Electroforming - Secrets of Shiny
Electroforming - Secrets of Shiny shows our 6 most important tricks to achieve shiny electroforming results with copper and silver solutions. These are the exact same techniques we apply to forge our legendary jewelry from outer space. Never get dull or salmon-colored pieces anymore!
0:00:00 - Intro
0:00:32 - Trick 1: Buy your Solution
0:02:02 - Trick 2: Amps, Volts & Time
0:03:17 - Trick 3: Bag up your Anodes
0:04:11 - Trick 4: Move that Object
0:05:52 - Trick 5: Filter Your Solution
0:06:40 - Trick 6: Rotary Tool
0:07:58 - Recap
0:08:25 - Outro
Links:
Tifoo online-calculator for electroforming
www.tifoo.de/b...
Unfortunately only available in german. To get a rough estimate for your home made copper solution choose “Kupfer alkal.” The option “Kupfer glanz” only works with Tifoos own solution that pulls around 10 times more current than homemade solutions and deposits copper really fast.
Filter-Sockets i use for anode bags
www.amazon.com...
Cut it to the size of your anode and hotglue or sew it together. When sewing, use a jeans-needle because to sheets of this PE-fabric is rather thick.
Rota Jig - Free DIY Guide to build your own Motion-System for Electroforming Objects.
drive.google.c...
You’ll need access to a 3D printer and some very basic maker-skils.
Eheim Mini Flat - The Small Fishtank Filterpump that fits in your Electroforming Tank
eheim.com/en_G...
We’ve had some reports, that in some cases the solution dissolved the glue, that was used to mount the little magnet-bead to the plastic impeller. No problem: just reglue with a epoxy-glue and it’ll hold forever.
Tifoo Electroforming Products
www.tifoo.de/e...
No affiliation whatsoever - we just use and love their hustle-free products. Unfortunately they don’t ship outside Europe because of hazard restrictions for chemical Products
Xenoarchaeology - Jewelry from Outer Space
www.xenoarch.com
/ xeno_arch
We free our jewelry from secret compartments in abandoned ruins on forbidden planets far from our solar system. Protected by dangerous mechanisms or unsolvable puzzles that long extinct races have devised to prevent their treasures from falling into the wrong hands.
We dig up old maps, search for artifacts, translate inscriptions on rare relics and put all these clues together to track down those secret places that contain magical treasures. Heirlooms from great emperors, jewelery from queens from entire planetary empires, decorations from great women warriors who have conquered entire solar systems.
Well. Sort of. At least we imagine such wild stories when we create the designs for our jewelry. We want our pieces to radiate a mysterious story and look as if they were thousands of years old and out of this world.
In fact, we create our designs by 3D scanning odd shapes or strange organic objects. We add detail and features to these models through digital sculpting on the computer. The design is then 3D printed and electroformed with a heavy layer of copper. If the design calls for it, we electroform another layer of silver over the copper. We use all kinds of gemstones and other peculiar materials to finish the piece. Finally we have several weathering routines to make the piece look like it is old and not from this planet. This spaced-out jewelry workflow ensures pieces that are guaranteed to be unique and one of a kind.
Пікірлер: 84
Great Video! We believe there are a lot of people out there not knowing how much fun Electroforming is! Thanks for using our products and the excellent explanation.
@tayagrows
5 ай бұрын
Really wish you shipped to the US. :)
@TifooTech
5 ай бұрын
@@tayagrowssorry for the inconvenience. You could move to the EU though 😄
Hi xeno_arch, your video production quality is amazing. I only came across your channel recently and hope you are still looking to do videos because they are top quality. Keep up the great work!
