Method and apparatus for on-demand marking or etching of metal

摘要

An on-demand stencil for marking or etching metal. The stencil comprises a porous medium having a thread count between 150 to 600 threads per inch and a maximum pore size of 0.003 inches. A non-conductive coating material forms a negative image on the porous medium. Etching solution passes through the porous material to an object. Electricity is applied and a positive image is formed on the object. The stencil is formed by obtaining a porous material with a liner on one side and printing on the other side with non-conductive ink to form a negative image.