JP2004244693A - Apparatus for manufacturing metallic fiber using electroforming technique and method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for manufacturing metallic fibers using electroforming technique capable of manufacturing the continuous metallic fibers and a method for the same. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus for manufacturing the metallic fibers comprises an electrolytic cell in which an electrolyte necessary for electrodeposition of the metallic fiber can be housed, an insoluble anode material which is installed in the electrolyte and to which a (-) terminal of a power supply device is connected, a cathode material 15 which is connected to a (+) terminal of the power supply device, and is rotatably installed by being partially immersed in the electrolyte apart a specified distance from the anode material in the precisely polished state of the counter surface to be electrodeposited, and a plurality of non-conducting patterns 14 for forming a plurality of parallel annular contact windows 15a disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the cathode material and aligned to the rotating direction of the cathode material. The apparatus is constituted to obtain a plurality of the metallic fibers by continuous peeling of the plurality of the metallic patterns electrodeposited to the shape corresponding to the plurality of the annular contact windows by accompanying the rotation of the cathode material in the state impressed with a power source from the surface of the cathode material exposed in the air. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for producing metal fibers using an electroforming technique, and particularly to all kinds of metals that can be electroplated, from an electrolytic cell to a nonconductive pattern on the surface of a cathode. A metal fiber manufacturing apparatus using an electroforming technique capable of manufacturing a continuous metal fiber by a method of electrodepositing a desired desired diameter on the surface of the cathode and continuously separating the electrode. And its method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 2001-0036472, the conventional technology related to the production of metal fibers is limited in the material of the metal fibers and the difficulties in producing by the rapid solidification method, and the diameter is 30 μm or less. There are disadvantages that must be made.
[0003]
Further, as disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 1995-0005949, in a method for producing metal fibers by extrusion or drawing, bonding between metal particles occurs during extrusion, and after extrusion, individual fibers are formed. Difficult to separate between.
[0004]
As a method for solving this, there is a method of previously oxidizing the surface of the metal powder or plating another metal on the surface of the metal powder, and a method of mixing the metal powder with a salt, oxide or carbon black. However, there is a problem that the manufacturing process is complicated and the manufacturing cost is increased accordingly.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, the present invention has been devised in view of such problems of the related art, and the first object of the present invention is different from the conventional method of manufacturing metal fibers manufactured through complicated processes. It is another object of the present invention to provide a metal fiber manufacturing method which can be manufactured by a single or minimum number of steps by using an electroforming technique (Electroforming) and a metal fiber manufacturing apparatus which realizes the method.
[0006]
A second object of the present invention is to produce all metal materials that can be plated into fibers of a desired size.
[0007]
A third object of the present invention is to continuously manufacture metal fibers to overcome the limitation of the fiber length, which is a problem of the conventional method.
[0008]
A fourth object of the present invention is to easily adjust the size (width and thickness) of the metal fiber so that the size of the cross section is not limited to several μm to several mm.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a metal fiber manufacturing apparatus for continuously manufacturing metal fibers, an electrolytic tank capable of containing an electrolytic solution required for electrodeposition of the target metal fibers, An insoluble anode material provided therein, to which a (-) terminal of a power supply device is connected, and an anode material in which the opposite surface to which the (+) terminal of the power supply device is connected and electrodeposited is precisely polished, And a rotatable cathode material partially immersed in the electrolyte at a certain distance from the electrolyte solution, and a plurality of parallel annular contact windows provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cathode material and coinciding with the rotation direction of the cathode material. And a plurality of metal patterns electrodeposited in a shape corresponding to the plurality of annular contact windows with the rotation of the cathode material in a state where power is applied while a plurality of non-conductive patterns are formed. From the surface of the cathode material exposed to air. It is to provide an apparatus for producing metal fibers using electroforming techniques, characterized in that it is obtained as a plurality of metal fibers.
[0010]
It is preferable that the cathode material is formed of a cylindrical body whose both ends are rotatably supported, and that the anode material has a hemispherical shell shape that maintains a constant gap with the cathode material.
