Electroless silver plating of 3D printed waveguide components by peristaltic pump driven system

V-band waveguide components operating in 57–64 GHz ISM band is presented. Consumer-grade stereolithographic 3D printer is used to print these waveguide components with black-pigmented acrylate-based polymer. Electroless deposition of silver on these microwave components is achieved using an in-house system assembled with off-the-shelf components. This system is driven by a peristaltic pump, circling plating solution between silver bath and waveguide. Metal plated WR-15, 2-inch waveguide section offers average insertion coefficient of −0.35 dB. Trough waveguide section connected to rectangular waveguide through rectangular to trough waveguide transition is metal plated and offers average insertion coefficient of −1 dB. Silver deposited using the pump operated system offers potential of achieving comparable results as conventional dip coating technique.