Just one thing to note: the copper's conductivity is a LOT higher than that of graphite (by a couple orders of magnitude), so that's why the current started to increase as a bigger surface was coated with copper....
If you paint the face part of Rick's head with clear polyurethane (or lacquer or maybe even acrylic) masking off the head and hair, you'd end up with coppery skin with blue hair and eyes, which would look super cool.
I used to build microprocessors from raw silicon. If you handled any wafers with fingers like that you'd have to trash the slice - the finger grease would render the silicon too dirty for subsequent processing. I'm surprised you didn't wear gloves at the very least. Finger grease is no good for electroplating.
Why did the current increase? Its simply that the copper coating has a much lower resitance than the paint/graphite coating. As you pointed out, you were looking for about 1k ohm resistance from the furthest points. Given enough thickness copper can take that down to just above 0 ohms. Also, to a degree, the solution becomes more conductive the warmer it gets. Over volting does cause more current to flow, but it also waste more energy as hea, and said heat can decrease resistance in the copper sulphat solution.
Your copper sulfate doesn't appear pure. It should look dark blue. The impurities may be messing with your process somewhat. Off the shelf Root killer might be a better source.
I wonder if you could heat the 3D print to make it sticky enough that graphite powder would stick to it? Another possibility would be to coat the piece in polyurethane and then dust it with graphite before the poly can dry.
A really cool project just out of curiosity, did you just use Copper sulfate or mix some sortof acid with it? Also, what current did you end up with? One last thing, how much time did it take you to electroplate.
Great tutorial. Just one comment, you mean "electric field lines" not "magnetic field lines". There is no substantial magnetism at play in your setup from the wire's inductance.
The white balance of the camera got messed up, it looks yellow but it's gray, you can see the difference in the background (gray table/mat suddenly looks gold as well)
@10:25 Didn't you answer your own question? As the copper plates the surface the resistance decreases. Thus for a given voltage the currant must increase, no?
How is gold plating business going for you? Thinking of buying a kit and start doing it part-time. I guess marketing it correctly is the most important part
I haven't measured the exact thickness on this part, but it's in the 10's to low 100's of microns range. The longer you plate the part for, the thicker the plating will be.
I'm trying to build a large scale 3D printed sculpture. (3-5 feet) Is there an alternative method to accomplishing this that doesn't require a 3-5 foot tank?
I have a question, I'm trying to learn how to plate. My question is when I plate some of the part don't stick to the stuff that I'm plating do you know why?
Just one thing to note: the copper's conductivity is a LOT higher than that of graphite (by a couple orders of magnitude), so that's why the current started to increase as a bigger surface was coated with copper....
If you paint the face part of Rick's head with clear polyurethane (or lacquer or maybe even acrylic) masking off the head and hair, you'd end up with coppery skin with blue hair and eyes, which would look super cool.
I used to build microprocessors from raw silicon. If you handled any wafers with fingers like that you'd have to trash the slice - the finger grease would render the silicon too dirty for subsequent processing. I'm surprised you didn't wear gloves at the very least. Finger grease is no good for electroplating.
"I turned myself into copper morty, im COPPER RIIIICK!"
All the effort to make the graphite shiny is worth if you want a smooth result for plating. I guess it doesn't matter for electroforming.
Why did the current increase? Its simply that the copper coating has a much lower resitance than the paint/graphite coating. As you pointed out, you were looking for about 1k ohm resistance from the furthest points. Given enough thickness copper can take that down to just above 0 ohms.
Also, to a degree, the solution becomes more conductive the warmer it gets. Over volting does cause more current to flow, but it also waste more energy as hea, and said heat can decrease resistance in the copper sulphat solution.
Hey Morty, you *burp* never guess what I did, Morty! Ugh, come here, look... I PLATED MYSELF IN COPPER, MORTY! I AM COPPER RICK!!!
Now you can use solder to tin/lead plate the copper. Polished up like chrome with a little never dull. Zink from pennies polishes up nice too
Your copper sulfate doesn't appear pure. It should look dark blue. The impurities may be messing with your process somewhat. Off the shelf Root killer might be a better source.
