Commercial Electroplating
1. Electroplating is the process of placing a coat of metal on a substrate. Although small applications of electroplating can be used in home workshop or hobby applications, most electroplating is achieved in commercial settings. This has much to do with the size of objects or substrates being electroplated, the size and cost of the machinery needed to fulfill orders from customers and the need for space to accommodate electroplating processes. When the object being electroplated is supplied to the electroplate company 1 million at a time, an additional parameter for volume increases the space needed to complete the business of electroplating.
Taking Electroplate Orders
2. Commercial electroplating companies vary in their specialties. Some focus on the automotive industry, some the computer industry, and some are large enough to take on many industries and use a full range of plating technologies. In the process of writing an order, directions or specifications for the process are outlined. The electroplating company and its employees must understand the specs and fulfill the order accurately. Required delivery times, transportation methods and payment dates are agreed upon and signed for. Delayed orders or orders delivered on time or before the agreed date may be further defined by payment penalties or additional incentives.
Managing Electroplating
3. Commercial electroplating companies have the option of working with tool manufacturers and suppliers to enhance their production capabilities. From the management of the waste from electroplate processes—metals must be worked with and disposed of properly by law—to the need for hoists, material handling and purchasing, commercial electroplate businesses have a need for strong management. The scheduling and timely completion of several large orders simultaneously require close attention.
Conductive Electroplating Process
4. Traditional electroplating methods require the substrate (object) to be conductive or able to take a negative electrical charge. Once charged, the object is placed into a bath solution of salt and the chosen metal. The positive ions of the salt solution are attracted to the negatively charged object. When the two connect, the ions return to a metallic state and are now adhered to the substrate (object). Before being electroplated the object must be cleaned of any debris, oils or waxes, or the areas of dirt will not receive the process. Dimples or rough spots must be polished smooth or the plating will take on the irregularities.
Non-conductive Electroplating Process
5. Plastics have presented an interesting aspect to the plating process. Plastics are insulators, not conductors, which means charging them with a negative charge is not possible–at least not in the context of electroplating. This has given rise to all manner of processes designed to adhere metals to various forms of plastic. From using friction to developing special paints, this portion of the commercial electroplating industry is in constant discovery and development.