JPH0841692A - Plating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to safely, rapidly and automatically replenish the inside of anode cases with anodes. CONSTITUTION:This plating device is provided with racks 41 for transportation which are locatable in anode piece transferring and receiving positions, are holdable at transporting carriers 19 and are openably and closably formed with a prescribed number of anode piece housing sections 42. These transporting carriers 19 are provided with a prescribed number of detecting rods 51 displaceable to the positions meeting the residual quantities of the anode poles 16 in the respective horizontally arranged anode cases 3. The plating device is provided with an anode piece replenishing device 70 which is provided with a photosensor 55 for outputting an anode piece replenishment signal based on the displacement rates of the respective detecting rods 51, has a stocking section 71 capable of housing the many anode balls 16 and an anode piece supplying section 75 capable of selectively supplying the anode balls 16 to the racks 41 for transportation positioned in the anode pieces transferring and receiving positions from the stocking section 71 and is installed separately from the transporting carrier 19. As a result, the stock of a large quantity of the anode pieces 16 is made possible.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plating apparatus provided with an anode piece replenishing device for replenishing an anode piece in an anode case.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 9 shows a conventional structure of a plating apparatus.
In the figure, 1 is a plating tank. The plating tank 1 extends in the front-rear direction (arrows F and R directions), the anode case 3 forming an anode is laterally aligned and immersed in a plating solution housed therein, and the plating target 5 is immersed.

The anode case 3 is a bottomed cylindrical body having a mesh shape, and a titanium case is used for copper plating, and an iron case is used for zinc plating. The anode case 3 accommodates a predetermined amount (a predetermined height) of anode pieces such as anode balls and anode chips.

Further, a predetermined number (four in this case) of anode cases 3 in each row in the plating tank 1 are arranged in the width direction of the object 5 to be plated through the power feed bar or the support rod 4. The object 5 to be plated is transported to a plating bath by a transport carrier (not shown) and immersed in the bath.

Therefore, if a current is applied between the anode (anode case 3) and the object 5 to be plated, the object 5 to be plated can be subjected to a predetermined plating treatment.

[0006]

In the plating apparatus described above, the anode pieces (anode balls) in the anode case 3 gradually decrease as the plating process is performed, so the anode pieces are replenished at appropriate times. There is a need.

Conventionally, in replenishing anode pieces, an operator goes out to the plating tank 1 side, confirms that the anode pieces have decreased, and manually replenishes them to the tank side or on the tank. However, this requires manpower and is troublesome, so an anode piece automatic replenishing device capable of automatically replenishing anode pieces has been proposed (for example, JP-A-1-319699).

Such an automatic anode piece replenishing device is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the anode piece charging device 22 and the anode piece decrease sensor 28 are provided on the carrier carrier 19, and when the carrier carrier 19 comes to load or unload (where an operator attaches or detaches an object to be plated), It is configured to replenish the anode case 3 by replenishing the pieces 16 to the anode piece feeding guide 25 of the anode piece charging device 22. The carrier carrier 19 is provided so as to be movable on the rail 18 in the front-rear direction (directions of the arrows F and R) and capable of moving up and down the plating object 5 suspended via the carrier bar 20.

However, in the above-described anode piece automatic replenishing device, the worker must always pay attention to the movement of the carrier carrier 19 to replenish the anode piece 16, which is a drawback that the replenishment work cannot be performed safely and promptly. Have. Such drawbacks need to be eliminated immediately, especially in the present situation where high-speed plating is required.

Therefore, as a solution, it is conceivable to lengthen both the anode piece charging guide 25 and the anode case 3 to increase the capacity of the anode piece and reduce the number of times of replenishment. However, with this, the anode piece charging device 2
2 (anode piece charging guide 25, anode piece lifting mechanism 2
3, the anode piece replenishing mechanism 32, the control unit 33) and the anode piece decrease sensor 28 are mounted, and a larger load is applied to the already-conveyed carrier carrier 19, so that the kinetic performance of the carrier carrier 19 is increased. The anode piece 1
It becomes difficult to speed up the replenishment of 6 and the object 5 to be plated to speed up the plating process. Further, the plating tank 1 becomes large in size, which causes a problem in facility economy.

