Low cost photographic tooling

As opposed to hard tools which are extremely costly, can take weeks to or even months to produce and require ongoing maintenance, the photographic process requires photo tools which can be produced in hours at a fraction of the cost and are easily replaced should the need arise.

Low cost modification

A significant advantage with the MET process is the flexibility the customer has to make either major or minor changes to the product design quickly and with minimal additional cost.

Rapid prototyping

The design phase of any product can be the most costly and here MET can assist you to speed through this phase with minimal cost and delay. Whether it is to check mechanical fit or a working sample, we can supply within 1-2 days.

Selective etching

MET can selectively etch pre-defined areas of your part to approximately 50% of the original thickness. This option can be utilised to permanently apply your logo, serial number or folding lines to your precision into RF shield and screen closure design for manual folding of parts wherever an angled side is required.

Metal properties unaltered

Hard tool stamping, machining and laser cutting can alter the integral structure of the metal, whereas photo chemical etching has zero affect on the original properties of the metal.

Tolerances

MET has the expertise and process equipment to produce metal parts which meet and in many instances, exceed our customers requirements. Parts are accurately measured using specialised inspection equipment to ensure compliance prior to despatching.

Burr and contamination free

A significant advantage of photo chemical etching is that there is no additional cost as a result of post processing treatment to remove burrs, machining oils or lubricants which would affect the performance of the part.

Comprehensive range of materials

Metal Alloy Type

The MET process is capable of producing your parts from a wide variety of metal alloys, the most common being:

Aluminium Beryllium Copper Brass Copper Nickel Phosphor bronze Spring Steel Steel Stainless Steel

Our sales staff will be able to help you select the appropriate metal for your specific application. MET carries the most popular metals in stock, however we have several reliable suppliers who can supply a wide range of exotic materials at short notice.

Forming

MET offers two methods of forming:

First Method

Hand forming utilizing selective etching folding lines.

Hand forming can be carried out by our trained staff and suitably packed for safe shipping or can be packed in flat sheets for further processing on your premises. It is worth noting that this process is generally only suitable when using material with a thickness greater than 150 micron.

Benefits of this method

1) Eliminate delays due to the manufacture of the forming tool
2) No additional cost for the forming tool
3) Minimal additional cost for hand forming

Second Method

Hard Tool Forming

This method results in slightly higher structural strength but slightly less dimensional accuracy.

Benefits of this method

1) Structurally stronger
2) Capability to produce obtuse or oblique angles and radii 3) More consistent and faster forming of parts

Progressive Die Stamping

Regardless of the quantity required, MET has the capability to meet all your precision metal parts needs. As your sales or projections increase, your long term volumes may indicate that “Progressive Die Stamping” may be financially more economical than chemical milling. MET can offer you a seamless transition when applicable. Although hard tools can cost tens of thousands of Rands, three dimensional parts generally work out cheaper and with the tooling amortized over thousands or even millions of parts this may prove to be the best option. Consult our sales staff for a detailed quotation and comparison.