Improved flexible friction-assisted electroforming device

Abstract

The invention discloses an improved flexible friction-assisted electroforming device which comprises a workbench, a pulse power supply, a rotating motor, an electroforming tank, a liquid storage tank, an anode frame and a cathode core mold, the electroforming tank and the liquid storage tank are installed on the workbench and connected through the liquid supply circulating system, and supply and supplement of electroforming liquid are achieved. The anode frame is installed in the electroforming tank and electrically connected with the positive electrode of the pulse power source through a wire, the cathode core mold is driven by a rotating motor to be rotatably and vertically installed in the anode frame and electrically connected with the negative electrode of the pulse power source through a wire, and a plurality of shunting partition plates are axially arranged in a circular cavity between the cathode core mold and the anode frame. The round cavity is divided into a plurality of areas from top to bottom through the flow dividing partition plates, and each area is filled with a flexible support and hard particles. According to the application, the hard particles are pressed in an auxiliary manner through the flexible support and the shunting partition plate, so that the hard particles stably move in the electroforming solution, and uneven distribution caused by violent oscillation of the hard particles in an electric field is reduced, so that the thickness uniformity of an electroforming layer is effectively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electroforming, and particularly relates to an improved flexible friction-assisted electroforming device. Background Art

[0002] Electroforming is a high-precision integrated manufacturing technology based on the principle of electrodeposition. Due to its characteristics such as high precision, low cost, and wide application range, it is widely used in various fields. However, traditional electroforming has poor thickness uniformity of the electroformed layer and is prone to defects such as pinholes, pitting, and nodules. In the prior art, various means such as translational stirring, cathode current shielding, auxiliary cathode addition, and megasonic vibration have been adopted to uniform the electric field distribution on the cathode surface, thereby effectively improving the thickness uniformity of the electroformed layer.

[0003] Flexible friction-assisted electroforming is a new surface processing technology that combines electrochemical deposition and mechanical friction processes. By introducing the friction effect, this technology can effectively improve the surface smoothness, thickness uniformity, grain size, and mechanical properties of the electroformed layer. In "Plating & Finishing", Yao Chuanhui et al. disclosed a micro-bead flexible pressure-assisted abrasive electroforming nickel process. Hard particles are filled between the flexible support and the cathode mandrel. The cathode mandrel rotates driven by a motor, and the hard particles continuously rub and collide with the cathode surface. During this process, the hard particles can drive away the hydrogen bubbles and impurities adsorbed on the cathode surface, and at the same time have a fine grinding effect on the protrusions and nodules on the cathode surface, which can inhibit the growth of nodules and avoid defects such as pinholes and nodules. Moreover, the flexible support always maintains a squeezing state on the hard particles, making the friction effect of the hard particles on the cathode surface constant, thereby ensuring the uniformity of the electroformed layer.

[0004] However, in practical applications, the above process has the following problems: The hard particles are unevenly distributed in the electroforming tank under the action of gravity. There are more hard particles gathered in the bottom area of the electroforming tank, while less in the top area, resulting in an increase in local friction force, stress concentration, and thus uneven thickness of the electroformed layer up and down. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides an improved flexible friction-assisted electroforming device.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0007] An improved flexible friction-assisted electroforming device, comprising a workbench, a pulse power supply, a rotating motor, an electroforming tank, a liquid storage tank, an anode frame and a cathode core mold; the electroforming tank and the liquid storage tank are installed on the workbench and connected through a liquid supply and circulation system to realize the supply and replenishment of electroforming liquid; the pulse power supply and the rotating motor are arranged above the electroforming tank through a workbench frame, the anode frame is installed in the electroforming tank and electrically connected to the positive pole of the pulse power supply through a wire, the cathode core mold is vertically installed in the anode frame and can be rotated by the rotating motor and is electrically connected to the negative pole of the pulse power supply through a wire, and a plurality of shunt partition plates are axially arranged in the circular cavity between the cathode core mold and the anode frame. The shunt partition plates divide the circular cavity into several regions from top to bottom. Each region is filled with a flexible support and hard particles. The flexible support is annularly arranged around the inner side of the anode frame and there is an annular gap between the flexible support and the cathode core mold. Hard particles are filled in the annular gap.

[0008] Further, the hard particles are ceramic particles, the flexible support is a sponge, and the pores of the sponge match the particle size of the hard particles; a layer of hard particles is embedded on the inner surface of the sponge.

