Zinc, Copper, and Nickel Barrel Plating Machines are specialized electroplating systems designed for small-sized, high-volume workpieces such as screws, electronic components, and small hardware parts. The core principle involves rotating perforated barrels that continuously tumble the workpieces during electroplating, ensuring uniform coating coverage while maintaining high efficiency and cost-effectiveness. These machines are widely used in the electronics, hardware, and automotive component industries.
Plating Type and Key Features:
Each type of barrel plating machine is optimized for specific coating properties:
Zinc Barrel Plating Machine – Focused on corrosion protection, using acidic or alkaline zinc electrolytes. It operates at room temperature, producing a coating thickness of 5–30 μm, ideal for anti-rust treatment of small hardware parts.
Copper Barrel Plating Machine – Designed for electrical conductivity, utilizing a copper sulfate electrolyte. Operating at 20–30°C, it provides 1–20 μm thick coatings suitable for electronic components requiring reliable current transmission.
Nickel Barrel Plating Machine – Emphasizes corrosion resistance and decorative finish, using a nickel sulfate electrolyte at 40–60°C. The nickel layer (5–50 μm) offers high wear resistance and bright appearance, ideal for decorative small parts.
Core Configuration:
All three machine types share a common structural foundation:
Rotating Barrel: Made of corrosion-resistant PP or PVC with perforations; barrel hole size and rotation speed (5–15 rpm) are adjusted according to workpiece dimensions to ensure smooth tumbling without collision.
Electrolytic System: Includes corresponding metal anodes (zinc, copper, or nickel) and an adjustable DC power supply (0–24V) to meet different current requirements for each plating type.
Control System: Operated via PLC, providing real-time monitoring of temperature, pH, and plating time to maintain precise process parameters.
Integrated Rinsing and Drying Units: Minimize part handling and reduce transfer-related losses.
Key Advantages:
High processing efficiency: Each barrel can handle several kilograms of parts per batch.
Excellent coating uniformity: Continuous tumbling eliminates dead zones and ensures consistent plating thickness.
Flexible multi-metal capability: By simply changing the electrolyte and anode, the system can switch between zinc, copper, and nickel plating operations.
This makes the barrel plating machine an ideal solution for surface treatment of small, mass-produced workpieces, combining efficiency, versatility, and coating quality in one compact system.
