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Photo Etching?

Old 01-10-2006, 01:48 PM
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misterbill
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Default Photo Etching?

I have a project that's needing quite a number of brackets etc., both in brass and possibly stainless, and photo-etching would seem the way to go. They are for large scale flying wire attachment and the like, so need to be cut from suitable weight material. I think it might be a bit heafty for Laser.
Any suggestions of where I could get them done - I have CAD drawings.

Many thanks,
Mike
Old 01-10-2006, 02:41 PM
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Default RE: Photo Etching?

Ship modellers and railway modellers seem to use photo etching.
There was an article in a British magazine in 2005 - it was either Marine Modelling ( Traplet Publications ) or Model Boats ( Nexus ) I forget which.
This covered etching parts which might be similar to your requirements.
Old 01-10-2006, 05:27 PM
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Default RE: Photo Etching?

Thanks - I'll look them up. I had sourced several other articles on photo-etching by model shipbuilders, but everything appears to be of pretty light guage - grills, railings etc., as opposed to anchor points. I'm guessing that it would have to be a double sided etch, and somehow I think someone who does it on an ongoing basis might be better - although failing all else, I'll give it a whirl..

Mike
Old 01-10-2006, 08:49 PM
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Default RE: Photo Etching?

Last year completed a whole bunch of parts for a Dennis Bryant designed SE-5 model. There were about 75 brass pieces which were then abrasive cut out from sheets of about .035" thick. You can take your CAD drawing arrange and convert to the system quite easily. May be more firms within Canada willing to do abrasive cutting of thick brass than to have is laser cut, for it is 50 year old technology.

Wm.
Old 01-10-2006, 11:23 PM
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Default RE: Photo Etching?

If you're looking to use material that is more than about 30 thou even the double sided etching will not work without a lot of undercutting of the edges.

What about making a custom punch? If it's for a kit then get a tool and die shop to do it. If it's for yourself then O-1 tool steel in annealed condition, machine, saw or file to shape and then get heat treated. Or if you only need 10 to 30 then suck it up and make 'em by hand. Some jigs and templates will make the job easier and faster for the tedium of mindless replication.

Without knowing what you're making it's hard to suggest anything specific.
Old 01-11-2006, 12:37 AM
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Default RE: Photo Etching?

Here is a good photoetch primer:

http://www.prototrains.com/etch1/etch1.html

Ever do the railing on a Sterling "American Scout" kit or a "USS Missouri"?
Thats why I was interested in making some railing using photoetch.
My old man uses very similar techniques to etch copper plates for his artwork.
(Right down to the light sensitive coatings).

I have to go with Bruce though, for a few parts out of heavier stuff, make a punch and die.
(Nothing personal mind you...)

Dave

Old 01-11-2006, 01:03 AM
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Default RE: Photo Etching?

What about water jet cutting?

Here is just one example I found with Google, don't know about this specific company but the site is informative.

http://www.emachineshop.com/machines...et-cutting.htm
Old 01-11-2006, 09:18 AM
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Default RE: Photo Etching?

Thanks all for the info - perhaps the abrasive cutting will indeed be the way to go. I was aware of the undercutting issue on etching the thicker material, but I guesss one could allow for that. Doesn't make for the cleanest of edges though.
Sorry, I didn't mention before, but what I need to create are all the brackets and attachment points for a 1/3 scale Tiger Moth, some brass, some possibly stainless.

Cheers, Mike
Old 01-21-2006, 05:55 PM
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kdc
 
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Default RE: Photo Etching?

For anybody still interested in Photo Etching there is a new book available


Photo Etching by Brian King
Published by Nexus ( in Britain ) price is pound sterling 6.95 (about 12 US dollars )
It looks quite useful although it is mainly for ship modellers.

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