GB1110966A - Electroplating or other electrolytic treatment of small parts - Google Patents

Abstract

Small parts having portions which are easily distorted or cracked are electrolytically treated in bulk by supporting them in an electrolytic bath on a conducting horizontal surface which is continuously vibrated sufficiently to move the parts over the surface, and passing current through the bath with the conducting surface as one electrode and a separate counter electrode. The conducting surface may be provided by a conductive plate-like metal supporting member with parts of its surface coated with oxide of the metal or insulating tape or by a supporting plate-like member of insulating material carrying contact elements set into its surface. The desired vibration of the parts to be treated may be effected by vibrating the electrolytic tank which holds both the electrodes or the workpiece support itself may be vibrated, e.g. by making it and the counter electrode part of a single vibratable unit movable from tank to tank. The workpiece holder may be a shallow dish having spiral depressions or grooves in its surface or the parts may be fed by conveyer to one side of the workpiece holder across which they travel due to its vibration for removal by another conveyer. The apparatus may be used for electro-plating or electro-polishing.