JP2773102B2 - Rotating barrel device for plating and its use - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rotary barrel apparatus for storing an object to be plated in a rotating barrel (barrel) and performing plating and operations associated therewith.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Techniques for performing plating using a rotating barrel are well known and widely used in industry. However, among the conventional rotary barrels, for example, those having openings at both ends as shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-32526, there is a possibility that the object to be plated spills from the openings. In particular, there is a problem that electronic parts, other ultra-small parts, light-weight parts, etc. easily float according to the rotation of the rotary barrel and are not stable.

In order to prevent the object to be plated from falling off, lids may be provided at the left and right openings, and a rotating barrel with a lid is actually used. However, there is also a problem that the flow of the solution is hindered by the lid, and an open type opening through which the solution can flow freely is better in order to maintain high plating quality.

[0004] When plating a floating object as described above using a rotating barrel, there is also a problem that a poor current is likely to occur due to the floating. In order to prevent this, a countermeasure for mixing what is called a dummy such as a steel ball has been implemented. However, unnecessary electrodeposition on the dummy is inevitable, which causes an increase in electrodeposition metal, plating solution, electricity cost, wastewater treatment cost, and the like, and after plating, the work of separating the product and the dummy becomes indispensable. .

[0005]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of plating an object which easily floats without any trouble.
The effect can be improved by using the present invention not only in plating but also in the work associated with plating, and the purpose is to reduce the amount of plating solution and water and to increase the efficiency.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a hollow cylindrical member which is rotatable about an axis set substantially horizontally and has a circular outer peripheral surface centered on the axis. And a rotary barrel having a number of through holes formed in the outer peripheral surface passing through the inner and outer sides, and an opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the outer peripheral surface formed at both ends in the axial direction, and disposed below the rotary barrel. In the plating step, the object to be plated is sucked downward together with the plating solution flow, in the step of collecting the plating solution, etc., the plating solution is sucked out of the rotating barrel, and in the drying step, the remaining solution is sucked out of the rotating barrel together with the dry airflow. for sucking the, Ri Do from the length and required width spanning the entire length in the axial direction of the outer peripheral surface, fixed alignment with the outer peripheral surface of the rotating barrel
In combination with a suction means having disposed Ru suction port,
This is to constitute a rotary barrel device.

The suction port sucks a plating solution or other fluid from the inside of the rotary barrel so as to be substantially in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the rotary barrel. By arranging this in the lower part of the rotating barrel, it becomes possible to draw the object to be plated in the rotating barrel downward. During plating of the object to be plated, the plating solution is also sucked, collected and reused. The above suction function also contributes to the step of collecting the plating solution and the like. In addition, the suction action allows dry air to pass through the barrel, thereby promoting the drying of the object to be plated.

[0008]

1 and 2 show an embodiment of a rotary barrel apparatus for plating according to the present invention. This device roughly has a rotary barrel B and a suction means A.

The rotary barrel B is a hollow cylindrical rotary drum that is rotatable about an axis X that is set substantially horizontally, and accommodates the workpiece W therein. This rotating barrel B
Has a cylindrical outer shape centered on the axis, so that its outer peripheral surface 11 is circular with a constant radius. The cylindrical type is a form for enabling suction, but is not limited to a simple cylindrical shape, for example, a conical (frustum) shape,
Any shape such as a drum or a sphere may be used as long as the suction port can always be arranged in a fixed positional relationship.

On the outer peripheral surface 11 of the rotary barrel B, there are formed a large number of through holes 12 through which a plating solution and other liquids and gases can flow. The through hole 12 is also a port through which a plating solution or the like is sucked by the suction port. Further, openings 13 are respectively formed in portions on the axis X at both ends of the barrel, and non-porous side walls 14 are provided between the outer peripheral surface 11 and the openings 13, 13 in an inclined manner.

Inside the rotary barrel B, a plurality of rod-shaped electrodes (fixed rod-shaped cathodes) 15 are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction in a direction intersecting the rotation direction. The rod-shaped electrode 15 is also provided with a convex portion on the inner peripheral surface of the barrel made of a cylinder, thereby improving the stirring property for the object to be plated, so that the cross-sectional shape is suitable for stirring. See FIGS. 1, 2, and 8 (b). In the illustrated example, the number of electrodes is 16, and only the rod-shaped electrode 15 that comes near the suction port is energized to eliminate the constant energization in the liquid. Prevent it from becoming fat.

