Enchanted Leaves | MicroDean Systems – Cu Electroforming Live Demo

Maker Faire Bay Area 2026

September 25th-27th

Our project will showcase copper electroforming and its versatility as an additive manufacturing process. Still used to this day to make complex metal parts like rocket engines, we show how a structural layer of copper can be deposited electrochemically onto anything from plastic 3D prints, nature, food, and other unexpected objects. Our interactive live demo will highlight the fascinating process, techniques, and engineering that goes into our own creations. All electronics and chemistry are engineered and fabricated by us, from code to titrations, in house.

The live electroforming demo serves a threefold purpose: to engage, teach, and inspire attendees. Our goal is to have fellow makers see how science and technology can be used for both engineering applications and art. Makers will have the opportunity to take home an Enchanted Leaves Electroforming Starter Kit, which contains everything needed to electroform their own project.

We also plan on having the Maker Faire Penny Press attend this year for its second year in a row. We engineered and built the press completely from scratch. We learned a lot last year and are excited to chat again with fellow makers on the construction process, including electrochemical etching of the dies. Free to operate as usual, but due to the recent change in the penny's status, we will only be able to provide a limited number of pennies to press each day. We will gladly accept fellow maker's pennies to put into the machine if we run out. Last year over 3300 pennies were pressed, we think many will be excited to get this year's unique design.