PRECISION PARTS OF QUALITY
T: +44 (0) 1234 376960 . F: +44 (0) 1234 376961 . E: sales@proetch.co.uk
The Production of the Graphic Tooling
Our graphics department is equipped with the latest generation PC's, Apple Macs and the very latest in graphic photo plotting and high definition fine line laser plotter, which are all networked together and fed by 2 ISDN lines and 2 high speed modems with broadband for speed and efficiency.
In the graphic department we produce and maintain the photo tool which is used to print all jobs. Each part will have its own specific tool. We can use many different processes to produce this tool the most common ways are stated below.
Draw
- From a supplied readable drawing we would reproduce the part (usually
in AutoCAD R14) on screen and add an etch compensation, and an Etch line, plus
also ensuring that all segments are polylines. This file is then exported as a
DXF file to our plot station. On the plot station this single image is then step
and repeated so that the image area fills approx. 19.5'' x 11.5''. This step and
repeat is done to ensure we get the maximum sheet yield out of our metal. This
complete image area is then copied and mirrored so as to produce what will be
our front and our back films. This file is then downloaded to our plotter which
in turn plots these images onto film (Black & Clear).
Customers Files - To save both time and money a lot of customers may already have there parts drawn on file. If these files are supplied to us we offer reduced tooling prices.
Further Reductions - Some customers may have the facility to produce files ready for plotting. If you wish to do this, this will reduce tooling costs. Some customers may wish to produce films themselves. If you wish to do any of these things we recommend you give us a call, our graphic staff will be happy to help!
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photochemical machining ¦ photo chemical machining ¦ photochemical milling ¦ photomilling ¦ photofabrication ¦ chemical milling