Machines & equipment for sale

What is Acid Etching?

Acid etching is defined as the process of cutting a hard surface, such as a metal, by using a specially formulated acid for etching (etchant) in order to create a design onto the metal. Industrial metal etching is a manufacturing method for metals that uses acid baths to subtract material and create the desired shape. Typically, the industrial metal etching process involves five steps:

Cleaning
Masking
Scribing
Etching
Demasking

Industrial metal etching is used in industries such as aerospace for manufacturing complex components. It is used when mechanical machining is not an option and the metal removal and finish have to be uniform.

There are two processes commonly used:

Aluminium Etch: process by which a layer of the surface is removed, prior to penetrant inspection. Aluminium etching enhances the identification of surface defects before processing the component.
Titanium Etching: This process is widely used in the aerospace industry. Titanium is commonly etched during the manufacturing process or prior to non-destructive testing using a variety of different acids.

The typical chemical process that are applied to etching plants are: alkaline cleaning, acid etching, chemical milling, descaling, and desmutting. The typical chemicals that are applied are: sulphuric acid, nitric, acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid and fluorosilicic acid. The typical components processed in etching plants are nickel-based, steel alloy, and titanium components. Typical parts include blades, fan discs, compressors, turbine discs, and other parts.

Etching provides several different benefits:

Removes ground in impurities
Smooth out surface imperfections such as extrusion lines and mild scratches
Removes ground in oxide and scale
Produces a uniform smooth surface
Changes the natural brightness to a dull matte finish
Low cost tooling
Quick turnaround times
No “heat affected zone”

For our surface finishing lines we have in stock, check out the available machines below that could be suitable for acid etching.

Jacquet Weston Engineering Packaged Demineralisation Water Treatment Plant

Manually operated, the de-mineralisation unit produces up to 200 l/h when connected to a 1,000 litre holding tank. At the estimated hourly production of 45 l/h demineralised water the unit will need regenerating every 75-80 hours.

Stock No: MA748
Category: Electroplating & treatment lines
Model: Jacquet Weston Engineering Ion Exchange Plant
Work Envelope (WxDxH mm) [?]: Brake / Storage Tank Ø900 x 1500
Process Stages: Single Stage
Other Info: Producing up to 200 litres/hour
Condition: From a working environment, Good Condition
Sold As Seen Price [?]: £ Login or Register for price.

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Manual Platinum Post Treatment & Flushing Line

Gee and Company Manual Post Treatment & Flushing Line

Originally designed to support the application of platinum plating on turbine blades but offering the possibility of conversion to process other high value components. This line the complete cleanliness of the components and reclaims the very high value platinum plating solution.

Stock No: PPL400
Category: Electroplating & treatment lines
Model: Gee and Company Straight Line Manual Plant
Year of Manufacture: 2015
Work Envelope (WxDxH mm) [?]: 800 x 800 x 650
Process Stages: 7
Other Info: 125kg SWL electric hoist pendant control
Condition: From a working environment, Seen working by RSW, Excellent Condition
Price [?]: Please call on +44 (0) 1922 45 8000
Part of a Direct Site Clearance: Automatic, Immersion Treatments, Multi - Purpose Plating Line

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Gee and Company Plating / Immersion Treatment Line

Fully Automatic Plating Line. The equipment is arranged in a straight line with the load/unload station at one end for efficiency of operation. The work is carried automatically through the line by an enclosed transporter complete with blow down fans for fume control and motorised raise lower and traverse speed controlled via inverter drives.

Stock No: PPL500
Category: Electroplating & treatment lines
Model: Gee and Company Straight Line Fully Automatic Plant
Year of Manufacture: 2015
Work Envelope (WxDxH mm) [?]: 850 x 1000 x 650
Process Stages: 10
Other Info: Plant Output: 1 flight bar every 25 Mins
Condition: Seen working by RSW, Excellent Condition, Ex demonstration
Price [?]: Please call on +44 (0) 1922 45 8000
Part of a Direct Site Clearance: Automatic, Immersion Treatments, Multi - Purpose Plating Line