Photochemical machining, also known as photo etching and photochemical milling, is a process used in the production of various components. Some of the applications for photochemical machining, also called PCM, are fine screens and meshes, semiconductor lead frames, motor laminations, transformer laminations, metal gaskets and seals
heat sinks, flexible heating elements, RF and microwave circuits, shields and retainers, electrical contacts, encoders and light choppers, apertures, masks, battery grids, fuel cell components, sensors and springs, pressure membranes, and EMI/RFI shields. emi rfi shielding is important in the production of numerous devices, where it is used widely in the medical, aerospace, and electronic industries among others. There are a number of businesses around the world who are able to fabricate sheet metal components through photochemical machining, including EMI RFI shields and related components.
EMI stands for electromagnetic interference, with RFI used to describe radio frequency interference. In essence, radio frequency interference refers to the higher end of the electromagnetic spectrum. When certain electronic devices are being manufactured, it is important to control and eliminate EMI, which is why dedicated EMI RFI shields have been developed. Integrated circuits are often a source of EMI, which is why they must couple their energy with other components such as heat sinks, circuit board planes, and special cables. EMI RFI shielding plays an important role in the production of many circuits and other electronic components, especially in mission critical situations such as medical and military use.
Many EMI RFI shields are made using the process of photochemical machining, which starts off by printing parts onto optically clear and dimensionally stable photographic film. The negative image of the designed parts is then developed onto the final metal surface, through the process of photochemical machining. A UV photo resist is used in this process, with coated metal components used and placed within two special sheets. An etchant is then used both above and below the plates, which reacts with the metal and is removed once the process has been completed. EMI RFI shielding is an important process that is used in many industries around the world, with a number of companies specialising in the production of high quality shielding components.