Plating Lines
Plating lines are specialized systems designed for the electrochemical deposition of metals onto various substrates. These lines are essential in numerous industries, including automotive, electronics, aerospace, and jewelry, for enhancing the surface properties of metal parts, such as their appearance, resistance to corrosion, and wear resistance.

A typical plating line consists of a series of process stations where parts undergo various treatments. The core components of these lines include cleaning baths, rinse stations, and a series of electroplating tanks where different metals such as nickel, chrome, copper, zinc, silver, and gold can be deposited. Each tank contains a specific electrolytic solution suited for the metal being plated and is equipped with anodes and cathodes to facilitate the electrochemical reaction.

Key to the operation of plating lines is the precise control of process parameters such as temperature, voltage, current density, and solution chemistry. These parameters directly affect the quality, thickness, and uniformity of the metal coatings.

Modern plating lines also incorporate advanced features like automated transport systems to move parts between stations, sophisticated filtration systems to maintain the purity of plating solutions, and automated dosing systems to adjust chemical concentrations. Safety and environmental controls are crucial, as the process involves hazardous chemicals and generates waste.

Efficiently managed plating lines not only increase productivity but also ensure consistent high-quality finishes, meeting stringent industry standards and regulatory compliance. As technology advances, these systems are becoming increasingly automated, reducing labor costs and enhancing precision in metal finishing processes.
Plating Lines
iZi-plastics specializes in the production of complex technological equipment for the chemical and electrochemical industries. Our company provides services in the design and development of new products, as well as the installation and commissioning of installed equipment. We service chemical and plating productions, air purification systems, water treatment, wastewater treatment facilities, and other facilities.

We offer optimal solutions to all our customers, as we always consider technological tasks in a comprehensive manner.

One of the priority directions for our company are plating lines. Based on the customer's technical assignment, our specialists perform the design of the lines. In the prepared project, we take into account not only all the requirements of the technological process, including the specifics of the temperature regime, the material of the baths and heaters, systems for mixing solutions, and filtration, but also the size of the production areas, as well as other parameters.

Plating lines are comprehensive equipment setups designed for executing a cycle of technological operations, including surface preparation of parts, coating application, and finishing treatment. These lines enable the application of single-layer and multi-layer coatings made of nickel, silver, zinc, copper, gold, and other metals with specific properties.

Applications of Plating Lines: Plating is utilized across many industrial sectors. Based on customer needs and part processing requirements, iZi-plastics can tailor the optimal set of equipment to match the required productivity and detail processing specifications. Depending on the volume of work, production lines may also integrate mechanization and automation tools to enhance efficiency.

Economic Benefits of Operating Plating Lines:

  • Water Savings: Minimizing water use throughout the plating process.
  • Minimal Carryout of Valuable Solutions: Reducing the loss of valuable solutions from work baths.
  • Recycling of Carried Out Solutions: Reintroducing lost solutions back into the working baths.
  • Optimal Space Utilization: Efficiently using the available production area.
  • Reduced Consumption of Electricity and Heat: Lowering energy costs associated with the plating process.
  • Decreased Maintenance Time: Streamlining operations to reduce the time spent on maintenance.
Advantages of Plating Lines and Complete Workshops:

iZi-plastics offers cutting-edge solutions in plating technology. We design and install equipment of various complexities for all types of plating lines. Our technological solutions adhere to global standards of quality and environmental safety, optimizing labor efforts and operational costs.

Our experts are ready to develop a comprehensive equipment suite for plating lines of any size, capacity, operations performed, and the degree of mechanization and automation of the production process. We can supply standard technological equipment for specific types of production, as well as offer bespoke turnkey solutions tailored to unique operational requirements.

