Plating Barrel(s)
The most effective plating barrels are those with a "tulip" design. They are constructed from carbon or stainless steel and lined with an acid-resistant and abrasion-resistant lining, such as urethane.
Surge Hoppers
A surge hopper accepts the load of plated parts and feeds the separator. This allows the operator to begin plating another load.
Separators
The separator, as the name states, separates the parts from the media. The most primitive separators are merely screens with water sprays; more complex systems include vibratory and magnetic separators (which are the currently preferred design).
Media Handling Systems
The media handling system returns glass impact media from the sump underneath the separator to an overhead media reservoir. Most platers utilize two loads of media for one barrel and three for two barrel(s).
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Chromators/Passivators (Optional)
For optimum corrosion protection, a chromate or passivate is applied to the deposit using a spray or dip process. Generally, dipping in baskets gives better results and this is often how a trivalent passivate would be applied.
Dryers
The parts may be dried in a "toss-catch" dryer, a belt dryer, or in a centrifugal dryer. Generally, centrifugal dryers are preferred because they use less energy and produce a higher quality product. Again, the centrifigal dryer is how most parts with a passivate are dried. Belt dryers are recommended for large throughput.
Control Panel
This one box can control all pieces of the system: barrel pivot, barrel tilt, barrel rotation, barrel speed, surge hopper with spped control, magnetic spearotr with speed control, media handling system with water sprays and dryer (virbatory or belt only).
Operator Platform
Area for operator to work designed for barrel tilt and pivot. In operating position, barrel has a decant chute that normally goes directly to the waste treatment system to separate the dirtiest effluent from water that is used in the separation process.
Approximate Cost of Dual/Twin M10 Cubic Foot System
- 2 Barrels
- 2 Hoists
- 1 Surge Hopper
- 1 Magnetic Separator
- 1 Media Handling System
- 1 Centrifigal Dryer
- 1 Control Panel
- 1 Operator/Platform
TOTAL: Approximately $345,000
Belt Dryer: Approximately $70,000 (additonal)
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