Stronger parts with Proto Labs by plating 3D-printed plastic parts

1 min read

Proto Labs has extended its in-house 3D-printing capabilities with the inclusion of specialist plating services for plastic parts built using Stereolithography (SL) or Selective Laser Sintering technology (SLS).

By offering both SL and SLS with a secondary ‘plating’ option, Proto Labs is responding to customer demand for parts with the finished aesthetic and inherent strength intended for the finished product.

These augmented characteristics are achieved by ‘plating’ parts with materials including copper, nickel and chromium.

Plated Stereolithography or Selective Laser Sintering technology parts support prototyping requirements across a range of applications from all industries including: automotive, bathroom fittings and equipment for electrical engineering use.

Says Daniel Cohn, general manager of Proto Labs in Germany: “We are continually evolving our capabilities to ensure we meet the demands of our customers. We have become increasingly aware of the significant enhancements plating makes to the capabilities of the resultant part, hence our move to offer these services in-house.Now, with plating technology and operational expertise in-house, we can manufacture plated parts with increased capabilities that will support product testing and project progression even further.”