Chemistry: electrical and wave energy – Apparatus – Electrolytic
Patent
1981-06-10
1983-05-17
Tufariello, T. M.
Chemistry: electrical and wave energy
Apparatus
Electrolytic
204215, C25D 1700
Patent
active
043839096
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to an apparatus for plating workpieces by electrolytic treatment in a plurality of steps, comprising means to hold and rotate the workpiece, a plurality of electrodes, at least one of which being adapted, in each step, to be located at the workpiece by means of an electrode holder, and means to supply, in each step, a certain electrolyte to the region of the rotating workpiece and the non-rotating electrode, which during the treatment is connected to one pole of a source of direct current, the other pole of which is connected to the workpiece.
BACKGROUND ART
By means of this known apparatus, so called brush plating may be carried out, which is an electrolytic method for metallizing without need of immersing the workpiece in an electrolytic bath. In each treatment step, one or more electrodes, normally anodes, which typically are made of graphite and wound with an absorbing material, such as cotton or polypropylene wool or the like, are located adjacent the rotating workpiece, the absorbing material being in contact with the workpiece while the electrode proper may be located at a distance of e.g. 0.5 mms or less from the workpiece. The electrolyte is supplied to the area of the electrode and the workpiece and metals ions are deposited from the electrolyte on the surface of the workpiece adjacent to the electrode. In order to obtain a complete plating treatment, several steps are required. A first step may be degreasing, a second activation or pickling, a third deposition of a binding metal layer and a fourth deposition of the main metal layer. Each of said steps is carried out with a specific electrolyte and one or more specific electrodes.
Although it is possible with said apparatus to obtain high quality plating, there are nevertheless disadvantages as to the efficiency thereof. In practice, an electrode holder is provided to which a first electrode must be mounted for carrying out the first treatment step, i.e. degreasing. In addition, a hose or the like must be applied to the electrode to supply the degreasing electrolyte to the electrode. When the degreasing step is terminated, the electrode must be released from the holder and another electrode, e.g. an electrode for a pickling electrolyte, be mounted on the holder and in addition, another electrolyte container must be taken to the vicinity of the holder and connected to the pickling electrode by a hose. In an analogous manner, the treatment proceeds until the plating is completed by deposition of the main metal layer. In practice, such a plating operation may comprise four or more treatment steps and it is evident that the treatment as a whole is very laborious.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The object of the invention is to eliminate the disadvantage described above and enable a plating treatment as rapid and efficient as possible. In particular, the invention aims at enabling fully automatic plating of workpieces in long series.
According to the invention this object is obtained in that a plurality of electrode holders with associated electrodes are arranged on a common carrier, which is adjustably movable relative to said holding means and the rotatable workpiece to selectively locate an optional electrode holder with associated electrode(s) intended for the desired treatment step in an operative position relative to the rotatable workpiece. In this way, it is possible to rapidly and efficiently carry out several successive treatment steps by moving the carrier relative to the workpiece so that the holders in question with associated electrodes sequentially are brought into operative position relative to the workpiece without necessitating individual manipulating and mounting of electrodes.
It is preferred that the carrier is rotatable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
With reference to the appended drawings, a more specific disclosure of an embodiment of the invention follows hereinbelow.
In the drawings
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus, certain parts being omitted for clarity;
FIG. 2 is a t
REFERENCES:
patent: 1535318 (1925-04-01), Koehnline
patent: 2588910 (1952-03-01), Davis
patent: 3443054 (1969-05-01), O'Connor
patent: 3639225 (1972-02-01), Malkowski
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