The composition of a plating line includes:

  1. Plating Baths: Comes as a complete set.
  2. Water Supply Equipment: A complete set of equipment for supplying water.
  3. Exhaust Ventilation Equipment: Equipment to manage air quality and remove vapors.
  4. Waste Drainage Systems: Equipment for the disposal of sewage effluents.
  5. Modular Rectifiers: For converting AC to DC power required for the electroplating process.
  6. Service Platform: Designed for easy access and maintenance.
  7. Loading and Unloading Stand: For efficient handling of parts entering and exiting the plating baths.
  8. Transport Equipment: Includes conveyors or automated transport systems for moving parts through different stages of the plating process.
  9. Auxiliary Equipment: Additional tools and devices that support the plating process.
Optional equipment that can be included in the plating baths setup at the customer's request may include:

  • Covers: To minimize evaporation and contamination.
  • Adjustable Legs: For leveling and adjusting the height of the baths.
  • Overflow Pockets: To manage excess solution and prevent spills.
  • Aeration Systems (Spargers): For the distribution of air or gases through the solution to improve the plating quality.
  • Valves and Fittings: For controlling the flow and maintenance of the solutions.
  • Piping: For water supply and sewage drainage.
  • Rod Holders: To support anodes or cathodes.
  • Heaters: To maintain the solution at the required temperature.
  • Control Cabinets: For centralized management of the plating process.
  • Temperature Sensors and Level Sensors: For monitoring and controlling the chemical process.
  • Filtration Systems: To keep the plating solutions clean and free of particulates.
This comprehensive setup ensures that a plating line can operate efficiently, maintain quality control, and meet specific industrial standards, while also offering customization to meet the specific needs of each client.
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Our specialists are prepared to design a comprehensive set of equipment for plating lines of any size, capacity, operational range, and level of mechanization and automation of the production process. We can supply standard technological equipment for specific types of production, as well as offer customized turnkey solutions to meet unique operational requirements. This approach ensures that each client receives a plating system that not only fits their specific needs but also integrates seamlessly into their existing operations, enhancing both efficiency and output quality.
Plating Lines
Manual plating lines
Manual plating lines are an optimal choice when there is no need for batch processing of parts, and they are also ideal for developing and testing new coating technologies (as in laboratory setups).

In this type of operation, the movement of parts from one bath to another is performed manually by personnel, with adherence to safety measures.

Since the manual transfer of parts is limited by human capacity to lift weights, the single load per bath usually does not exceed 3-5 kg. Due to this limitation, the baths in manual service lines tend to have small volumes, typically up to 1 cubic meter. This scale makes manual lines particularly suitable for experimental, low-volume, or bespoke plating operations where precise control over each part is required.

Depending on the customer's requirements and the specifics of the coating technologies, these lines can be equipped with the following equipment and systems:

  1. Heating/Cooling System: For the baths, with automatic temperature control to maintain precise temperature conditions required for specific coating processes.

  2. Filtration System: To ensure the purity and clarity of the plating solutions, which is critical for achieving high-quality coatings.

  3. Rectifying Units: These are essential for converting AC to DC power, providing the necessary electrical current for the electroplating process.

  4. Exhaust Ventilation System: To remove harmful fumes and maintain air quality, protecting the health of operators and preventing environmental contamination.

  5. Process Control System: For monitoring and controlling technological parameters such as treatment time, currents, and throughput to ensure process consistency and repeatability.

  6. Dosing System: For the precise addition of chemicals to the plating baths, crucial for maintaining the correct chemical composition of the plating solutions.

  7. Other Necessary Systems: As required for specific applications, which may include agitation systems, automated transfer mechanisms, or advanced monitoring tools.

Materials of Construction For the production of high-tech plating equipment, the company employs various polymeric and chemically resistant materials:

  • Polypropylene (PP): Known for its chemical resistance and durability under corrosive conditions.
  • Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF): Used for its excellent chemical stability and resistance to solvents.
  • Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): Chosen for its cost-effectiveness and resistance to a wide range of chemicals.
  • Polyethylene (PE): Valued for its versatility and resistance to impact.
  • Titanium: Employed in situations requiring extreme resistance to corrosion, especially from saltwater or chlorides.
  • Stainless Steel: Used for its strength, durability, and corrosion resistance, making it ideal for various components of plating lines.
These materials ensure that the equipment can withstand harsh chemical environments typically found in plating operations while offering long service life and reliability.
mechanized manual plating lines
iZi-plast specializes in the development, manufacture, and installation of mechanized manual plating lines using high-quality modern materials, and also equips them with ventilation systems and purification facilities. These manual service lines are designed for applying a hard layer of protective coatings on metal parts. Part transportation within the lines is facilitated through the use of an auto-operator or a hoist.

