Gold Plating Electroplating Drum
The gold plating electroplating drum (a core component of the rolling plating machine) and the rolling plating machine are essential equipment for processing small, batch-sized workpieces (such as screws, nuts, washers, etc.) via rolling plating. The rolling action inside the drum ensures a uniform coating on the workpieces. Below is an introduction to its core structure, working principle, features, and applications:
Drum: The core component of the rolling plating machine, usually a perforated cylindrical container (commonly made of PP, PVC, or stainless steel, with acid and alkali corrosion resistance). Its surface is covered with small holes to allow the plating solution to circulate, and the drum is filled with workpieces to be plated.
Plating Tank: A container for holding the plating solution, used in conjunction with the drum. It contains an anode (metal or inert electrode) and a conductive device.
Drive System: An electric motor drives the drum’s rotation via gears or chains (the speed is adjustable, typically between 5-30 rotations per minute).
Conductive System: The conductive device inside the drum (such as a conductive shaft or conductive brush) transmits current to the workpieces, forming an electroplating circuit.
Auxiliary Devices: These include a plating solution circulation and filtration system, temperature control devices (for adjusting the temperature of the plating solution), and more.
Once the workpieces are loaded into the drum, the drum is immersed in the plating solution and rotates slowly. The workpieces tumble and collide inside the drum, while the conductive device connects the electrical current (the workpieces act as the cathode, and the anode inside the plating tank serves as the anode). Under the electroplating action, the metal ions in the plating solution are uniformly deposited onto the surface of the workpieces, forming a plating layer. The rotation of the drum ensures that all parts of the workpieces come into full contact with both the plating solution and the electrical current, preventing uneven plating.
High Batch Processing Efficiency: The drum can carry a large number of small items at once (ranging from hundreds to thousands), without the need for individual clamping, making it ideal for large-scale production and significantly reducing labor costs.
Good Coating Uniformity: As the workpieces roll continuously in the drum, the risk of overlapping and obstruction is minimized. Compared to rack plating, it is more suitable for small parts. However, speed control is important—too slow and the parts may accumulate, while too fast may cause wear or lead to darkened plating layers.
Compact Equipment Design: The relatively small size of the drum makes it suitable for dense workshop layouts, especially for small to medium-sized manufacturing plants.
Strong Process Flexibility: By adjusting the drum speed, current density, and electroplating time, it can accommodate various coating processes, such as zinc plating, nickel plating, copper plating, tin plating, etc., meeting diverse corrosion resistance and decorative needs.
It is primarily used for mass electroplating of small, rigid workpieces, such as:
Hardware Standard Parts: Zinc plating (for rust prevention), nickel plating (for wear resistance) on screws, nuts, washers, small springs, etc.
Electronic Components: Tin plating (to enhance solderability) and copper plating (for electrical conductivity) on small connectors, pins, etc.
Small Daily Use Parts: Decorative plating (such as chrome plating, copper plating) on zipper heads, keychains, small hardware accessories, etc.
The gold plating electroplating drum (including the electroplating drum) is an efficient tool for batch electroplating of small parts. While it may be less adaptable to precision or delicate items (such as microelectronic components) due to possible collision and wear, it is widely used in standardized small parts production. It is a key device in the electroplating industry for improving batch production efficiency.
