Chrome Plating Electroplating Drum (Core Component of the Roll Plating Machine)
The chrome plating electroplating drum (and roll plating machine) is a key piece of equipment used for the roll plating process of small, bulk items (such as screws, nuts, washers, etc.). It ensures a uniform coating by rotating the workpieces inside the drum. Below is an introduction to its core structure, working principle, features, and applications:
Drum: The core component of the roll plating machine, typically a perforated cylindrical container made from materials like PP, PVC, or stainless steel (acid and alkali resistant). The surface is covered with small holes to allow the plating solution to circulate. It is used to hold the workpieces to be plated.
Plating Tank: A container that holds the plating solution and works in conjunction with the drum. It includes an anode (metal or inert electrode) and a conductive device.
Drive System: A motor drives the drum’s rotation through gears or chains. The rotation speed is adjustable, typically ranging from 5 to 30 RPM.
Conductive System: The conductive device inside the drum (such as a conductive shaft or brush) transmits the current to the workpieces, forming the electroplating circuit.
Auxiliary Equipment: Includes systems for circulating and filtering the plating solution and temperature control devices to regulate the solution’s temperature.
Once the workpieces are loaded into the drum, it is immersed in the plating solution and slowly rotated. The workpieces continually roll and collide within the drum while electrical current is passed through via the conductive device (the workpieces are the cathode, and the anode is in the plating tank). The metal ions in the solution are deposited evenly on the surface of the workpieces during electrolysis, forming a plating layer. The rotation of the drum ensures that all parts of the workpieces fully contact the solution and the current, preventing uneven plating.
High Batch Processing Efficiency: The drum can load a large number of small parts (from hundreds to thousands) at once, eliminating the need to clamp each piece individually. This makes it ideal for mass production, significantly reducing labor costs.
Good Coating Uniformity: The continuous rolling of the workpieces in the drum reduces overlapping and shadowing issues. Compared to rack plating, it is better suited for small parts, but speed control is essential (too slow may cause accumulation, and too fast may cause wear or darkened plating).
Compact Equipment Structure: The size of the equipment is relatively small, making it suitable for high-density workshop layouts, especially in medium to small-sized factories.
Strong Process Adaptability: By adjusting drum speed, current density, and plating time, the system can adapt to various plating processes, such as zinc, nickel, copper, and tin, to meet different corrosion resistance and decorative needs.
Mainly used for bulk 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), copper plating (for conductivity) on small connectors, pins, etc.
Small Daily Use Parts: Decorative plating (such as chrome or copper plating) on zipper pulls, keychains, small hardware accessories, etc.
The chrome plating electroplating drum (including the electroplating drum) is an efficient piece of equipment for bulk electroplating of small parts. While it may be less adaptable for precision or fragile components (such as microelectronics, which may suffer from wear due to collisions), it is widely used in standardized small parts production. It is a key piece of equipment for improving batch production efficiency in the electroplating industry.
