US3795561A - Vertical etchers for minute parts - Google Patents

Vertical etchers for minute parts Download PDF

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Publication number
US3795561A
US3795561A US00274346A US3795561DA US3795561A US 3795561 A US3795561 A US 3795561A US 00274346 A US00274346 A US 00274346A US 3795561D A US3795561D A US 3795561DA US 3795561 A US3795561 A US 3795561A
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United States
Prior art keywords
etching
etchant
article
vertical
etched
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00274346A
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English (en)
Inventor
H Bond
M Rucinski
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Buckbee Mears Co
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Buckbee Mears Co
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Publication date
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23F—NON-MECHANICAL REMOVAL OF METALLIC MATERIAL FROM SURFACE; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL; MULTI-STEP PROCESSES FOR SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL INVOLVING AT LEAST ONE PROCESS PROVIDED FOR IN CLASS C23 AND AT LEAST ONE PROCESS COVERED BY SUBCLASS C21D OR C22F OR CLASS C25
    • C23F1/00—Etching metallic material by chemical means
    • C23F1/08—Apparatus, e.g. for photomechanical printing surfaces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B13/00—Machines or plants for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces of objects or other work by spraying, not covered by groups B05B1/00 - B05B11/00
    • B05B13/02—Means for supporting work; Arrangement or mounting of spray heads; Adaptation or arrangement of means for feeding work
    • B05B13/04—Means for supporting work; Arrangement or mounting of spray heads; Adaptation or arrangement of means for feeding work the spray heads being moved during spraying operation

