Photo chemical milling is known by a few different names, including photochemical machining, PCM, and photo etching. This process involves the fabrication of specialised sheet metal components using a photo resist and special etchants which are designed to corrode selected areas of the metal.
PCM is used a lot in the production of circuit boards and other electronic components, as has a wide range of applications in a number of industries. In many cases, the process of photo chemical milling is used as an alternative to things like stamping, punching, laser cutting, water jet cutting, and electrical discharge machining, which is also known as EDM. There are a number of advantages to using photo chemical milling instead of these procedures, especially in the production of electronic circuits and related components.

The process of photo chemical milling can be used a a wide range of materials, including many commercially made metals and alloys. However, there are some limits in terms of the size and shape of the materials used, with thickness generally limited to between 0.0005 and 0.080 inches. This makes the process of PCM possible for a wide range of materials and applications, with a range of metals used in a variety of different sizes. Some of the most popular materials that are used in PCM include aluminium, titanium, brass, zinc, copper, stainless steel, inconel, steel, nickel, and manganese. The actual process involved with PCM is quite simple, although it can only be performed with the right amount of materials and equipment. The process of PCM starts by designing and printing the shape of the intended part onto a special piece of photographic film. Once this is ready, this “phototool” can then be optically and mechanically registered onto the metal through the use of an etching liquid.

The metal sheets that are used in the creation of PCM components have to be cut to size, cleaned, and laminated on both sides using a special UV sensitive photo resist. The metal plate is then exposed in UV light and developed through the use of a special etchant. The etchant material that is used in PCM is often ferric chloride, although there are a range of different materials that can possibly be used. Once the etchant has reacted with the metal surface and corroded the pattern, it is then washed away before the metal material is cleaned and dried for use.