PCM involves many processes in its production process chain and each process has an
associated environmental impact. To remain competitive with rival processes, PCM must
minimise its overall environmental impact as the costs of environmental compliance are
currently increasing at a rapid rate.
This paper reviews the environmental impact of each process in the PCM process chain and
suggests how it can be minimised utilising clean technologies (employing radical revision
and/or innovative modification), waste minimisation through improved quality control,
recycling and ‘end of pipe’ treatments to meet emission requirements.
The costs of environmental impact reduction are also discussed together with the various
financial benefits accrued.

This Journal contains the following: 2020 Industry Trends Survey Summary; Coronavirus Assistance and Business Trends Survey Summary; Virtual Technical and Spring Conference News; Information about the Benefits of the New Member Product Spotlight and Membership Spotlight Advertising Opportunity; Board Election Results; and Dr. David Allen's most recent paper entitled: "Strengthening the Weakest Links in the [...]

June 2005

Dr. David M. Allen and Dr. Heather J.A. Almond, School of Industrial and Manufacturing Science, Cranfield University, Bedford, UK

Characterisation of Aqueous Ferric Chloride Etchants Used in Industrial Photochemical Machining

Ferric cbloride (FeCI3) is the most commonly used etchant for photochemical machining (PCM) but there is a great variety in the grades of the commercial product.

2010
 
D M Allen, M Simpkins and H Almond
 

A novel photochemical machining process for magnesium aerospace and biomedical microengineering applications

 

Research was carried out to evaluate the feasibility of fabricating perforated (filigree) magnesium microcomponents with metal wire widths of the order of the metal thickness using a photochemical machining (PCM) process.

PCM of nickel and its alloys and the measurement of nickel ion concentration in ferric chloride etchant

Abstract

This paper reviews the nickel and nickel alloy products manufactured by PCM using etchants based on aqueous ferric chloride solutions. The metals include varying percentages of nickel that build up in the etchant as the metal is dissolved.

This Journal contains the technical papers and presentations from the Spring 2019 International Conference held at the Mercure Chantilly Resort, Vineuil-Saint-Firmin, France. "PCM of Nickel and its Alloys and the Measurement of Ni2+ ion Concentration in Ferric Chloride Etchant." David Allen, Emeritus Professor, Cranfield University Dry Film Imaging with Photoplotter and Direct Imager - Dry [...]

The etching of stainless steels is a mainstay of photochemical machining (PCM) commerce

worldwide. However, as a class of materials designed to be corrosion-resistant, stainless steels are

not easy to etch. This paper discusses the complex nature of ferric chloride etchant used to etch

stainless steels and the control of its chemistry.

Photochemical Machining: Where has it come from and where is it going?

Emeritus Professor David Allen, Cranfield University, UK

Abstract

The history and development of the photochemical machining (PCM) process is described

together with predicted process developments that should lead to a more robust and versatile rapid

manufacturing process for the future.