Rationale: Decorative metallization of 3D prints has been a highly requested process here at the space.
Approach: The current preferred approach is to develop a system for using vapor smoothing, followed by a chromium-free etch, and then electroless plating of copper on an activated ABS surface. This offers advantages in terms of the amount of surface pre-processing effort that needs to be expended compared with the sanding, conductive ink painting, additional sanding and then electroplating process typically used to plate 3D prints.