@xeno_arch9887
9 ай бұрын
HejHej Dave ... Thanx for the Propz. Ive been busy with some other Nerd-Stuff 🙈 Life as a polymath isnt exactly boring 🤣 but here in Switzerland were expecting Snow so its the perfect season for sum cozy electroforming Session and maybe some random Video Tutorials 🤣
Hi! Deine Tips sind wahnsinnig hilfreich, das Video ist informativ und spassig gehalten! Ich bin gerade erst am Anfang und habe verstanden, dass die Oberflächenbehandlung bzw. Vorbereitung wohl das Wichtigste ist. Und da liegt bei mir auch schon der Hund begraben: Ich nutze Kupferleitlack der Firma Tifoo (qualitativ sehr sehr hochwertig) und mein Problem ist, dass ich ihn verdünnt mit der Airbrush auftrage und dabei IMMER eine "rauhe" Oberfläche entsteht, am Ende sogar feinster Kupferstaub an manchen Stellen zu sehen ist. Ich habe mit Aceton verdünnt. Einmal 1:2 dann 1:4...selbes Ergebnis. Einmal mit 1 bar gespritzt, einmal mit 2 bar. Selbes Ergebnis. Was den Umgang mit der Airbrush angeht bin ich alles andere als ungeübt. Die Oberfläche wird immer leicht "rauh", so als ob sich die Kupferpartikel "aufstellen" würden wenn sie auf das Objekt gespritzt werden (blöd beschrieben ich weiss)...und mit so einer Oberfläche brauche ich das Teil natürlich gar nicht erst in ein Bad tauchen. Wenn ich nach dem spritzen des Kupferlacks einige Stunden warte damit er soweit trocken ist dass ich diesen "Gries" runterwischen kann...wische ich mir auch zwangsläufig den Lack runter / dünner... Ich möchte mittlerweile schon auf verdünnen und mit dem Pinsel aufstreichen umsteigen aber denke mir dass die Pinselstriche wohl dann im Lack bleiben?... Ich bin wirklich ratlos.
@xeno_arch9887
9 ай бұрын
HejHej, danke für das Lob und welcome to the new Hobby! Ich glaube der Hund liegt bei Dir im Verdünner begraben. Tifoo gibt "Butylacetat" als verdünner an. Damit bekommst Du eine viel homogenere Flüssigkeit hin. Ich weiss, das Zeug bekommt man nicht einfach im Supermarkt, aber ich glaube ein Versuch wäre es wert. 🌞
@AlbinoSpider-fr8im
9 ай бұрын
Hey :) danke für Deine Antwort und - Du hast Recht! Habe vor einigen Tagen einen Umstieg von Aceton auf Butylacetat gemacht und was soll ich sagen...Tag und Nacht! Ich denke das Aceton ist einfach zu schnell verdampft, auch schon während dem spritzen! Jetzt funktioniert das lackieren damit wunderbar. Gleichmässige und glänzende Schichten.
Excellent tips 👍
@xeno_arch9887
9 ай бұрын
Thanx!
Thanks! SUPER cool video!!
great vid! love the energy
@xeno_arch9887
2 жыл бұрын
Thanx 4 the love, B
Thanks for the tips. You're funny too.
@xeno_arch9887
2 жыл бұрын
😇 Thx
AWESOME 👏🏻 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
@xeno_arch9887
9 ай бұрын
Thanx! And Happy Eforming!
Thanks and subbed!
Hi! Schon mal hier kommentiert und Du konntest mir wirklich helfen! Mittlerweile ein paar Versuche gestartet und ich versuche mich bei folgenden fails kurz und prägnant zu halten... 1: wenn ich den Gegenstand aus dem Bad hole und sofort mit destilliertem Wasser spüle...sieht er optisch ganz ok aus. Testweise mit einem kleinen Fetzen und etwas Politur drüber und das Tuch wird schon mit gar nicht viel Druck beim polieren mit der Hand...regelrecht schwarz! Dieses Schwarz ist aber anfangs gar nicht zu sehen auf dem Objekt. Interessant war, dass die Opferanoden nach dem Galvanisieren als ich sie aus dem Bad zog eine schmierige, schwarze Schicht aufwiesen. Konnte man mit dem Finger wischen. Was ist das und warum entsteht dieser schwarze Film auf den Anoden? Kann es sein dass dieser schwarze Film der Anoden sich auf der Beschichtung am Objekt ebenso ablagert und dieser dann im Tuch zu sehen ist beim polieren? Falls ja...ist das für eine ordentliche Haftung der (Kupfer)Schichten auf dem Objekt ja absolut tödlich. 2: immer wieder und ich merke es mir nie... Die Einstellung am Netzteil. Beides (V und A) auf Null. Netzteil an. Es gibt scheinbar zwei Varianten dann...(?). Ampere aufs Maximum und dann erst solange die Volt einstellen, bis man den gewünschten Ampere Wert hat (=zb. 1A/Qdm)? Oder anders...erst Volt aufs Maximum und dann Ampere solange einstellen bis die fürs Elektrolyt empfolhenen Volt angezeigt werden?? Es ist zum Mäuse melken. Ich habe hier zwei Netzteile. Eines welches maximal nur 3 Ampere liefert - dafür ist aber Volt und Ampere am Gerät regelbar... Und eines welches 3-15 Volt und 25 Ampere liefert. Bei dem kann ich aber nur die Volt einstellen :-/. Da dieses Gerät sofort mal bei 3 Volt schon beim Einschalten "anfängt" und es bei Kupfet aber heisst "üblicherweise 1 - 1.5 Volt"...sind die 3 Volt vermutlich viel zuviel??? Fragen über Fragen :(
Thanks sooooo much for these great tricks.
