Blog

Some jobs start with a problem. In 2007, an end customer began to complain about light reflection from a metal part on their received product. Four chemically etched parts were included on the product, but the two installed on the sides were especially problematic. Because the base metal for the parts was formed by electroplating, one side was smoo...

Rapid Prototyping can be the difference between a contract and a failure. With advancements in technology and computing, production has surged with the ability to create what once took years in only days or less. With CNC subtractive methods and 3-D printing now available to the home consumer, even the hobbyist now has the ability to prototype...

On September 28th, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber held the 2016 Spotlight On Business Awards to honor Chamber Members that have set the standard for exemplary business practices. The community provided the nominations for the awards, voting on these 7 local businesses that set the bar high for exemplary business practices in 2016:  Small Bus...

Photo Chemical Machining, also known as Photo Etching, is a chemical milling process used to produce highly complex, thin metal parts with intricate details that cannot be obtained via other machining methods. The photo etching process utilizes etchants to dissolve away unwanted portions of metal, so the process does not affect the temper of the ra...

As part of the Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition's (PNDC) advocacy efforts, Mitch Zoch & NW Etch recently hosted Congressman Derek Kilmer for a Round Table discussion with other area business leaders from the PNDC. The open dialogue included Washington DC updates, and what could be done to improve the ability of local business owners to offer...

Not only does NW Etch know their way around metal, they also know how to receive one! An award, that is. On February 17th, 2016 NW Etch welcomed some unexpected guests. The visitors happened to be Congressman Derek Kilmer and Maria Contreras-Sweet, Administrator from the Small Business Administration. Their visit was a celebratory one, as NW Etch w...

NW Etch has proudly been invited back to discuss the Advantages of Photochemical Machining (PCM) for intricate thin metal parts at the 15th Annual AmCon Design & Contract Manufacturing Expo. Come visit our booth #111 on February 16th or 17th at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. Expect free admission, free attendee parking, free seminars, and ...

 In addition to our normal business of machining thin metal parts of complex designs for the aerospace and medical device communities, we receive requests from event planners, artists and R&D designers familiar with the photo chemical machining process to have us produce some very unique projects. Meet Ken Foreman​ Take Ken Foreman for exa...

On July 10th, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber held the 2015 New Tacoma Awards to recognize business organizations and individuals making outstanding contributions to the revitalization of downtown Tacoma. The community provides the nominations for the awards, recognizing these 5 key areas of contribution to the community for 2015: Popham Award: Aw...

This month, come visit us at the 14th Annual A Design & Contract Manufacturing Expo (AmCon). On March 24th and 25th Northwest Etch will be at booth #111 at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. Admission, parking and seminars are free to attend so come down and visit us. You'll have a chance to attend seminars about plastic injection molding, 3D prin...

One of the great joys of working at NW Etch is getting to see just how creative our partners can be with metal. One of the projects we've partnered with has given us a chance to share in the fine art of metal jewelry. In 2007, the Alucik founders were living in Switzerland and took inspiration for highly detailed, stainless steel jewelry from from ...

When Two Beers Brewing Company of Seattle needed a marketing touch that would help them stand out and support their brand, they looked to NW Etch's photo chemical machining process.  A Special Touch​ NW Etch was chosen to create a commemorative tag for Two Beers Brewing Company's Fall Alta Series "Overhang" Imperial Porter. The limited release...

Northwest Etch National Business Development Manager Mitch Zoch's answer to what Northwest Etch does? Whether it's in reply to someone familiar with photo chemical machining or outside the industry, Mitch explains, "We have fun every day, due to the people and concepts we get to work with." Projects like the Eliza Light reinforce why Northwest Etch...

Nick Herzog and Mitch Zoch of Northwest Etch will attend the Seattle Chamber's 10th Annual All-Chamber Business After Hours event this Wednesday, September 24, at The Foundry by Herban Feast at 3200 1st Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98134. from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. NW Etch looks forward to networking with other local business professionals, and spreading t...

Northwest Etch has a solid reputation for manufacturing precision metal parts for a diverse range of industries, including medical, aerospace, electronics, defense and more. We've used our specialized photochemical machining capabilities to create everything from orthodontia pins and medical parts to prototype aircraft parts. We use a chemical proc...

Northwest Etch looks forward to exhibiting at Design2Part, a popular design and contract manufacturing trade show in Santa Clara, CA. The trade show will take place on May 21-22 at the Santa Clara Convention Center. Northwest Etch will be occupying booth #113. This will be a great opportunity for Northwest Etch to spread the word about our metal et...

Iron gets well-deserved credit as being a building block of civilization because of its revolutionary impact on warfare and farming, but perhaps stainless steel should be considered equally influential. While the real impact of stainless steel wasn't felt until the early 20th Century, it has been called "the miracle metal" and "the crowning achieve...

Northwest Etch is pleased to announce that we will be exhibiting at a popular manufacturing trade show in Pasadena, CA, on October 9 and 10 at the Pasadena Convention Center. Northwest Etch will be occupying booth number 234, where we will take advantage of the opportunity to get the word out about our metal etching and photo chemical machining ser...