Further, as the anode strip reduction sensor 28, a photo sensor which can detect the reduction of the anode strip 16 in a non-contact manner via the anode reduction sense lever 8 which rises when the anode strip 16 in the anode case 3 is reduced is used. However, there is a possibility that the plating solution stored in the plating tank 1 may corrode and cause an erroneous detection. Therefore, it is conceivable that the anode depletion sensor 28 has a structure that is particularly resistant to corrosion. However, if all the sensors 28 that are provided in the same number as the one row of anode cases 3 have a corrosion resistant structure, a significant increase in cost is incurred. There is a problem in terms of economic efficiency, and there is a possibility that the expected effect may not be obtained.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a plating apparatus capable of safely and promptly replenishing anode pieces even during automatic operation of a carrier and capable of sufficiently responding to high-speed plating processing. To do.

[0013]

A plating apparatus according to the present invention comprises a plating tank, a predetermined number of anode cases which are immersed in the plating tank in a lateral alignment and accommodate a large number of anode pieces, and plating. In a plating apparatus provided with a transfer carrier capable of transferring and immersing an object to be plated in a bath, the plating device is formed so that it can be positioned at an anode piece transfer position outside the plating bath and can be held by the transport carrier, A transportation rack having a predetermined number of anode strip accommodating portions formed so as to be individually replenished with the anode strips in each row of the anode cases is provided, and the transport carrier is provided in each of the anode rows of the arbitrary row. A predetermined number of detection rods that can be lowered to a position corresponding to the remaining amount of anode pieces in each anode case, and a transport rack A rack holding portion capable of holding and an opening / closing drive mechanism capable of opening / closing driving each anode piece accommodating portion of the transport rack are provided, the displacement amount of each detection rod is detected, and an anode piece supply signal is output based on the detection result. A stock part provided with a sensor part and capable of accommodating a large number of anode pieces, and an anode capable of selectively supplying the anode pieces to the anode piece accommodating parts of the transport rack positioned at the anode piece transfer position from this stock part. An anode strip replenishing device that is configured separately from the transport carrier and that is provided with a single-side supply unit is provided. It is characterized in that an anode piece replenishment control means for driving and controlling is provided.

[0014]

According to the present invention having the above-described structure, the carrier is moved and driven to position the detection rods above the anode cases in the rows in which the decrease of the anode pieces is to be detected, and to descend in that state. As a result, each detection rod is displaced to a position corresponding to the remaining amount of the anode piece in the corresponding anode case. The sensor unit detects the amount of displacement of each detection rod and outputs an anode piece replenishment signal based on the detection result.

Based on the anode strip replenishment signal output from the sensor section, the anode strip replenishment control means determines the anode strip corresponding to the replenishment signal among the anode strip storage portions of the transport rack positioned at the anode strip transfer position. The anode strip supply unit is driven and controlled so that the anode strip is supplied from the stock unit to the storage unit. As a result, the anode pieces are selectively supplied to the transport rack.

Next, the anode strip replenishment control means moves the transport carrier to hold the transport rack in the rack holding portion of the carrier, and in that state, the transport rack is arranged in the row in which the decrease of the anode strip is detected. The transport carrier is driven and controlled so as to be located above each anode case.

Thus, when the transport rack is positioned above each anode case, the anode piece replenishment control means drives and controls the opening / closing drive mechanism so that each anode piece accommodating portion is opened. As a result, the anode piece is automatically replenished in the anode case.

