Analysis of the Development and New Technologies of Electroplating Power Supplies
Electroplating is an electrochemical process in which metal ions are reduced to metallic form and deposited onto the surface of metallic or non-metallic substrates, forming a smooth, dense metallic coating that meets specified requirements. The properties of the plated coating largely replace those of the original substrate, providing both decorative and protective functions. With the development of the decoration industry and the increasing demand for film protection, people’s requirements for electroplating quality have become ever higher. However, current electroplating technologies still have certain limitations, such as long processing times, poor uniformity in coating thickness, susceptibility of coatings to defects, and significant internal stresses. These shortcomings restrict the application and further development of electroplating technology, making it unable to meet the demands of modern production, especially those of precision manufacturing. The type of power supply used in electroplating significantly affects the quality of the coating.
The lower the frequency, the greater the peak current; that is, within the duration of the pulse width, the concentration of metal ions near the cathode decreases sharply. Since the deposition rate of the substrate metal is relatively high over a shorter period, the rate at which metal ions are transported to the cathode and incorporated into the coating cannot keep pace with the deposition rate of the substrate metal itself. Therefore, to improve both coating quality and efficiency, the frequency and pulse width of the pulsed power supply can be appropriately adjusted according to the specific plating solution used, thereby controlling the peak current.
Extensive practical experience by electroplaters both domestically and internationally has confirmed that digital pulsed electroplating is a new electroplating technology that not only enhances coating quality but also increases the deposition rate. An intelligent pulsed power supply represents an excellent approach to improving electroplating processes. By simply setting appropriate parameters—such as pulse width, frequency, and temperature—according to the requirements of different plating solutions, an intelligent pulsed power supply can automatically carry out the electroplating process on workpieces.
