I've built a replica of Randy Gordan-Gilmore's power spray etching unit. Also have a vacuum/UV exposure unit and am using special laser paper on which to print masks at 1200 dpi. But, I've still got problems.
1) Fine detail etching requires non-stretch, high-resolution film output to create accurate and unvarying photo masks. Such service is almost impossible to find today, what with the direct-to-plate process that seems to have swept the printing industry.
2) Applying the photo resist to the metal to be etched is problematic, too. Although yesterday I may have finally found a procedure that works well with minimal bubbles/wrinkles in the applied photo resist.
All this is fine for prototyping but not the best for low volume commercial production. I do thank you for your reply and suggestion . . . I should have mentioned earlier that I do produce some photo etch work. Sincerely,
Brian Chapman