[0011]
Further, the cathode material is formed of an endless loop-shaped belt rotatably supported, and the anode material may have a flat plate shape so as to maintain a constant gap with a lower surface of the cathode material immersed in the electrolyte. It is possible.
[0012]
Preferably, the manufacturing apparatus further includes an electrolyte circulating means for circulating the electrolyte in order to maintain a uniform composition of the electrolyte. In this case, the circulating means of the electrolytic solution is a circulating pipe in which the nozzle at the tip is located in a space between the cathode material and the anodic material that is drawn out from the lower part of the electrolytic cell, It can be composed of a filter for removing and a circulation pump for circulating the electrolyte.
[0013]
According to a second feature of the present invention, a metal fiber manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing metal fibers discontinuously includes an electrolytic cell capable of storing an electrolytic solution necessary for electrodeposition of a target metal fiber, An insoluble anode material provided to which the (-) terminal of the power supply device is connected, and an insoluble anode material which is connected to the (+) terminal of the power supply device and is fixed to the anode material in a state where the facing surface to be electrodeposited is precisely polished. A cathode material immersed in an electrolytic solution at a distance of, and a plurality of non-conductive patterns for forming a plurality of parallel linear contact windows provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cathode material facing the anode material. Then, the metal pattern electrodeposited on the surface of the cathode material in a shape corresponding to the plurality of linear contact windows in a state where power is applied is obtained as a plurality of metal fibers.
[0014]
According to a third feature of the present invention, the present invention provides a step of preparing an electrolytic solution required for electrodeposition of a target metal fiber in an electrolytic cell, an insoluble anode material provided in the electrolytic solution, A plurality of non-conductive patterns that form a plurality of parallel annular contact windows that are partially immersed in the electrolyte at a certain distance and that are rotatably installed in the direction of rotation are formed on the precisely polished outer peripheral surface Applying a DC power supply between the cathode material and depositing a target metal on the outer peripheral surface of the cathode material through a plurality of annular contact windows and rotating the cathode material; Continuously exfoliating as a metal fiber a plurality of metal patterns which are electrodeposited on the surface of the cathode material in a shape corresponding to the annular contact window, and are exposed to the air. Method for producing continuous metal fiber using casting technique To provide.
[0015]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a step of preparing an electrolytic solution necessary for electrodeposition of a target metal fiber in an electrolytic cell; and an insoluble plate-like anode material provided in the electrolytic solution; A DC power source is applied between the plate-shaped cathode material formed on the outer surface, which is polished on the outer surface, where a plurality of non-conductive patterns forming a plurality of parallel linear contact windows immersed in the electrolyte at a fixed distance from the anode material Applying a target metal to the outer peripheral surface of the cathode material through a plurality of linear contact windows, and placing the cathode material electrodeposited in a shape corresponding to the plurality of linear contact windows into the air. Exposing and exfoliating a plurality of metal patterns as metal fibers. A method for manufacturing discontinuous metal fibers using an electroforming technique is provided.
[0016]
Preferably, in the manufacturing method, the electrolytic solution in the lower part of the electrolytic cell is drained so as to maintain a uniform composition of the electrolytic solution, filtered, and then injected into a facing surface between the cathode material and the anode material. Further steps are included.
[0017]
As described above, in the present invention, unlike the conventional technique, the metal fiber can be manufactured without being limited by the fiber length by manufacturing the metal fiber in a continuous process. Further, unlike the method of manufacturing by the existing extrusion, drawing or rapid solidification method, by manufacturing by the electroforming technique applying the electroplating, the manufacturing cost is significantly reduced by simplifying the process, Metal fibers can be produced in a small space using simple equipment.
