--- title: What is Electroforming? The Electroforming process explained. description: This article introduces what electroforming is and explains the process of Electroforming step by step. image: https://insights.vecoprecision.com/hubfs/Images/harvest.png --- - [career](https://www.vecoprecision.com/about-us/careers/) - [help center](https://help.vecoprecision.com/knowledge) [![Veco](https://www.vecoprecision.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Veco-logo-black-rgb-0072.png)](https://www.vecoprecision.com) - [electroforming technology](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/) - [what is Electroforming](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/what-is-electroforming/) - [Electroforming process](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/electroforming-process/) - [capabilities and applications](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/electroforming-capabilities-and-applications/) - [Electroforming materials](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/materials-used-in-electroforming/) - [similar technologies](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/electroforming-vs-other-technologies/) - [case studies](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/electroforming-cases/) - [design guidelines](https://www.vecoprecision.com/design-guideline/) - [company](https://www.vecoprecision.com/about-us/) - [about us](https://www.vecoprecision.com/about-us/) - [markets we serve](https://www.vecoprecision.com/about-us/markets/) - [career](https://www.vecoprecision.com/about-us/careers/) - [co-develop with Veco](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/work-with-veco/) - [quality](https://www.vecoprecision.com/about-us/quality/) - [products](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/) - [micro nozzle plates](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/micro-nozzle-plates/) - [inkjet nozzle plates](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/inkjet-nozzle-plates/) - [nebulizer plates](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/nebulizer-plates/) - [encoder discs](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/encoder-discs/) - [MEMS probes](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/mems-probes/) - [test socket pins](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/test-socket-pins/) - [electrodes for hydrogen production](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/electrodes-for-hydrogen-production/) - other products - [flow discs](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/flow-discs/) - [sugar screens](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/sugar-screens/) - [coffee filters](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/coffee-filters/) - [leaf filters](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/leaf-filters/) - [shaver foils](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/shaver-foils/) - [hearing aid components](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/hearing-aid-components/) - [aperture plates](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/aperture-plates/) - [test contactors](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/test-contactors/) - [contact](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/contact-veco-1) - [Home](https://www.vecoprecision.com) - [Blog](https://insights.vecoprecision.com) - What is Electroforming? The Electroforming process explained. [Back to overview](https://insights.vecoprecision.com) # What is Electroforming? The Electroforming process explained. Mar 27, 2018 4:25:45 PM [By Hua Fan](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/author/hua-fan) As the global trend of miniaturization keeps growing, [Additive Manufacturing](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/what-is-additive-manufacturing-0) becomes a hot-button topic in the world of manufacturing. In this article, Electroforming, a typical Additive Manufactuiring technique, is introduced.  ## What is Electroforming? [Electroforming](https://www.vecoprecision.com/technologies/electroforming) is an [additive manufacturing](https://app.hubspot.com/blog/1788947/analyze/post/4718109128/performance/views) process specialized for the production of high precision metal parts. Its uniqueness is that you can grow metal parts atom by atom, providing extreme accuracy and high aspect ratios. ## What is the Electroforming process? The Electroforming process is an electrodeposition process that can be concluded in a series of steps including Cleaning, Coating, Exposing, Developing, Deposition, and Harvesting. ### (1) Cleaning  The conductive metal substrate will first be cleaned and degreased.![Electroforming Process](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Electroforming_cleaning.jpg?width=710&name=Electroforming_cleaning.jpg "Electroforming Process") ### (2) Coating The cleaned metal 'blank' is then coated with a light-sensitive photoresist.![Electroforming process](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Electroforming_laminating.jpg?width=710&name=Electroforming_laminating.jpg "Electroforming process") ### (3) Exposing The metal sheet is then exposed to ultraviolet light. *We use the LDI (Laser Direct Imaging) technology which is far more accurate than traditional photo tooling. The LDI Imager is capable of projecting high-resolution images directly from a CAD file. In this way, photomasks become redundant, which significantly reduces costs and decreases lead time.*![Electroforming process](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Electroforming_exposing.jpg?width=710&name=Electroforming_exposing.jpg "Electroforming process") ### (4) Developing After the image is transferred by UV exposure, the substrate is then developed, rinsed, and dried.![Electroforming process](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Electroforming_developing.jpg?width=710&name=Electroforming_developing.jpg "Electroforming process") ### (5) Deposition An electrolytic bath is used to deposit metal onto the patterned surface. The electro-deposition process involves an electrolytic solution, two electrodes, and a DC current. The DC current of electricity is passed through the solution (electrolyte), converting metallic ions into atoms, which build up onto the cathode surface through a continuous deposit. Therefore, the material can be built up on microscale accuracy: atom by atom.![Electroforming process](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Electroforming_deposition.jpg?width=710&name=Electroforming_deposition.jpg "Electroforming process") ### (6) Harvesting The electroformed part can be harvested from the mandrel, once the material is plated in the desired thickness.![Electroforming process](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/harvest.png?width=710&name=harvest.png "Electroforming process") To understand the process in greater detail, watch our HD animation of the Electroforming process in full length!    To learn more about [Electroforming](https://www.vecoprecision.com/technologies/electroforming), such as what are the major types of Electroforming, technical capabilities of Electroforming, key benefits of Electroforming, as well as applications of Electroforming, [download our free whitepaper of Electroforming](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/en/whitepaper-electroforming), or feel free to [talk to one of our Electroforming engineers](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/contact-engineer)! 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