US4549939A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photoelectroforming mandrel and method of electroforming
Assignee: PPG Industries Inc
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Filing: 1984-04-30
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Granted: 1985-10-29
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Expires: 2004-04-30
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to an electroforming process and mandrel which utilize a photomask substrate. The process comprises preparing an electroforming mandrel consisting of a photomask substrate, a continuous transparent conductive film on a surface of the substrate, and a discontinuous layer of photoresist which defines a pattern on the surface of the conductive film. A cathodic connector is attached to the conductive film of the electroforming mandrel and anodic connector is attached to an electrode comprising metal to be deposited on the mandrel. The mandrel and the metal electrode are immersed into an electroforming solution and electric current is established through the electrodes and solution. Electrodeposition of the metal is carried out to the desired thickness to electroform the metallic part on the mandrel.
Inventors
- 👤 James S. Kenworthy
- 👤 Thomas G. Kozinski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:42
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D1/00; C25D1/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
An article of manufacture for use as a mandrel in a process for electroforming a metallic part comprising: a. a nonconductive substrate which transmits actinic radiation; b. applied to said substrate a material which masks the transmission of actinic radiation in a desired pattern; c. on a surface of the patterned substrate, a continuous conductive film which transmits actinic radiation; and d. over the conductive film, a discontinuous layer of photoresist defining a pattern corresponding with the pattern applied to said substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
An article of manufacture for use as a mandrel in a process for electroforming a metallic part comprising: a. a nonconductive substrate which transmits actinic radiation; b. applied to said substrate a material which masks the transmission of actinic radiation in a desired pattern; c. on a surface of the patterned substrate, a continuous conductive film which transmits actinic radiation; and d. over the conductive film, a discontinuous layer of photoresist defining a pattern corresponding with the pattern applied to said substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
An article according to claim 4, wherein the substrate is glass.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An article according to claim 2, wherein the pattern applied to said substrate comprises stain producing metal within the glass surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
An article according to claim 3, wherein the pattern comprises silver.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An article according to claim 4, wherein the conductive film is selected from the group consisting of indium oxide, tin oxide and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An article according to claim 5, wherein the photoresist defines a pattern of conductive metal which is a positive image of the pattern applied to the substrate.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of electroforming a metallic part comprising the steps of: a. preparing an electroforming mandrel which comprises a photomask substrate, a continuous transparent conductive film on a surface of the substrate, and a discontinuous layer of photoresist which defines a pattern on the surface of the conductive film; b. attaching a cathodic connector to the conductive film of said electroforming mandrel; c. attaching an anodic connector to an electrode comprising metal to be deposited on the mandrel; d. immersing the mandrel and the metal electrode into an electroforming solution; e. establishing an electric current through said electrodes and solution in order to deposit metal from the anode onto the cathodic surface of the conductive film; and f. carrying out electrodeposition of the metal to the desired thickness to electroform the metallic part on the mandrel.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of electroforming a metallic part comprising the steps of: a. preparing an electroforming mandrel which comprises a photomask substrate, a continuous transparent conductive film on a surface of the substrate, and a discontinuous layer of photoresist which defines a pattern on the surface of the conductive film; b. attaching a cathodic connector to the conductive film of said electroforming mandrel; c. attaching an anodic connector to an electrode comprising metal to be deposited on the mandrel; d. immersing the mandrel and the metal electrode into an electroforming solution; e. establishing an electric current through said electrodes and solution in order to deposit metal from the anode onto the cathodic surface of the conductive film; and f. carrying out electrodeposition of the metal to the desired thickness to electroform the metallic part on the mandrel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein the substrate is a stained glass photomask.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein the substrate is a glass photomask stained with silver.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein the conductive film is selected from the group consisting of indium oxide, tin oxide and mixtures thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said conductive film is produced by the process of magnetron sputtering.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein said photoresist is developed to produce a pattern of the underlying conductive film which is a positive image of the photomask pattern.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 7, which further comprises the step of removing the photoresist after the electroforming of the metallic part in order to facilitate separation of the part from the mandrel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-10-28 | 1989-04-29 | 1989-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-28 | 1993-04-29 | 1993-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-28 | 1997-04-29 | 1997-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |