Methods of fabricating electronic and mechanical structures

This invention describes a method to 3D print objects that can conduct electricity. It works by printing two different plastic materials, one after the other, where only one of these plastics can be coated with metal. This allows for creating complex electronic pathways or conductive structures directly within a 3D printed item.

Why it matters: Filed when multi-material 3D printing was nascent. Advances in additive manufacturing and selective metallization since 2012 make integrating electronics into 3D structures more precise and feasible.

Status: ExpiredProtection ended and was never renewed
How hard to build: SpecializedMulti-material 3D printer, chemical selective metallization

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