We reported on Robot Factory weeks ago as they were announcing their CopperFace machine, definitely an attractive concept for users as it allows them to coat their 3D prints with metal easily. Once 3D prints come down the line they are sprayed with graphite or silver, typically, and then placed in a bath which is responsible for the more simple plating process than traditional methods allow for. The CopperFace machine allows for objects to be coated in copper, nickel, silver, gold, and other precious and non-precious metals.
Approached by a client who needed some smaller items galvanized for a work project, the team famous for the CopperFace machine saw a definite challenge at hand. They dove right in, examining the project scope in terms of size, current material base, grooves, purpose, and cathode dynamics.
The Robot Factory began by spraying the item, 28 x 11 x 23 mm in size, with silver. They chose this metal over graphite due to its lack of resistance, allowing for a homogeneous process that results in “constant and controlled thickness,” according to the team. Made of wax, the original form of the product had to be treated appropriately regarding its delicate nature.
“The object was very likely to break during the positioning of the cathode, and since the point of contact could not be visible after the metallization, we could not make use of the hole present in the object,” reported the team. “We also could not use the cathode with an external clamp due to fear of leaving marks on the surface….therefore, we decided to modify the clamp, reducing it in size so it could be easily positioned inside the groove without leaving marks on the surface.”
They put the solution into an aluminum pan, inserted a magnetic stirrer, and filled it with water and ice to reach the desired, frigid conditions of 24°F.
“To facilitate the process, we used the magnetic stirrer so that in the galvanic bath, the heat was dissipated faster due to the movement,” said the team. “Once the bath reached a temperature of 24 degrees, it was possible to start the galvanic deposition by immersing the piece into the galvanic bath.”
They do state that to get the best results when galvanizing with the CopperFace kit, you must be very aware of the process regarding size as when using standard anodes that are supplied with the kit. In that case, the maximum size would be 35 ÷ 40 cm², and with double anodes that the team can supply on request from the user, the maximum size is 75 ÷ 80 cm².
Are you interesting in using a metal or galvanized coating for your 3D printed items? How do you think devices like the CopperFace machine will change the ‘face’ of electroplating as we know it traditionally? Discuss in the CopperFace Kit Used to Galvanize Test Product forum thread over at 3DPB.com.