Prototyping of MIDs utilizing LDS technology has now become even more elegant and simple. Starting immediately, LPKF is marketing its popular product “ProtoPaint LDS” with a further-developed formula exclusively in the form of user-friendly spray cans.
 
Delivery includes a set consisting of six 200-ml spray cans of a 2K polyurethane paint including a safety data sheet, 20 plastic plates for practicing the best spraying results, a CD with structuring files for the MicroLine3D and Fusion3D laser machines and an extensive process description.

The spray can is activated by a pulling-rotational movement of the bolt located on the bottom, with the separate chamber opening that contains the hardening component.

After intensive shaking of the can, the pot can be used within four hours to spray paint generatively produced plastic prototypes with an LDS-capable skin. When choosing the material for rapid prototyping, sufficient thermal stability should be ensured since the ProtoPaint hardens with increased temperature.

Structuring of the component surface is then done on a laser structurer from LPKF, just like on an injection-molded LDS component.

Another innovation is that the subsequent metallization after laser structuring of prototypes in the copper bath does not require an external current supply. 

For users without their own laboratory and the associated fume hood, LPKF has developed the “ProtoPlate LDS” box, in which after a few preparatory steps copper-plating of LDS prototypes can be carried out without analytical monitoring of the bath’s chemical composition.

All the technical equipment which is necessary for comfortably manageable and reliable metallization of LDS prototypes is housed within an attractive and functional transparent plastic enclosure. Exhaust and elimination of formaldehyde fumes is carried out internally.

Included in the delivery of the “ProtoPlate LDS” box is a chemical set to create nine possible bath preparations, each ca. 1.5 liters in bath volume. Handling is very easy. Three bath ingredients are provided per bath preparation. In accordance with the detailed process description, two of these bath ingredients are mixed in a beaker and heated to the nominal temperature and then the third component is added. The bath is thus activated and within a time window of about two hours the LDS prototypes can be copper-plated.