Engineers from the Siberian State University of Science and Technology named after Academician M. F. Reshetnev have proposed an alternative to traditional methods of metal additive printing. Instead of energy-intensive laser systems, which struggle with copper due to its high melting point (1,085 °C), tendency to oxidation, and reflectivity, the researchers integrated the principle of electroplating into the 3D printer.
The method of directed electrodeposition allows for the building up of copper layers with controlled accuracy, without the need for expensive powders and complex equipment.
The new technology is focused on rapid prototyping and the production of small series of parts, where the use of industrial laser installations is economically impractical. The development is of particular interest for the production of waveguides and components of radio-electronic equipment, where the high electrical conductivity of copper and the precise geometry of products are critical.
The cost of industrial equipment for traditional metal 3D printing starts from 16 million rubles, and the price of specialized powders reaches 100 thousand rubles per 5 kg. The proposed solution makes it possible to significantly lower the entry threshold for small-scale production of copper components.