[0009] The sponge matching the particle size of the hard particles can provide a large flexible flow space for the hard particles, so that the hard particles filled in the annular gap can fully flow on the surface of the cathode core mold, dynamically remove the bubbles on the cathode surface by friction and flatten the deposition layer; and by pre-embedding a layer of hard particles on the surface of the flexible support, it can prevent the hard particles filled in the annular gap from entering the pores of the sponge during the electroforming process, reduce the number of hard particles for flow friction, and reduce the friction-assisted effect.

[0010] Further, the diameter of the ceramic particles is 0.8 - 1.0 mm, and the ppi index of the sponge is 20.

[0011] The sponge with a ppi index of 20 has a pore diameter in the range of 1.0 - 1.5 mm, which matches the ceramic particles with a diameter of 0.8 - 1.0 mm. The hard particles can be evenly embedded in the pores of the sponge to form a stable single-layer distribution; improving the friction effect.

[0012] Further, the width of the annular gap between the flexible support and the cathode core mold is 0.5 - 1.0 mm.

[0013] A gap of 0.5 - 1.0 mm is set between the flexible support and the mandrel. A small amount of hard particles are dynamically suspended in the gap under the stirring action, slide-friction with the cathode surface, remove hydrogen bubbles and optimize the deposition uniformity. The porous structure and elastic buffering effect of the flexible support effectively reduce the stress concentration caused by the impact of hard particles and ensure the wall thickness uniformity of the cast layer.

[0014] Further, the shunt partition plate is a circular flat plate radially fixed and supported on the inner side surface of the anode frame, and a central through hole for rotational cooperation with the cathode core mold is provided at its central part.

[0015] The diverter baffle can effectively guide the hard particles to be evenly distributed, avoiding excessive aggregation of particles, thereby significantly improving the thickness uniformity of the electroplated layer and making the overall quality of the electroplated parts more stable.

[0016] Furthermore, two separation sleeves are provided in the anode frame, which separate the anode frame into an anode outer layer, an intermediate insulating layer and a cathode inner layer. The anode outer layer is filled with soluble anode balls; the cathode inner layer is used to install a diversion baffle, a flexible support, hard particles and a cathode core mold.

[0017] The design of the above structure realizes the functional zoning of the electrode: the outer layer is filled with soluble anode balls, which can dissolve into metal ions and enter the anode of the solution when current passes through, maintaining a stable dissolution rate; the middle insulating layer is set to 1-2mm, which can effectively block the leakage current between the anode and the cathode, prevent electrode sparking and local discharge; the inner layer centrally controls the particle distribution and friction-assisted process.

[0018] Furthermore, a main temperature controller is provided in the electroforming tank. The main temperature controller monitors the electrolyte temperature in the electroforming tank in real time, and adjusts the heating power of the titanium tube through feedback to control the temperature fluctuation within ±0.5°C, ensuring the stability of the nickel-cobalt alloy deposition rate and avoiding the grain size difference caused by the temperature gradient.

[0019] Furthermore, a secondary temperature controller and an electric heating tube are provided in the liquid storage tank. The secondary temperature controller works in conjunction with the main temperature controller to pre-adjust the electrolyte temperature in the liquid storage tank to a set value (45±1°C), and then transports it to the electroforming tank through a circulation pump, thereby reducing the temperature control load in the electroforming tank.

[0020] Furthermore, the liquid supply circulation system includes a liquid inlet pipeline and a liquid outlet pipeline. The liquid inlet pipeline includes an inlet pipe connecting the bottom outlet of the liquid storage tank and the top inlet of the electroforming tank, and an inlet pump, an inlet valve and an inlet filter are sequentially arranged on the inlet pipe along the flow direction; the liquid outlet pipeline includes an outlet pipe connecting the bottom outlet of the electroforming tank and the inlet of the liquid storage tank, and a liquid outlet pump, an outlet valve and a liquid outlet filter are sequentially arranged on the outlet pipe along the flow direction.

[0021] By setting up liquid inlet and outlet pipelines, the liquid inlet pump transports the filtered electrolyte to the electroforming tank to achieve continuous supply of electroforming liquid, avoid secondary pollution, and ensure the purity of the electroforming liquid; through dynamic adjustment of the liquid outlet pump, the excess electrolyte and impurities in the electroforming tank are pumped back to the liquid storage tank to maintain a constant liquid level in the tank. The liquid outlet filter further removes bubbles and micron-level pollutants to ensure the quality of electroforming.

[0022] Furthermore, a reflux pipe is provided at the liquid outlet end of the liquid inlet pipe, and a reflux valve is provided on the reflux pipe.