[0018]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the present plating apparatus has a basic configuration similar to that of the conventional example (FIGS. 9 and 10), but in addition to the transport carrier 19, a transport rack 41, a sensor unit (5).
5), the anode piece replenishing device 70 and the anode piece replenishing control means 91 are provided, and the detection rod 51 and the rack holding portion 61 are provided on the transport carrier 19 to significantly reduce the burden on the transport carrier 19 and a large amount of anodes. The pieces (anode balls 16) can be stocked, and even during the automatic operation of the carrier 19, the decrease of the anode pieces (anode balls 16) in the anode case 3 can be reliably detected and the anode pieces (16) can be automatically and safely operated. It is configured to be replenishable. The same components as those in the conventional example (FIGS. 9 and 10) are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, the transport rack 41 is formed so that it can be positioned at the anode piece transfer position P1 outside the plating tank 1 and can be held by the transport carrier 19, and any row in the plating tank 1 can be held. A predetermined number (16 in this embodiment, the same number as the number of the row of anode cases 3) of the anode accommodating portions 4 formed so that the anode balls 16 can be individually replenished to each of the anode cases 3.
Have two.

Further, the carrier 19 for transportation can be moved down to each anode case 3 in an arbitrary row in the plating tank 1 and can be displaced to a position corresponding to the remaining amount of the anode balls 16 in each anode case 3. A predetermined number (1 in this embodiment)
Six detection rods 51, a rack holding portion 61 that can hold the transport rack 41, and an opening / closing drive mechanism 63 that can open / close each anode piece housing portion 42 of the transport rack 41 are provided. The transport carrier 19 is provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction (directions of arrows F and R) by a servomotor above the plating tank 1 via a rail (not shown), and the elevating part 19E is vertically movable. It is possible.

Each sensor section (55) outputs an anode piece replenishment signal based on the displacement amount of each detection rod 51.

Further, the anode piece replenishing device 70 is placed separately from the carrier 41 and has a stock portion 71 capable of accommodating a large amount of anode balls 16 and this stock portion 7.
1 to the anode piece transfer position P1. Each anode piece storage portion 42 of the transport rack 41 is provided with an anode piece supply portion 75 capable of selectively supplying the anode ball 16.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the anode piece replenishment control means 91 has an anode piece replenishment command and sensor section (5).
5) Based on the anode strip replenishment signal output from the carrier strip 19, the open / close drive mechanism 63 and the anode strip supply section 75 (anode strip cutting mechanism 76, anode strip lifting mechanism 8).
It is a means for driving and controlling 1). In the present embodiment, the anode piece replenishment control means 91 is composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and the like and utilizes a part of the function of a control device (not shown) for driving and controlling the entire plating apparatus.

The respective constituent elements such as the above-mentioned transport rack 41 will be described in detail below. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the transport rack 41 includes a base plate 43 having a length corresponding to the width dimension of the plating tank 1, and the base plate 43.
And a predetermined number (16) of anode piece accommodating portions 42 that are partitioned and formed. Held portions 49 are provided at both ends of the base plate 43.

Each anode piece accommodating portion 42 is provided at a predetermined distance in the lateral direction in correspondence with each row of anode cases 3 in the plating tank 1, and is formed so as to accommodate one anode ball 16. There is. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, each anode piece accommodating portion 42 includes a pair of left and right partition plates (44, 44) and an opening / closing link mechanism 4.
It is composed of 5.

The pair of partition plates (44, 44) are attached to both side surfaces of the base plate 43 so that the distance between them in the lateral direction is slightly larger than the diameter of the anode ball 16.

The open / close link mechanism 45 includes a plurality of swing links 46 and a support link 47, and the lower opening of the anode ball accommodating portion defined by the pair of partition plates (44, 44). It can be opened and closed.

The upper end of each swinging link 46 is the support shaft 4.
It is rotatably attached to both side surfaces of the base plate 43 via 6A, and its lower end portion projects below the base plate 43 by a predetermined length. Each swing link 4
A support link (47, 47) is connected to the lower end of the base plate 6 so as to be movable in parallel with the base plate 43. A support rod 47A is provided between the support links (47, 47) so as to be positioned at the center of the pair of partition plates (41, 41) in the lateral direction in the normal state [state shown in FIG. 7 (A)]. ing.