Definitions

  • a vertical etcher having means for controlling the angular velocity as well as the linear velocity of a part as it passes through la multiple nozzle spray etching chamber. Further means are included for spacing and adjusting the etchant spray nozzles to produce a uniform spray of etchant over the part to be etched as well as etchant wipers located at the entrance and exit to the etchant chambers to stop the etching action as quickly as possible.
  • This invention relates generally to etching machines and more specifically, to vertical spray etching machines for uniformly etching small and minute parts.
  • FIG. 2822,635 Another embodiment of a vertical etching machine for Webs is shown in the Mears Pat. 2,822,635 which shows another vertical etcher for spray etching a web that moves horizontally at a continuous rate through an etching chamber.
  • the nozzles in this latter vertical etcher oscillate about a central axis during operation to alternately direct the etchant upward and downward.
  • 'an upward and downward velocity is imparted to the nozzles so that the nozzle spray scans the web during the etching process.
  • One of the problems of spray etching a web is that areas or pockets of localized passivity occur which affects the iinal dimension of the etched article.
  • the present invention is an outgrowth of the problem of providing a vertical etcher for etching small or large parts which eliminates irregularities in etching due to nozzle spacing, gravitational fields, over-exposure and nozzle spray patterns.
  • the present invention comprises a vertical etcher in which one controls the angular velocity of the part to be etched, the linear velocity of the part to be etched, the Ivertical velocity of the nozzles, the vertical nozzle spacing and the horizontal spacing of the nozzles -from the part to be etched.
  • llow meters and valves are provided to increase or decrease the amount of etchant impinging on the article as well as the momentum of the etchant impinging on the article.
  • a pair of similar etching chambers and etching nozzles are provided in order to provide iiner control and adjustment of the spray etchant.
  • FIG. l is a front elevation view of my vertical etching machine
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the vertical etching machine
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the oscillating and adjusting mechanism for the nozzle supply
  • FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the holder for holding the article to be etched as it passes through the vertical etching chambers;
  • FIG. 5 is an end view partially in schematic showing the vertical etcher part support ring as it fits into a track and guides which propel the article to be etched through the various etching and rinsing chambers.
  • reference numeral 10 generally designates a vertical etching machine.
  • Vertical etcher 10 comprises a first etching chamber 11, a second etching chamber 12 and a rinse chamber 13.
  • etching chamber 11 and etching chamber 12 are identical, only one of the chambers will be described Kwith respect to the vertical etching machine 10.
  • Etching chamber 12 contains a supply header 14 which is mounted horizontally in chamber 12.
  • Supply header 14 is connected to a source of etchant fluid under pressure while one end of header 14 is rotatably mounted in a housing 15 and the other end of header 14 is rotatably mounted in a similar housing (not shown).
  • Housing 15 is mounted on a first threaded rod 16 and a second threaded rod (not shown) and is fastened in a horizontal position on the threaded rods by double nutting flange 15a to the two threaded rods.
  • supply headers 17, 18, 19 and 20 are mounted and fastened to a rst threaded rod 16 and a second threaded rod (not shown) by identical housings and fianges and therefore will not be described.
  • the mounting of supply headers 14, 17, 18, 19 and 20 on threaded rods allows for vertical adjustment of the spacing between headers to thereby control the spray pattern and the amount of etchant sprayed on an article to be etched.
  • supply headers 14, 17, 18, 19 and 20 are shown in cross-sectional View with sets of nozzles 14a, 17a, 18a, 19a and 20a located thereon. 'Each set of nozzles is connected to headers and sprays etchant toward an article to be etched which would be located vertically between the two banks of supply headers.
  • Located on the opposite side of headers 14, 17, 18, 19 and 20 are a similar bank of headers 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 which respectively have sets of nozzles 21a, 22a, 23a, 24a and 25a. It should be noted that some of the nozzles 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 are illustrated positioned downward and some nozzles are positioned upward rather than perpendicular to an article to be etched.
  • the various positions of the nozzles on the headers is for illustrating static positioning of nozzles by rotating a header.
  • an operator can adjust the orientation of the spray nozzle set 21a to spray upward by rotating header 21 clockwise.
  • This feature provides static control of nozzle orientation as opposed to dynamic oscillation positioning in prior art devices.
  • This static adjustability allows one to eliminate irregular spray patterns on the article to be etched through adjusting the nozzles before etching. For example, suppose an article is to be etched more on the periphery than in the center. The operator then directs the nozzles upward so the main thrust of etchant impinges on the periphery of the part to be etched.
  • an adjustment rod 30 Located on the bottom of threaded rod 16 and threaded rod 29 is another adjustment rod 30 having a plurality of fastening members thereon for holding threaded rod 16 and threaded rod 29.
  • another threaded adjustment rod 34 located on the top of threaded rod 16 and threaded rod 29 is another threaded adjustment rod 34.
  • nuts 31 and 32 By loosening nuts 31 and 32, one can position the bottom of threaded rod 16 inward or outward by securing nuts 31 and 32 to the L-shaped member 44.
  • nuts are located on threaded adjustment rod 34 to provide adjustment of the top of threaded rod 16. With this conguration the supply headers can be moved in or out by adjustment of the position of nuts on threaded adjustment rod and threaded adjustment rod 34.
  • the opposite supply headers have means for adjusting and positioning inward also.
  • FIG. 3 also shows a rectangular or support frame 35 for the banks of etching headers which are connected to rod 30 and rod 34.
  • Member 35 includes a cam follower 36 which is rotatably mounted in a housing 37.
  • Cam follower 36 operates in conjunction with a cam 38 (FIGS. 1
  • Vand 2 Rotation of a cam shaft 39, which is driven by a motor 40 and a suitable gear reducing mechanism y41, causes cam 38 to rotate thus forcing cam follower 36 and frame to follow the surface of cam 38.
  • the particular cam shown is a constant velocity cam and provides a uniform upward and downward velocity of the member 35 with a constant rate of rotation of shaft 39.