[0018]
Furthermore, in the present invention, not only the length of the metal fiber, but also the width and the thickness can be easily adjusted from several μm to several mm, and the metal fiber of a desired size can be easily produced, and not only pure metal but also The production of fibers from various alloys and all metals available in existing plating processes is possible.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings showing preferred embodiments.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view showing a continuous apparatus for producing metal fibers according to a first embodiment of the present invention using a drum type cathode, and FIG. 2 is a second embodiment of the present invention using a belt type cathode. FIG. 3 is a schematic structural view showing a continuous apparatus for producing metal fibers according to an embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an apparatus for producing discontinuous metal fibers according to a third embodiment of the present invention using a batch type cathode. 4A and 4B are a cross-sectional view and a front view showing a pattern of the surface of the cathode material of the first to third embodiments.
[0021]
First, referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus for continuously producing metal fibers according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes an electrolytic tank 10 capable of storing an electrolytic solution 3 of a target metal fiber 9 and a hemispherical type provided in the electrolytic solution 3. The insoluble anode material 2 in the form of a shell, and the rotating shafts of both cut portions are rotatably supported as a cylindrical body facing the anode material 2 at a certain distance, and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body is precisely polished. After that, a cathode material 1 on which a plurality of nonconductor patterns are fixed and installed so as to form a plurality of circular contact windows parallel to the circumferential direction is included.
[0022]
The cathode material 1 is made of a conductor such as stainless steel that has a hollow body inside and does not react with the electrolytic solution like a pipe, and the anode material 2 uses an insoluble material obtained by coating a Ti steel plate with IrO _2. Is preferred.
[0023]
Further, the cathode material will be described in detail. The cathode material has a structure in which a plurality of annular contact windows 15a are formed on the surface of the cathode material 15 by a plurality of non-conductive patterns 14 as shown in the developed views of FIGS. 4A and 4B. . In this case, the width and depth of the annular contact window 15a with respect to the cathode material 15 are determined according to the width and thickness of the metal fiber 9 to be manufactured. The nonconductive pattern 14 is made of a high-strength material as a curable resin.
[0024]
The above-mentioned manufacturing apparatus includes a current supply device 4 for uniformly supplying a DC current required for electroplating to the anode material 2 and the cathode material 1, and a method for maintaining a uniform composition of the electrolytic solution 3 and removing hydrogen and the like generated from the cathode. In addition, a circulation pump 5 for circulating the electrolytic solution 3 and a filter 6 for removing foreign substances generated during a continuous production process of metal fibers are further included.
[0025]
In this case, the filtered electrolytic solution 3 circulating from the lower part of the electrolytic cell 10 to the electrolytic cell 10 through the filter 6, the circulation pump 5 and the circulation pipe 8 a is mixed with the cathode material 1 and the anode material 2 for uniform stirring. Is preferably supplied through a nozzle 8 to the space between them.
[0026]
Further, the agitating means for the electrolytic solution composed of the filter 6, the circulating pump 5 and the circulating pipe 8a is supported at both ends by the rotating shaft of the cathode, and turns around the circumference or moves along the axial direction. It may be composed of a paddle.
[0027]
In the manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the electrolytic solution 3 suitable for the production of the target metal fiber is prepared in the electrolytic bath 10 and partially immersed in the electrolytic solution 3. When a DC power is supplied between two opposing poles with a predetermined gap between the rotating cathode material 1 and the completely immersed anode material 2, the cathode is supplied from the electrolytic cell 3 through a plurality of annular contact windows 15a. Electrodeposition corresponding to the shape of the contact window 15a is performed on the surface of the material 1.
[0028]
In this case, when the adhesive tape is attached to the surface of the cathode material 1 that is electrodeposited on the contact window with the rotation of the cathode material 1 and is exposed to the air and then separated, the surface of the cathode material 1 is polished. The metal electrodeposited on the surface of the cathode material 1 is easily separated and obtained as a plurality of metal fibers 9, and the metal fibers 9 corresponding to the pattern of the annular contact window 15a are continuously formed with the rotation of the cathode material 1. Will be obtained.
