History
- 1984
- Engineers at Microcircuit Engineering were asked to design a screen which would better transfer solder paste. This wire mesh screen was chemically etched to remove the wires in the aperture areas.
- 1988
- By chemically etching a brass foil, the first true all "metal" stencil was made.
- 1989
- A separate metal stencil division was set up in its own facility.
- 1991
- MET Associates incorporated as an independent company.
- 1992
- 2nd etching line installed.
- Stainless steel replaces brass as the preferred stencil material
- Electro-polishing added to improve paste release
- 1997
- First laser for "cutting" stencils was purchased. The superior accuracy of laser-cut stencils gradually began to push chemically etched stencils aside.
- MET ownership changed hands from Stewart Stalnecker to the current partners, Ting Shi and Fred Cox.
- 2002
- MET moved its operations to a new building in Lumberton, NJ; its current location.
- Additional laser capacity purchased
- 2006
- MET acquires a stencil making operation in Minnesota (capable of both chemically etching and laser cutting)
- Electroforming line set up to make nickel stencils.
- 2007
- MET purchased additional laser capacity.
- 2nd electroforming line set up.
- 2010
- MET purchased additional laser capacity.
- MET opens facility in Mooresville, North Carolina.
