PRODUCTS & PROCESSES
SIFCO ASC increases throughput and
shortens lead-time for Polamer with
in-house selective plating process
As a global aerospace
manufacturing company
which specializes in
complex aerospace
components for demanding
applications, Polamer
Precision has a strong
focus on quality.
Following working with SIFCO ASC on a
plating application for an engine component
for many years, the company harnessed the
expertise of SIFCO ASC’s engineers to bring
the process in-house. The move helps
Polamer to increase throughput, save costs
and ensure complete ownership of the quality
management process.
Selective plating in the
aerospace industry
Aerospace components need to be able to
withstand friction, high temperatures and
corrosive environments while continuing to
operate at optimum levels. Performance and
reliability of components are paramount,
while stringent regulations and market
competition mean that manufacturers need
to find innovative solutions to fulfil
requirements.
Selective plating offers a method of
electroplating localized areas without the use
of an immersion tank. When compared with
traditional tank plating methods, the process
uses a lower volume of chemicals, offering a
reduced environmental impact at a lower
cost. Deposits have excellent adhesion and
can be plated at rates that are 30 to 60
times faster than conventional tank plating.
Custom plating workstation
Thomas Chapman, Northeast Sales Manager
at SIFCO ASC, said: “The process was
previously completed by one of our network
of job shops, which undertook the plating
process from start to finish.
60 JUNE 2020
“In order to increase throughput,
shorten lead-times and meet
increased demand, we worked
with the team at Polamer Precision
to specify and install a custom
workstation, enabling them to
incorporate the process into their
own production line.”
The workstation itself is constructed
of heavy-duty, chemical resistant
polypropylene and is designed with
operator comfort and ease of use
in mind. The work surface is
designed to accommodate
auxiliary equipment, including the
AeroNikl® Flow System which is
used for this particular application.
The in-house facility also features
tooling and mounting fixtures,
including programmable control
software for the power pack which
has been designed to identify and
reduce special cause variation and
reduce re-work.
Programmable control
software and Process
Control Tracking
The programmable control software allows
Polamer to monitor and control the process
in two ways. First, it gives them the ability to
passively monitor the process by manually
adjusting the volts, amps and ampere hours.
For tighter process control, the software also
facilitates active programming of all steps,
mitigating the likelihood of operator error.
In bath plating control processes, similar
types of process control tracking software
packages are often limited to monitoring per
batch of parts. What is unique about SIFCO
ASC’s process control tracking is that unlike
bath plating, it monitors plating parameters
per plating surface.
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