Since the 1960's
Permanent Part Marking For Product Identification And Traceability

Electro-Chem Etch Metal Markings, Inc. was established in the late 1960's in Van Nuys, California to provide the booming Aerospace industry with permanent part marking for product identification and traceability. The Aerospace industry’s desire for part marking with precision and consistency made metal etch marking systems the perfect solution.

First incorporated in 1971, Electro-Chem Etch was purchased in 1987 by the current owners. The well-made metal marking systems and sound management practices the customer base at Electro-Chem Etch had always appreciated were maintained and strengthened at that time, and remain so today.

Additionally, the new owners brought considerable engineering expertise to the company, introducing new designs and electrochemical etching technologies lacking in the original product line.

All three basic elements of part marking with electrochemical etching/marking: the power units, electrolytes, and stencils were re-evaluated, redesigned and, where necessary, completely updated using new electrochemical etching technologies.

Innovations in Electrochemical Etching

• Electro-Chem Etch Power Units (etchers) Models #500, 200 and 100, which formerly employed a simple rheostat control, now utilize SCR phase control technology. Designing SCR phase control technology into these metal marking systems enables precise, consistent depth control for uniformity of etching.
• Non-corrosive electrolytes were developed to inhibit and prevent rusting of ferrous metals resulting from inadequate cleaning after electrochemical etching (a very common occurrence). Electro-Chem Etch’s non-corrosive electrolytes have been incorporated into the part marking specifications of major aerospace corporations such as Honeywell Engines, Pratt & Whitney, Parker Hannifin, and Fatigue Technology, to name a few.
• With the advent of Personal Computers and laser printers, Electro-Chem Etch was the first to develop "do-it-yourself" high quality Photo-Stencil Fabrication Systems. These Photo-Stencil Fabrication Systems enabled users to manufacture high quality stencils in-house in a few minutes, instead of waiting days to obtain them from etching companies. The first Photo-Stencil Fabrication system was introduced in 1990 for NASA and was soon adopted by many other companies: EG&G, Fatigue Technology, RBC Bearing, and SKF, among them.
• A more compact and modestly priced Photo-Stencil Fabrication Systems system, the SF-200, was brought to the marketplace in 1994 to enable a much wider user environment. Today, medical device companies, tool manufacturers, sports equipment manufacturers, automotive companies, and cutlery and custom knife- makers all employ these part marking systems.
• About that time, the Personalizer and Personalizer Plus line of electrochemical etchers were developed specifically for the hobbyist. Compact and modestly priced–yet extremely versatile and reliable– the Personalizer and Personalizer Plus quickly became a hit throughout the United States and internationally. In fact, the units work so well that smaller machine shops, medical and tool manufacturers, and many other industries use them, as well. Tens of thousands of these units are in use all over the world.

Electro-Chem Etch Metal Markings, Inc. Receives Recognition for Excellence

Later, we worked closely with NASA to develop the Data Matrix Unique Identification System (UID). At NASA’s request, Electro-Chem Etch wrote the electro-chemical etching sections of their NASA_STD_6002 Process Specification and NASA_HDBK_6003 handbook for Direct Part Marking of data matrix symbols.

Remaining agile enough to permit ongoing research and development, Electro-Chem Etch has always remained committed to its original mission of producing good quality part marking systems in the United States. Because we have remained true to our original product line of Electro-Chemical Etching, we have developed expertise in all aspects of the electrochemical etching/marking process. Indeed, it is because of this–and our continued daily services of IN-HOUSE MARKING of customer-supplied parts–we are very responsive to our customers’ requirements. With this extensive experience, if Electro-Chem Etch customers have a challenge, we can help. Contact us to learn how Electro-Chem Etch can help you with your part marking needs.