Therefore, when the anode piece accommodating portion 42 is in the closed state (that is, when the support rod 47A is in the normal state), the anode ball 16 is separated from the partition plates (44, 4).
It is supported by the support rod 47A while its lateral position is regulated by 4). When the anode piece accommodating portion 42 is opened, that is, when the support links (47, 47) are laterally moved and the support rod 47A is displaced, the anode ball 16 in the accommodating portion 42 loses its footing and falls.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, each detection rod 51 is attached to the elevating part 19E of the transport carrier 19 via a support mechanism (support member 57, arm 58). Guide holes 57a are formed through the support member 57 so as to correspond to the anode cases 3 in arbitrary rows. More specifically, each detection rod 51 is a body portion 52, and a rod 5 fixed to the body portion 52 and inserted into each guide hole 57a of the support member 57 so as to be movable and lockable at an arbitrary position.
And 3.

Therefore, the transport carrier 19 is moved and driven to position the above-mentioned support member 57 at a position above the anode case row for detecting the decrease of the anode piece (anode ball 16) as shown in FIGS. When the elevating part 19E of the transport carrier 19 is lowered in that state, the tip end part 54 of the rod 53 of each detection rod 51 is fitted and inserted into the corresponding anode case 3.

At this time, when the anode balls 16 are accommodated in the anode case 3 by a predetermined height, the rod tips 54 come into contact with the uppermost anode balls 16 and descend together with the support member 57. Is prevented. Therefore, the detection rod 51 is positioned at the raised position with respect to the support member 57. Further, when the anode ball 16 in the anode case 3 has decreased beyond the allowable limit, the detection rod 51 is set to the anode ball 1
6 is lowered by the same distance as the support member 57 without coming into contact with 6.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7 (A), the opening / closing drive mechanism 63 includes an opening / closing lever 64 capable of laterally moving the support link 47 of the opening / closing link mechanism 45 of the transport rack 41,
It is composed of an opening / closing drive motor 68 and a motor rod 69 for rotating the opening / closing lever 64.

The opening / closing lever 64 is provided on the transport carrier 19 so as to be rotatable about a fulcrum 64a, and its lower end is hinged to the right end of the support link 47 in FIG. 7 (A). The opening / closing lever 64 is a spring 64s.
Is urged in the direction of arrow Q by. Further, the opening / closing drive motor 68 is provided so as to move and drive the motor rod 69 so that the upper end 64b of the opening / closing lever 64 can be pressed and released.

Therefore, when the open / close drive motor 68 is driven to press the upper end 64b of the open / close lever 64 with the tip 69a of the motor rod 69, the support links (47, 47) are provided.
Moves laterally and the support rod 47A is displaced, so that each anode piece accommodating portion 42 is opened. When the pressing of the opening / closing lever 64 by the motor rod 69 is released, the support links (47, 4
7) returns to the normal state, and the anode piece accommodating portion 42 is closed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the rack holding portions 61 are provided at both ends of the above-mentioned support member 57 (however, only one is shown in FIG. 4). The rack holding portion 61 has a V-shaped engagement concave portion 62 that can be engaged with the held portion 49 of the transport rack 41.

As shown in FIG. 2, a predetermined number of sensor portions (16 in this embodiment) are provided on the upper part of the body frame 89 of the anode piece replenishing device 70, which will be described later, corresponding to the respective detection rods 51. Of the detection photosensor 55. The detection photosensor 55 is of a reflection type, and as shown in FIG. 5, when the displacement amount of the detection rod 51 is equal to or less than a set amount, the detection light emitted toward the detection rod 51 is reflected by the detection rod 51. It is configured to output an anode strip replenishment signal when it does not come back.

