The Many Jobs of an Electroplater

 Since its invention in the early 19th century, electroplating has become one of the most popular processes for metal finishing. Electroplating combines the characteristics of both the plating material, as well as the substrate material, by plating an object with a thin layer of metal.

Electroplating is a relatively simple process, but it requires a great deal of attention to detail, and the people who perform it - known as electroplaters - possess a unique and wide skill set.

Electroplating is a process which is achieved via electrodeposition; that is, a thin layer of metal is deposited onto an object, called a substrate, with the use of electric currents.

The substrate, or anode, and an object made from the desired plating material (called a cathode) are submerged in a chemical bath, and opposing electric currents are run through the two pieces, causing metal ions which adhere to the surface of the substrate.

Despite the relative simplicity of the process itself, there are many factors which must be taken into consideration, and the electroplater must pay a great deal of attention to detail for the process to be successful.

The chemical bath must be maintained at a delicate balance, because if the concentration of any substance is incorrect, electrodeposition electroplate finishes on plastics not be as successful; this may result in not only wasted bath solution, but a ruined substrate as well. The electric current required for the process is different for each project, depending on the material of the anode and the cathode, and must be maintained at a constant level throughout the process to ensure an even, quality plating.

Depending on the shape and material of the substrate, different setups are also required - for instance, racking or jigging - and a substrate of irregular shape will plate at different rates across its surface.

Proper preparation of a substrate is another of the electroplater's responsibilities, and is a vital step in ensuring a quality finish. Polishing, vapor degreasing, bead blasting, and stripping are just some of the techniques utilized to prepare a substrate for finishing; if there is any dirt, oil or imperfections in the metal's surface, the plating will not adhere well.

Another factor which affects adhesion is the combination of materials used; some plating materials don't adhere well to certain substrates, so the plater must know which ones will provide the highest degree of adhesion, and therefore, the best quality plating.

Electroplaters aren't just required to know the ins and outs of the finishing process - they also need to possess some customer service skills. Creating a customer's desired result includes discerning what qualities they want their finished product to have, and being able to suggest finishes that will provide those qualities.

They must also determine when a component can be repaired or re-plated, and when it simply needs to be replaced. Ensuring customer satisfaction is a process, which requires delivering a satisfactory result at a competitive price.

Electroplaters possess a variety of titles, including metal or surface finishers, metal surface treaters, and others. It is fitting that there are so many terms to describe this profession, since it requires such a wide variety of skills. A knowledgeable and experienced electroplater can do the jobs of an entire team of inexperienced finishers, and the overall quality of the product will be better as a result.