Photoetching one-off parts: DIY vs. Paying a company to do it for you

[nilunquamsimile1914Participant @nilunquamsimile1914]

Has anyone here ever paid a company to make photoetch parts for you? How much did your quote cost? Compared to a company that has gigantic industrial photoetching machines can you get similar results by going the DIY route?

[nilunquamsimile1914Participant @nilunquamsimile1914]

I think I posted this question in the wrong board.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Does not matter.

Wht not just get a free instant quote. Upload your file to one of the onlone vendors and you will get an instant price after a few mouse clicks. Price is going to be so dependant on material, thickness, overall size, etc.

Also what type of etching? do you want it part way through like engraving or to actually “cut” right through.

[DC31kParticipant @dc31k]

Perhaps describe or show a drawing of the parts you want. It may be that an alternative production method to photoetching is possible.

If you do go the DIY route, perhaps a commercial entity would cut or produce the mask for you, so DIY and commercial could be a continuum not pick-one-or-the-other.

[Clive Brown 1Participant @clivebrown1]

Any help as a price guide?

https://modelshop.co.uk/Static/Workshop/Photo-Etching

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

As a possible alternative I’m currently doing quite a lot of copper isolation PCBs.  Maybe one could stick metal shim down on a flat surface and engrave through it?

[DalboyParticipant @dalboy]

I want to make some brass plates for the Farm Boy.

I brought some of the stuff which I believe to be all that I need except the Brass which I already have. Now the fun begins

Prices for the small amount I have brought

Ferric Chloride 500ml £8.97

Photo resist film £10.29

A4 transparent film 10 sheets (for printing on) £5.49

Acetone 100ml £4.25

Sodium Carbonate 500g £5.49

Ultraviolet light source £15.19

Dark room light I already had.

Labour whatever I want to charge myself, but the pleasure of doing it myself, just hope it works.

I watched Clickspring.

[umbriagoParticipant @umbriago]

Don’t wish to hijack the thread – just wondered if John Haine would post some information on your isolation milling process, as I have a similar interest.

Thanks.

[Andrew EntwistleParticipant @andrewentwistle]

I have used this company many times through work, about £40 for an approximately A3 sized sheet of 0.5mm stainless steel, if the design is sent as a dxf file.

Andrew.

[Andrew EntwistleParticipant @andrewentwistle]

This company being https://www.ppdltd.com/

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

That looks very decent pricing, Andrew

Thanks … Duly noted for future reference.

MichaelG.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Thank you from me too.

I have added PPD to my index of engineering suppliers.

Rather aptly perhaps my steam-wagon’s water-tank material is thin brass sheet originally screen-printed for photo-etching. Still unpainted, the pattern is still on it, umm, years, later.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

There was an article by Luker in ME on electrically etching nameplates which avoided the use of lots of chemicals, no doubt someone with Google power will find the reference

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Some useful info on that PPD site, The pdf about railway artwork is the type of thing the OP wants to do

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