[0029]
Therefore, when the metal fibers 9 continuously generated with the rotation of the cathode material 1 are wound around the winding portion 7 in a state where the separated metal fibers 9 are fixed to the winding portion 7, a uniform composition is obtained. And metal fibers having a uniform size can be obtained with a length desired by the user.
[0030]
The metal fiber 9 that can be manufactured by the above manufacturing method can be applied to any type of metal that can be electroplated, and has a size of several μm to several mm depending on the size of the annular contact window 15a. Fiber can be obtained.
[0031]
According to the first embodiment, for example, in the case of manufacturing Fe-80 wt% Ni alloy fiber, when the drum type cathode material 1 is rotated using the electrolytic solution 3 containing nickel chloride and a sulfate solution as main components, a uniform It is possible to continuously produce Fe-80 wt% Ni alloy fiber having the composition. At this time, the current density is supplied in the range of 3 to 40 A / dm ² , the flow rate of the pump for stirring the electrolyte 3 is 30 to 200 cm / sec, the pH of the electrolyte is 1 to 5, and the temperature of the electrolyte is The range from normal temperature to 50 ° C is preferable.
[0032]
Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a continuous metal fiber manufacturing apparatus using a belt-type cathode according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0033]
In the second embodiment, the cathode material 11 has a belt structure of an infinite loop shape rotatably supported, and the anode material 2a has a flat plate shape so as to maintain a constant gap with the cathode material 11. Other than that, the other parts have the same configuration as the first embodiment.
[0034]
Therefore, the same parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In this case, a plurality of non-conductive patterns 14 are attached to the surface of the cathode material 11 as in the first embodiment.
[0035]
Therefore, in the second embodiment configured as described above, when the belt driving rollers 11a and 11b are rotated, the metal fibers 9 corresponding to the plurality of annular contact windows 15a that match the rotation direction of the cathode material 11 are continuously formed. And the produced metal fiber 9 is wound around the winding unit 7 via the guide roller 12.
[0036]
The metal fibers 9 obtained according to the second embodiment are the same as the metal fibers obtained according to the first embodiment.
[0037]
FIG. 3 shows a manufacturing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention capable of manufacturing discontinuous metal fibers using a batch type cathode, in which a cathode material 13 and an anode material 2a correspond to each other in a flat plate shape. It has become.
[0038]
In the third embodiment, the other parts are the same as those of the second embodiment except for the shape of the cathode material 13. Therefore, the same parts as those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. In this case, a plurality of nonconductive patterns 14 are attached to the surface of the cathode material 11 as in the second embodiment (see FIGS. 4A and 4B).
[0039]
In the third embodiment, when the cathode material 13 is placed in the electrolytic cell 10 and subjected to electroplating to perform electrodeposition on the surface of the cathode material, the cathode material 13 corresponds to a plurality of parallel contact windows determined by the non-conductive pattern 14. A plurality of metal fibers having a uniform length can be obtained without a cutting process. The third embodiment is a batch-type manufacturing method in which such a process is periodically repeated to obtain a metal fiber having a uniform length at regular intervals.
[0040]
The method for producing a metal fiber according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples.
[0041]
(Example 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, an alloy fiber having a composition of Fe-80 wt% Ni was manufactured using a drum type cathode material 1. In order to produce Fe-80 wt% Ni alloy fiber, an electrolytic solution 3 containing nickel chloride and a sulfate solution as main components is used to produce a Fe-80 wt% Ni alloy fiber while rotating a drum type cathode material 1. As a result, it was possible to continuously produce metal fibers having a uniform composition. At this time, the current density was supplied in the range of 10 A / dm ² , the flow rate of the pump for stirring the electrolytic solution 2 was 120 cm / sec, the pH of the electrolytic solution was 3, and the temperature of the electrolytic solution was 45 ° C.
