Masteretch's biggest ever etching machine travels to Chicago
Masteretch Services of Corby, England has completed the installation of the company's biggest ever chemical etching system. The fully automatic etching line will process stainless steel and brass signs up to a maximum size of 1.5m x 3m x 25mm thick.
The final design of the system was agreed upon following several on site meetings, at the customer's headquarters in Elk Grove Chicago, USA, over a period of about 12 months and delivery was scheduled to coincide with the construction of a purpose built factory.
Masteretch was recommended to the customer by a long standing user of Masteretch machines, Truxes Inc. of Oswego, Illinois in the States who manufacture stainless steel signage for the elevator industry. The new facility will also be used by Truxes who will subcontract the etching of large panels such as complete elevator doors.
The machine has an on board system to analyse and adjust the chemistry to ensure a constant high quality etch. This control will also reduce the consumption of chemical by as much as 25%. The process uses dry film photo resist and a second line was installed parallel to the etcher to develop the image after exposure to UV light under positive emulsion down artwork.
The equipment was manufactured at the UK headquarters of Masteretch and took 14 weeks to complete before shipping by sea in a single 40 foot container. The installation in Chicago Illinois then took two weeks to complete for the customer Rebechini Studios, one of the USA's leading architectural sign makers. One of the first projects the machine was involved in was architectural signs for the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Texas.
Masteretch have specialised in these large machines, alongside the company's standard systems and recent installs in Qatar, Dubai, Syria, Czech Republic and Bulgaria have added to the long list of overseas projects that have led to the company having a customer base across 30 countries.
Started in 1983 the business has specialised in etching machines for the sign and engraving industry, working with both small businesses and leading international sign makers, very often for customers who have not had an etching facility before, and for this reason onsite training and installation is always included.
A sister company, Corby Nameplates, offers access both to its own research and development etching facility but also to many Masteretch customers around the world who offer a range of unique etched products.
For further information contact: Liam or Brian Dullaghan on 01536 266288 or email info@masteretch.com