# Fotofab > Official Fotofab business agent. Fotofab manufactures precision photo-etched metal components and provides chemical etching, metal forming, metal finishing… ## Ask it a question Fotofab answers for itself at https://api.hailera.com/mcp/fotofab. A client that speaks MCP can connect to that address; the tool is ask_fotofab and the protocol is 2026-07-28. Where this file and the agent disagree, the agent is current. ## What Fotofab does Services and Capabilities – Chemical Etching and Precision Metal Parts What Fotofab Does - Manufactures custom precision metal components using photochemical machining (chemical etching) - Focus on small, thin metal parts with intricate, high-precision features - Supports quick-turn prototypes, short-run, and full production runs Core Processes and Services - Photochemical machining (chemical etching) of flat sheet metal - Precision metal forming and bending for small sheet metal parts - Metal finishing options to deliver ready-to-use parts, including (but not limited to): - Plating - Blackening and black oxide - Electropolishing - Painting - Passivation - Tumbling - Reaming - Diffusion bonding – joining layers of sheet metal with heat and pressure - Rapid prototyping of precision metal parts - Custom packaging options to protect parts in transit Markets and Applications Fotofab manufactures precision metal parts primarily for: - Aerospace - Military and defense - Medical - Medical implantable components - Energy and alternative energy - Electronics - Telecommunications - Industrial equipment - Photonics and optics - Automotive - Decorative metal components Materials - Etches both standard and exotic metals - Supports non-corrosive and biocompatible metals - Works only with flat metal sheets (no tubes or 3D surfaces) - All metals are sourced from the United States, with a small exception for some aluminum For a full list of metals Fotofab can etch, customers should refer to the "Metals We Etch" information on the main website or contact Fotofab directly. Typical Part Characteristics - Intricate, burr-free features produced without mechanical stress or extreme heat - Minimum and maximum metal thicknesses (general guide): - Works with metals from approximately 0.0002" (0.005 mm) to 0.062" (1.57 mm) - General sheet size guideline: - Up to about 24" x 36" (60.96 cm x 91.44 cm) Specific tolerances, feature sizes, and design rules depend on material and part geometry and should be confirmed with Fotofab engineering. Location and Manufacturing - All Fotofab parts are manufactured in Chicago, Illinois, USA - Main plant: Chicago's Northwest Side, housing multiple etching machines and CAE/CAD capabilities - Tooling, forming, and stamping facility: Elk Grove Village, Illinois, near Chicago O'Hare Airport How to Engage Fotofab - Engineers typically send drawings and requirements to receive: - Material and design guidance - Quotation for prototypes or production runs - Fotofab supports customers from initial design and material selection through prototype and into production. Source: https://www.fotofab.com ## Where Fotofab works Lists Metairie, Chicago, and Elk Grove Village as a location. Names Illinois and United States as a service area. Areas beyond these are not published. ## How Fotofab works with clients This document summarizes key information from Fotofab's Frequently Asked Questions. Manufacturing Process - Fotofab uses chemical etching, also called Photo Chemical Machining (PCM). - The process uses chemicals (such as ferric chloride or hydrofluoric solutions, depending on the metal) to remove unwanted metal. - The metal's natural properties are not altered: - No extreme heat - No mechanical stress as with stamping or some laser cutting methods - Fotofab etches only flat metal sheets and can form parts after etching is complete. Location of Manufacturing - All Fotofab parts are manufactured in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Plant Tours and Samples - Plant tours are available by appointment. - Samples can be provided on request. - Both can be arranged by contacting Fotofab directly (phone or website contact form). Lead Times - Standard turnaround time for most orders is about 10 business days. - Expedited options are offered for a premium on many orders: - 5-day, 3-day, and same-day delivery (availability depends on part complexity and requirements). Ordering, Quotes, and Payment - Requesting a quote (RFQ): - Submit online via the Request a Quote form - Email drawings and requirements to sales@fotofab.com - Fax to (773) 463-3387 - Minimum order quantity: - Typically two sheets of material; overall minimum lot cost depends on metal