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Area of anode with respect to cathode in chrome bath

We are a company manufacturing engraved cylinders used for roto gravure printing
we are having some issues regarding chrome plating

what is the ideal anode area ratio in the chrome plating bath
or we can even put in this way
what can be the maximum area of cathode that can be plated when the anode area is 1000 square inch.

John Nadar
plating shop employee - Gujarat, India
February 10, 2010

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February 14, 2010

It all depends upon which kind of anodes you are using and which type machine. In the old machines it was common designing the anodes of pure lead anodes half way around the cylinder. The length and width of the anode area depends on the biggest cylinder to be plated in the chrome tank. Therefore as well shields in use which prevents smaller cylinder from a too big anode surface.

Which problems in real are you facing in you process for chrome plating engraving cylinders and which products are going to be printed with (film, fine paper, rough paper, carton?)?

Best regards,

Dominik Michalek
- Sydney, Australia