GB1307103A - Process and apparatus for bulk electroplating - Google Patents

Abstract

1307103 Electroplating barrels M & T CHEMICALS Inc 19 May 1970 [20 May 1969] 24167/70 Heading C7B Bulk metallic articles are electroplated in a rotating perforated container which forms the cathode and in which the electric current is supplied sequentially to the various portions of the container wall as these portions sequentially come into contact with the articles, thereby always directing the current through that area of the electrolyte in which the articles are located. In the form described current is supplied to a plating barrel of square cross-section having an end wall as shown via a brush (40) Fig. 1 (not shown) which is held in position 57 thereby contacting sequentially the boomerangs 34,35,36 and 37, each of which is electrically in contact with one side of the barrel respectively (i.e. boomerang 34 electrically contacts side 25). Thus electric current is supplied to the bottom horizontal wall or to the lower two walls of the barrel at any given time during rotation thereof. The anode 44 supported by the shaft 14, axial of the barrel, is provided with deflector means 45, 46 and 48 see Fig.3 to avoid contact between the work pieces and the anode 44. The barrel is supported at its ends from an anode bus bar and from a cathode bus bar respectively. A reverse current may be applied to the upper parts of the barrel to strip therefrom any metal deposited thereon. The barrel walls may be formed of steel mesh; and the anode may be insoluble (as shown) or soluble supported by a foraminous titanium basket. The barrel may be used for batch type operation or may be provided with a helix arrangement adjacent the inner periphery of the barrel for continuous operation.