[0023] The setting of the reflux pipe and the reflux valve is conducive to ensuring the sufficient supply of the electroforming solution and adjusting the balance of the electroforming solution.

[0024] Advantages of the present invention:

[0025] 1. Hard particles are prone to accumulate at the bottom under the action of gravity and stirring, resulting in an increase in local friction and stress concentration. By adding a flow-dividing partition in the middle of the flexible support to separate the electroforming solution flow field, the particles are restricted from settling downward, making their axial distribution on the cathode more uniform, thereby reducing the stress peak at the bottom and improving the wall thickness deviation.

[0026] 2. By using the flexible support and the flow-dividing partition to assist in pressing the hard particles, the hard particles move stably in the electroforming solution, reducing the uneven distribution caused by the violent oscillation of the hard particles in the electric field, thereby effectively improving the thickness uniformity of the electroformed layer. Description of the drawings

[0027] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the improved flexible friction-assisted electroforming device of this application.

[0028] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of the anode frame.

[0029] In the figure: 1 - workbench; 2 - workbench frame; 3 - electroforming tank; 4 - pulse power supply; 5 - rotating motor; 6 - clamping crossbeam; 7 - main temperature controller; 8 - anode frame; 9 - flow-dividing partition; 10 - cathode core mold; 11 - support leg; 12 - soluble anode ball; 13 - flexible support; 14 - hard particles; 15 - cathode conductive coil; 16 - digital display temperature controller; 17 - heating pipe; 18 - liquid storage tank; 19 - sub-temperature controller; 20 - inlet pipe; 21 - inlet pump; 22 - outlet valve; 23 - inlet filter; 24 - outlet pipe; 25 - inlet valve; 26 - reflux valve; 27 - outlet filter; 28 - outlet pump. Detailed implementation manners

[0030] To make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings and the preferred embodiments.

[0031] Refer to Figure 1 , this application provides an improved flexible friction-assisted electroforming device, including a workbench 1, a workbench frame 2, an electroforming tank 3, a pulse power supply 4, a rotating motor 5, a clamping crossbeam 6, a main temperature controller 7, an anode frame 8, a cathode core mold 10, a digital display temperature controller 16, a heating pipe 17, a liquid storage tank 18, a sub-temperature controller 19 and a liquid supply and circulation system.

[0032] The electroforming bath 3 and the liquid storage tank 18 are installed on the workbench 1. A workbench frame 2 is provided on one side of the workbench 1. A clamping crossbeam 6 is fixedly installed on the workbench frame 2. The clamping crossbeam 6 is located above the electroforming bath 3. The pulse power supply 4, the rotating motor 5, and the main temperature controller 7 are fixed on the clamping crossbeam 6.

[0033] The anode frame 8 is fixedly installed in the electroforming bath 3 through the support legs 11 and is electrically connected to the positive pole of the pulse power supply 4 through a wire. The cathode mandrel 10 is vertically arranged at the center of the anode frame 8. Its upper end passes through the cathode conductive coil 15 and is connected to the rotating motor 5, and is driven by the rotating motor 5 to rotate inside the anode frame 8. The cathode conductive coil 15 is electrically connected to the negative pole of the pulse power supply 4 through a wire, and uniformly conducts electric energy into the cathode mandrel 10.

[0034] The upper end of the main temperature controller 7 is fixed on the clamping crossbeam 6, and the lower end is inserted into the electroforming solution in the electroforming bath 3.

[0035] Refer to Figure 2 , in this embodiment, the anode frame 8 is an acrylic basket wrapped with a layer of electroplated polyester cloth at the outside. Its bottom is closed and its upper end is open. There are two inner and outer partition sleeves in the acrylic basket. The two partition sleeves radially divide the acrylic basket into an anode outer layer, an intermediate insulating layer, and a cathode inner layer. Soluble anode balls 12 are filled in the anode outer layer; the cathode inner layer is used to install the shunt partition 9, the flexible support 13, the hard particles 14, and the cathode mandrel 10.

[0036] The shunt partition 9 divides the annular space between the cathode mandrel 10 and the inner sleeve of the anode frame into several layers from top to bottom. For example, in this embodiment, the annular space is evenly divided into 5 layers by 5 shunt partitions 9, and the same-structured flexible support 13 and hard particles 14 are filled in each layer.