For this reason, when a certain rod-shaped electrode 15 comes to a position in the liquid near the suction port (hereinafter, referred to as a power supply position), the cable 16 is pulled out from the electrode 15 so as to be energized. Opposite side (almost 180 degrees across axis X)
(Hereinafter referred to as a power distribution position) is connected to a rotating brush 17 provided annularly at an opening edge corresponding to the position outside the liquid.
Therefore, the rod-shaped electrodes 15 and the rotating brushes 17 are arranged in the same number, and each is connected by a cable 16, and one or a plurality of fixed brushes 18 at the power supply position are moved to a position where the rotating brush 17 can slide. Deploy.

The illustrated rotating barrel B has openings 13 at both ends.
3 is suspended from the suspension arm D of the barrel transporter C at the portion of the bearing cylinder 19 provided at the rim of the barrel 3. The rotating brush 17 is provided on the bearing cylinder 19, and the fixed brush 18 is provided on the suspension arm D. is there. 18s shown in FIG. 3 is a pressing spring of the fixed side brush 18, 18t is a cover, 21 is a connection cable to the cathode outlet, 22 is a gear attached to the rotary barrel B, and a driving gear 23 provided on the arm D side. Driven. Specific driving method but can be changed by the barrel of the conveyance mechanism, the example of FIG. 1 is provided with a sprocket 24 which rotates meshing with such chain that is disposed along the plating tank T coaxially with the drive gear 23, The barrel B is rotated in conjunction with the movement of the transporter C.

With respect to such a rotary barrel B, a suction port 3 for sucking a plating solution or the like from a lower opening 12 therethrough.
1 is combined with the suction means A.

The suction means A is a suction port 3 arranged upward.
And a suction port 31 having a length corresponding to the axial length of the barrel outer peripheral surface 11 and at least one length.
The row of apertures 12 is wide enough to fit therein. One end of a collection pipe system 33 is connected to the hood 32, and the other end is further extended from the pump 34, so that the sucked plating solution or the like is supplied to the plating tank T or the like. The other electrode (anode) 25 for plating is installed on the left and right sides in the axial direction (see FIG. 2).

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example 1 of a plating apparatus using the above-described rotary barrel apparatus for plating, and particularly configured by a manual transport system for small-quantity production. Therefore, barrel transport C
However, the other device configuration incorporating the drive mechanism 40 of the rotary barrel B may be the same as that in FIGS. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those in the embodiment of the rotary barrel device, and the detailed description is omitted.

In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, reference numeral 41 denotes a hanging bracket which is attached to the upper part of the transporter C for manual conveyance. Reference numeral 42 denotes a drive motor, which is the aforementioned drive gear 2 attached to the drive shaft.
3 drives the gears 22 of the rotary barrel B individually.
In the recovery pipe system 33, the recovery solution is returned to the plating tank T. Reference numeral 43 denotes an overflow unit 4.

FIG. 6 shows an example 2 of a plating apparatus using the rotary barrel apparatus for plating according to the present invention and particularly adapted to medium-volume production. 1 and 2 for the same configuration.
And the detailed description is omitted.

Example 2 is different from Example 1 in that the carrier system is a carrier system (in FIG. 6, a cantilever carrier type), and the efficiency can be further improved as compared with manual conveyance. The transporter C is hung on a cantilever hanger 50,
The hanger 50 is moved up and down and traversed by a movable elevator 51 installed near the plating tank T,
The rotary barrel B for medium-volume production is immersed in the inside, and after the completion of all the processes, it is carried out of the process.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 52 denotes a traveling machine to which the elevator 51 is attached, 53 denotes a rail for supporting and traveling the rollers 54 of the traveling machine 52, and 55 denotes a gantry, such as a roller 56 provided above the elevator 51. It has a support 57. Reference numeral 58a denotes a barrel raising / lowering motor, 58b denotes a barrel rotating motor, and 58c denotes a motor that rotates the barrel at the barrel rising end to drain the liquid.

FIG. 7 shows an example 3 of a plating apparatus which also uses a rotary barrel apparatus for plating and is particularly adapted for mass production. 1 and 2 for the common configuration.
And the detailed description is omitted.

The transport system of Example 3 is a transport system called an elevator system, and a transport unit C of a rotary barrel device is suspended by a suspension arm 60 of the transport system. In addition, the transport systems such as the carrier system and the elevator system described above are generalized. Reference numeral 61 denotes an elevating frame to which the suspension arm 60 is attached, and 62 denotes an elevating roller attached to the frame 61. 65 is a guide rail provided between the lower gantry 63 and the upper gantry 64, 66 is a column provided at the center between the upper and lower gantry, 67 is a lift platform having a roller 68 that moves up and down along the column 66, It engages with the frame 61 and raises and lowers it.

