Page 19 - PCMI Journal July 2018

David Allen | Emeritus Professor | Cranfield University | UK Photochemical Machining: Where has it come from, and where is it going?
In 2001, Orbel purchased the assets of Industrial Engraving Co., the oldest photochemical milling operation in America, formed in 1902 to make printing plates for the Easton Express newspaper (see Figure 3 showing one of the processes used in the manufacture of a magnesium printing cylinder).
Commercial Developments in Europe
Established in 1907, probably the oldest of its type in Europe, V Siviter Smith set up his engraving company in Moseley Street, Birmingham, UK, and over the next 50 years grew to be one of the most respected engraving companies in England.
At the forefront of technological advances, Siviter Smith was introduced to the DOW Chemical engraving process for magnesium and zinc in the 1950s, which was adopted by the company to produce letterpress plates for the printing industry. Kodak was supplying the photoresists used to etch the printing blocks and printed circuits and was pioneering the PCM process for etching metal parts.
Figure 2. Buckbee-Mears leaflet of 1979 showing emphasis on PCM and PEF technologies.
Issue 131 July 2018 PCMI Journal 18