Electroforming Basics For Miniature and Specialized Components

Electroforming Basics for
Miniature and Specialized

Components
Proprietary electrodeposition process produces

lightweight parts wtih unique geometries in five
specialized steps.
Produced by:
Servometer White Paper Electroforming Basics for Miniature and Specialized Components
What is electroforMing!
Electroforming is the process of depositing thin layers of metal onto a mandrel

through electroplating, dissolving the mandrel chemically, and leaving the plat-
ing as the final electroformed product.
step 1: the Mandrel

The mandrel is the base machined compo-
nent, typically made from Aluminum 6061T
or stainless steel, which defines the internal
geometry of an electroform. In component
manufacturing, it is typically more difficult to
hold internal dimension to tight tolerances
than external dimensions. Since electro-
forms are based on the machining toler-
ances of the external mandrel geometry, the
internal dimensions are precise.
step 2: Machining
With advancements in Computer Numerical

Control (CNC) machining, miniature, special-
ized components can be machined, plated,
and converted into custom electroforms. Cur-
rently, electroforms can be manufactured to
less than a 0.5mm diameter with a wall thick-
ness of less than 0.008mm. Special tooling
can be utilized for custom configurations in
order to match design specifications. Multiple
machined components can be assembled to-
gether to create more complex shapes. The result is a seamless electroformed
assembly.
2
step 3: plating
During the plating process, the mandrel

acts as the cathode while the source of
the electroform material is the anode.
Controlling the time, current and current
density in the plating tank will control the
thickness of the electroform. Constant
monitoring of the chemistry within the
tank results in a more precise compo-
Courtesy of Wikipedia
nent.
The metal(s) selected for plating are chosen based on parameters defined
by the customer. The most popular materials for electroforms are nickel,
copper, gold, and silver. Different forms
of nickel as well as a nickel cobalt alloy
are available to meet the installation and
strength requirements. Nickel is a cost
effective material, operates at cryogen-
ic temperatures, and produces low leak
rates. Copper, gold, or silver can be used
to meet other design specifications such
as media compatibility, reflectivity, conduc-
tivity, and tensile strength. For example,
a gold-plated surface will increase conduc-
tivity for bellows electrical contact applications. The nickel base material
gives an electroform its strength, while the gold finish reduces signal loss.
In addition, special surface finishes can be applied internally or externally

to the electroform assembly. For optical applica-
tions, a mirror finish (4 R.M.S) can be required to
increase reflectivity; in infrared filtering applica-
tions, a blackening can be added to the internal
surface to limit the range of light passing through
the assembly.
3
step 4: triMMing
After the plating process, the mandrel will need to be

removed from the assembly. For an aluminum man-
drel, this is accomplished by exposing a portion of the
mandrel; for example, the mandrel is made slightly
longer than required when manufacturing an electro-
formed bellows. The ends are trimmed after plating to
the desired length to expose the mandrel.
step 5: reMoving the Mandrel
The assembly is then put into a caustic soda and care-

fully monitored until the entire aluminum mandrel is
chemically removed leaving only the
electroformed bellows.
sub-asseMbly
Depending on the application an electroform
is either a stand-alone item or a component to
be integrated into an assembly. Electroforms
can be installed using epoxy, solder, or weld-
ing, depending on the chemical composition
of the component and the material that it will
adhered to.
4
applications
Electroforms can be used in applications that require extremely tight tolerances,

miniature sizes, and a wide operating temperature range. Here are a few ex-
amples.
Bellows are flexible tubes that can be used in a variety of applications includ-
ing pressure, volume and temperature compensation, actuators, couplings, and
more. Electrodeposited bellows allow for much smaller sizes and tighter toler-
ances than comparable technologies.
Electrical Contacts created by an electroforming process allow for an elec-

trical connection to be made between miniature components. If a bellows is
integrated into the electrical contact, it can compensate for misalignments and
offsets. A gold-plated surface increases conductivity and reduces signal loss.
Electromagnetic shielding is a common requirement in today’s digital

world. Electroformed assemblies can protect against electromagnetic and radio
frequency interference with less weight than materials such as stainless steel and
with greater survivability than brass plates.
Reflectors with mirror finishes use electroforming technology for its structural
rigidity, light-weight construction and surface finish to transmit light in the direc-
tion and magnitude required.
Waveguides are used to manage electromagnetic waves. Electroforming tech-

nology is chosen to add flexibility for non-stationary applications and give tight
tolerances to the internal geometry.
Electroforms can be used for applications that require tighter tolerances than
plastics giving them a distinct advantage over forming dies and molds which
are typically manufactured using plastic. For example, many medical devices
rely on electroformed molds to control the shape of catheter tips. Also, automo-
tive plants use electroformed components to create consistently shaped interior
molded components.
5
about servoMeter and belloWstech
Making the Impossible Possible
Servometer, the pioneer of electrodeposited miniature metal bellows, bellows

assemblies, contact springs, flexible shaft couplings and rigid electroforms of-
fers over 50 years of engineering and manufacturing experience servicing the
aerospace, defense, medical, test, semiconductor, UHV, solar and oil and gas
industries. Servometer is ISO 9001:2008 certified.
In 2007, Servometer acquired BellowsTech of Ormond Beach, Florida, a pre-

miere manufacturer of edge welded bellows and bellows assemblies encom-
passing a wide array of alloys and dimensional configurations for oil and gas,
semiconductor and vacuum technology industries. BellowsTech is AS9100-C
compliant.
www.servometer.com
www.bellowstech.com

Electroforming Basics For Miniature and Specialized Components

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What are the main steps of the electroforming process?

What are the main steps of the electroforming process?

What materials are commonly used for electroforming and why?

What materials are commonly used for electroforming and why?

Electroforming Basics for

Miniature and Specialized

Proprietary electrodeposition process produces

Electroforming is the process of depositing thin layers of metal onto a mandrel

step 1: the Mandrel

With advancements in Computer Numerical

During the plating process, the mandrel

In addition, special surface finishes can be applied internally or externally

After the plating process, the mandrel will need to be

step 5: reMoving the Mandrel

The assembly is then put into a caustic soda and care-

Electroforms can be used in applications that require extremely tight tolerances,

Electrical Contacts created by an electroforming process allow for an elec-

Electromagnetic shielding is a common requirement in today’s digital

Waveguides are used to manage electromagnetic waves. Electroforming tech-

about servoMeter and belloWstech

Making the Impossible Possible

Servometer, the pioneer of electrodeposited miniature metal bellows, bellows

In 2007, Servometer acquired BellowsTech of Ormond Beach, Florida, a pre-

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