Metal Etching

The E3 Etch system includes a controller for electrical etching. Designs are simply applied to metal with a resist* and then the copper, brass, bronze, or silver is etched using the controller in conjunction with an electrolyte solution. The solutions used with our system are less harmful than traditional etching chemicals, which are hazardous to ship and dispose of. Our recommended solutions can be used over and over, as the metal ions do not saturate the original solution. The copper or silver you etch away is simply plated to the bottom of a stainless steel pan and can be reclaimed and recycled. The controller is programmed to constantly read and adjust the power to etch evenly and consistently without user intervention.
 
* Resists for etching include our own E3 Etch laser paper which allows direct toner transfers on metal, UV resist paper, PnP Blue, oil-based markers, nail polish, tape and stickers. The idea is to apply a nice solid resist that will keep the metal from etching where it isn’t supposed to.
 
Learn more about electrical etching at http://www.sherrihaab.com/etch!