[0037] During specific implementation, the flexible support 13 is made of sponge with a ppi index of 20, and the hard particles are ceramic particles with a diameter of 0.8 - 1.0 mm. The shunt partition 9 is made of a porous ceramic plate. The outer diameter of the porous ceramic plate is adapted to the inner diameter of the inner sleeve of the anode frame, and a through hole passing through the cathode mandrel 10 is opened at the center of the porous ceramic plate. The shunt partition 9 made of the porous ceramic plate can make the electrolyte flow fully and ensure the electroforming quality.

[0038] Before installation, first embed a layer of ceramic particles on the surface of the sponge through ultrasonic vibration, and then cut the sponge to a certain height and length according to the layered height.

[0039] Take the side of the cut sponge embedded with ceramic particles as the inner side. First, form a flexible support 13 by surrounding a layer of sponge at the bottommost layer of the inner sleeve of the anode frame, leaving an annular gap of 0.5 - 1.0 mm between the inner circumferential surface of the sponge and the outer circumferential surface of the cathode core mold 10. Then, fill the annular gap with ceramic particles. Finally, install a flow distribution partition 9 above the flexible support 13 and the hard particles 14. After completing the installation of this layer, install the second layer of flexible support 13, hard particles 14, and flow distribution partition 9 in the above - mentioned method.

[0040] The flow distribution partition 9 and the inner sleeve of the anode frame can be connected by a support structure. For example, set support blocks on the inner side of the inner sleeve of the anode frame and set notches on the outer side of the flow distribution partition 9. During installation, make the flow distribution partition 9 pass through the upper - layer support blocks through the notches and be supported on the lower - layer support blocks after rotating an angle. Then, place the flexible support 13 and the hard particles 14 above the flow distribution partition 9 of this layer.

[0041] The liquid storage tank 18 is arranged on one side of the electroforming tank 3 and is connected through a liquid supply and circulation system. The digital display temperature controller 16, the heating tube 17, and the secondary temperature controller 19 are fixed above the liquid storage tank 18 through brackets. The lower end of the secondary temperature controller 19 is inserted into the liquid level of the liquid storage tank 18 for measuring the temperature of the electrolyte; the lower end of the heating tube 17 is inserted into the liquid level of the liquid storage tank 18 for heating the electrolyte. Both the secondary temperature controller 19 and the main temperature controller 7 are connected to the digital display temperature controller 16, and the main temperature controller 7 is interlocked with the heating tube 17 to ensure the stable temperature of the electroforming solution in the electroforming tank 3.

[0042] The liquid supply and circulation system includes an inlet pipeline and an outlet pipeline. The inlet pipeline includes an inlet pipe 24 connecting the bottom outlet of the liquid storage tank 18 and the top inlet of the electroforming tank 3, and an inlet pump 28, an inlet valve 22, and an inlet filter 27 arranged on the inlet pipe 24 in sequence along the flow direction; the outlet pipeline includes an outlet pipe 20 connecting the bottom outlet of the electroforming tank 3 and the inlet of the liquid storage tank 18, and an outlet pump 21, an outlet valve 25, and an outlet filter 23 arranged on the outlet pipe 20 in sequence along the flow direction.

[0043] The electroforming solution prepared in the liquid storage tank 18 is transported to the electroforming tank 3 by the inlet pump 28 to achieve continuous supply of the electroforming solution; the excess electroforming solution in the electroforming tank 3 returns to the liquid storage tank 18 through the outlet pump 21 to ensure the stable liquid level of the electroforming solution in the electroforming tank 3; the flow rate of the electroforming solution supplied to the electroforming tank 3 is adjusted by the return valve 26 to ensure the balance of the inlet and outlet of the electroforming tank and prevent overflow caused by too high a liquid level in the electroforming tank.

[0044] When this application is used:

[0045] S1: Prepare an aminosulfonic acid solution (nickel aminosulfonate 400 g / L; cobalt aminosulfonate 40 g / L; boric acid 30 g / L; nickel chloride 15 g / L; sodium dodecyl sulfate 1 g / L), with the pH value within the range of 3.8 - 4.2. Add the prepared electroforming solution into the storage tank 18 and maintain the temperature of the electroforming solution at 45°C;

[0046] S2: Polish the surface of the cathode core mold 10. Use sandpapers of gradually decreasing sizes for meticulous grinding to remove the rough parts on the surface and ensure the surface is smooth. Then, perform the cleaning and degreasing steps. Remove the grease on the surfaces of the cathode core mold 10 and the anode nickel beads through acetone or alcohol to ensure there are no remaining contaminants. After that, thoroughly clean the electrode surface with deionized water and use a high-pressure air gun to dry the surface to ensure the surface is completely clean and free of oil stains.