The production equipment is capable of performing operations such as copper plating, zinc plating, nickel plating, chrome plating, hot-dip galvanizing, and others. Mechanized lines can be installed in production areas, workshops, laboratories, and other small-scale production environments. We develop customized projects based on provided technical assignments, taking into full account all the initial data on the organization of the plating production, including the layout of the premises, technological processes performed, processing volume, and other customer preferences. This tailored approach ensures that each plating line is optimally configured to meet the specific production needs and requirements of the customer, enhancing both efficiency and effectiveness.

The equipment and systems included in plating lines are designed to ensure efficient, consistent, and high-quality metal finishing. Here's a comprehensive list of the typical components of a plating line setup:

  1. Auto Operators: Automated devices that handle the movement of parts through different stages of the plating process, reducing manual labor and increasing precision.

  2. Degreasing Baths: For both electrochemical and chemical degreasing to clean parts thoroughly before plating. This is crucial for ensuring that coatings adhere properly and are defect-free.

  3. Plating Baths: Including baths for chromium plating, nickel plating, silver plating, and zinc plating. Each bath is specifically formulated with the necessary chemical solutions for the particular metal or alloy being deposited.

  4. Rinse Baths: Used for washing off excess plating solution from the parts after they exit the plating baths, crucial for preventing cross-contamination between different plating stages and enhancing the quality of the finish.

  5. Drying Equipment: For drying parts after rinsing to prevent water spots or other marks that could impair the finish quality.

  6. Transport Tracks for Auto Operators: Infrastructure that allows auto operators to move smoothly and efficiently between different stations along the plating line.

  7. Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) Systems and Ductwork: To remove fumes generated during the plating process, maintaining a safe work environment and meeting environmental regulations.

  8. Air Cleaning Fans and Filters: These systems manage and filter out airborne contaminants produced during plating, crucial for air quality control and environmental compliance.

  9. Electrical Equipment: Essential for powering the various components of the plating line, including rectifiers which supply direct current to the baths.

  10. Heating/Cooling Equipment: Such as immersion heaters (Tubular Element Heaters, TEHs), heat exchangers, and temperature sensors, used to maintain solution temperatures within optimal ranges for specific plating processes.

  11. Filtration and Solution Agitation Equipment: To keep plating solutions clean and homogeneously mixed, ensuring consistent metal ion distribution and preventing particle settling.

  12. Quality Control Instruments: Used to monitor and control the quality of the coatings, including thickness gauges, adhesion testers, and composition analyzers.

Each component is integral to the functioning of a plating line, ensuring operational efficiency, safety, and compliance with quality standards. This comprehensive setup allows for the smooth operation of plating processes, catering to various industry needs for metal finishing.
  • Katie:
    Why is a Plating Lines so good?
    Support:
    Plating lines are highly valued in industrial settings for several compelling reasons, particularly their ability to automate and optimize the metal finishing process. Here are some key advantages that make plating lines so effective:

    1. Consistency and Quality Control: Plating lines automate the application of coatings, ensuring consistent thickness and uniformity across large batches of components. This consistency is crucial for meeting strict industry standards and achieving high-quality finishes.

    2. Efficiency and Productivity: Automation speeds up the plating process, allowing for higher throughput. This means more parts can be processed in less time, significantly increasing productivity. Automated lines also minimize manual handling, reducing labor costs and the potential for human error.

    3. Versatility: Modern plating lines can handle a variety of plating processes, such as electroplating, electroless plating, and anodizing. They can be adjusted to accommodate different metals and finishes, including nickel, chrome, copper, zinc, and precious metals like gold and silver. This versatility makes them suitable for a wide range of industries, from automotive to electronics and jewelry.

