HNKTech Europe Ltd. (Wimbledon, UK), a consultancy and developer ofcustomized FEA (finite element analysis) solutions, now offerssimulation software for electroplating components. The softwareproduces highly accurate coating uniformity, says the company, andreduces wastage costs, improves product quality, and time to market.
Traditional electroplating of such components as bearings, pistons, andlanding gear parts often results in an uneven finish as well as wastageas the plating technician tries to achieve uniformity through grindingand polishing. HNKTech’s FEA software works by creating a densitymodel. The model is displayed after inputting your electroplatingset-up including the geometric profile, material properties, andboundary conditions. Using these variables, the software simulates theelectroplating process then displays the density model with predictedplating thickness and uniformity.
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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.
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Updating its DOS-based software, the company introduces DynaComm II, a 32-bit, Windows-based software that operates under any of the current platforms available (95/98/NT/CE). Employing either the simple point-and-click or touch-screen technology common for Windows applications, DynaComm II provides an electroplating process control program for the PRO-Series and DC rectifiers.
This program consists of an Operator Interface (OI) for parameter entry and display and a Control Server (CS) to control and monitor the rectifiers. These two applications use a Windows socket connection to interchange data using the Internet protocol. This two-part design allows DynaComm II to be installed on a single computer for a stand alone application or to be installed on separate computers where the operator’s and rectifier’s positions can be separated by feet or miles.
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