Creating Artistic Designs on Metal Through Targeted Electroplating Process
In a groundbreaking development, a student named [ajc150] has created a unique selective electroplating technique that could revolutionise the field of metal 3D printing. The project, which utilises an electrode mounted on a CNC motion system for electrochemical printing on metal sheets, has the potential to transform the way we approach metal fabrication.
The method takes advantage of the increased plating at points closer to the anode, a feature that is harnessed to create intricate patterns and images on metal sheets. [ajc150] wrote a Python program to convert images into G-code instructions for the CNC machine, allowing for precise control over the plating process. An electrolyte bath was placed in the workspace of the modified CNC machine, and a flat steel cathode was laid in the electrolyte bath.
The system is capable of printing recognizable images, but there is room for improvement. For instance, the algorithm currently does not take into account spillover between pixels during the plating process. To address this, [ajc150] plans to extend the system to a faster multi-nozzle system.
Traditionally, selective electroplating is more commonly used for cutting metal, not printing. However, this project presents an interesting reversal of this process. By controlling the movement of the anode and adjusting plating times using a gamma correction function, [ajc150] has managed to print images onto metal sheets. When the anode moves close to a certain point on the steel cathode, most of the plating takes place there, creating a pattern that closely resembles the original image.
This selective electroplating technique bears resemblance to a metal 3D printing method. For example, laser-based metal powder bed fusion methods like Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) can be conceptually reversed to perform selective metal cutting or removal, akin to the CNC-controlled selective electroplating technique. Similarly, Electron Beam Melting (EBM) could be used to vaporise or ablate material, serving as a precise metal cutting tool analogous to the electrochemical approach.
The project's repository can be found on GitHub, allowing others to build upon this innovative work and contribute to the advancement of metal 3D printing technology. With continued development and refinement, selective electroplating could become a powerful tool in the field of metal fabrication.
[1] [Source for SLM/DMLS and EBM] [2] [Source for reversing metal 3D printing techniques] [4] [Source for SLM/DMLS and EBM as prime examples]
This student's unique selective electroplating technique, used in conjunction with data-and-cloud-computing through a Python program and a CNC machine, could potentially have applications beyond metal fabrication. For instance, in the medical-conditions domain, it might be used to create personalized diagnostic tools or prosthetics, as it allows for precise control over the plating process. Furthermore, the advancement of the system to a faster multi-nozzle system could open doors for DIY science projects, leveraging technology to revolutionize various sectors.
