoy its customer retention and longevity is the team of dedicated account managers. This ‘single point of contact’ throughout the whole process, ensures a personal service, and pride in the quality and reliability of the entire Photofab service.

Customers rely on their dedicated contacts’ understanding and in-depth knowledge of their specific requirements and know the highest standards will always be met using the most efficient and cost-effective methods.

This consistent customer service is the foundation of our customer loyalty and is maintained throughout every department and every stage of production. Put us to the test for your next project and call one of our account managers on 01480 226699 or use our customer enquiry form, we would love to hear from you.


start your production journey today

If you are looking to find a complete service include dedicated engineering to design and implement your solution, get in touch with us. You’ll be allocated your own dedicated account manager who is always on hand to advise and take care of everything for you. Call Photofab on 01480 226699 or contact us now to see how Photofab can add an extra dimension to your manufacturing project. Keep up to date by following us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

photo etching digital tooling

TAKE A LOOK AT OTHER

SECTORS PHOTOFAB Supplies


Chemical etching for the scientific sector

Scientific

The scientific sector shares many similarities with that of the life sciences sector. They are both reliant on the constant innovation of technology to be able to power their research goals.

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Photofab chemical etching for the life sciences sector

Life Sciences

Photofab is proud to offer components vital to the life sciences sector in a cost-effective manner through our chemical etching services.

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Chemical etching for communications sector

Communications

Chemical etching can be a crucial process in the manufacture of communications equipment.

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Photofab chemical etching for the medical sector

Medical

Chemical etching offers a cost-effective way to mass produce small, intricate components for use in devices such as ventilators, but also in many other medical devices.

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Chemical etching for product development

Product Development

The UK is one of the world leaders in design and development. Photofab is proud to support this sector, offering many options for designing and bringing a product into reality.

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Renewable energy

Renewables & renewable energy

Chemical etching is a clean, environmentally friendly manufacturing process that produces minimal waste and has a low carbon footprint.

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Chemical etching for automotive

Automotive

Photofab are a specialist supplier to the automotive industry. Chemical etching is an ideal solution for the manufacture of certain specialist automotive parts.

Find out more
Chemical etching for the optical sector

Optical

Photofab are highly experienced within the optical sector. The most typical components we produce for optical use are encoder discs and actuators.

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Chemical etching for aerospace

Aerospace and Defence

Photofab have an established background in meeting the needs of the Aerospace and Defence sectors. The chemical etching process is ideal for producing components that are used in critical applications.

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Automotive - Photofab

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