Page 24 - PCMI Journal December 2020

Manufacturing Bespoke Aesthetic and Functional Surfaces via Photochemical Machining, Electrolytic Photoetching and Electrolytic Photopolishing Presented by: David M. Allen, Emeritus Professor of Microengineering, Cranfield University, UK
Figure 9 (a, left) Gyroscope rotor parameters and (b, right) rotor made by PCM.
Figure 10. Two halves of the aluminium mask showing the rotor cavity and rotor position prior to mask assembly and UV exposure.
Electrolytic photoetching
Electrolytic photoetching of AISI 304 in 10% HCl was recommended in the early
literature as an alternative to conventional PCM. The process has been re-evaluated but no particular advantage was evident in comparison with conventional PCM. It was shown that a minimum Ra = 0.35 μm was achieved but practically it was necessary to ensure a uniform
Issue 136 December 2020 PCMI Journal 24