barrel plating vs rack plating

2022.07.31
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barrel plating vs rack plating

So if you know that the metal parts you want to electroplate will suffer damages if they are agitated in a barrel, you will pick the rack plating method. Sometimes, they come in complex geometry which may hinder a uniform finish result through other plating methods. alloys commonly components It also works well for plating parts of various shapes and sizes. (Photo courtesy of The Time Preserve/watchplating.com)What an Engineer or Designer Should Consider Before Electroplating, **What Are the Benefits of Electroplating?**. This will help to determine the plating thickness required for a part to be resistant to corrosion or repeated cycles of wear, for example. All right reserved.

There are many advantages to using rack plating method of electroplating metal parts: Using this method you can plate any size of metal part you may have to electroplate. Barrel plating allows for bulk processing, so many parts can be placed in a barrel at once. Instead of handling every part differently, take as many as the rack can carry and start the electroplating process. But how do you know if rack or barrel plating is the best option for your project? Current density within the load of parts in the barrel is typically optimized through the part-to-part contact during rotation. P.O. People who have a large volume project often spend more especially if they have parts that can only pass through the rack plating method. (Photo courtesy of George Hradil/Technic, Inc.). Both barrel and rack plating methods are used at our zinc plating facility. Neither of these two electroplating methods are better than the other. Larger parts that have excessive weight or parts that can become entangled or easily nest together cannot be plated in a vibratory basket as they will not move in a uniform fashion. As a result, the only plating method that can efficiently provide smooth finishing to these parts with complex contours is rack plating method. If you want your clients to return for more work amd recommend your services to their colleagues and friends, you must always impress them with continued quality result rendition. It seems to me zinc plating, with barrel plating, is as good as nickel hanging plating, in terms of corrosion resistance; this is our result. All you need is a set of barrel equipment, and thats all.

You can try salt spray test as this is the standardized test method to check corrosion resistance of coated samples. The "other" way of plating that you observed is called Each has unique characteristics that make it suitable for different projects. Drainage of plating solution (surface preparation or plating bath chemistries) such that the inside surfaces of parts will be sufficiently covered and the plating will have adequate bond strength. One disadvantage is, since this is a bulk process, 100% of the parts may not get coated. This method will help you to minimize your operational costs which will result in low-cost service rendition to your clients as well. This plating process involves a slow rotation of the barrel immersed in an electrolytic solution which is required for the plating. Parts placed on a rack also have poor solution movement, which is necessary to control thicknesses, and they are more prone to rinsing and drying stains.

The second is- How long do you need it to last before it is junked? With the rack plating method, you can carry out the following types of plating, Zinc and Aluminum plating using Chrome and Nickel plating solutions. There are also some limitations on part size and geometry that can preclude some parts from being able to be selectively plated.

If a single metal does not provide the properties needed, it is also possible to co-deposit two or more metals for an electroplated alloy deposit. Rack plating takes time to finish. One of the things that will make anybodys services efficient and impressive for continued patronage is your ability to deliver quality results promptly within a cost-efficient framework. So I am going to make it easier by pointing out some things you should consider before deciding to use either method for your electroplating project. After passing through the plating process, you will notice that they will be smooth without any scratch. Barrel plating offers a cost-effective means of plating a high volume of small, durable parts such as stampings and fasteners. In addition, due to variable currents in the plating solution, uniformity of the plating layer is harder to achieve. Using this plating method is a sure way of achieving a uniform engineering finish on all the electroplated parts. Be it parts cleaning, rinsing, parts pickling or even sealing, all you need is one single vessel, and thats it! For every mole of electrons that is transferred to the part, one mole of metallic ions in solution will adhere to the part. Barrel plating, as you can imagine from the name, is performed using polypropylene barrels. Though plating in barrels can produce many electroplated parts at once, the equipment only uses low DC current. All you need is to do is to customize the rack to fit the needs of the project and also use engineers who are experienced. The more corrosion resistant the coating is, the longer the period in testing without showing signs of corrosion. We will be happy to provide you with advice from our metal plating professionals. Due to the large requirement of human resources and the time required, this method becomes very expensive to operate. This surface finish is commonly used in circuit boards, automotive parts or the defense industry. So with this method, you will have to use many people. Nickel also offers a bright surface finish that can be adjusted according to customer specifications. When any metal part is large and cannot pass through any other plating method, your best option is to plate it on a rack. Can you please help to clarify the corrosion resistance of nickel plating versus zinc plating? The environment that the finished parts will be exposed to. Some parts like medical, automotive, electronics, military parts, etc. Chemicals &Consumables We notice the surface finish of nickel plated parts being of a superior quality (mirror-like) than zinc plated. These types of projects are much better suited for rack plating when possible. Sometimes, when you may need to electroplate metal parts that have sensitive tips, dont try other methods; just head straight to your racking equipment and protect these parts from damage. When this scenario occurs, your choice will no longer be barrel plating. (Photo courtesy of Electro-Spec, Inc.). If you could afford to put exceptionally thick nickel plating on the parts, it would be reasonably corrosion resistant, but you usually can't. Electro-Spec has also developed, with their supplier, a revolutionary post-plate immersion process calledSAMs, or Self Assembled Molecules, that offers enhanced corrosion and contact resistance as well as excellent solderability, while reducing precious metal use and cost. Below well cover some of the other benefits of using this method of electroplating. Contact us to learn more today. One good reason for using rack plating is because some of the parts that pass through electroplating are delicate. This flow of current initiates the attraction of ions in the solution to the surface of the metallic part. Both methods are compatible with different finishing technologies. Consult'g, Train'g& Software, About/Contact-Privacy Policy-1995-2022 finishing.com, Pine Beach, New Jersey, USA, metal finishing service - Chemist - Manila, Philippines. Nickel plating and zinc plating can provide corrosion resistance but consistency of plating thickness on all parts plays a very important role. Electro-Spec, Inc. has sponsored this post. This causes ions in the electroplating solution to attach themselves to the surface of objects in the workload. Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. With the right sized barrel, you can handle every plating need for your project. When you are working with these types of parts, it is best to use rack plating equipment, but when the parts are sturdy and wouldnt feel the brunt of other metals on their surfaces, opt for the barrel to save on time and cost. Because of these attributes in the rack plating process, it is important to take into consideration whether or not the object you are plating is worth the additional effort. Consequently, nickel plating is sometimes said to be a "barrier layer" plating. When using the rack plating method of electroplating, please keep in mind that the rack may produce an area that is discolored or bare where the part was hung. These contacts transfer current to the load of parts and provide very consistent amperage during processing. Also, some parts are larger than others. Metal hooks or bands are used to hold the parts in place as well as provide the necessary electrical contact. What Does Electroless Nickel Plating Cost? It will take many hands to handle huge projects. Nickelplating is common because it offers superior chemical and corrosion resistance along with greater wear resistance, which increases product lifecycles. Keep in mind, barrel plating is not for fragile objects due the large amount of objects moving about in a condensed container. After considering these methods of electroplating metal parts, the decision now remains, which method is suitable for my project? High degrees of uniformity require the use of auxiliary anodes or robbers which increases the complexity of the rack plating as well as the cost. Due to their shape, these parts are not suited for the rough-and-tumble motion of the barrel plating method. You can only plate as many parts that can hang on the rack for each batch. This way you can handle the whole process quickly and efficiently. Good luck. When your service cost is high, it will also increase the operational costs of your client. Labor cost is one of the things that increase your service costs. The biggest issue with rack plating is that direct connection to the parts on the rack causes plating distribution efficiency to be compromised due to high and low current density areas throughout the parts and the rack. By incorporating a vibrating or pulsating basket that transfers kinetic energy to the load, the parts move in a clockwise fashion across button contacts on the bottom of the basket. No matter how tempting it is to finish your project on time, you cant just use barrel plating without making sure that it can provide a perfect finish for the metal parts. Each one of the methods can electroplate precious metals such as gold and silver.