@xeno_arch9887
3 жыл бұрын
Always welcome! Stay tuned, ill be droppin more helpful tips here on the Channel ;-)
Love the informative video and your humor is the icing on the cake. Do you recommend cleaning your copper anodes? If so, how do you suggest cleaning them? Thank you 😊🙏
@xeno_arch9887
7 ай бұрын
Thx fr the Comment and good question! and i must admit that i never ever clean my anodes. I usually just let them in their anode bags until they have completely dissolved through the galvanization process. Just make sure you use pure copper, anode bags and a fishtank-filterpump and you should never have any Problems with residues or dirt in your solution thet would require extensive cleaning. Hope That helps.
@ModgePodge1111
7 ай бұрын
@@xeno_arch9887 Great! Thank you so much for replying. I do everything but the filter which I will pick up this week. Thank you again for all of the work that you put in. Your videos are a huge help for artists like myself who are just learning this modality.
Cool!! Thank you for sharing!
@xeno_arch9887
3 жыл бұрын
Thanx for watching!
Amazing tips. Thanks!
Hallo Sascha, vielen Dank für die Mühe dieses Video zu erstellen! Zum Glück habe ich es heute gesehen! Das sind genau die Infos die ich brauchte! Vielen Dank! Leider funktioniert der Link zu den Anoden Bags nicht mehr 🙄 . Würdest du mir nochmal mitteilen welches Produkt du da verwendest? In den Aquariumfilter machst du dann das Gleiche rein? Vielen Dank und weiter so! LG Ralph
@xeno_arch9887
6 ай бұрын
Der Link ist schon recht alt 🙈 hier ein aktuelles Produkt: www.amazon.com/dp/B082SK6S7Z/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=1+micron+filter+bag&qid=1707079340&sr=8-3 ... und yepp ... in der fischpumpe verwende ich neben den mitgelieferten Filtern auch ein Stück des Anodebag- Materials ...
@user-vs6sj5ly9i
6 ай бұрын
Hi ja Danke! Mittlerweile bin ich auch fündig geworden. Nachdem ich die Anodenbeutel im Einsatz hatte, hat sich der Widerstand im Elektrolyt verändert. Bei Kupfer und beim Nickel. Ist dir das auch aufgefallen?
Hello! I was wondering if there was something I was missing for the rotajig. Ive uploaded the software and connected the servo, but all the trinket does is flash a red light twice. Is there something I might be missing?
You are awesome
Hi there! I love this video and the resources you've linked in the description! I've come back to it multiple times. I am actually making my own video on solving electroplating problems and I would like to give a shout out to your clever rotary jig. Would it be all right if I used 3-5 seconds of footage from this video to feature the jig (along with links to this video, of course)?
@xeno_arch9887
Жыл бұрын
Sure, Bro ... just go ahead ... im lookin forward to your tipps and insights 👍🌟
@austins.andrus5622
Жыл бұрын
@@xeno_arch9887 Thanks so much!
Hello, I cant get my servo trinket to work. Its continuous. All lights are on, shows up on computer, put the files in and nothing happens. Any suggestions?
Moin! Weiß zwar nicht ob hier noch die Kommentare liest, aber ich frage mal trotzdem. Muss man bei dem Adafruit M0 noch irgendeine Software draufpacken, oder wirklich nur die Dateien aus dem Order? Egal wie oft ich die Daten da drauf lade, der Motor dreht sich nicht.
@xeno_arch9887
4 ай бұрын
Hejhej ... hast du wirklich nen 360° (continous) servo angeschlossen? Das Setup funktioniert nur mit durchlaufend rotierenden Servos
Scheint so als wäre ich nicht der einzige mit dem Servomotor Problem. Habe jetzt etwas recherchiert und hab gesehen dass es recht wahrscheinlich ist das für den Motor mehr Leistung benötigt wird als der adafruit trinket hergibt. Habe nämlich zwei Motoren getestet und keiner läuft. Habe alles auf den trinket m0 kopiert wie beschrieben. Vielleicht hat ja wer eine Lösung gefunden mittlerweile. Ich werde mich sonst mal nach Alternativen umsehen.
