EP2048265A1 - Method for manufacturing a component part and component part - Google Patents

Abstract

The method for producing a sanitary component part (1), comprises applying a predetermined masking color by pressure on a metallic surface layer (2), which comprises two surface sections with a different appearance for forming an inscription and/or a decoration design, recessing a free area of a surface layer (3, 4) or an intermediate layer associating a color marking means by a masking color, removing the free area under formation of a recess through galvanization or with a colored marking means, and applying a metal layer as colored marking means in the recess and/or the free area. The method for producing a sanitary component part (1), comprises applying a predetermined masking color by pressure on a metallic surface layer (2), which comprises two surface sections with a different appearance for the formation of an inscription and/or a decoration design, recessing a free area of a surface layer (3, 4) or an intermediate layer associating a color marking means by a masking color, removing the surface layer or intermediate layer under the formation of a recess through galvanization or with a colored marking means, applying a metal layer as colored marking means in the uncovered recess and/or the free area, and removing the masking color from the surface layer and/or the intermediate layer. The masking color is applied through screen printings on the continuous, non-galvanizable surface layer or the non-galvanizable intermediate layer. The metal layer or metal alloy layer is introduced into the recess. A semi-finished material provided with the masking color is immersed in an acid bath, so that the uncovered surface layer or the uncovered intermediate layer is removed. The surface of the semi-finished material is washed after removing the uncovered surface layer or intermediate layer. A metallic carrier of the component is manufactured as a galvanizable pulled sheet metal or as a galvanizable plastic before the masking color is applied on the surface layer and/or the intermediate layer, and incorporates the surface layer and/or another intermediate layer. The metallic carrier of the semi-finished material is coated with a copper layer and/or nickel layer after the die casting process, and then coated with the chromium layer by galvanically applying process. An independent claim is included for a die casting component.

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a component, in particular a sanitary component, with a metallic surface layer having at least two surface portions with a different appearance to form a label and / or a decorative pattern.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a component which is produced by the aforementioned method.

From the DE 197 10 623 A1 For example, a method for manufacturing a component is known in which a surface layer of the component is processed in order to apply a lettering and / or a decorative pattern. The component essentially consists of a carrier, an intermediate layer and a surface layer, wherein the surface layer is formed from a chromium layer. So the surface layer for decoration or labeling purposes is formed at least two colors, is burned in a surface area, which is to have a different color to the chromium layer, by means of a laser beam a well. This depression is then filled with a color. A disadvantage of the known method is that the design of a relatively large colored surface area, the quality of the label or the decorative pattern suffers when it is exposed to relatively severe environmental conditions or strong external stress.

Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for producing a component or a component such that a long-term stable, abrasion-resistant and color-contrasting lettering or decorative pattern is ensured in a continuous metallic surface coating.

To achieve this object, the invention in connection with the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that a predetermined masking color is applied by means of printing, wherein a free surface of the surface layer or an intermediate layer to be absorbed by a color-deposited means of the masking color is recessed, that the surface layer or the intermediate layer is removed in the free region to form a depression by electroplating or with a color-deposited agent that is introduced as a color-deposited agent, a metal layer in the exposed recess or the free area and that the masking paint from the surface layer or the Interlayer is removed.

The particular advantage of the invention is that a multi-colored metallic surface layer is achieved in manufacturing technology simple manner, which has a long life with relatively strong external stress. Advantageously, by applying a masking ink by means of printing, preferably screen printing, a mask can be produced which leads to a relatively high resolution in the production of the label or to an improved Grenzsauberkeit in the transition region between the one metallic region of the surface layer and the color remodeled other metallic Area of the surface layer leads. After applying the masking ink, the corresponding metal layer in the region left clear by the mask can be easily removed by etching. In a further step, for example, a color-different metal layer can then be introduced into the recesses of the free surface area, so that after removal of the masking color, a continuous and flat multicolored metallic surface layer is formed.

