Plating 3D-printed parts
What Is Possible When Plating 3D Printed Parts?
By: Dan Fernback, CEO of JuggerBot 3D
Plating plastic parts is not a new endeavor. In fact, companies have been plating parts for various industries since the 1960s. The real question is, what additional value can plating bring a 3D printed part? Let’s take a quick look at the basics:
First off, what are the benefits of plating on plastic?
Simply put, there are both aesthetic and functional reasons why one would want to plate their plastic parts. Aesthetically, the use of copper, nickel, chrome, and possibly gold or other noble metals make for desirable finish, and are found in a growing number of applications within the automotive industry, electronics industry, plumbing industry, and household appliances. Functionally, plated plastic parts can address a number of engineering requirements, including chemical, wear, and heat resistance, ESD prevention, EMI and RFI shielding, and radio transmission, reception, and filtration.
Second, what plastic materials can be plated?
The general rule of thumb is, the higher chemical resistant a plastic, the more difficult it is to plate. ABS is widely used today for plating applications, but the list of thermoplastics include Polycarbonate, Polystyrene, Polyacetal, blended Nylons, ULTEM, PEEK, and Polypropylene.
Third, what metals can plate onto plastic?
Before plating, plastics must be “metallized”, in order to improve its adhesive properties. After that, Copper, Nickel, Tin, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Palladium, Rhodium, and Chrome are all fair game through a sputtering, electroless plating, electroplating, or spraying process.
Fourth, how does this help my company?
JuggerBot 3D is accepting entries for Gamma Partners in 2017. JuggerBot’s low-cost industrial 3D printer is easy to use, capable of printing a wide variety of functional plastics, and can evolve as new materials are introduced to the 3D printing market. However, real benefit of the Gamma Partnership is hands-on support from the JuggerBot team to help you create a more agile, profitable business. Let’s unveil the benefits of plated, printed parts!
Please contact us dan@JuggerBot3d.com to learn more!
References: Specialty Metals, Surface Technology, Sharrets Plating Co., andCyberShield Inc.
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Made For Engineers is an online community dedicated to educating, entertaining and helping engineers to engage in compelling, interesting content about all things in engineering today.
Juggerbot 3D is the founder of the Made For Engineers online community. JuggerBot 3D provides a 3D printing ecosystem to manufacturers that make them agile by providing employees, whose primary focus is not 3D printing, a means to print functional parts.
Specializing in a 3D printing ecosystem for additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping in tool and die shops and manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, medical device and healthcare and academics.