Electroplating a print

http://bryancera.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/copper-electroplatingforming-3d-prints.html

 

I am going to be trying this. I have the electroplating equip (not electrolysis though). Probably nickel or copper for start.
I am really interested in some of the graphite spray that will allow the PLA surface to then become charged... I'll let you know.

 

Ah, Mark, wish I had known this yesterday. I have some of the protopasta conductive PLA. Could have tossed it in with your ninja to test. I'll run something over the next day or so and ship down to you.

 

That would be awesome.
Sadly, my son only pointed this out to me... today

 

Investigation into this tells me that this is probably the only reasonable way to do this with PLA.

I am going to test it with ABS as in the linked article and with PLA using a THF and graphite solution... however, that is an 'explosive' combination (or can be) so I would not consider it likely to be the way to go long-term.

It will work as a proof-of-concept so that we can see what the electroplating does for PLA and ABS, but the conductive PLA will be the way to go I suspect.

All of the parts (chemicals) ordered* so I should have everything in a week to start actually doing some plating weekend after next. I am only targeting Copper first and once we get that figured out and working I will probably add Nickel plating next (again, more vicious chemicals involved so not going there right away).



*some of which they will ONLY ship ground

 

OK, all the bits are in -- photo attached. I just need to get a glass tray.
I will:

1) test a regular chunk of something (metal) and make sure it works.
2) test the ABS with the graphite coating (using acetone and graphite)
3) test the PLA with the graphite coating (using THF and graphite solution)

copper plate only at this point. Once we have that sorted I'll probably also add nickel and silver (but those start with a copper plated object). Nickel has some rather nasty components.

 

Started with copper plating a quarter for 30 minutes.



Could have used a little longer...at least the process works

Then took the deprime test object and printed with ABS. Coated with acetone and graphite slurry.

Started electroplating it...

 

Now we wait

It is not as quick to plate as the quarter (likely not as conductive) and the graphite coat is probably not even enough or thick enough.
We will see what we get.

Only did the quarter at 100 ma for the 1/2 hour, probably could have gone to 250 or 500 easy. Would have plated faster. Running the ABS chunk initially at 150 ma

 

After 40 minutes:



We repositioned the cathode and dropped it back in.

Here is a photo of the PLa version prepped with the THF. I gave it a lot better coats...

Let me come right out and say, get a charcoal filter to do this with and/or a fume hood. This stuff takes VILE and NASTY to an entirely new level and makes the acetone seem almost like a pleasant deodorant. You have been warned.

 

OK, stopped the ABS and started the PLA. This is ABS after an hour. Needed more coats of graphite and a longer treatment to fully coat it.
(picture a little blurry) It is about 70% coated with copper. I think another hour would completely cover it.

 

OK, less blurry. This is PLA after 2 hours. I am still letting it go longer. Might even leave it overnight.



I think we can say that as a proof of concept, this succeeds.
PLA can be electroplated. Even the non-conductive kind, BUT : @Printed Solid needs to let me know when I can lay hands on some conductive PLA -- that eliminates the nasty coating process and chemicals.

 

I think I only have 3mm left for samples, but I'll print up a few things for you to try. I think the filament becomes available for purchase next month.