Our photographic stencils are manufactured in a number of pre-cut sizes normally containing four impressions of the same image.
When ordering a stencil, you may wish to supply us with an artwork, or photographic positive of the finished design. If this is not available, we will generate the artwork and produce a finished 'plate', which we then use to produce the stencil. On completion of the finished artwork, we will fax or mail a 1:1 copy and, if required, an enlarged copy for approval. Once we have received confirmation we will produce the finished stencil.
Stencils are made from a high precision polyester mesh, which is specially coated. This has a high mechanical strength and durability. If used with care you can expect to get between 800-1000 oxide type marks per impression. For deep etching applications, the typical number of marks is between 50-250 per impression, based on the following factors:
- Artwork design
- Metal to be marked
- Electrolyte used
- Surface finish of the component
These stencils can be made into several formats to ease production:
- PS - Stencil sheets - Often containing more than one impression. Mainly used for hand applied marking applications.
- Stencil Caps - Mainly used for semi-automated or automated marking applications using the 7 or 8 series marking heads, although they are good for hand applied marking such as inspection marking. They can be used for marking onto flat surfaces, or made to suit specific curved surfaces.
- Stencil Frames - Again, mainly used for semi-automated marking applications. Can be used with most marking heads, normally for flat or slightly curved surfaces.
- SMV Stencil - These stencils are used exclusively with the SMV marking head for marking on convex surfaces such as automotive cylinder liners, drills, shafts, etc.
