PRODUCTS & PROCESSES
When repeatability , throughput , and process efficiency count : How encapsulated plating compares to conventional alternatives
With manufacturers under increased pressure , organizations are seeking out new solutions to increase throughput and improve efficiency without compromising on quality . Patrick Kerampran , Engineering Manager at SIFCO ASC , explores how encapsulated plating has improved repeatability and throughput for two clients in the aerospace and precision instrument manufacturing sectors .
Plating is known to enhance properties and extend the life cycle of manufactured parts . Depending on the plating solution and method used , the process can improve the reliability , corrosion resistance , durability , and conductivity of the finished part . Just as there are a variety of surface coatings – including
72 JUNE 2021 nickels , copper , silver , and nickel alloys – there are also numerous methods of application .
Selecting the most efficient plating method must be done on a case-by-case basis , considering part geometry , deposit thickness , uniformity , and sector specifications .
Plating technology : The options
There are three main technologies for applying surface coatings . The most common – tank plating – immerses components in a bath of electrolyte solution . High Velocity Oxygen Fuel ( HVOF ) is a thermal spray technology that uses gas combustion or liquid fuel to spray molten materials onto the component surface . The third method is an electrolytic process called selective plating ( also known as brush plating ) where the operator applies high-quality deposits onto a specific area .
However , while these three are perhaps the best known , a newer method - encapsulated plating - offers precision coating and faster throughput for circular parts , recessed areas , and components that are difficult to handle or plate with traditional methods .
Precision coating for precision parts
For one of the world ’ s leading manufacturers of cutting-edge location sensor technology , precision is key . Their high-performance accelerometers , gyroscopes and systems are designed to meet the stringent requirements of guidance , stabilization , navigation , and orientation applications . The small resonators used for the manufacture of this equipment require localized nickel and gold plating on the face and stem - a crucial but potentially costly and time-consuming process .
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