Therefore, before you start any electroplating project, you must sit down and ask yourself, barrel plating or rack plating? ..nickel metal is about 3-5 times more expensive than zinc. SPC offers decades of barrel and rack plating experience, along with the expertise to help you select the right method for your metal finishing applications. The requirements of the project you are handling will determine which method to use. If you want to preserve your metal parts before using them for fabrication, you must plate them accurately to achieve a good finish. As a result of the minimal contact, the finishing that will be achieved on the metal parts will be a high-quality coating.

Barrels can plate thousands units in a few batches. It produces an overall good result. For some parts, this means the addition of a weep hole during the design phase. 1. Inside the barrels are cable danglers that conduct the electrical current for electroplating. These leashes rivaled most chrome plating for surface and luster. 2 Comments. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful. If you are still unsure whether rack or barrel platingis best for you, give us a call at (314)-776-0542. You will hang the parts manually before you start the process. The best way to enjoy this plating method is to use it for selection or partial coating. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. Some parts that are too delicate to withstand such tumult will just suffer damages thereby leading to increased production costs. Also, some parts can fit in the barrel, but they are too delicate to withstand the cascading that occurs during the barrel plating process. The big advantage of zinc plating from a corrosion resistance standpoint is that it is anodic to steel (it offers cathodic protection), whereas nickel is cathodic to steel and accelerates the corrosion of steel via galvanic action if any steel is exposed. Now, what are sizes of the metal parts in your project? A plating machine rotates and causes metal parts to tumble. Barrel plating happens in one barrel. Spouted Bed Electrode plating. Each offers several advantages, as well as points the plater and customer must consider when determining the most appropriate method for their project. This method also is good for large parts that wont fit in a barrel, and for parts where a high-quality/cosmetic finish is of utmost importance. The tolerance on critical part dimensions should be designated with the plating thickness in mind. Know your process and requirements for durable, high conductivity, corrosion resistant plating. Often the plating will have or will get tiny pores which expose the steel to this galvanic action. To make your plating services operation legendary, it may mean needing to house both sets of equipment, so you have the option to cater to each projects needs. When you are done, use bonds or hooks to keep the parts in the right position. Call (314) 849-8181 or contact us to start your quote! Conversely, smaller parts that do not have enough weight cannot be plated in a vibratory basket, either. Barrel plating requires a smaller investment in equipment and is less labor-intensive than rack plating, which ultimately results in a lower process cost to the customer. Because electroplating involves the use of current to initiate a reaction at the surface of a part, the overall geometry of the part will influence the current distribution, often called current density, across the surface of a part. Hi, Luca.

But if the sizes of the parts means they are too large to fit, opt for rack plating to ensure a uniform finish especially on the contours of the metal parts. In rare cases, you may notice little scratches that are not detrimental to the use of such part. CapitalEquipment Klein Plating Works (KPW) offers the rack plating method of electroplating. Posted by Dear All, I am a little confused about some of the answers on this site about nickel vs. zinc plating. For this reason, barrel plating is typically less labor intensive and can generate higher levels of efficiency. This electroplating method is popular for achieving this result after metal parts plating. Goldplating provides excellent electrical conductivity, making it one of the best choices for electrodes, current carrying pins and circuit board components.