[0042]
FIG. 5 shows a graph in which the strength of the metal fiber manufactured under the above conditions was measured. It is generally known that the yield strength and the hardness of an 80 wt% Ni-Fe alloy are 97 MPa and 60 HRB (345 MPa), respectively (Metal Handbook, ASM. 9th ed. Vol. 3 p. 610). As a result of measuring the strength of the Fe-80 wt% Ni alloy fiber manufactured in the present invention, the values of the yield strength and the hardness are 2119 MPa and 6170 MPa, respectively. From these results, the metal fiber of the present invention is about 20 times as large as the conventional one. It was found that the material had excellent mechanical properties.
[0043]
(Example 2)
As shown in FIG. 1, Ni fibers were manufactured using a drum-shaped cathode material 1. In order to produce Ni fibers, Ni fibers are produced while rotating drum-type cathode material 1 using electrolytic solution 3 containing nickel chloride and a sulfate solution as main components. The fibers could be produced continuously. At this time, the current density is supplied in the range of 10 A / dm ² , the flow rate of the pump for stirring the electrolytic solution 2 is in the range of 120 cm / sec, the pH of the electrolytic solution is 3, and the temperature of the electrolytic solution is 45 ° C. went.
[0044]
FIG. 6 shows a micrograph of the metal fiber manufactured under the above conditions. It was observed that the thickness of the manufactured metal fiber was uniform.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, unlike the conventional technique, the metal fiber can be manufactured without being limited by the fiber length by manufacturing the metal fiber in a continuous process. Furthermore, unlike the method of manufacturing by the existing extrusion, drawing or rapid solidification method, by manufacturing by the electroforming technique applying the electroplating, the manufacturing cost is remarkably reduced by the simplification of the process and the narrow space. Thus, metal fibers can be produced using simple equipment.
[0046]
Furthermore, in the present invention, not only the length of the metal fiber, but also the width and the thickness can be easily adjusted from several μm to several mm, the metal fiber of a desired size can be easily produced, and only pure metal is used. Instead, fiber production is possible with various alloys and all metals available in existing plating processes.
[0047]
As described above, the present invention has been described by taking a specific preferred embodiment as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and is generally used in the technical field to which the present invention belongs without departing from the gist of the present invention. Various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a continuous apparatus for producing metal fibers according to a first embodiment of the present invention using a drum-type cathode.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an apparatus for continuously producing metal fibers according to a second embodiment of the present invention using a belt-type cathode.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an apparatus for producing discontinuous metal fibers according to a third embodiment of the present invention using a batch type cathode.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view and a front view showing a pattern on the surface of the cathode material of the first to third embodiments.
FIG. 5 is a graph showing the results of a tensile test of a specimen manufactured according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a micrograph of a metal fiber produced according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 11, 13, 15: Cathode material, 2, 2a: Anode material, 3: Electrolyte, 4: Current supply device, 5: Circulation pump, 6: Filter, 7: Winding part, 8: Nozzle, 8a ... circulation piping, 9 ... metal fiber, 10 ... electrolyzer, 11a, 11b ... belt drive roller, 12 ... guide roller, 14 ... non-conductive pattern, 15a ... ring contact window.