  • the vertical motion transferred to member 35 causes the nozzles and the spray to sweep up and down at a constant velocity within etching chambers 11 and etching chamber 12. This feature of the oscillation of the supply headers and the nozzles at a uniform velocity provides a uniform sweeping spray of the etchant onto the article or part to be etched.
  • the article to be etched is designated by reference numeral 50 and is attached to a circular holding member 51 which has an opening S2 therein.
  • the article to be etched generally is of a type that requires uniform etching from both sides. In order to etch from both sides, one fastens article 50 over opening 52 in circular member 51.
  • Circular holding member 51 has a set of teeth 51a thereon which form mating engagement with a continuous lower drive belt 54 and an upper continuous drive belt 55.
  • Upper belt 55 continuously contacts the topmost portion of ring 51 as it passes through the etching chambers within a track 56 which passes through etching chamber 11, etching chamber 12 and rinse chamber 13.
  • Upper drive belt 55 passes around a wheel 62 and around a power driven wheel 57 which is connected to motor 58 by a suitable variable speed drive mechanism (not shown).
  • lower drive belt 54 passes around a wheel 63 through etching chamber 11, etching chamber 12 and rinse chamber 13 in a track guide 60.
  • Belt 54 then continues around a power driven wheel 61.
  • Wheel 61 is driven by a motor 59 and a variable speed drive mechanism similar to the mechanism driving upper belt 55 (not shown).
  • FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 shows a portion of the section for guiding and holding wheel 51 in an upright position.
  • Upper drive belt 55 and lower drive belt 54 are shown engaging the upper portion and lower portion of wheel 51.
  • a pair of lower guide member 70 and 71 which substantially encase track 54 and a similar pair of upper guide members 72 and 73 which substantially encase track 55.
  • These guide members maintain circular article holder 51 in a vertical orientation as it passes through etching chamber 11, etching chamber 12 and rinse chamber 13.
  • the two drive belts 54 and 55 are controlled by separate variable speed drive mechanisms so that the linear velocity of the two tracks as Well as the direction of rotation of the two drive belts can be independently controlled.
  • article holder 51 will be driven by belt 54 and belt 55, one can control the angular velocity as well as the linear velocity article holder 51 takes in its journey through etching chamber 11, etching chamber 12 and rinse chamber 13.
  • belt 55 and belt 54 are rotated at the same velocity and in opposite directions, article 50 on circular member 51 will pass through the etching chamber in the same orientation as it enters without any angular velocity.
  • by maintaining a slight differential linear velocity or slowing down, stopping, or even reversing the direction of one drive belt will rotate article holder 51 as it passes through the various chambers.
  • the article holder 51 will have only angular velocity. That 1s, one can cause article holder 51 ⁇ to rotate in one position much in the same manner as if it was attached to a rotating shaft.
  • one rst powers drive belts 54 and 55 at predetermined speed and direction so that article 50 enters etching chamber 11 through a door 80 and a door 81 which have a wiper ap 82 and a wiper ap 83 respectively connected thereto.
  • Wiper aps 82 and 83 are preferably made from a rubber-like or pliable material to produce a squeegee type wiping on the surface of the article as it enters chamber 11.
  • wiper flaps 82 and 83 there is a pair of wiper flaps (not shown) located between etching chamber 11 and etching chamber 12, a pair of wiper flaps l(not shown) between rinse chamber 12 and etching chamber 13 and a air of wiper tlaps (not shown) at the exit of rinse cham-
  • a spray of etchant from spray nozzles located on the headers sweeps across the article thus etching the article.
  • the Wiper aps located between chamber 11 and chamber 12, wipe off any excess etchant.
  • article 50 After leaving etching chamber 11 article 50 enters a second etching chamber 12 where it is similarly subjected to a spray of etchant from a second set of sweeping spray nozzles.
  • article 50 After etching article 56 in chambers 11 and 12, article 50 passes through wiper flaps (not shown) to remove any excess etchant.
  • article 50 enters a rinse chamber 13 which has spray nozzles 85 therein which spray water onto article S1 thus rinsing and diluting the etchant to prevent any further etching due to etchant on the article.
  • the initial stopping of the etching action is provided by the squeegee action or wiping action of the iiaps located at the exit to etching chamber 12. However, to ensure a complete stopping of the etching action, one should immediately rinse the article with water to remove any excess etchant.
  • an operator places the article to be etched on the circular member 51.
  • motors 58 and 62 are activated to begin rotation of drive belt 54 and drive belt 55.
  • the operator can preselect the angular velocity and the linear velocity of the article 50 as it passes through etch- 1 ing chamber 11 and etching chamber 12. This feature, in essence, allows one to control the time of etching without the aid of a timer as well as prevent etchant rundown.
  • the article enters chamber 11 and rotates as it passes through the etching chamber which eliminates any rundown or accumulation of any etchant at the bottom of the part to be etched.
  • a set of valves and liow meters 101 through 105 are connected to supply headers 14, 17, 18, 19 and 20 allow one to precisely control the amount of etchant ow as well as to ensure that etchant is continually owing into the supply chamber and supply nozzles.
  • An etching apparatus for etching articles which are located substantially in a vertical plane comprising:
  • a plurality of etchant plenum chambers located in said etching chamber, a plurality of etchant spray nozzles attached to each of said plurality of plenum chambers, each of said spray nozzles operable for directing etchant in a preferred direction;
  • said means for rotating the article includes a rst and second drive belt for forming mating engagement with said teeth on said disc.
  • said etching apparatus includes a iirst etching chamber, a second etching chamber and a rinse chamber.
  • said apparatus includes at least two banks of spray nozzles positioned to direct etchant spray toward an article to be etched which is centrally located between said bank of nozzles.
  • the invention of claim 10 including means for controlling the temperature of said etchant.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • ing And Chemical Polishing (AREA)
US00274346A 1972-07-24 1972-07-24 Vertical etchers for minute parts Expired - Lifetime US3795561A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US27434672A 1972-07-24 1972-07-24

