Nickel Vapor Deposition (NVD)
Precision Built. Atom by Atom.
Weber is home to the world’s largest fully integrated Nickel Vapor Deposition (NVD) facility—delivering ultra-pure, stress-free nickel tooling solutions with unmatched precision and repeatability. Whether you’re molding Class A automotive interiors or demanding composite aerospace structures, our NVD process offers performance advantages that traditional methods can’t match.
Weber operates the world’s largest fully integrated NVD plant
As the world’s largest fully integrated NVD facility, Weber offers unmatched production capacity, process control, and technical expertise—all from a single location.
· 400,000+ lbs of nickel deposited annually
· Four production chambers and one R&D chamber
· Shell sizes up to 3m x 1.74m (approx. 118” x 68”)
· 0.25 mm/hr deposition rate (up to 6mm/day)
· Closed-loop CO recycling for zero environmental impact
What Is Nickel Vapor Deposition?
Nickel Vapor Deposition is a proprietary, two-stage chemical vapor process that converts nickel powder into high-purity, solid nickel shells. Here’s how it works:
Step 1.
Nickel
Activation
The process begins by converting nickel powder into nickel carbonyl gas, which is then introduced into a sealed deposition chamber.
Step 2.
Controlled
Deposition
There, the vapor flows over a heated mandrel, depositing nickel atom by atom.
Final Result
Precision
Tooling
The result? A 99.98% pure nickel shell with flawless surface replication, uniform wall thickness, and virtually zero internal stress—ideal for complex tooling applications where surface quality and thermal control are critical.
Why Choose
NVD Over Electroforming?
No growth layers. No risk of delamination. Just pure, precision-built tooling—fast.
Feature
Nickel Vapor Deposition
Electroforming
Nickel Purity
Shell Integrity
Surface Detail
Mandrel Reuse
Growth Rate
Environmental Controls
99%
Stress-free
Ultra-high
Yes
0.010”/hr (Uniform)
Closed-loop CO recycling
Lower
Often stressed
Limited
No
Variable
Varies
Where NVD Outperforms
NVD is ideal for applications that demand flawless surface replication, dimensional accuracy, and long-term durability—especially where traditional tooling methods fall short.
· Textured Class-A surfaces (e.g., leather & wood grains)
· Automotive trim
· Consumer molded parts
· Complex geometry molds
Used Across Industries Where Surface and Performance Matter Most
Because the NVD process creates stress-free shells, it excels in applications with high thermal demands, complex geometries, or ultra-fine texture requirements.
Automotive Interiors
→ Slush tools, IMG/L molds, dual texture surfaces, high-fidelity grain replication
Home & Building Products
→ Shower and bath molds, sink tooling, large-format compression molds
Aerospace
→ RTM shells, heated caul sheets, out-of-autoclave tools, thermal intensifiers
Advanced Prototyping
→ Multi-shell programs, rapid master modeling, hybrid aluminum/NVD molds
Custom Solutions. Engineered with Precision.
Weber continues to push NVD’s boundaries through in-house R&D. Whether you’re developing a novel surface pattern, exploring integrally heated shells, or engineering next-generation part textures, our innovation team can help.
We also offer:
- Multi-cavity shell duplication
- Hybrid mold structures (NVD + billet)
- Custom mandrel fabrication and reuse
- Embedded thermal systems for OOA processing
And with our R&D chamber online, we’re actively collaborating on new applications for NVD—including alternative substrates and functional material coatings.