Claims
- 1. A method for plating of articles to permit subsequent formation of an alloy, the method comprising:a) providing at least three plating baths, wherein the first bath comprises a first single metal other than lead to be plated on the articles, the second bath comprises a second single metal other than lead different from the first metal to be plated on the articles and the third bath comprises the first single metal to be plated on the articles, wherein the first single metal comprises tin and the second single metal comprises bismuth; b) passing the articles through the multiple baths; and c) providing electricity by a conductor to the articles while passing through the multiple baths; wherein after passing through the multiple baths the articles must be heated in order that the metals fuse into an alloy and thereby to plate the articles.
- 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing baths comprises providing at least five plating baths in the following order and comprising the following in solution to be plated on the articles: tin, bismuth, tin, bismuth and tin.
- 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing baths comprises providing baths of at least two metals selected from the group consisting of tin, bismuth, titanium, cadmium, nickel, and zinc.
- 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing baths comprises providing a plating bath comprising at least one anode for plating the anode substance onto the articles.
- 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing baths comprises providing a plating bath comprising an upper tank disposed within a lower tank for providing overflow and recirculation of a plating solution.
- 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing baths comprises providing a plating bath comprising a narrow opening and a narrow exit corresponding substantially in shape and width to the articles.
- 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of providing plating baths comprises providing an opening and exit comprising adjustment means for changing the shape and size of the opening and exit.
- 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing plating baths comprises providing a plating bath comprising multiple pumps for providing even plating conditions to the articles.
- 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing plating baths comprises providing a plating bath comprising multiple spray jets for providing even circulation and plating to the articles.
- 10. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing internal guides within at least one of the multiple baths for preventing sway of the articles.
- 11. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing external guides external to at least one of the multiple baths for providing ease of movement of the articles into the bath.
- 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the articles comprise flat articles.
- 13. The method of claim 1 wherein the articles comprise non-planar articles.
- 14. The method of claim 1 further comprising performing the method within an oval configuration.
- 15. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing additional direct current means.
- 16. The method of claim 15 wherein providing additional direct current means comprises providing exposed cable or brushes.
- 17. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a dryer positioned in-line after the multiple baths, the dryer comprising a box comprising a heated fluid, an entry opening for the articles to enter the box, and an exit opening for the articles to exit the box.
- 18. The method of claim 17 further comprising providing means for wicking moisture from the articles.
- 19. The method of claim 18 wherein providing wicking means comprises providing a mesh material disposed in the box.
- 20. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a rinse system in-line with and positioned after the multiple baths, the rinse system comprising a first rinse station wherein a substance from the multiple baths is rinsed from the articles, the first rinse station comprising an effluent with a higher concentration of the substance, at least one additional rinse station wherein the substance is further rinsed from the articles, the additional rinse station comprising an effluent with a lower concentration of the substance, and means for recycling effluent from the rinse station back for use within the method.
- 21. The method of claim 20 comprising providing at least four rinse stations.
- 22. The method of claim 1 wherein the passing step comprises completely submerging the articles within the plating baths.
- 23. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing baths comprises providing at least three plating baths, and the other baths comprise at least one process bath selected from the group consisting of cleaning, electrocleaning, degreasing, rinsing, drying, fluxing, reflowing and stripping.
- 24. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of providing baths comprises providing at least the following baths in the following order:a cleaning bath; a rinsing bath; a plating bath; and a rinsing bath.
- 25. The method of claim 24 further comprising drying the articles using a drying station subsequent to the final rinsing bath.
- 26. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing electricity comprises providing a conductor for providing electricity to the articles while being conveyed.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/679,734, entitled “Continuous Rack Plater,” filed Jul. 12, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,106 which claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 60/001,171 filed Jul. 14, 1995, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference.
US Referenced Citations (21)
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
Product publication: Meaker Variable speed Plating Machine (Dec. 5, 1932). |
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60/001171 |
Jul 1995 |
US |
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
08/679734 |
Jul 1996 |
US |
Child |
09/361785 |
|
US |