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US3795561A true US3795561A (en) 1974-03-05

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US00274346A Expired - Lifetime US3795561A (en) 1972-07-24 1972-07-24 Vertical etchers for minute parts

Country Status (9)

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US (1) US3795561A (it)
JP (1) JPS5548111B2 (it)
BE (1) BE802735A (it)
CA (1) CA986394A (it)
DE (1) DE2333443A1 (it)
FR (1) FR2194136A5 (it)
GB (1) GB1409484A (it)
IT (1) IT991144B (it)
NL (1) NL7309812A (it)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3141250A1 (de) * 1980-10-15 1982-09-09 Micro-Plate, Inc., St. Petersburg, Fla. Verfahren und vorrichtung zur fortlaufenden bearbeitung von gedruckten leiterplatten
US4620894A (en) * 1985-03-11 1986-11-04 Advanced Systems Incorporated Apparatus for processing circuit board substrate
EP1496141A1 (en) * 2003-07-07 2005-01-12 Ming Hong C/- Alfred Lei Kuo Transporting device for a vertical-type thin circuit board etching machine
US20100140212A1 (en) * 2008-12-10 2010-06-10 King-Yeung Li Process for preparing grating tools
WO2013117951A1 (en) * 2012-02-10 2013-08-15 The Diller Corporation Machine and method to chemically engrave a plate of stainless steel
US10045564B2 (en) 2004-04-14 2018-08-14 Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. Electronic cigarette

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS61267097A (ja) * 1985-05-21 1986-11-26 ソニー株式会社 表示装置
DE3817543A1 (de) * 1988-05-24 1989-12-07 Hoellmueller Maschbau H Maschine zum behandeln von gegenstaenden mit einer behandlungsfluessigkeit
DE3817542A1 (de) * 1988-05-24 1989-12-07 Hoellmueller Maschbau H Maschine zum behandeln von gegenstaenden mit einer behandlungsfluessigkeit

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2822635A (en) * 1954-10-01 1958-02-11 Norman B Mears Apparatus and method for etching metal webs

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3141250A1 (de) * 1980-10-15 1982-09-09 Micro-Plate, Inc., St. Petersburg, Fla. Verfahren und vorrichtung zur fortlaufenden bearbeitung von gedruckten leiterplatten
US4371422A (en) * 1980-10-15 1983-02-01 Micro-Plate, Inc. Continuous processing of printed circuit boards
US4620894A (en) * 1985-03-11 1986-11-04 Advanced Systems Incorporated Apparatus for processing circuit board substrate
EP1496141A1 (en) * 2003-07-07 2005-01-12 Ming Hong C/- Alfred Lei Kuo Transporting device for a vertical-type thin circuit board etching machine
US10045564B2 (en) 2004-04-14 2018-08-14 Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. Electronic cigarette
US10238144B2 (en) 2004-04-14 2019-03-26 Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. Electronic cigarette
US20100140212A1 (en) * 2008-12-10 2010-06-10 King-Yeung Li Process for preparing grating tools
WO2013117951A1 (en) * 2012-02-10 2013-08-15 The Diller Corporation Machine and method to chemically engrave a plate of stainless steel
AU2012369067B2 (en) * 2012-02-10 2017-02-16 The Diller Corporation Machine and method to chemically engrave a plate of stainless steel
US10030309B2 (en) 2012-02-10 2018-07-24 The Diller Corporation Machine to chemically engrave a plate of stainless steel

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5548111B2 (it) 1980-12-04
NL7309812A (it) 1974-01-28
IT991144B (it) 1975-07-30
JPS4944944A (it) 1974-04-27
GB1409484A (en) 1975-10-08
DE2333443A1 (de) 1974-02-07
CA986394A (en) 1976-03-30
FR2194136A5 (it) 1974-02-22
BE802735A (nl) 1974-01-24

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