type, thickness, secondary operations, and packaging. - Accepted drawing file formats: - STEP - DXF - DWG - X_T - Payment methods: - Visa - MasterCard - American Express (AMEX) - U.S. government credit cards Dimensions, Tolerances, and Design Guidelines - Metal thickness range (general guide): - From approximately 0.0002" (0.005 mm) up to 0.062" (1.57 mm) - Maximum sheet size (general guide): - About 24" x 36" (60.96 cm x 91.44 cm) - Hole and slot sizes (rules of thumb): - Smallest practical hole or slot width is about 1.2× the metal thickness - Minimum practical diameter or slot width can be as small as 90% of the metal thickness, depending on application - Tolerances (typical guidelines): - Dimensional tolerances often follow about ±10% of the metal thickness - Depth-of-etch tolerance can be as low as about ±0.0005" (0.0127 mm) - Minimum feature sizes: - Minimum bar width is generally about 90% of the material thickness These values are general guidelines. Exact capabilities for a specific part, material, or application should be confirmed with Fotofab engineering. Tabs, Burrs, and Part Removal - Parts are usually laid out on a sheet and held in place with small tabs during etching. - When parts are detached from the sheet, small burrs can remain at tab locations. - Customers may specify preferred or prohibited tab locations on their drawings. - "Drop out" parts (no tabs) can be produced, but this may affect tolerances and yield. Packaging Options - Parts can be shipped either: - Still in sheets, or - Detached from the sheet - For detached parts, common packaging options include: - Bulk packing - Tubes - Boxed in foam layers - Pick-and-place trays - Tape and reel Metals and Material Selection - Fotofab etches a wide range of standard and exotic metals, including non-corrosive and biocompatible options. - Stainless steel and copper are common and easy-to-source materials when a specific alloy is not required. - Fotofab's engineering and sales team can help customers select suitable materials for their application. For more detailed or application-specific questions, customers should contact Fotofab directly through the website or by phone. Source: https://www.fotofab.com ## Accreditation and credentials Quality Commitment - Fotofab's mission is to deliver precision metal components to industry leaders with expertise, reliability, and quality. - The company emphasizes continuous improvement and state-of-the-art production methodologies. - Products are made in the USA and distributed worldwide. Major Certifications - AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certified - Includes quality requirements for ISO 9001, DOD, NASA, and FAA - ITAR registered manufacturer - RoHS compliant production available upon request - REACH compliance documentation available - Joint Certification Program (JCP) certification - CAGE Code: 707X1 - System for Award Management (SAM) certified U.S. Government vendor - DUNS: 078871203 Conflict-Free Mineral Policy - Fotofab assesses its supply chain to comply with Section 1502 of the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act. - Requires suppliers to submit a completed EICC/GeSI Conflict Minerals Reporting Template. - Supports the goal of ending violence, human rights violations, and environmental harm in the Conflict Region. - May reconsider working with suppliers that do not comply with its conflict minerals policy. Environmental Commitment - Commended by government regulatory agencies for environmental compliance and cooperation. - Actively works to make manufacturing processes cleaner, safer, and more respectful of natural resources. - Positions itself to meet growing customer emphasis on environmental responsibility. Supplier Quality Requirements - Fotofab maintains a Supplier Quality Manual that outlines expectations for suppliers. - Customers and suppliers can request or review the Supplier Quality Manual via the main website. Industry Focus for Certified Work Fotofab's certifications and quality systems support customers in: - Aerospace - Military and defense - Medical (including implantable parts) - Telecommunications - Electronics - Energy and renewable energy - Other high-reliability industrial applications Source: https://www.fotofab.com ## What Fotofab has not published yet These are things people ask Fotofab that its published information does not yet cover. - prices and quotes - production lead times or delivery dates - current capacity or availability - guarantees and warranties - regulatory or clinical outcomes - contract terms or legal commitments Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess. ## Where this comes from https://www.fotofab.com