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This section provides an overview for etching processes as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 11 etching process companies and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked etching process companies as of January, 2025: 1.Conard Corp., 2.Modutek Corporation, 3.PPD Ltd.
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Categories Related to Etching Processes
1987~1991: Engaged in research on wire covering materials at Polymer Materials Laboratory.
1991~1997: Worked as a patent Engineer at Koike International Patent Office.
1997~2005 Worked as an intellectual property member at GE Yokogawa Medical System, currently working as a writer.
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An etching process is a technology to form various patterns by partially dissolving or cutting a specified portion of a metal sheet, which is the material to be processed, to hollow out the specified portion of the sheet, or to make the sheet thinner to a specified thickness.
Etching processes can process complex patterns on extremely thin or small metal sheets with high precision. It is widely used in the manufacture of electronic components, such as semiconductors and medical devices.
In addition to stainless steel, copper, and iron, molybdenum, and titanium are among the materials that can be handled in the etching processes.
The advantage of the etching process is that it can be performed quickly and at a low cost, but it also has the disadvantage of not being suitable for mass production.
The etching processes can be used to process fine patterns that cannot be handled by press working and to process thin work materials with extremely high precision. For this reason, it is used in the manufacture of integrated circuits that make up the aforementioned electronic components, such as semiconductors and medical devices, as well as in the patterning of heater wires (SUS foil) for thin heaters.
Of course, many etched parts are incorporated into products that combine many components, such as electronic devices and automobiles. It is also suitable for the production of products that require precision, such as general household goods, interior design items, and clothing.
In the etching processes, a protective film is formed on a metal plate as the work material, onto which the patterned shape to be fabricated is transferred, and the portions of the metal plate without the protective film are dissolved or cut. The metal sheet is then hollowed out or thinned to a specified thickness to create various pattern shapes.
The actual process includes the following steps:
1. Plate Making Process
Two base plates are created according to the desired pattern shape using CAD. This is to sandwich the material to be processed between the two base plates. At this point, precision is required in the creation of the base plates because any discrepancy in the dimensions of the base plates will greatly affect the quality of the finished product.
2. Laminating Process
This is the process of attaching photoresists to form a protective film on a metal plate, which is the material to be processed. Photoresist is a photosensitive substance that is used in later processes to "transfer the pattern shape to the metal sheet to be processed" and "protect the parts of the metal sheet not to be removed from etching."
Since the degree of adhesion between the metal plate and photoresist greatly affects the quality after processing, the photoresist is generally applied after degreasing and cleaning the metal plate to be processed.
3. Pattern Shape Transfer Process
A metal plate to which photoresist is applied is sandwiched between base plates and irradiated with UV light. The photoresist on the area not shaded by the base plate is then photosensitized, resulting in the pattern shape of the base plate being transferred to the metal plate to be processed.
4. Etching Processes
First, the photoresist is removed from the area to be removed by etching along the pattern that appears on the surface of the workpiece. Then, an etchant that dissolves metal is sprayed on the area, which dissolves only the area where the photoresist has been removed from the metal plate, leaving only the pattern shape. Finally, the photoresist is removed from the entire material to be processed.
There are two types of etching processes: wet etching, which uses etchant as described above, and dry etching, which uses reactive ion gas or plasma gas.
Wet etching is a processing method to obtain a pattern shape by reacting to a chemical solution to a workpiece to which the photoresist has been transferred in a predetermined pattern shape as described above. This method is used in semiconductor manufacturing processes, etc. Wet etching with a badge method, in which multiple workpieces are immersed in a chemical solution, is widely used.
It has the advantage of high productivity because multiple workpieces can be processed simultaneously, but it is not suitable for processing ultra-fine pattern shapes because, in principle, it also erodes and dissolves the underside of the photoresist.
Dry etching is a method of obtaining a predetermined pattern shape by cutting the areas without a photoresist by applying reactive ion gas or plasma gas to a workpiece on which the photoresist has been transferred in a predetermined pattern shape. In dry etching, reactive ion gas or plasma gas is applied perpendicularly to the photoresist to cut the workpiece.
In other words, while wet etching is an isotropic etching process, dry etching is an anisotropic etching process. In principle, the gas erodes perpendicularly to the photoresist, so in dry etching, the gas does not reach the underside of the photoresist as in wet etching, making it more suitable for processing ultra-fine pattern shapes than wet etching.
Etching is often used in the fabrication process of integrated circuits, where three-dimensional structures are deposited in layers. Since the three-dimensional structures that make up integrated circuits have extremely delicate pattern shapes, not only wet etching but also dry etching is used to enable more delicate processing.
It is important to select the appropriate wet etching processes or dry etching processes according to the required productivity and the level of integration (fineness of patterning).
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Advanced Metal Etching, Inc., founded in 1993, is manufacturer based in Ligonier, Indiana, specializing in photochemical etching and laser cutting. The company offers photo chemical etching for manufacturing metals and material products such as aluminum, copper, and stainless steel etching. It also provides fiber laser cutting products to produce sheet metal parts with various dimensions and thickness, along with in-house plating. The company offers hybrid manufacturing, combining chemical etching and laser cutting processes. The company serves various industries, including aerospace, military, automotive, electronics, mechanical manufacturing as well as medical, microelectronics, and radio frequency (RF).