The anode strip replenishment control means 91 uses the anode strip replenishment signal output from the detection photosensor 55 to store the consumption characteristics of the anode balls 16 of each anode case 3 as data for each column and each cell. It is configured to do.

Further, on the upper part of the main body frame 89 of the anode piece replenishing device 70, the respective detection rods 51 positioned at the position detectable by the detection photosensor 55 (detectable position P2 shown in FIG. 1) are set at the initial position ( Reset means (pressing plate 59A, reset cylinder 59) for returning to the position where the reduction of the anode ball 16 in the anode case 3 can be detected is provided. That is, when the reset cylinder 59 is driven to lower the pressing plate 59A from the position shown in FIG. 1 by a predetermined distance, the detection rod 51 held at the position raised with respect to the support member 57 is moved by the pressing plate 59A. It is forcibly pushed down and positioned at the initial position.

Further, the anode piece replenishing device 70 is provided further downstream of a post-treatment device (not shown) provided downstream of the plating tank 1. This anode piece supply device 7
As shown in FIG. 2, the stock portion 71 of No. 0 has a support member 72 which is arranged on the main body frame 89 in a vertically zigzag manner. The support member 72 includes a partition member 7
An anode accommodating row 74 partitioned by 3 is formed corresponding to each anode case 3 in the anode case row.

The anode balls 16 accommodated in each anode accommodating row 74 roll on the supporting member 72 by their own weight,
It is supposed to be sent to the lower anode piece cutting mechanism 76. In addition, a notification sensor 87 for detecting a shortage of the stock of the anode balls 16 is provided in each anode housing row 74 of the lowermost support member 72. When the shortage of stock is detected by the notification sensor 87, the anode piece replenishment control means 91 is configured to drive a buzzer or the like (not shown) to emit a warning sound or the like.

Further, the anode piece supply section 75 includes an anode piece cutting mechanism 76 and an anode piece elevating mechanism 81. As shown in FIG. 6, the anode piece cutting mechanism 76 includes a stopper 77 and a cutting cylinder 78, and is formed so that the anode balls 16 can be selectively cut out from each anode housing row 74 of the stock portion 71. .

The stopper 77 is provided on the body frame 89 so as to be rotatable around a fulcrum 77a, and is connected to a cutting cylinder 78 via a connecting member 77C. When the rod 78a of the cutting cylinder 78 is projected to position the stopper 77 at the position shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 6, the locking relationship between the stopper 77 and the anode ball 16 is released, and the anode ball 16 is self-weighted. Thus, it rolls on the guide inclined plate 79 and is thrown into the bucket 82 described later.

Further, the anode piece lifting mechanism 81 includes a bucket 82 and a chain mechanism 84, and the stock portion 71
The transport rack 4 positioned at the anode piece transfer position P1 by raising the anode ball 16 cut out from
1 is configured to be handed over.

The bucket 82 is formed so as to be able to accommodate the anode balls 16 loaded from the respective anode accommodation rows 74 of the support member 72, and the chain 8 of the chain mechanism 84.
4C is rotatably connected by a predetermined angle via a connecting mechanism 83.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the chain mechanism 84 includes the sprocket wheels 8 which are vertically spaced apart from each other.
4A, 84B and both sprocket wheels 84A, 84
It is composed of a chain 84C stretched around B and a drive motor 85 for rotationally driving the sprocket wheel 84B.

When the drive motor 85 is driven to raise the bucket 82 containing the anode ball 16 from the standby position shown in FIG. 6 and align it with the transport rack 41 positioned at the anode piece transfer position P1, the illustration is made. The bucket 82 is tilted by the bucket tilting mechanism, and the anode balls 16 in the bucket 82 are locked in the bucket 8.
2 corresponds to the anode rack accommodating portion 42 of the transport rack 41
Is thrown into.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described based on the flow chart shown in FIG. When there is an anode replenishment command, the anode piece replenishment control means 91 is configured to convey the carrier 19
Are moved to position the support member 57 that supports each detection rod 51 above the anode case row that is to detect the decrease of the anode balls 16, and in that state the elevating part 19E is lowered to move the detection rods. Insert 51 into the corresponding anode case 3 (ST10, 11). As a result, each detection rod 51 is displaced to a position corresponding to the remaining amount of the anode ball 16 in the corresponding anode case 3. Next, in that state, the elevating part 1 of the transport carrier 19
9E is lifted to remove each detection rod 51 from each anode case 3, and then the transport carrier 19 is moved leftward in FIG.
Position to 2.

