Rapid Prototyping by Selective Electrodeposition Using Electrolyte Jet

Abstract This paper describes the development of a rapid prototyping technique which can produce metal parts by electrodeposition using an electrolyte jet. The calculated results verify that electrodeposition occurs selectively at the spot where an electrolyte jet is impinged. To prevent instability in electrodeposition, lapping was inserted regularly between each deposition cycles, enabling walls to be formed without limiting the height. Using copper nitrate aqueous solution as the electrolyte and a round nozzle with a diameter of 0.53mm, a copper micro-part was fabricated successfully.