--- title: Chemical Etching vs. Electro Discharge Machining: What's the Difference? description: Compared to EDM, Chemical Etching features less cost, shorter lead time, more design flexibility, more material choices, and better component quality. image: https://insights.vecoprecision.com/hubfs/Etching_Harvest_.jpg --- - [career](https://www.vecoprecision.com/about-us/careers/) - [help center](https://help.vecoprecision.com/knowledge) [![Veco](https://www.vecoprecision.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Veco-logo-black-rgb-0072.png)](https://www.vecoprecision.com) - [electroforming technology](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/) - [what is Electroforming](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/what-is-electroforming/) - [Electroforming process](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/electroforming-process/) - [capabilities and applications](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/electroforming-capabilities-and-applications/) - [Electroforming materials](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/materials-used-in-electroforming/) - [similar technologies](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/electroforming-vs-other-technologies/) - [case studies](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/electroforming-cases/) - [design guidelines](https://www.vecoprecision.com/design-guideline/) - [company](https://www.vecoprecision.com/about-us/) - [about us](https://www.vecoprecision.com/about-us/) - [markets we serve](https://www.vecoprecision.com/about-us/markets/) - [career](https://www.vecoprecision.com/about-us/careers/) - [co-develop with Veco](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/work-with-veco/) - [quality](https://www.vecoprecision.com/about-us/quality/) - [products](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/) - [micro nozzle plates](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/micro-nozzle-plates/) - [inkjet nozzle plates](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/inkjet-nozzle-plates/) - [nebulizer plates](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/nebulizer-plates/) - [encoder discs](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/encoder-discs/) - [MEMS probes](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/mems-probes/) - [test socket pins](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/test-socket-pins/) - [electrodes for hydrogen production](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/electrodes-for-hydrogen-production/) - other products - [flow discs](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/flow-discs/) - [sugar screens](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/sugar-screens/) - [coffee filters](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/coffee-filters/) - [leaf filters](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/leaf-filters/) - [shaver foils](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/shaver-foils/) - [hearing aid components](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/hearing-aid-components/) - [aperture plates](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/aperture-plates/) - [test contactors](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/test-contactors/) - [contact](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/contact-veco-1) - [Home](https://www.vecoprecision.com) - [Blog](https://insights.vecoprecision.com) - Chemical Etching vs. Electro Discharge Machining: What's the Difference? [Back to overview](https://insights.vecoprecision.com) # Chemical Etching vs. Electro Discharge Machining: What's the Difference? May 8, 2018 7:00:00 AM [By Hua Fan](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/author/hua-fan) Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM), also known as spark machining, burning, die sinking, wire burning, or wire erosion, is a manufacturing process whereby a desired shape is obtained by removing materials with electrical discharges (sparks). Compared to EDM, [Chemical Etching](https://www.vecoprecision.com/technologies/chemical-etching) features less cost, shorter lead time, more design flexibility, more material choices, and better component quality. ### So, what's the difference of EDM and Chemical Etching? See below the detailed differences of EDM and [Chemical Etching](https://www.vecoprecision.com/technologies/chemical-etching) in four aspects: Cost Efficiency, Lead Time, Flexibility, and Accuracy. ### (1) Cost Efficiency. When production volume is small or it is only for prototyping, there’s no significant difference regarding cost-effectiveness between Chemical Etching and EDM; when it is industrial scale production, however, Chemical Etching is far more cost effective. ### (2) Lead Time. Lead time of Chemical Etching and that of EDM are at a similar level. For large volume production, Chemical Etching may have some advantage over EDM in lead time. ### (3) Design Flexibility. EDM is limited to electrically conductive metals and alloys since the process is dependent on electrical current. Chemical Etching, on the other hand, can work with almost all metals. This allows for more design flexibility regarding material choices. ### (4) Quality/Precision. Compared to Chemical Etching which has no effect on material properties, EDM can cause heat distortion because of its use of high-temperature electrical current. Besides, micro burring, tempering, and structural changes may also occur. Compared to EDM, Chemical Etching is obviously more advantageous with *less cost*, *shorter lead time*, *more design flexibility*, *more material choices*, and *better component quality*. 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