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INSPECTION OF CADMIUM PLATED PARTS

We are leading connector manufacturing company in India. My customer are demanding checking of cadmium plated parts under 10 x magnification. After plating we are able to see micro blister under 4X. But when subjected to 10X small micro blister observed and this will be rejected at customer end. I want to know any correct specification for checking cadmium plated parts.

KAMLESH M.BHATT.
DEPUTY MANAGER - PUNE, MAHARASTRA, India
2007

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First of two simultaneous responses --

The correct specification is whatever the customer puts in the contract or the purchase order.
If you can see micro blisters with 10 x, you have a problem that needs correction, not bickering with the customer about what is good enough to get by with.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2007

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Second of two simultaneous responses --

If you are leading the way who is going to give you advice? What is typical when inspecting this? You have to determine whether or not your process can meet his expectations. If you can't you need to improve your system to meet his demands or he needs to go to a different supplier. That's what competition is all about.

Sheldon Taylor
supply chain electronics
Wake Forest, North Carolina
2007

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We are experiencing small microblisters mainly around the threaded area at the end of a threaded shank. the shank is approx. 1/2" to 5/8" diameter. It doesn't do this all the time, maybe 10-20% of the total.
What would be some of the things to look for in correcting this problem?
thanks
Sherrill

Sherrill Connell
machining and plating business - Monroe, North Carolina, USA
December 2, 2010

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December 3, 2010

Medium size blisters are frequently the cause of the part not being clean. This might be because of the cutting fluid burning in that area and requires more aggressive cleaning. It is somewhat possible that caustic or acid is leaking out of the hole during plating. Correct this by better rinsing, possibly even water jet cleaning.
For very tiny blister, normally on 44xx series steel, it is sometimes caused by excessive cleaning or activation steps.
I know that that statement sounds weird, but it is a fact that I learned the hard way.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida