GB1216296A - Improvements in and relating to the electroplating of the cut edges of sheet metal panels - Google Patents

Abstract

1,216,296. Electro-plating piled panel edges. O. A. BECKER. June 5, 1969 [June 20, 1968; Aug. 1, 1968; Oct.17, 1968], No.28527/69. Heading C7B. The cut edges of sheet metal panels bearing lacquer, synthetic resin or metal coatings are electro-plated for protection by placing them one on top of the other in a pile and bringing at least one side face of the pile into contact with an electroplating electrolyte, each panel being connected to a D.C. source. One embodiment, Fig.1 shows a side face of the pile 17 pressed against an absorbent wall 3 of a sealed container 1 containing the electrolyte and suspended anode sheets, the wall consisting of panels 5 of felt, sponge or foam, e.g. supported between wire nettings in a carrier frame 3a. Two such containers may be pressed on opposite side faces of the pile to electro-plate simultaneously. The pile may be held by plates 31, 32 and abutment rods 34, with Cu wire brushes 30 oscillated by electromagnets (not shown) for intensive contact. Vertical electro-plating strips 27, 28 of absorbent material may be provided to electro-plate edges of panels having punched cut-outs; these strips may contain anode rods (22), Fig.3 (not shown) surrounded by sieve-tubes (23). Electrolyte dripping of the panel 3 may be collected in a trough 10 and returned via a pipe 11 and float valve 12. The cut edges may be first Zn plated, then Cr plated; acid or cyanide electrolytes may be used. The cut edges may be cleansed before and after plating by reciprocating brush bars mounted on the upper holder plate 32 as a horizontal sprinkler. The cut edges of Al shut panels may be anodized by reversing the electrical connections for the above container. A second embodiment, Fig. 5 shows the pile 17 partly inserted through an aperture in a front wall 1a of the container 1 which is filled with electrolyte from a storage container 62 via a pipe 61 containing a valve 61a by compressed air introduced through a pipe 63, the aperture being sealed against the pile by movable wall portions 43, 44 guided by framing 53 and provided on their edges with inflatable hoses 47, 46 and sealing strips and operated by pressure cylinders 49 having piston rods 50, inflatable hoses 42 being inserted in U-section frame 41 for sealing the wall portions. Alternatively, a rubber sleeve (101), Fig. 8, (not shown) may be used for sealing the pile, clamped to the front wall of the container and with its inner margin pressed by bars actuated by pressure cylinders and pistons on the pile. A third embodiment, Fig.12 shows that pile 17 wholly inserted in the electrolyte container 1, similarly filled from a storage container 62, in which a U-shaped frame 122 straddles the pile placed between wood plates 121 and compressed by upper pressure cylinders, further pressure cylinders 118 being arranged for pressing insulating casing containing the contact brushes (115, 116) Fig. 13 (not shown) on the pile.