[0047] S3: Install the cathode core mold 10 and the anode nickel beads 12;

[0048] S4: Turn on the rotary motor 15, the digital display temperature controller, as well as the liquid inlet pump 21 and the liquid outlet pump 28;

[0049] S5: When the rotation speed of the rotary motor 15 stabilizes at 20 r / min and the temperature of the temperature control device remains stable, start the electroforming operation.

[0050] S6: When the electroforming process is completed, turn off the power supply and the liquid supply circulation system, and demold the cathode core mold 10 to obtain the electroformed part.

[0051] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the principle of the present invention, several improvements and refinements can still be made, and these improvements and refinements are also within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An improved flexible friction-assisted electroforming device, characterized in that, It includes a workbench (1), a pulse power supply (4), a rotating motor (5), an electroforming bath (3), a liquid storage tank (18), an anode frame (8) and a cathode core mold (10); the electroforming bath (3) and the liquid storage tank (18) are installed on the workbench (1) and connected through a liquid supply and circulation system to realize the supply and replenishment of the electroforming solution; the pulse power supply (4) and the rotating motor (5) are arranged above the electroforming bath (3) through a workbench frame (2), the anode frame (8) is installed in the electroforming bath (3) and electrically connected to the positive pole of the pulse power supply (4) through a wire, the cathode core mold (10) is vertically installed rotatably in the anode frame (8) driven by a rotating motor (15) and electrically connected to the negative pole of the pulse power supply (4) through a wire, and several shunt partition plates (9) are axially arranged in the circular cavity between the cathode core mold (10) and the anode frame (8), and the shunt partition plates (9) divide the circular cavity into several regions from top to bottom, and each region is filled with a flexible support (13) and hard particles (14), the flexible support (13) is annularly arranged around the inner side of the anode frame (8) and there is an annular gap between the flexible support (13) and the cathode core mold (10), and the hard particles (14) are filled in the annular gap.

2. The improved flexible friction-assisted electroforming device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hard particles (14) are ceramic particles, the flexible support (13) is a sponge, and the pores of the sponge match the particle size of the hard particles; a layer of hard particles (14) is embedded on the inner surface of the sponge.

3. The improved flexible friction-assisted electroforming device according to claim 1, wherein, The width of the annular gap between the flexible support (13) and the cathode core mold (10) is 0.5 - 1.0 mm.

4. An improved flexible friction-assisted electroforming device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shunt partition plate (9) is a circular flat plate radially fixed and supported on the inner side surface of the anode frame (8), and a central through hole for rotational cooperation with the cathode core mold (10) is provided in the central part thereof.

5. An improved flexible friction-assisted electroforming device according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are 2 partition sleeves in the anode frame (8), and the 2 partition sleeves divide the anode frame (8) into an anode outer layer, an intermediate insulating layer and a cathode inner layer, and soluble anode balls (12) are filled in the anode outer layer; the cathode inner layer is used for installing the shunt partition plate (9), the flexible support (13), the hard particles (14) and the cathode core mold (10).

6. The improved flexible friction-assisted electroforming device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A main temperature controller (7) is provided in the electroforming bath (3).

7. An improved flexible friction-assisted electroforming device according to claim 6, characterized in that, A secondary temperature controller (18) and an electric heating tube (17) are provided in the liquid storage tank (18).

8. An improved flexible friction-assisted electroforming device according to claim 1, wherein, The liquid supply and circulation system includes a liquid inlet pipeline and a liquid outlet pipeline. The liquid inlet pipeline includes a liquid inlet pipe (24) connecting the bottom outlet of the liquid storage tank (18) and the top inlet of the electroforming bath (3), and a liquid inlet pump (28), a liquid inlet valve (22) and a liquid inlet filter (27) arranged in sequence on the liquid inlet pipe (24) along the flow direction; the liquid outlet pipeline includes a liquid outlet pipe (20) connecting the bottom outlet of the electroforming bath (3) and the inlet of the liquid storage tank (18), and a liquid outlet pump (21), a liquid outlet valve (25) and a liquid outlet filter (23) arranged in sequence on the liquid outlet pipe (20) along the flow direction.

9. An improved flexible friction-assisted electroforming device according to claim 8, characterized in that, A reflux pipe is provided at the liquid outlet end of the liquid inlet pipe (24), and a reflux valve (26) is provided on the reflux pipe.

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