Photosensitive Stencils
Monode's photosensitive stencils are a photographically-processed stencil medium manufactured in-house at our facility. The tough lacquer base of these stencils provides a stencil medium that will last for thousands of marks.
All varieties below are available in standard sizes of 2½ X 7", 3¼" x 7", 5 X 7" and 8 X 10". Custom sizes are available upon request at a premium price.
Dura-Fab Stencils – Type DF
The toughest of all electrochemical etching stencils, these are constructed on a synthetic woven fiber base. Because of the relatively heavy diameter of the woven fibers of these stencils they are recommended for stencil designs with features that are at least 3/32" deep.
Dura-Fab Fine Stencils – Type DFF
Same as the DF stencil but with a finer, closer synthetic fiber base weave. Ideal for fine lines or detailed art work.
Dura-Fab Deep Etch Stencils – Type DFDE
A deep etch version of the DF line. This is the most commonly-employed stencil for deep etch applications, and can be used for general applications as well.
Dura-Fab Fine Deep Etch Stencils – Type DFFDE
A deep etch version of the DFF line which is effective for marking scales, lines and grid patterns as well as any image that requires a blend of detail and toughness.
Insert Stencils
Designed for use with Monode automatic marking machines. Stencils are reinforced with a heavy-duty flexible frame for easy handling and polarized locating holes for consistent re-registration onto marking fixtures.
Inspection Markers and Caps
Small marking heads typically used for applying inspection symbols in the aerospace industry. The simple construction of the formed stencil cap facilitates quick changeover and uniform quality marks even in very small areas. Custom sizes are available upon request.
Stencil Paper
Monode's tractor-fed and die impression stencil paper has been the standard for electrochemical etching for over 60 years. We make it in our Mentor, Ohio facility to our exacting quality standards.
View our line of stencil paper
Electrolyte Pads and Monopads
Fabricated cloth pads hold and supply a working source of electrolyte for the etch process. This pad is typically wrapped around the marker or inserted into a stencil cap.
Deep Etch Pads and Monopads
A deep etch pad consists of a fibrous material which, with slight pressure, will push through the image area on the stencil. This allows current to flow freely and easily to ensure good continuity. It is necessary for the deep etch pad to be saturated with electrolyte at all times as this will keep the stencil cool and provide a good pathway for the current to reach the part being etched. The presence of the deep etch pad and the excess electrolyte will increase the life of the stencil.
Hand Markers
Hand markers are available in a wide range of standard sizes, and can also be machined at custom angles or contours for access to difficult marking locations.
Ideally, the hand marker should be larger than the image to be marked but smaller than the stencil. This enables the mark to be made with a single application of pressure, which ensures sharp, attractive marks.
Bench Fixtures
Bench fixtures can be used with any power unit and work with hand marking as well as semi-automatic units.
Roll Marking Fixture
Used for marking on the outside diameter of cylindrical parts by rolling the part to be marked over the stencil. The stencil is placed on a pad using a wicking action from an built-in electrolytic reservoir to provide an electrolyte feed.
Part Locating Fixture
The bench marker uses a non-conductive top plate easily machined to locate the part to be marked over the stencil for consistent registration.
Rocker Markers
Some larger stencil layouts are best etched using a rocking motion with the etching head. This rolling action allows the gas and water vapor by-products of the etch process to escape, producing marks with a uniform contrast. Rocker markers are often used in grid marking applications.
SC Hand Markers
These legacy-style marking heads feature screen-style pads, are easy to control and create quality marks.
Stencil Magic
This easy-to-apply formulation repairs damaged stencils by fixing pin holes, leaks and wear areas.
Neutralizer
A custom-blended, near-neutral solution that will encapsulate any residual oxides or electrolytes from the surface of the parts being marked, therefore preventing corrosion or staining. As electrochemical etching involves an aggressive chemical reaction, it can be an initiation site for future corrosion. Thus, all etched parts must be neutralized after the etching process takes place.
How to Neutralize using Wiping
If a pad saturated with neutralizer is used to wipe the parts the pad will soon contain more electrolyte than neutralizer, causing corrosion. Thus, using a disposable paper towel or similar product after each wiping action is recommended.
How to Neutralize using Soaking
This method involves submerging parts in a neutralizing solution specially prepared to counteract the action of the electrolytes. These solutions usually are diluted with up to 15 parts of water depending upon the application. Soaking time is about ten minutes, which can be greatly reduced with agitation. The proper use of rust preventive oils will guard against corrosion. We recommend a water displacing oil such as Monode RPO.
Electrolytes
Electrolytes are generally a mild mineral-salt solution custom blended to match the base material being etched. Electrolytes conduct current and dissipate heat to help keep the stencils and marking head cool during the etch process.
The correct electrolyte for a specific application is dependent upon the materials to be marked or etched. Selection of the proper electrolyte is very important, as using an incorrect electrolyte can produce a mark with an unstable oxide which may rub off. Monode offers a line of self-cleaning electrolytes that helps eliminate the clogging of stencil image areas.