Modutek Corporation, established in 1980 and headquartered in San Jose, California, is a manufacturer specializing in semiconductor wet process equipment and wet bench stations. The company offers an extensive and diverse product portfolio that includes vacuum metal etcher wet process equipment, rotary wafer etching systems, quartz tube cleaning stations, stainless steel solvent stations, and nitride etch baths wet process equipment. These advanced equipment solutions are integral to various semiconductor applications, including silicon wafer cleaning, wafer processing time improvement, and silicon nitride strip processes for the removal of silicon nitride using a hot acid bath.
Thin Metal Parts, started in 1985, is a manufacturer and supplier of custom metal products based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The company collaborates regularly with the aerospace, computer, and electronic industries to manufacture custom precision parts, such as metal codewheels, metal mesh, and print heads, which find applications in both industrial and consumer goods sectors. They utilize a comprehensive range of metal fabrication techniques, including custom laser cutting, electroforming, as well as chemical etching. All products are custom-manufactured and are in compliance with DFARS and RoHS regulations.
Fotomeccanica S.r.l., founded in 1986, is an Italian manufacturer headquartered in Pederobba, Veneto, specializing in the photochemical etching of metals. The company offers manufacturing abilities, particularly chemical etching, a method for engraving metals with detail and precision. It also utilizes optical fiber and carbon-dioxide laser cutting technology. The company combines photo-etching and laser-cutting techniques to achieve perfection in component manufacturing, particularly in micromechanics, microelectronics, and horology. It further offers milling and photoelectric cell reset services for high-precision and surface finishing. The company serves diverse industries, including automotive, engineering, and interior design.
Advanced Chemical Etching Ltd was founded in 2000 and is a manufacturer of precision metal components headquartered in Shropshire, United Kingdom. The company provides photo etching and chemical etching processes for various materials, including stainless steel and copper alloys, along with molecular etching processes for aluminum, titanium, and nitinol. It also offers EMI/RFI shielding, bipolar plates, heat exchangers, filters, and gaskets. These precision photo-etched metal components are utilized by customers in more than 15 sectors, including aerospace, automotive, electronics, and communications.
Tecan Limited is a manufacturer of customized micro-precision parts founded in 1970 and is headquartered in Dorset, United Kingdom. The company specializes in photo chemical machining, photo electroforming, laser cutting, metal finishing, and photolithography. It offers micro-precision parts like encoder discs, lead frames, heat exchangers, electrical connectors, and derma roller microneedles. The company is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified and caters to the medical, automotive, aerospace, communications, and electronics industries. It is a part of the Muon Group, a pioneer in precision etching and manufacturing with companies in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and India.
PPD Ltd is a manufacturer, supplier, and exporter of etched metal sheets founded in 1977 and is located in Argyll, United Kingdom. The company specializes in precision photofabrication, including chemical etching, laser cutting, electroforming, and plating. It also offers laser-cut metal sheets like brass, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and nickel alloys in various thicknesses and sizes. The company also customizes etching and laser cutting services, using Corel, AutoCAD, and Adobe Illustrator according to the client's specifications. It serves diverse markets, such as architecture, model rail, sculpture, jewelry, and electronics.
NSC Co. Ltd. is a developer and manufacturer of chemical etching and processing solutions for glass and metal substrates founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Osaka, Japan. The company offers a range of machines and processes for glass and metal substrates, including chemical etching, anti-glare processing machines, coater, photoresist stripping machines, and DES line devices. It provides a full-range service that covers machine design, fabrication, and installation. The company obtained ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 quality management systems. It caters to various industries, such as semiconductors, electronics, displays, automotive, and medical sectors.
Hirai Seimitsu Kogyo Corporation, established in 1967 and headquartered in Osaka, is a manufacturer and supplier of photo-etched products. The company's product range spans household appliances, manufacturing jigs, automotive electronic components, and metal parts for ceramic packages in communication base stations. These products serve various sectors, including the household appliance industry, manufacturing, automotive, and telecommunications. Beyond products, the company provides services such as photo chemical etching, surface finishing, machining, ceramic processing, and lamination.
Precision Micro Ltd is a manufacturer and supplier of precision-etched metal components established in 1962 and is headquartered in Birmingham, UK. The company specializes in photochemical machining technology. It offers various precision-etched components made from stainless steel, copper, nickel, and aluminum, along with chemical etching and post-etching services. The company is accredited with AS 9100, IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001 quality management systems. It serves the aerospace, automotive, medical, electronics, and telecommunications industries in the UK, USA, and Europe.
Conard Corp., established in 1965, is an AS9100 and ISO 9001-certified precision photochemical manufacturer located in Glastonbury, Connecticut. The company produces photoetched parts in various metal alloys, such as steel, copper, aluminum, and molybdenum. Additionally, the company provides prototyping, engineering, and design services for custom parts. They serve several industries, including the medical, aerospace, and energy industries. Their products are applied in various residential and commercial products, which include sensor and measurement equipment, transistors, wifi devices, and solar panels.
Ranking as of January 2025
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conard Corp. |
17.3%
|
| 2 | Precision Micro Ltd |
13.3%
|
| 3 | Modutek Corporation |
10.7%
|
| 4 | PPD Ltd |
9.3%
|
| 5 | Thin Metal Parts |
9.3%
|
| 6 | Advanced Chemical Etching Ltd |
8.0%
|
| 7 | NSC Co., Ltd. |
8.0%
|
| 8 | Advanced Metal Etching, Inc. |
8.0%
|
| 9 | Fotomeccanica |
6.7%
|
| 10 | Tecan Limited |
5.3%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the etching process page as of January 2025. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United Kingdom
|
4 | 40.0% |
|
United States of America
|
3 | 30.0% |
|
Japan
|
2 | 20.0% |
|
Italy
|
1 | 10.0% |
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