According to a development of the invention, the masking ink can be applied to a metallic surface layer or a metallic intermediate layer. The exposed area may be left blank by means of an additional metal material or replaced by previously removing the exposed layer with another metal layer. When masking the intermediate layer, a matting layer can be applied so that, after subsequent chromium plating of the entire surface, on the one hand, a shiny chrome color effect and, on the other hand, a matt chrome color effect are achieved.

According to a development of the invention, the released chromium layer in the free surface region of the component is removed by means of an acid, so that the coloring of the metallic surface layer can be effected by means of electroplating.

To achieve the object, the component according to the invention according to claim 7, characterized in that a first surface layer of a first metal material and a second surface layer of a second metal material are arranged flush with each other to form a flat or slightly curved top.

The particular advantage of the component according to the invention is that a multicolored metallic surface layer can be produced in a simple manner, which has a high-quality optical appearance as well as permanent and flush transitions between the differently colored surface areas.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the further subclaims.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a plan view of an inventive component according to a first embodiment,

FIG. 2

a cross-section of a component to be manufactured, in which the completely made of chromium surface layer is provided with a masking color with a recess,

FIG. 3

a cross-section through the component to be produced in a method step in which the chromium layer has been removed in the region of the released surface layer,

FIG. 4

a cross section through the component to be produced, in which a metal layer is introduced into the exposed recess,

FIG. 5

a cross section through the finished component,

FIG. 6

a partial cross section through a finished component according to a further embodiment and

FIG. 7

a partial cross section through a finished component according to a further embodiment.

The inventive method for producing a component 1 is in the FIGS. 2 to 5 shown in more detail. The component 1 may be formed, for example, as a functional body in the sanitary area, for example as a valve or in the automotive sector as a handle part. In the present embodiment, the production of a block-shaped component 1 is described, which has a flat top 2, which is formed from a two-color surface layer. A first surface layer 3 is formed of a first metal material, preferably chromium.

A second surface layer 4, which is arranged adjacent and flush with the first surface layer 3, consists of a metal layer of a different color to the first surface layer 3, for example of a gold, platinum, palladium layer. The second surface layer 4 is formed relatively rich in contrast to the first surface layer 3, so that a caption "HDO" of the component 1 can be formed.

According to an embodiment of the invention, not shown, instead of the lettering on the upper side 2 of the component 1, a decoration pattern can be formed, which also has a relatively good Grenzsauberkeit in the transition regions between the first surface layer 3 and the second surface layer 4. Preferably, the top 2 is flat or slightly curved.

To produce the component 1, a semifinished product 5, for example a semifinished product 5 produced by die-casting, is formed in a first step. The semifinished product 5 has as support 8 a zinc material (zinc alloy) on which a copper layer 9, a nickel layer 10 and the continuous surface layer 3 are applied in succession by electroplating.

In a second step, the semifinished product 5 can optionally be polished and / or ground.

In a further method step according to FIG. 2 On the continuously chromed surface layer 3 of the semifinished product 5, a masking ink 6 is applied by means of screen printing, with a partial area 7 of the upper side 2 of the semifinished product 5 being recessed. For example, the printing ink be printed with a wiper-like tool (squeegee) through a fine-meshed textile fabric on the material to be printed. This results in a relatively firm connection between the masking ink 6 and the upper side 2 of the semifinished product 5.

According to an embodiment of the invention, not shown, the chromium layer 3 can also be deposited directly on the carrier 8 by electroplating.

In a further method step according to FIG. 3 For example, in a plating process - immersing the semifinished product 5 in a hydrochloric acid bath - the first surface layer 3 in the partial area 7 (the free surface area not covered by the masking ink 6) is removed so that the underlying nickel layer 10 is exposed. Thus, a recess 11 is formed in the surface layer 3 which is in alignment with the recess 13 of the masking ink layer 6.

