Plating Pens

Description
Compact Electro Plating System with Marker Pen Convenience
This low cost system and has been developed specifically to provide a simple and convenient electro-plating capability for such applications as scientific and engineering development, electronic repairs, specialised production, dental work, artwork and restoration. Completely self-contained and portable, it is equally useful in lab, office or factory.

Utilising unique disposable cartridge pens, this system permits an instantaneous selection from a wide variety of plating possibilities without the necessity for expending time, effort and expense in preparing special plating solutions. Above all, it is simple to use with no special skill required. A complete selection of pens is available for a wide variety of plating requirements. Power can be supplied by our variable voltage power supply or by your own variable DC supply capable of supplying up to 12 volts at 0.1 amps.

Partial plating can be done easily without specialised skill. The scope of use is unlimited in work that requires partial or selective plating of surface, in making experimental models, in various repairs and in work that requires manual processing such as finished or repairing craft work and precious metals. One of the most important features of the plating system is that each solution is self contained in its own marker-type pen. There is no need to prepare special plating baths or solutions. Simply connect the desired pen to the power supply and start plating. The Mini Plating Pen is disposable and non-refillable. The plating solution is thus fully protected from accidental contamination. In addition operator handling and exposure to plating solutions is kept to an absolute minimum.

Plating Thickness
Maximum plating thickness attainable with standard pens is 1.4 - 1.8 microns. Heavy type pens can attain 3.0 - 3.6 microns thickness. Typical time to achieve various thicknesses on a 2.5 x 2.5cm copper surface are as follows:

Plating Area
Each pen contains 10ml of concentrated plating solution and will plate up to 1500cm² of surface.

Operating Instructions

Preparation
When the surface to be plated is discoloured or soiled with corrosion, finger-prints, oil stains or other impurities, polish thoroughly with a fine metal polish until the stain is removed. If corrosion is thick, scrape off with emery cloth or scalpel before using the metal polish. Wipe the surface with a clean cloth after polishing.

Degreasing
Use the clip at the end of the black cable to disconnect the part to be plated to the negative (-) of the DC supply. If the part to be plated is soft use aluminium foil under the clip to prevent scratching. Attach the end of the HUN PL-1002 Absorbent Pen to the cable clip at the end of the red cable and connect to the positive (+) of the DC supply. Adjust the working voltage to 10-12 volts.

Place the part to be plates in as level a position as possible. Hold the service end of the absorbent pen so that its entire surface comes into contact with the part and then lightly rub. Move the service end of the pan back and forth slowly in a stroking action. Small bubbles will form to remove oil and grease. Rinse the object to be plated in water from time to time. When the treated part of the object does not repel water any more it means that the grease has been completely removed. Generally, the degreased part takes on a light gold colour.

Plating
Working voltage required for plating varies with the type of plating pen used. The voltage required is indicated on each pen. The following example is for nickel plating but the procedure is exactly the same for any pen, the only variable being voltage.

Adjust voltage to 5-6 volts as indicated on the HUN PL-1006 Nickel Pen. Connect part being plated to the negative (-) and the pen to the positive (+) of the supply. Apply the service end of the pen to the object so that its entire surface is in contact. Move the pen lightly back and forth and the nickel will be deposited on the object. The coating becomes thicker if the pen is moved repeatedly over the same area.

Rinse the plated object in water and wipe with a soft cloth. If water immersion is not feasible use a water-soaked cloth to rinse. Wipe off the plating solution thoroughly.

Additional Instructions

• Sometimes if the room temperature is very low, the plating may not adhere very well. In such a situation warm the object to be plated in warm water not above 40°C. If water immersion is not feasible warm with a heater. Likewise the pen should be warmed by dipping in warm water not above 40°C with its service end out of the water (do not wet service end).
• Wait until the plating solution seeps out to the service end of the pen. Do not shake pen to force the plating solution to seep out.
• Plating zinc die-casting; first plate with copper and then with the desired plating following the sequence indicated: degrease - rinse - copper plate - rinse - desired plating - rinse.
• Rinsing must be thorough. Rinse the object being plated in water after each stage of the plating operation including degreasing. Rinsing is an important part of the plating process.
• The working voltage required is indicated on each plating pen. Voltages higher than the designated value may cause burning and uneven colouring.
• Keep the work surface clean. If it is stained with plating solution, ensure this is wiped off.
• Use the same cap for the same pen. If caps become mixed, wash thoroughly and dry.
• Replating - if plating fails, repeat process again from the very first step: polish - degrease - rinse - plate - rinse.
• Plating large surfaces - do in sections. The part treated with the absorbent pen must be rinsed in water before it dries. Rinse that section and then plate it. Repeat on the next section and so on.

Troubleshooting

When plating does not adhere well check the following points:

• Room temperature - if low, warm part and pen as previously described.
• Pre-polishing - perhaps the object has not been polished sufficiently. Utilise the metal polish until all visible oxidation and corrosion are removed.
• De-greasing - grease may not have been removed completely. Use absorbent pen until the object does not repel water when rinsed, and turns light gold in colour.
• Voltage - check whether the voltage is adjusted to the level designated on the pen. Also check all connections.
• Wipe a few drops of plating solution from the service end of the pen with a clean cloth or soft paper.

Notes

• These pens are not suitable for aluminium surfaces.
• In the case of zinc die-castings or steel it is recommended that a copper flash be applied prior to the application of any other plating.

See also!  Gold contact plating repair kit  Conductive pen

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October 2005
Version 5.0