Currently, Polymertal –global leader in metal plating solutions– together with a large Israeli defense company, are testing a unique large metal-plated 3D-printed part.
¿Why, and why now? Very simple: In recent years, more engineering-grade materials have become available for use with plastic 3D printers and these offer a good solution for metal replacement applications, including end-use parts. ¿What if you could combine the advantages of plastic and metal together?
In the coming weeks the 3D-printed version of that end-use part will be assembled and tested on an UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). Success in testing would mean the defense company has a new option of performing a fully functional test of such parts which allows for faster design and testing cycles.
Metal-plating could enable the introduction of cost-effective hybrid UAV plastic parts with the following properties provided by the metal layer:
1) EMI/RFI Shielding
2) Electrical Conductivity (Plastic antennas, Wave-Guide)
3) Barrier Characteristics (offering protection from humidity, chemicals, fumes…)
4) Enhancing Mechanical Properties – over the original plastic parts design flexibility
5) ESD Protection
Metal plating is a method of depositing a thin layer of metal, usually Copper or Nickel, on an object made of a different material. This is done in order to improve one or more of the object’s properties, for example strength; thermal or electrical conductivity; chemical or heat resistance. ¿The result? a hybrid product and a new set of potential solutions for metal replacement applications.
