Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989




-----

How to weigh electroformed part while still in solution

Dear All,
I am doing an electroforming process. I require correct weight of product. If I am doing weighing in outside the product, double layer problem will come. I would like to take the weight in solution itself.
I have taken the initial weight in before going to solution and inside solution also & done the process. After completion of process I have taken the weight in outside and inside solution.
My metal weigh in inside solution is less compared with outside. So, any one can suggest what will be the weight difference in solution & outside.

Saravanababu babu
production - Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India
March 17, 2011

---

Hi, Saravanababu.

You can determine the volume of the part before and after finishing by Archimedes' principal and multiply by the specific gravity of the electroforming solution.

But if I were you I would get an ampere hour meter because, according to Faraday's Law of Hydrolysis, the amount of metal deposited will be directly proportional to the ampere-hours applied. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
March , 2011

---

If you'd really like to try- there are weighing machine options that you want to look at. Plater people use it to measure the weight of each charge loaded on a plating barrel.

Its really quite simple -you need to mount your cathode bar on the two fulcrum ends of the weighing machine that the supplier will provide and watch the weight reading as plating proceeds.

If engineered properly it will work well.

Khozem Vahaanwala
Saify Ind

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

March 19, 2011