Thus, when each detection rod 51 is positioned at the detectable position P2, each photo sensor 55 is detected.
As shown in FIG. 5, the displacement amount of the corresponding detection rod 51 is detected, and when the displacement amount is equal to or less than the set amount, the anode piece replenishment signal is output (ST12).

Based on the anode strip supply signal output from the photo sensor 55, the anode strip supply control means 91.
The anode ball 16 cut out from the stock portion 71 is stored in the anode piece housing portion 42 corresponding to the anode piece supply signal among the anode piece housing portions 42 of the transport rack 41 positioned at the anode piece delivery position P1. The anode piece supply unit 75 is drive-controlled so that the supply is performed (ST1
4, 15). As a result, the anode balls 16 are selectively supplied to the transport rack 41.

Next, the anode piece replenishment control means 91 moves the carrier carrier 19 to hold the carrier rack 41 in the rack holding portion 61 of the carrier 19, and in this state, the carrier rack 41 is attached to the anode ball 16. The transport carrier 19 is drive-controlled so as to be located above the anode case row on which the decrease detection is performed (ST16).

In this way, when the transport rack 41 is positioned above the anode case row, the anode piece replenishment control means 91 drives and controls the opening / closing drive mechanism 63 so that each anode piece accommodating portion 42 is opened (ST17). ).
As a result, the anode balls 16 are automatically supplied to the anode case 3. After replenishing the anode balls 16,
The transport rack 41 is transported to the anode piece delivery position by the transport carrier 19 (ST18).

According to this embodiment, however, the anode balls 16 are individually formed in each anode case 3 which can be positioned at the anode piece transfer position P1 outside the plating tank 1 and can be held by the carrier 19. A transport rack 41 having each anode accommodating portion 42 formed so as to be replenished is provided, and the transport carrier 19 is lowered with respect to the anode case row to obtain the remaining amount of the anode balls 16 in each anode case 3. Each detection rod 51 that can be displaced to a corresponding position, a rack holding portion 61 that can hold the transportation rack 41, and each anode piece housing portion 42 of the transportation rack 41 can be opened and closed with respect to the corresponding anode case 3. And an open / close drive mechanism 63, and a detection photosensor 55 that outputs an anode piece replenishment signal based on the displacement amount of each detection rod 51. A stock section 71 capable of accommodating the anode balls 16 having, transport rack 41 from the stock portion 71 is positioned in the anode piece transfer position P1
And an anode piece supply unit 75 capable of selectively supplying the anode balls 16 and an anode piece replenishing device 70 provided separately from the transport carrier 19.
Since the transport carrier 19, the opening / closing drive mechanism, and the anode strip replenishment control means 91 for driving and controlling the anode strip replenishment unit 75 based on the anode strip replenishment signal output from the anode strip 16 are accommodated in the stock section 71. Even if a large amount is selected, the load applied to the carrier carrier 19 does not increase, and the anode ball replenishment and the object to be plated can be speeded up. Further, the photo sensor 55 is provided outside the plating tank 1 and reduces the reduction of the anode piece 16 in the anode case 3 via the detection rod 51 which is displaced to a position corresponding to the remaining amount of the anode ball 16 in the anode case 3. Since it is detected, there is no chance of being erroneously detected by being corroded by the plating solution. Therefore, the anode piece 16 can be replenished safely, swiftly and surely even during the automatic operation of the carrier 19, and it is possible to sufficiently cope with the speeding up of the plating process.