    4. Environmental Compliance: Plating lines are designed to integrate with systems that treat and recycle chemicals and water, helping facilities comply with environmental regulations. Closed systems reduce the risk of chemical spills and minimize waste, which is not only good for the planet but also reduces costs associated with material consumption and waste disposal.

    5. Enhanced Safety: By automating dangerous parts of the plating process, such as the handling of toxic chemicals, plating lines reduce direct exposure to hazardous substances, enhancing workplace safety.

    6. Scalability: As a business grows, plating lines can be scaled up to accommodate increased demand without sacrificing quality or efficiency. Additional modules can be added, or systems can be upgraded to handle more complex or larger parts.

    7. Cost-Effectiveness: Although the initial setup cost of a plating line can be high, the long-term savings in labor, improved cycle times, material conservation, and waste management often result in a favorable return on investment.

    8. Control and Monitoring: Advanced plating lines come equipped with sensors and software that monitor the plating process in real time. This allows for immediate adjustments to be made if deviations occur, ensuring optimal results and reducing the likelihood of defective coatings.

    In summary, plating lines offer a blend of precision, efficiency, and safety, making them indispensable in modern manufacturing environments where quality and consistency are paramount.
  • Katie:
    What processes use Plating Lines?
    Support:
    Plating lines are used in a diverse range of metal finishing processes, each tailored to enhance the properties of different metals for specific applications. Here's how plating lines are used across various processes:

    1. Nickel and Nickel + Decorative Chrome: Commonly used in automotive and hardware industries for both functional and aesthetic finishes. Nickel provides corrosion resistance and luster, while chrome adds a bright, shiny finish.

    2. Chromium 6+ and Chromium 3+: Used for their superior hardness and durability. Chromium 6+ offers excellent wear resistance but has significant environmental and health concerns, leading to a shift towards using Chromium 3+ in many applications.

    3. Chemical Nickel: Provides uniform plating on complex shapes and internal surfaces, widely used in electronics for its conductive properties.

    4. Hard Chrome: Applied to industrial equipment and tools to reduce friction and increase wear resistance, commonly used in hydraulic cylinders and rolls.

    5. Copper, Copper Nickel, Copper Nickel Chrome: Used for their excellent conductivity and resistance to corrosion. Ideal for marine applications and as undercoats for other platings.

    6. Acid Zinc, Alkaline Zinc, Nickel Zinc, Iron Zinc: Offer corrosion protection at a lower cost than other metals, widely used in automotive and construction industries.

    7. Brass: Offers an aesthetic gold-like finish and good corrosion resistance, commonly used in decorative applications, fixtures, and musical instruments.

    8. Silver: Provides a high level of electrical conductivity, making it ideal for electronic components.

    9. Gold: Offers excellent corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, and is often used in high-reliability electronics such as connectors.

    10. Aluminium Anodizing: Enhances corrosion and wear resistance, provides better adhesion for paint primers, and allows for decorative dyes.

    11. Steel Burnishing: Produces a smooth mirror finish on steel, increasing the surface hardness and reducing corrosion.

    12. Phosphating: Prepares metal surfaces for further coating or painting, improving their resistance to corrosion and wear.

    13. Special Treatments for the Aviation Industry: Includes various platings that meet the high standards required for aircraft components in terms of durability and resistance to extreme conditions.

    14. Degreasing (Ultrasonic, Chemical, Electrolytic): Cleans metal surfaces to ensure that coatings adhere properly and perform as expected.

    15. Pickling Lines for Steel, Brass, and Aluminium: Remove impurities, rust, and scale from metal surfaces, preparing them for further processing like galvanizing or painting.

    16. Sulphur-Tartaric Oxidation and Sulphur-Boric Oxidation: These are specialized chemical treatments used to increase corrosion resistance and improve the mechanical properties of metals.

    Plating lines support these processes by providing controlled and automated environments where these coatings can be applied uniformly and efficiently, ensuring high-quality finishes and consistent performance of the treated metals.