A plating method using the above-described rotary barrel apparatus for plating and a plating apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Plating Method Using Rotary Barrel Apparatus According to Specific Invention> It is assumed that the plating bath T is filled with a plating solution L such that the rotary barrel B is immersed near the axis X. The object W to be plated is stored in the rotating barrel B as in the prior art. When the rotating barrel B is set down in the plating tank T, the plating solution flows from the openings 13 at both ends in the axial direction or the outer periphery. The surface 11 can freely flow in and out of the through hole 12.

For this reason, if the object to be plated W is a small part and is a light weight part, there is a possibility that it will flow out of the opening 13. On the other hand, in the present invention, the pump 34 is operated to perform the plating process,
The plating solution L is sucked from the suction port 31 which is located below the outer peripheral surface 11.

When the plating solution L is sucked from the suction port 31, the object to be plated W in the rotary barrel B also rides on the downward suction flow. As a result, when the rotating barrel B rotates, the object to be plated slightly shifts in the rotating direction (see FIG. 2), but as a whole is pushed toward the bottom inside the barrel, the floating tendency disappears,
Small parts and lightweight parts also maintain good contact with the plating solution, promote the exchange of the solution inside and outside the barrel, and make effective contact and energization with the rod-shaped electrode to improve the electrodeposition effect (plating time Is shortened.)

Each time the rod W gets over the rod-shaped electrode 15 arranged so as to cross in the rotation direction, a large number of objects W to be plated are stirred. However, since the rod-shaped electrode 15 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the rotating barrel B, unlike the case of stirring by the conventional lead wire method, it does not wrap around the object to be plated and does not give an excessive stirring force, and There is no deformation of the plating.

When the electrodes are energized under such conditions, a rod-shaped electrode (15a, 1a in FIG.
5b, 15c) only when these electrodes 15 are present.
Power is supplied to a, 15b, and 15c. That is, the fixed-side brushes 18a, 18b, 18c at the power distribution position outside the liquid
Rotating brushes 17a, 17b, 17c in sliding contact with
Supplies power only to the electrodes 15a, 15b, and 15c that come to the power supply position within a range substantially equal to the inside of the suction port 31.

Therefore, the rod-shaped electrode 15 is not energized only when it is immersed in the liquid, and is supplied with power only when it comes to the power supply position, so that electrodeposition does not increase.

The plating solution L is sucked by the pump 34, returned to the plating tank T again, and used repeatedly. Generally, a plating solution or a pretreatment solution requires a heat exchanger for filtration and temperature adjustment, and therefore, the solution is constantly circulated by a pump. The suction port of this pump is connected to the suction hood 32 at the bottom of the barrel.
If it is used by connecting to a pump, the installation of a pump becomes unnecessary or the capacity of the pump is reduced.

<Liquid Recovery Method Using Rotary Barrel Device According to Specific Invention> The rotary barrel device recovers the plating solution and other liquids remaining in the rotary barrel B without immersing the rotary barrel B in the solution. This is effective when performing (see FIGS. 8A and 8B). Since each unit has the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the reference numerals are used.

Conventionally, the rotating barrel after the plating step is taken out of the solution tank and then sequentially put into a recovery tank and a washing tank, and a chemical solution attached to a plating object or a barrel hole is diluted with a large amount of washing water. , Will be washed. Therefore, there is an important problem of the conventional plating in that a chemical solution is wasted and a very large amount of water is used for cleaning the solution.

According to the present invention, a hood 32 having a suction port 31 is disposed below a recovery tank 70 after the plating step (the suction tank 31 may be arranged so as to be able to suck on the tank of the plating tank T). The plating solution L is sucked from the outer peripheral surface 11 of the set rotary barrel B, collected by the pump 34 through the collection pipe system 33 into a tank 71 such as a plating tank, and can be reused in the plating tank.

The suction port 31 of the suction means A for carrying out this recovery method is provided with a sealing means 72 made of an elastic material or the like for hermetically contacting the outer peripheral surface of the rotary barrel B, and a roller 73 for reducing the resistance. (FIG. 8B). Note that the barrel rotation direction is opposite to that in FIG.

By adding such a configuration, most of the plating solution remaining in the rotating barrel B can be recovered. At the same time, since only a small amount of the remaining liquid needs to be washed, the amount of washing water used can be greatly reduced. In addition, this liquid recovery method can be carried out also in a pretreatment step, a water washing step, and the like. In that case, a closed system with zero drainage can be carried out by using the liquid recovery method together with an ion converter and a concentration device.

