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Copper engraving is a process of selectively removing copper to create images on a plate. Modern methods use less toxic materials and can be operated by a computer. It is used for artistic expression, creating ink prints, and laying paths on circuit boards. The most common industrial use is in creating printed circuit boards.
Copper engraving is a selective removal process used to create images on a copper plate. Most etching processes require a plate coated with a non-reactive material which is then selectively removed. The plate is exposed to a corrosive which removes small amounts of copper while leaving protected areas intact. In the past, this was done with wax and various acids. Modern copper etching generally uses less toxic materials such as ferric chloride instead of acid and soda ash to remove it. Modern etching is used for everything from artistic expression to creating ink prints to laying paths on circuit boards.
Historically, copper engraving was a method of creating decorations on metal objects such as plates, guns or bells. The same person who made the item typically made these decorations. As time went on, printmaking became popular as a singular art form; the medium in this case was typically copper foil with no purpose outside of art. In this period the first commercial uses of engraving came into use, creating plates for the mass production of printed material.
All of these historical methods have used the same process. The metal was covered in a layer of melted wax and allowed to harden. The engraver used a special knife to remove the wax until either the exposed copper formed the desired image or the image was the only part still covered. This prepared dish would be immersed in an acid bath or acid would be poured over it. After some time, the engraver removed the plate from the acid and covered it with a neutralizing mixture.
Modern methods use the same basic process; only some of the specifications change. In commercial or industrial copper engraving, the engraver may be operated by a computer rather than operated by a person. The acids and solvents used in the past have been replaced with non-toxic alternatives. In many cases, wax is still the preferred non-reactive substance, although some industrial processes use plastic sheeting instead. Finally, waste materials are often reclaimed and recycled for reuse.
The most common industrial use for copper etching is in creating printed circuit boards, such as the green boards common in everything from toasters to cell phones. To create a circuit, the base material board is covered with an extremely thin layer of copper and then a layer of non-reactive plastic. A computer engraver removes the unwanted plastic coating and the entire board is sprayed with a solvent. This removes all copper except the paths still covered. The board is then stamped and drilled to make room for the attached components.
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