Greetings Master, what micron bags do you use and do you know why we would use one micronage over the other?
@xeno_arch9887
4 ай бұрын
You want to get the finest bags available to you ... the smaller the grid/micronage the smaller will be the amount of sludge still seepin thru the bag. I usually use 1 micron ... i didnt find any finer bags around my hood
@X3msnake
4 ай бұрын
@@xeno_arch9887 awsome, thanks Master
Do you run for fish tank filter pump during plating or after? Also I have access to different pumps in Canada. What’s the key component? Just a filter sponge? Some come with all sorts of fancy filtration components designed specifically for cleaning fish tank water.
@xeno_arch9887
11 ай бұрын
Hejhej peebs, usually run the pump while eforming. The goal here is to filter out medium to big debris, while the anode bags should take care of anything smaller. So i have stuffed some coarse and some medium size filter sponge material into my pump. Its a bit trial and error, but it doesnt take a lot of effort to work well. But i never use the active carbon balls or other chemically active material, cause it could taint the solution. Hope that makes sense 🙈😉
@peebs2424
11 ай бұрын
@@xeno_arch9887 that makes perfect sense, thank you! So I’ve printed the roto jig and purchased the trinket M0 and FeeTech continuous servo from adafruit. Did you heat the roto jig piece and just force it onto the servo gear? Also do you have an STL for a case for the trinket M0?
Could I use a stir plate to keep it good
@xeno_arch9887
6 ай бұрын
A stir wont cut it because you need to get rid of the dirt and residue. Thats why you need some kind of filtration.
@1937Brett
6 ай бұрын
@@xeno_arch9887 mine has allways come out like a sand texture and pink fish colour lol
Hello, firstly many thanks for your video and tips I wanted to download the 3D files for the rota jig but unfortunately the links in google docs don’t work, can you share the 3D files or get me the updated links please ?
@xeno_arch9887
Жыл бұрын
Hejhej Christophe ... thanx for the props, glad you like my stuff 🌟 I just checked the link and everything is working fine. Heres the link again: Https://cutt.ly/3lXabB3 ... hope it works this time ☀️
@christophedo3772
Жыл бұрын
@@xeno_arch9887 Hey thank you very much for your links, they work fine, and my apologizes for my late answer, I didn't watch your answers :(
Do you have a video explaining how to set up the silver tank? (Currently a copper electroformer here, and want to step it up to silver!) I can't seem to find any videos perfectly explaining the differences between the two, or the similarities!
@xeno_arch9887
2 жыл бұрын
I dont have such a video yet. But i will make a quicktipp-video answering your question 😉
@fionas2690
Жыл бұрын
That would be awesome. I’m also keen to see. Tx for ur fab videos. Love ur work
In your code, the frequency was set to 5. Is there a reason for this? I have a flawless operation at 50 and problems at 5.
@xeno_arch9887
Жыл бұрын
This depends pretty much on the make and model of the servo you are using. If it works with 50 for your servo, youre all set 👍 i tested thru several settings and 5 was a good fit for my servos. So my reason was pretty much trial and error 🙈🤣
Thanks for the tips, any sources for something like Tifoo in the states? Seems like a great resource
@xeno_arch9887
3 жыл бұрын
Afaik names like riogrande.com or enchantedleaves.com keep popping up as reliable sources of electroforming supply. But being based in Switzerland I unfortunately don't know the street spots in the US, sorry. Maybe you want to join facebook-groups like "Electroform This!" where a lot of US besed eformers maybe have some better tips for you.
hi. thanks. i downloaded ROTAJIG DIY MANUAL.pdf file and the link of 3d printer parts and ciruit python code for the trinket doesnt download for me. could you please send me the links. thanks alot for your help.