Preferably, after the removal of the chromium layer 3 in the subregion 7, the semifinished product 5 is subjected to a washing process, so that the uncovered surfaces in the subregion 7 have the required cleanliness for the further working step.

In a further method step according to FIG. 4 In the depression 11, a metal layer (second surface layer 4) of a different color to the chromium layer 3 is introduced, which serves as an agent deposited in color to the adjacent chromium layer 3. For example, this metal layer 4 may consist of a gold, platinum or palladium material.

In a last method step according to FIG. 5 the masking ink 6 is removed, so that a flush top 2 with two different color surface layers 3 and 4 are exposed. How out FIG. 5 can be seen, both the top 2 of the component 1 and a flat side 12 of the top 2 facing carrier 8 is flat.

According to a further embodiment of a component 5 'according to FIG. 6 For example, a surface layer 3 'may also be formed from a platinum material. After printing on the masking ink 6, a gold material can be applied in the free region 7 as second surface layer 4 'in a further step. After removal of the masking ink 6, a two-color surface layer of the component 5 'is likewise formed.

The same components or component functions of the embodiments are provided with the same reference numerals.

According to the invention, the surface layer 3, 4 may be formed by any metal / metal alloy layer, which is preferably not galvanisable. For example, color combinations of bronze / nickel, nickel / palladium, palladium / gold, platinum / gold can be formed.

According to a further embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 7 For example, instead of a surface layer, an intermediate layer 30 (nickel layer) may be partially coated with the masking ink 6. An exposed surface area 31 of the semifinished product may be provided with a matting layer 33 are provided, so that after subsequent removal of the masking paint 6 and full-surface application of a chromium layer 3 different color appearing surface areas 34 and 35 are formed. The first surface area 34 has a glossy chrome color impression and the second surface area has a matt chrome color impression. For reasons of simplification, is in FIG. 7 shown in the finished state no longer existing masking paint 6.

Claims (9)

Method for producing a component (1), in particular a sanitary component, having a metallic surface layer (2) which has at least two surface portions with a different appearance to form a lettering and / or a decoration pattern, characterized that a predetermined masking ink (6) is applied by means of printing, wherein a free region (7, 31) of the surface layer (3) or an intermediate layer (30) to be deposited on a color-contrasting agent is recessed from the masking ink (6), that the surface layer (3) or the intermediate layer (30) in the free region (7, 31) is removed by electroplating to form a depression (11) or with a color-deposited agent, - That as a colored deposited means a metal layer (4) in the exposed recess (11, 32) or the free area (31) is introduced and - That the masking ink (6) from the surface layer (3) or the intermediate layer (30) is removed. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the masking ink (6) is applied by screen printing on the continuously non-electrodepositable surface layer (3) or the non-electrodepositable intermediate layer (30). A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the recess (11, 32) a metal layer or a metal alloy layer (4) is introduced. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a semifinished product (5) provided with the masking ink (6) is immersed in an acid bath, so that the exposed surface layer (3) or the exposed intermediate layer (30) is removed. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the surface of the semifinished product (5) after the removal of the exposed surface layer (3) or the exposed intermediate layer (30) is washed. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a metallic carrier (8) of the component (1) receiving the surface layer (3, 4) and / or an intermediate layer (9, 10) is in the form of a galvanized drawn sheet metal or as a galvanisierbare plastic is prepared before the masking ink (6) on the surface layer (3) or the intermediate layer (30) is applied. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the metallic carrier (8) of the semifinished product (5) after die casting thereof with a copper layer (9) and / or nickel layer (10) and then with the chromium layer (3) galvanic coating is coated. Component, in particular die-cast component, produced by the method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a first surface layer (3) of a first metal material and a second surface layer (4) of a second metal material are arranged side by side to form a planar or slightly arched top (2). Component according to claim 8, characterized in that one of the upper side (2) facing flat side (12) of the carrier (8) is flat or slightly curved.

Images