Rapidly Manufactured Masks for Electroplating

Air Force plating shops need a cost effective, rapidly manufacturable, multi-use masking system for aerospace components. 3D printing is a logical path for this but currently no 3D printable materials have been identified that are nonporous, electrically nonconductive and resistant to the chemicals and temperatures encountered in electroplating processes used by the AF. Figure Engineering and our partners know how to design stereolithography (SLA) materials that will meet the Air Force’s need for cost effective, rapid manufacturing of non-porous electroplating masks. During this Phase I project we will develop a proof of concept hard and soft mask formulation and demonstrate its feasibility to be 3D printed and safe for use in the required plating solutions.