BARREL AND RACK PLATING
In plating, the barreling method is where numerous small parts are slowly tumbled in a barrel-shaped cage made of non-conducting material which is submerged in a tank of the electrolyte. Cathodic electrical contact with the mass of small metallic parts that are to be plated is maintained with flexible metal wires (danglers) that enter the barrel through the hubs at each end. Stationary anodes line the inside of the tank, and in this way surround the barrel and the parts within it.
Main Application / Advantages
- Electroplating is primarily used for depositing a layer of material to bestow a desired property (e.g., abrasion and wear resistance, corrosion protection, lubricity, aesthetic qualities, etc.) to a surface that otherwise lacks that property. Another application uses electroplating to build up thickness on undersized parts.
- Rack plating is a plating method that is used for parts that have a design constraint where the appearance of the finish is one of the main concerns (e.g. watch casings). It provides a good thickness distribution. Parts are hooked or fixed to a jig during the plating process, and after the plating is completed, the parts will be unhooked from the jig and transferred to the packaging tray.
Generic Process Flow
Refer to related pages
WATCH, GOLD PLATING, PLATING ON CERAMIC
