Contact us to discuss your requirements of barrel nickel plating machine. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Rely on the extensive plating services offered by Sharretts Plating Company. One of the many beneficial and cost-effective services we offer is barrel electroplating, which is often the method of choice for plating a high volume of smaller parts at one time. Customers needing barrel plating services where plating specifications are complex and the finished product must meet very stringent testing guidelines and industry standards for industrial metal plating.
Just about any typical plating process can be performed in barrels. Copper plating, nickel plating, electroless nickel phosphorous, palladium plating, palladium-nickel, silver plating, tin, tin-lead, tin-zinc, zinc electroplating, zinc-nickel, soft and cobalt hardened gold comprise the SPC plating array.
The barrel plating process involves placing the items in a barrel-shaped cage that is manufactured from nonconductive material. The cage is then submerged into a tank containing the appropriate chemical solution, while a slow tumbling action is used to commence the plating action. A key factor in the barrel plating process is that the individual pieces establish a bipolar contact with one another, which results in greater plating efficiency. However, it’s important to note that because of the heavy amount of surface contact the pieces have with each other, barrel plating is generally not recommended when engineering or ornamental finishes are required.
High, medium, and low efficiency barrels for plating are available, resulting in improved deposit distribution that is used to apply corrosion resistance and high-tech conductive and solderable/bondable functionality. Two common types of plating barrels are horizontal and oblique. Horizontal barrels are the most frequently used, largely because they are capable of handling larger volumes and greater varieties of workloads. The largest type of horizontal barrel, known as a production barrel, has a capacity of up to 17 cubic feet. Portable and miniature horizontal barrels are also available. Oblique barrels feature a more open design and a reduced tumbling action that is better suited for smaller workloads.
Choosing the right electroplating method is essential for achieving optimal results and minimizing the risk of damage to the finished product. Two of the most commonly applied processes for plating multiple workpieces are barrel and rack plating. Each offers several advantages, as well as points the plater and customer must consider when determining the most appropriate method for their project.
As the name implies, barrel plating entails placing the parts inside a barrel typically constructed of polypropylene. The barrel contains center bars that conduct the electrical current. The barrel rotates slowly while immersed in the electrolytic plating solution. This causes the parts to tumble or “cascade,” which provides an even, uniform coating application. Typical barrel plating applications include enhancing corrosion protection, increasing aesthetic appeal and producing an engineering finish that protects the parts against wear and tear.
Barrel plating offers a cost-effective means of plating a high volume of small, durable parts such as stampings and fasteners. It also works well for plating parts of various shapes and sizes. Barrel plating requires a smaller investment in equipment and is less labor-intensive than rack plating, which ultimately results in a lower process cost to the customer. On the downside, most barrel plating techniques require a low electrical current, which can increase the time that the parts are exposed to the plating solution.
Rack plating differs from barrel plating in that the parts are affixed to metal racks with screws, wires or spring fingers. This causes the parts to remain stationary upon immersion of the metal rack into the plating solution. Consequently, metal platers prefer rack plating for delicate parts that might not be able to withstand the tumbling or cascading action produced by barrel plating. Rack plating also works well for large or complex components.
For more information, please visit Gold Plating Machine For Sale.
In addition to affording increased protection against damage to parts, the rack process can plate contours and intricate shapes more efficiently. Rack plating is the preferred choice in industries where a high-quality finish is paramount such as military and defense, automotive, medical and electronics. Disadvantages of rack plating include the higher cost and increased labor requirements. In many cases, it may be necessary to design and manufacture a customized rack for specialized applications.
Both barrel and rack plating are compatible with a wide variety of metal finishing technologies such as zinc, tin, copper and nickel, as well as precious metals such as gold and silver.
SPC offers decades of barrel and rack plating experience, along with the expertise to help you select the right method for your metal finishing applications. Contact us to learn more today.
Are you interested in learning more about barrel zinc plating? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!