Plating Adhesion Problems: Their Causes and How to Avoid Them
Poor plating adhesion is one of the most common issues that can occur during the plating process. If not noticed and corrected right away, improper adhesion will cause the plate to fail, sooner or later. Thankfully, there are ways to spot these problems early, and process considerations that could be made to avoid them entirely….
Considerations for Electroplating Very Small or Microscopic Electronic Parts
Miniaturization in electronic devices is a long-standing trend that demands that their components become increasingly smaller. In many cases, electroplating challenges increase as the size of parts decrease. Several considerations must be made to provide quality and consistent plating, within the customer’s stated specifications. Further, several processes are available, including one that was specifically designed…
The Role of Grain Structure in Electroplating
Electronic components such as connectors, pins and contacts are electroplated for several reasons. Among the desired properties are hardness, brightness, electrical conductivity, and corrosion and wear resistance. These attributes are ultimately dependent on several factors including the plating process, the base material, the bath, and of course, the plating material. These selections will also contribute…
Plating Thickness Measurement Techniques
Maintaining plating thickness as specified by a buyer and applicable standards is critical for the quality and longevity of the end product. In order to be sure that a component’s thickness is correct and consistent, tight controls must be maintained during the entire plating process. A key function to achieving this is accurate plating thickness…
The Benefits of Optimal Plating Load Size
A commercial plating company is one that plates many different parts, in various volumes, for its customers. There are many production factors to consider when handling a particular job including equipment, tooling, chemistry, temperature, and more. One key aspect, not always discussed between buyer and supplier, is load size. This is simply the quantity of…
Hiring Challenges for the Plating Industry and How to Deal with Them
Ask any manufacturer these days what their biggest challenges are, and most of them will have “labor issues” on their shortlist. Fact is, it’s harder than ever to find good people. And those who are willing and ready to work usually don’t want to get their hands dirty. Labor challenges have been lingering over the…
Supplier Certifications and Approvals for the Automotive Industry
It should come as no surprise that the automotive industry is heavy regulated since the safety of the driver and its occupants is of primary concern. Inferior components can lead to avoidable accidents, costly (and brand-damaging) recalls, and persistent performance issues. For a market that’s very competitive, with rapidly evolving technology, there is practically no…
Aerospace & Defense Plating Approvals
AS9100 certification is required to be a plating supplier for the Aerospace and Defense Industry. AS9100 includes the requirements of ISO 9001 but has added requirements specific to the Aerospace and Defense industry such as Counterfeit Part, Critical Items, Key Characteristic, Product Safety, & Special Requirements. The focused intensity of AS9100 is to provide consistently…