You could probably use toothpaste or baking soda as a polishing compound with the dremel buffing wheel.
The brush on electroplating comes out much better and faster.
Thanks for the video. I tried electroplating with just iron pla and it didn't turn out too well. I'll need to give this a try next time.
I wonder if you could heat the 3D print to make it sticky enough that graphite powder would stick to it? Another possibility would be to coat the piece in polyurethane and then dust it with graphite before the poly can dry.
The wouldn't work and you'd destroy your print
Peanut butter toast is an integral part of the electroplating workbench.
The Rick head is definitely cool. Bravo.
Perhaps try using a rock tumbler and brass nuts to do the "sanding"?
have you tried with conductive Filament?
Hood ornament.
have you tried printing with Proto pasta composite PLA and Electroplating part with out putting your graphite paint mix ?
Try dip In CuSO4 solution
Then dip is NaOH solution
Dry
Put in electroforming tank
Can you use a plastic container to do the copper plating?
A really cool project just out of curiosity, did you just use Copper sulfate or mix some sortof acid with it? Also, what current did you end up with? One last thing, how much time did it take you to electroplate.
Those fuzzy spots are dendritic growth, you can fix it by adding sucralose to the solution.
Great tutorial. Just one comment, you mean "electric field lines" not "magnetic field lines". There is no substantial magnetism at play in your setup from the wire's inductance.
A link to all used materials might be helpfull
You're voice is shivering, you sound like super-nervous :P
potential neurological damage from dipping bare skin into a solution of copper sulfate.
Is this from a FDM or a resin based printer ?
OKay, I don't understand what happened around 7:30 suddenly the graphite head is gold-colored. What changed?
The white balance of the camera got messed up, it looks yellow but it's gray, you can see the difference in the background (gray table/mat suddenly looks gold as well)
you get better results using plumbing pipe as the anode the phosphorous is beneficial
@10:25
Didn't you answer your own question? As the copper plates the surface the resistance decreases. Thus for a given voltage the currant must increase, no?
Nice vid by the way! I love the finish.
Thanks for sharing :-)
Nice project :-)
you can repair bends with hot air maybe
what if i put lot of copper there,, and leave it for a week?
do you think electroplating adds any structural integrity to a print if you make the layers thick?
Copper is pretty soft and flexible, but nickel plating definitely adds some structural strength.
Put in a sand shaker to smooth is up
I'm Copper Rick!!!!!!!
Hey look morty I turnd myself into a disease I'm cancer Rick!!!
Try toothpaste as a polishing agent. :)
How is gold plating business going for you? Thinking of buying a kit and start doing it part-time. I guess marketing it correctly is the most important part
Would fine steel wool work for removing the oxidation?
Polish will do it with a rag. Steel wool would probably mar the surface.
How thick is the copper coating on it? Cool project, I think trying this is in my future haha
I haven't measured the exact thickness on this part, but it's in the 10's to low 100's of microns range. The longer you plate the part for, the thicker the plating will be.
I'm trying to build a large scale 3D printed sculpture. (3-5 feet) Is there an alternative method to accomplishing this that doesn't require a 3-5 foot tank?
Yes. google 'brush electroplating'
Maybe next time just use a mason jar or would that be to close .
What material did you print with? I thought electroplating required a metal material.
Graphite is slightly conductive, serving the same purpose as metal. You can electroplate anything after coating it with graphite.
how many crystals do you use for the water?
I have a question, I'm trying to learn how to plate. My question is when I plate some of the part don't stick to the stuff that I'm plating do you know why?
Grease from fingerprints?
Copperrr riiiiick!
Hello,
Can you please tell me with what liquid can I mix graphite powder for application to a plant?
Try ink
Wich metals rock head meking
Copper might work on this no electricity needed
Can you use pennies?
Should hang in a tube shape container.
What's a spewn?
its like a spork without the teeth...
I'm so glad a skipped to the final outcome... and saved myself 19 minutes of fail.