Electroplating

Bel Air’s state-of-the-art electroplating facility provides depositions of copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), silver (Ag), Gold (Au), and Palladium (Pd). Electroplating may or may not be applied to parts that have previously been surface finished using one of the processes shown in the Surface Finishing section. The examples below indicate the general range of plating currently available (note that the first letter in the designation indicates the pre-finish before coating).

The following are examples of 3D-printed plastic parts that have gone through various post-processes before electroplating. The electroplating shown are Copper plating as printed, Copper Pre-Finish after Process C, Nickel plated as printed, Nickel Pre-Finish after Process C, and Gold 24KT after Process C.

The following are examples of 3D-Printed metal parts before and after they have gone through the electroplating process.

Physical Vapor Deposition is typically used for high-wear applications and in any industry where the visual and functional performance of an item can be enhanced with a durable decorative coating. For example, PVD coatings are commonly used in automotive, plumbing, hardware manufacturing, medical, and electronic applications as well as for large and multi-dimensional parts.