NanoVoxel Patents a Method to Turn Micro 3D Prints Into Metal Parts

A new patent could let 3D printing produce intricate metal parts at microscopic scale

Austrian company NanoVoxel has patented a process that uses polymer micro 3D printing as a temporary mold for metal components. The company's patent, WO2026162647A2, describes how to make highly detailed metal microstructures for watches, jewelry, and other applications that demand tiny, intricate geometry.

The method avoids the difficulties of direct metal micro 3D printing. Instead, NanoVoxel first produces a three-dimensional negative mold using two-photon polymerization, or 2PP. Micro DLP and micro SLA are also mentioned as alternatives in the patent. Once the polymer mold is complete, it is filled with metal through electroplating. The polymer is then removed, leaving behind the finished metal structure.

Why this matters at microscale

Traditional lithographic manufacturing, such as LIGA, can produce extremely precise metal microstructures, but it generally favors flat or slightly three-dimensional geometry. Curves, undercuts, and intertwined 3D structures are difficult or impossible with those methods.

2PP changes the equation. It can generate complex shapes directly inside a photopolymer volume. NanoVoxel's patent describes molds with layer thicknesses below 20 microns and structural resolution below 20 microns, with aspect ratios greater than ten and potentially submicron precision. Once electroplated with gold, silver, platinum, nickel, or copper, those molds become functional metal parts.

The electroplating challenge

The patent notes that room-temperature electroplating avoids some of the thermal distortion and residual stresses that come with higher-temperature metal processes. That is a real advantage for delicate microscopic features.

But there are open questions. Conformal electroplating around fine, deep, or convoluted geometry can be hard to control. Mold removal also matters: if the polymer structure sits in an enclosed region, dissolving it without damaging the delicate metal features requires careful material selection. The patent does not spell out the exact chemistry for that step.

Potential applications

For jewelry and watchmaking, the process opens up new design freedom. Decorative structures could combine extremely fine surface detail with precious metals, while functional parts could take advantage of conductivity, wear resistance, or mechanical strength. The patent also suggests the resulting surface quality could sometimes eliminate the need for subsequent polishing, which is especially valuable at a scale where manual finishing is impractical.

NanoVoxel is already positioning itself as a contract manufacturer for these technologies. Whether this patent becomes a commercial standard or remains a niche process depends on how reliably the company can execute the full chain at production volumes.