Claims (11)

In a metal fiber manufacturing apparatus that continuously manufactures metal fibers,
An electrolytic cell capable of containing an electrolytic solution necessary for electrodeposition of a target metal fiber,
An insoluble anode material provided in the electrolytic solution and connected to a (-) terminal of a power supply device;
The (+) terminal of the power supply unit is connected to the anode material and is immersed in an electrolyte at a predetermined distance in a state where the facing surface to be electrodeposited is precisely polished, and is rotatably installed. Cathode material,
And a plurality of non-conductive patterns for forming a plurality of parallel annular contact windows that are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cathode material and coincide with the rotation direction of the cathode material,
A plurality of metal patterns electrodeposited in a shape corresponding to the plurality of annular contact windows with the rotation of the cathode material in a state where power is applied, continuously from the surface of the cathode material exposed to the air. An apparatus for producing metal fibers using an electroforming technique, wherein the apparatus is obtained by being peeled off to obtain a plurality of metal fibers. The cathode material is formed of a cylindrical body whose both ends are rotatably supported,
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the anode material has a hemispherical shell shape that maintains a constant gap with the cathode material. The cathode material is formed of an endless loop-shaped belt rotatably supported,
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the anode material has a flat shape so as to maintain a constant gap with a lower surface of the cathode material immersed in an electrolyte. . The cathode material consists not react with electrolyte conductor, anode material is metal fibers with the technique electroforming according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists of insoluble material coated with IrO ₂ to Ti steel manufacturing device. The width and the depth of each annular contact window formed on the surface of the cathode material by the non-conductive pattern are determined according to the width and the thickness of the metal fiber to be manufactured. 2. An apparatus for producing metal fibers using the electroforming technique according to 1. 6. The electroforming technique according to claim 1, further comprising an electrolyte circulating means for circulating the electrolyte to maintain a uniform composition of the electrolyte. Metal fiber manufacturing equipment. The electrolytic solution circulating means is a circulating pipe which is drawn out from the lower part of the electrolytic cell and has a nozzle at a tip end located in a space between the cathode material and the anodic material, and is installed in the circulating pipe to remove foreign matter. The apparatus for producing metal fibers using an electroforming technique according to claim 6, comprising a filter for circulating the electrolyte and a circulation pump for circulating the electrolyte. In a metal fiber manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing metal fibers discontinuously,
An electrolytic cell capable of containing an electrolytic solution necessary for electrodeposition of a target metal fiber,
An insoluble anode material provided in the electrolytic solution and connected to a (-) terminal of a power supply device;
A cathode material immersed in an electrolytic solution at a predetermined distance from the anode material in a state where a facing surface to which the (+) terminal of the power supply device is connected and electrodeposited is precisely polished;
Consisting of a plurality of nonconductor patterns for forming a plurality of parallel linear contact windows provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cathode material facing the anode material,
An electroforming technique characterized in that a plurality of metal patterns electrodeposited on the surface of the cathode material are peeled in a shape corresponding to a plurality of linear contact windows in a state where power is applied to obtain a plurality of metal fibers. Used metal fiber manufacturing equipment. A step of preparing an electrolytic solution necessary for electrodeposition of a target metal fiber in an electrolytic cell,
An insoluble anode material provided in the electrolyte solution, a plurality of parallel annular contact windows that are rotatably installed by being partially immersed in the electrolyte solution at a certain distance from the anode material and that are rotatably installed and coincide with the rotation direction. A DC power is applied between the cathode material formed on the outer surface where the plurality of non-conductive patterns are precisely polished, and the target metal is electrodeposited on the outer surface of the cathode material through a plurality of linear contact windows. Rotating the cathode material,
Electrodeposited on the surface of the cathode material in a shape corresponding to a plurality of annular contact windows with the rotation of the cathode material, and continuously peeling a plurality of metal patterns exposed to the air as metal fibers, The manufacturing method of the continuous metal fiber using the electroforming technique characterized by comprising. A step of preparing an electrolytic solution necessary for electrodeposition of a target metal fiber in an electrolytic cell,
Insoluble plate-shaped anode material provided in the electrolyte solution, the anode material is immersed in the electrolyte solution at a certain distance from the anode material, and a plurality of non-conductor patterns forming a plurality of linear contact windows are precisely polished. Applying DC power between the plate-shaped cathode material formed on the outer peripheral surface, electrodepositing a target metal on the outer peripheral surface of the cathode material through a plurality of linear contact windows;
Exposing the cathode material electrodeposited in a shape corresponding to the plurality of linear contact windows to the air and exfoliating a plurality of metal patterns as metal fibers. A method for producing discontinuous metal fibers using a technique. Draining the electrolyte below the electrolytic bath so as to maintain the composition of the electrolyte uniform, filtering, and injecting the electrolyte into the opposite surface between the cathode material and the anode material. A method for producing discontinuous metal fibers using the electroforming technique according to claim 9.

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