<Drying Method Using Rotary Barrel Apparatus According to Specific Invention> The rotary barrel apparatus according to the present invention can also be used when the object to be plated W is dried as it is in the rotary barrel B. This example will be described with reference to FIG. The device shown in FIG. 9 has the same basic configuration as that shown in FIG.

Heretofore, it has been necessary to take out the plating object having completed the plating step from the barrel, replace it with a centrifugal dehydrator or a drying furnace, and then carry out drying. For this reason, a container and another device for changing the object to be plated are required, and the number of steps and processing time are also increased.

According to the rotary barrel device of the present invention, the nozzles 81, 81 are provided in the openings 13, 13 on both sides of the rotary barrel B.
After the nozzles 81 and 81 are inserted into the barrel by providing a slide mechanism as necessary, the heated air supplied from the hot air generator 82 and the like is discharged into the barrel as a dry air flow. Then, the hot air is forcibly exhausted by suction from the suction port 31 to accelerate the drying of the workpiece W. Also in this case, it is preferable to provide the sealing means 72 and the roller 73 at the suction port 31.

During the operation of the hot air generator 82 and the suction means A, the rotary barrel B is also rotated, so that dry air is passed through the gap between the workpieces W being stirred and adheres to the workpiece W. To carry away the water, moisture, etc.
3 can be stored in the container 83. Therefore, according to this method, the rotating barrel containing the object to be plated W is placed in the drying chamber 80.
Since the drying step can be carried out only by transferring to the apparatus, the number of steps can be reduced, labor can be saved, and the cost can be reduced by simplifying the entire apparatus.

[0040]

Since the present invention is constructed and operates as described above, a liquid flow or an air flow sucked toward a lower suction port is caused to act on an object to be plated accommodated in a rotary barrel. Therefore, there is an effect that an object to be plated such as an electronic component, a micro component, or a light-weight component can be plated without falling down from the rotary barrel opening, and an operation associated therewith can be performed.

Further, by performing the plating process using the apparatus according to the present invention, the contact between the object to be plated, the rod-shaped electrode and the plating solution is kept good, and the flow of the solution inside and outside the barrel is promoted. The efficiency can be improved, the plating time can be shortened, and the quality can be improved. By performing the recovery process, the recovery efficiency of the chemical solution used for plating has been improved, the reuse has been facilitated, and it has adhered to the plating object, etc. By significantly reducing the amount of residual liquid, it is possible to significantly reduce the amount of washing water. Further, while the object to be plated is accommodated in the rotary barrel, drying air is exhausted from the suction port by the suction means, and the rotation of the rotary barrel can significantly enhance the drying of the object to be plated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of a rotary barrel apparatus for plating according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory front view of the above barrel viewed from an opening side.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a power distribution position portion in the above device.

FIG. 4 is an example 1 of a plating apparatus using the apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an example 2 of a plating apparatus using the apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG.

FIG. 7 is an example 3 of a plating apparatus using the apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG.

FIG. 8A is a front view of an apparatus for performing a method for collecting a plating solution or the like using the apparatus of the present invention. (B) The expanded sectional view of the principal part of a device same as the above.

FIG. 9A is a front view of an apparatus for carrying out a method for drying an object to be plated using the apparatus of the present invention. (B) The longitudinal section of the important section of the above-mentioned device.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-3-253599 (JP, A) JP-A-60-20567 (JP, U) JP-B-51-946 (JP, B2) JP3-B 32526 (JP, Y2) Jiko 58-52291 (JP, Y2) Jiko 4-54224 (JP, Y2) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) C25D 17/20, 17 / 22,21 / 00