Further, since the shortage of the stock of the anode balls 16 of the anode piece replenishing device 70 is detected by the notifying sensor 87, the automatic replenishment of the anode balls 16 can be carried out more smoothly and surely.

Further, the consumption characteristic of the anode ball 16 of each anode case 3 can be left as data for each column and each cell by utilizing the anode piece detection signal output from the detection photo sensor 55.

Since the anode piece replenishing device 70 is provided on the moving direction of the carrier carrier 19, the carrier carrier 1
The automatic replenishment of the anode ball 16 by means of 9 can be performed much more quickly.

Further, since the stock portion 71 of the anode piece replenishing device 70 is constructed so that the weight of the anode piece 16 is used for stacking and is sent to the cutting position, the structure can be further simplified.

Furthermore, since the stock portion 71 of the anode piece replenishing device 70 is formed by the support plate 72 which is vertically arranged in a zigzag inclined manner, the stock amount of the anode balls 16 can be increased without increasing the installation area. Can be increased.

In the above embodiment, the carrier is moved and driven by using the servo motor, but the present invention is not limited to this, and another motor may be used for moving and driving.

[0060]

According to the present invention, a transport rack, a sensor section, an anode strip replenishing device and an anode strip replenishment control means are provided separately from the transport carrier, and the transport rod is provided with a detection rod and a rack holding section. A large amount of anode pieces can be stocked while significantly reducing the burden on the carrier, and even during automatic operation of the carrier, the decrease in the anode pieces in the anode case can be reliably detected and the anode pieces can be automatically replenished safely and quickly. can do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is likewise a perspective view for explaining the overall configuration of the anode strip supply device.

FIG. 3 is likewise a block diagram for explaining an electrical / electronic configuration.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing how a detection rod similarly detects a decrease in the number of anode balls in the anode case.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing how the detection photosensor detects the displacement amount of the detection rod.

FIG. 6 is also a diagram for explaining an anode piece cutting mechanism of the anode piece supply device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the transport rack and the opening / closing drive mechanism.

FIG. 8 is likewise a flowchart for explaining the operation.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a conventional configuration of a plating apparatus.

FIG. 10 is also a diagram for explaining another conventional example of the plating apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Plating Tank 3 Anode Case 16 Anode Ball (Anode Piece) 19 Transport Carrier 41 Transport Rack 51 Detection Rod 55 Detection Photosensor (Sensor) 61 Rack Holding Part 70 Anode Supply Device 71 Stock Part 75 Anode Supply Unit

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plating tank, a predetermined number of anode cases that are laterally aligned and dipped in the plating tank and accommodate a large number of anode pieces, and an object to be plated can be transported and dipped in the plating tank. In a plating apparatus provided with a transport carrier provided, the anode strip is individually formed in each of the anode cases in the arbitrary row, so that the anode strip can be positioned at the anode strip delivery position outside the plating tank and can be held by the transport carrier. A transport rack having a predetermined number of anode strip accommodating portions formed so as to be replenished so as to be replenished is provided, and the transport carrier is lowered with respect to each of the anode cases in the arbitrary row and the anodes in the respective anode cases A predetermined number of detection rods that can be displaced to the position according to the remaining amount of the piece, a rack holding portion that can hold the rack for transportation, and a rack for transportation. An open / close drive mechanism that can open and close each anode strip storage section is provided, and a sensor section that detects the displacement amount of each detection rod and outputs an anode strip replenishment signal based on the detection result is provided, and a large number of anode strips can be stored. Separate stock section and an anode strip supply section capable of selectively supplying anode strips to the anode strip storage sections of the transport rack positioned at the anode strip delivery position from this stock section, and separate from the transport carrier. And an anode strip replenishment control means for driving and controlling the carrier carrier, the opening / closing drive mechanism and the anode strip supply section based on the anode strip replenishment command and the replenishment signal output from the sensor section. Plating equipment characterized by.