I was just wondering if this had ever been tried?
A piece of metal (raw material) would be charged (say negatively as the cathode) and suspended in a tank of electrolyte. The print head would comprise of a tiny positively charged conductive surface (the anode) mounted on an insulator that was moved around in the tank on a three axis, delta or other motion system as required. To start the print off, the conductive material of the print head would rest on a fixed metal surface that is rigidly mounted (and optionally insulated from) the tank. After building up a 'spigot' the print head would move slightly to encourage the build up of the metal in the required location to create a desired shape.
I am aware that plating is very slow, but could it be adequately speeded up using the small point anode, increasing the voltage/current or minimising the volume of electrolyte to make this viable?
Thoughts please...
Senake
Electro-mechanical engineer
Author of Compopoly - a better ecosystem for Makers
A piece of metal (raw material) would be charged (say negatively as the cathode) and suspended in a tank of electrolyte. The print head would comprise of a tiny positively charged conductive surface (the anode) mounted on an insulator that was moved around in the tank on a three axis, delta or other motion system as required. To start the print off, the conductive material of the print head would rest on a fixed metal surface that is rigidly mounted (and optionally insulated from) the tank. After building up a 'spigot' the print head would move slightly to encourage the build up of the metal in the required location to create a desired shape.
I am aware that plating is very slow, but could it be adequately speeded up using the small point anode, increasing the voltage/current or minimising the volume of electrolyte to make this viable?
Thoughts please...
Senake
Electro-mechanical engineer
Author of Compopoly - a better ecosystem for Makers