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of through-holes, which are rotatable about an axis set to be substantially horizontal, have a hollow cylindrical shape having a circular outer peripheral surface around the axis, and pass through inside and outside. A rotary barrel formed on the outer peripheral surface and having openings with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the outer peripheral surface formed at both ends in the axial direction, and disposed below the rotary barrel. In the process of collecting the plating solution, etc., the plating solution is sucked out of the rotating barrel in the process of collecting the plating solution, and in the drying process, the remaining solution, etc. is sucked out of the rotating barrel together with the dry air current, so that the entire length of the outer peripheral surface in the axial direction is substantially length and Ri Do from the required width, constant position with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating barrel spanning
Plating rotary barrel device which combines a suction means having a suction port that will be placed in the location relationship. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one rod-shaped electrode is provided in a lower part of the rotary barrel having a circular outer peripheral surface in a direction intersecting with the rotation direction of the rotary barrel to stir an object to be plated. Item 2. The barrel device for plating according to Item 1. 3. A lower part in a rotary barrel having a circular outer peripheral surface.
The rod-shaped electrodes installed in a direction intersecting with the rotation direction of the rotating barrel are fixed so as to provide convex portions on the circular inner peripheral surface of the rotating barrel, and a plurality of electrodes are provided at predetermined intervals in the barrel circumferential direction. The rotating barrel device for plating according to claim 1. 4. A lower part in a rotary barrel having a circular outer peripheral surface.
In the direction intersecting the rotation direction of the rotating barrel
In order to conduct electricity when a certain rod- shaped electrode of the rod-shaped electrode comes to a set power supply position in the liquid near the suction port, a distribution position outside the liquid almost opposite to the power supply position across the axis. The same number of rotating brushes as the rod-shaped electrodes are provided at the opening edge corresponding to the above, at least one rod-shaped electrode and the rotating-side brush are connected by a current supply means, and a rotating-side brush is provided at or near a bearing portion for rotating the rotating barrel. The rotary barrel device for plating according to claim 1, wherein at least one fixed-side brush for supplying power by sliding contact with the brush is provided. 5. A hollow cylindrical shape which is rotatable about an axis set substantially horizontally, has a circular outer peripheral surface centered on the axis, and has a number of through holes passing through the inside and outside. A rotary barrel formed on the surface and having openings with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the outer peripheral surface formed at both ends in the axial direction, and disposed below the rotary barrel, and the plating object is sucked downward together with the plating solution flow in the plating process. to order, Ri Do from the length and required width spanning the entire length in the axial direction of the outer peripheral surface, the outer peripheral surface of the rotating barrel
Combining a suction means having a suction port that will be placed at a fixed alignment with the, in the rotating barrel, the rod electrode in a direction intersecting the direction of rotation is placed at least one, one rod-shaped electrode is suction port The same number of rotating brushes as rod-shaped electrodes are provided on the opening edge, which is the power distribution position outside the liquid, opposite to the power supply position, in order to conduct electricity when it reaches the power supply position set in the liquid near the At least one fixed electrode is connected to at least one rod-shaped electrode and the rotating brush by a current supply means, and a bearing for rotating the rotating barrel or at least a fixed brush that is in sliding contact with the rotating brush to supply power is provided. One is provided, and the rotating barrel and the suction port of the suction member are immersed in the plating solution, and the rotating barrel is rotated while sucking the object to be plated in the rotating barrel downward with the plating solution to perform a plating process. Using plating rotary barrel device, characterized in that the the like. 6. The rotating electrode having a circular outer peripheral surface.
A lower part in the barrel is a cathode fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the rotary barrel in parallel with the axis of the rotary barrel, and the anode is disposed so as to be parallel to the axis with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the rotary barrel. A method for using the rotary barrel device for plating according to claim 5. 7. A plurality of through-holes, which are rotatable about an axis set substantially horizontally, have a hollow cylindrical shape having a circular outer peripheral surface around the axis, and pass through the inside and outside. A rotary barrel formed on the outer peripheral surface and having openings with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the outer peripheral surface formed at both ends in the axial direction; and a rotary barrel disposed below the rotary barrel and rotating the plating solution or the like in a step of collecting the plating solution or the like. for sucking out, Ri Do from the length and required width spanning the entire length in the axial direction of the outer peripheral surface, the outer rotary barrel
A plating for a rotary barrel device which combines a suction means having a suction port that will be placed at a fixed alignment with the circumferential surface, remain in rotary barrel by actuating the suction member while rotating the rotary barrel A method of using a rotary barrel apparatus for plating, characterized by sucking and collecting a plating solution and other chemical solutions. 8. A hollow cylinder which is rotatable about an axis set substantially horizontally, has a circular outer peripheral surface around the axis, and has a number of through holes passing through the inside and outside. A rotary barrel formed on the surface and having openings with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the outer peripheral surface formed at both ends in the axial direction, and disposed below the rotary barrel, and in the drying step, the residual liquid etc. together with the dry air flow is out of the rotary barrel. for sucking, Ri Do from the length and required width spanning the entire length in the axial direction of the outer peripheral surface, the outer peripheral surface of the rotating barrel
At the same time using the plating rotary barrel device which combines a suction means having a suction port that will be placed at a fixed positional relationship, to supply dry air into the rotating barrel with respect to, activating the suction member while rotating the rotary member A method of using a rotary barrel apparatus for plating, characterized in that the plating liquid is carried away, the liquid adhering to the plating object is carried away, and the plating object is dried.