Extrusion International USA 5-2019

47 Extrusion International 5/2019 For the electroplating industry, the focus of 3D printers so far has been on the resulting new business field. The metallization of 3D printing components allows their technical function to be expanded. The ap- propriate surface finishing generates electrical conductivity, protects the components against corrosion and wear or enhances them decoratively. Without the idea of a concrete area of use, the surface coater Betz- Chrom bought a 3D printer relatively early out of an interest in the technol- ogy. In a playful way, the employees Knowing that the possibilities of 3D technology are limitless, Betz-Chrom of course continues to “play” with 3D printers. The next idea is sure to come. Further information on research and development at Betz-Chrom can be found at: Betz-Chrom GmbH Am Haag 11, 82166 Gräfelfing, Germany www.betz-chrom.de www.betz-chrom.de/en/research- development.html The use of 3D printers are limitless. What began as a technical gimmick led to new production processes at Betz- ChromGmbH 3D Printing – Benefits for Electroplating Industry gained more and more knowledge about the possibilities of 3D printing. After countless fun prints, from busi- ness card cases to small rhinos, the first ideas finally came up on how 3D printing could be used in production. Today, the fixture design for com- ponents with complex geometries starts even before the workpiece has arrived at Betz-Chrom. Using techni- cal drawings, CAD software and 3D printing, the component of the cus- tomer is “copied” in plastic. The plas- tic model serves as a working base in fixture construction. When real component arrives, the necessary fixtures and anodes are ready for use and the throughput time is consider- ably reduced. After testing the durability of various plastics in a chrome-VI-electrolyte in an internal research project, the fixtures themselves can now also be produced in a 3D printer. The main advantages lie in the very efficient use of materials and the possibility to reprint damaged devices with the stored program. K 2019: Hall 7 Level I Booth C52 3D PRINTING