Electroplating 101: The Process and Its History
Commercial electroplating is a versatile finishing process that’s been around since the early 1800s. Simply put, it’s used for applying a metal coating to a substrate using direct electric current. Various plating methods are available today including barrel plating, vibratory plating, reel to reel plating, spotted bed electrode plating, among others. The process is employed…
Spouted Bed Electrode Plating: The Process, its Applications and Advantages
Components for the electronics industry continue to get smaller and smaller as devices also decrease in size. Just think – smart phones, tablets, cameras, etc. Due to their tiny size, many of these parts can’t be properly plated using conventional methods. This is where Spouted Bed Electrode® (SBE®) plating comes in. SBE is a plating…
Green Manufacturing: Waste Treatment During the Electroplating Process
In a recent blog, we discussed the importance of maintaining pure water during the plating process. Of equal, if not critical importance, is the cleanliness and reduction of the waste that is generated. The reality is that electroplating involves chemicals and other bi-products. Many are potentially hazardous to humans and the environment. In order to…
Connector Contact Plating Finishes Comparison Guide
Contacts in electronic connectors play a crucial role: they are the conductive element. Their function is to reliably and consistently transmit signals or power across the connector interface. Having the optimal application-specific contact is then critical to maintain efficiency and longevity of the connector and the overall system. The plating of the connector contacts can…
It’s Not Easy Being Clean – The Secret to Spotless Electroplated Parts
Electroplating can be a dirty business. The atmosphere is corrosive and humid, yet the parts being shipped must be clean and free of debris. The aerospace and defense industry in particular has strict requirements regarding Foreign Objects and Debris, or FOD. The challenge to the electroplater is to ship product that is free of any…
Quality Expectations of the Mil-Aero Electroplating Supplier
As an electroplating services supplier catering to the military and aerospace industries, among others, we are constantly faced with challenging plating requirements. These are communicated in ASTM, AMS or military specs. These requirements translate to specifications for adhesion, thickness, solderability and porosity. Compliance is often dependent on part features beyond the electroplaters control. For instance,…
Understanding Key Quality Factors and Testing Practices for Plated Parts
When manufacturing critical components, quality is of utmost concern. We have talked in the past about stringent quality certifications – what it takes to earn and maintain them. Today, we will review specific quality factors and how they are measured or tested. Process controls and bath maintenance are key factors in ensuring plated parts meet…
Chemistry – The Heart of the Plating Process
“Optimum process performance cannot be obtained without careful control of the plating bath chemistry.” There are numerous factors that are necessary to obtain an acceptable plated part. Bath chemistry is one of the most critical ones. As quality requirements become more stringent for plated parts, plating has evolved into a more exact science. This is…
Understanding Various Loose Piece Plating Methods
There are several plating processes available for electronic components today. Do you know the ins and outs of each? In this blog, we will review loose piece plating techniques, (as opposed to reel-to-reel methods that we’ve covered in the past). Loose piece methods include barrel plating, vibratory plating, spouted bed electrode plating and rack plating….