@xeno_arch9887
9 ай бұрын
"""CircuitPython Essentials Servo continuous rotation servo example""" import time import board import pwmio from adafruit_motor import servo # create a PWMOut object on Pin A2. pwm = pwmio.PWMOut(board.A1, frequency=5) # Create a servo object, my_servo. my_servo = servo.ContinuousServo(pwm) while True: print("forward") my_servo.throttle = 0.1 time.sleep(20.0) print("stop") my_servo.throttle = 0.0 time.sleep(20.0)
@xeno_arch9887
9 ай бұрын
or use this link: www.swisstransfer.com/d/184178a8-db2e-4a13-9339-e5c5420a7207 ... hope thatll work
No mention of heat. Do you heat your solution ?
@xeno_arch9887
2 жыл бұрын
HejHej! Nope! The Solution I buy works perfectly with room temperature. Be it winter or summer. Thats why i advocate for buying premade Solutions. They solve pretty much all the quirks youd have with the self-mixed stuff.
I can't get my servo to start turning. My servo had a Black, red, and white wire. I put white where you have yellow. I can see the files on my computer and I copy over the files and nothing is happening.
@xeno_arch9887
9 ай бұрын
HejHej ... Are you using a continous servo motor? positional servos wont work for this
Morgen, Also ich kann machen was ich will und bekomm das Programm net auf den Trinket M0 , Windows 11 Zeigt ihn mir nicht an. gibts da nen Trick ?
@xeno_arch9887
5 ай бұрын
Hallo richi ... oft scheiterts schon beim USB Kabel. Das sollte unbedingt ein "Datenkabel" und nicht einfach ein HandyLadekabel sein ... und dann hat der trinket zwei Modi: Bootmode und nen normalen Betriebsmode. Auf der Adafruit Website wird der Unterschied und die Anwendung super einfach erklärt.
@richizwerg9109
5 ай бұрын
@@xeno_arch9887 danke für deine schnelle Antwort. 😃 Der trinket hatte bisle Start Schwierigkeiten. Nach dem ich das phyton update drauf gemacht hatte ging alles. Hab nur den falschen servo aktuell 🤣🤣
Sir how to copper pleting thick and fast
@xeno_arch9887
2 жыл бұрын
Thick and fast electroforming depends on the solution you use. There are solutions on the market - like the ones from tifoo.de - that plate 1mm of copper in only 12 hours. that's pretty fast. The only downside: fast electroforming requires a pretty beefy rectifier depending on the Surface areas of the objects you'd like to plate.
Hi I wanted to ask if there is a reason why it doesn’t rotate continuously? But in steps? (Was thinking about using a servo tester)
@xeno_arch9887
2 жыл бұрын
thats simply because Im soo bad at python coding and I just needed a quick and dirty solution 😁 There is no reason why it should rotate in Steps ... I did do the 20 Sek rotate/20 Sek idle-Scheme on purpose tho: By variing this Move-to-idle-Ratio you can tune in the Amount of Nodulation you want to have, if ever. Othervise just keep it rotationg the whole time.
@kettenotter
2 жыл бұрын
@@xeno_arch9887 Okay 😄 thanks for the info!
Any idea where/ how we buy silverforming solution in the United states??
@xeno_arch9887
3 жыл бұрын
i forwarded your question into a US silver electroforming group. As soon as i get word, ill haller back at you.
@Wake_N_Jake
3 жыл бұрын
@@xeno_arch9887 thank you! : )
@xeno_arch9887
2 жыл бұрын
So far no good news here, Sorry. You were absolutely right: It is pretty hard to find non cyanidic silver solution in the states. Maybe you want to try eshopwedrop.com and order from tifoo.de thru them. Maybe after the Pandemic things will easen up and stuff will become more available again.
You sound like Ivar from Vikings
@xeno_arch9887
2 жыл бұрын
😆 But i assure you, my intentions are not that evil 😆
Quick question: when you spin the piece, could you instead keep the piece stationary but stir the solution with a mixing plate?
@xeno_arch9887
3 жыл бұрын
A mixing Plate is a very common and usuable way of keeping contaminant away from your piece. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. But if you rotate the piece you additionally get the benefit of avoiding Anode-Shadows.
*your* "Filter-Sockets i use for Anode-Bags" link says *page is missing*
@xeno_arch9887
6 ай бұрын
www.amazon.com/dp/B082SK6S7Z/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=1+micron+filter+bag&qid=1707079340&sr=8-3
@fvrrljr
6 ай бұрын
@@xeno_arch9887 Thank You Bro' i ended buying the material at walmart 1/2 yard for $1.50 was surprised of that price i should've bought the whole yard one of my daughters hot gluing some for me