Barrel plating equipment lead wire

Abstract

We provide lead wires for barrel plating equipment. [Solution] The lead wire body 2 comprises a conductor 3 coated with an insulator, an electrode ball 20, and a terminal 13. The electrode ball is threadedly attached to the front end of the lead wire body via a connection base connected to one end of the conductor, and a terminal connected to the other end of the conductor is connected to the rear end of the lead wire body. The lead wire body is covered with a coated hose 40, both ends of which are sealed, forming a gap 35 between the lead wire body and the coated hose. This gap facilitates removal of the coated hose and coating operations, improving workability. Furthermore, the ease of assembly of the electrode ball, coated hose, etc. allows the lead wire body to be recycled (reused).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lead wire for a barrel plating apparatus used when performing an electroplating process in the barrel plating apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Nickel plating, tin plating, zinc plating, alloy plating, etc. (hereinafter simply referred to as "plating") have high corrosion resistance and good color tone, and are therefore used for various purposes such as corrosion prevention, decoration, etc. There are various methods for plating products, but when plating a large number of small items, small components, etc., barrel plating using a barrel plating machine is preferred and widely used.

[0003] A barrel plating device consists of a processing liquid tank (plating tank) filled with processing liquid, a barrel container rotatably arranged within the processing liquid tank, and electricity is passed from the anode placed within the processing liquid tank to the cathode of a lead wire, rotating the plating barrel around its central axis while electroplating the workpiece.

[0004] In this way, when electroplating a workpiece while rotating the plating barrel, the lead wire comes into contact with the workpiece, which can cause scratches on the surface. To prevent this, there are techniques for improving the lifespan of the barrel plating lead wire. For example, there is a "barrel plating lead wire" described in Patent Document 1.

[0005] The invention of Patent Document 1 is a lead wire for barrel plating characterized in that a conductor (10) is covered with an insulating coating (11, 12), and the insulating coating (11, 12) is covered with a protective cover (13, 13a) that is chemical-resistant, abrasion-resistant, and flexible, thereby improving the lifespan of the lead wire for barrel plating.

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-12859 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The invention of Patent Document 1 improves the lifespan of a barrel plating lead wire by "covering a conductor (10) with an insulating coating (11, 12), which is then covered with a protective cover (13, 13a) that is chemical-resistant, abrasion-resistant, and flexible." However, when the protective cover wears out and needs to be replaced, if there is no appropriate gap between the insulating coating and the protective cover, the replacement work becomes difficult and the workability may decrease. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In this invention, a suitable gap is provided between the insulator and the hose to improve the workability of replacing the electrodes and the hose. This suitable gap makes it easier to remove the hose and to cover it, improving workability. Furthermore, by facilitating the assembly of the electrodes and the hose, the lead wire itself can be recycled (reused).

[0009] The invention of claim 1 is a lead wire for a barrel plating device that applies electric current from an anode to a cathode in a plating solution stored in a plating tank of the barrel plating device to electroplating an object to be treated. The lead wire comprises a lead wire body made of a conductor covered with an insulator, an electrode ball, and a terminal. The electrode ball is screwed to the front end of the lead wire body via a connection base connected to one end of the conductor, and the terminal connected to the other end of the conductor is connected to the rear end of the lead wire body. The lead wire body is covered with a coated hose. This is a lead wire for a barrel plating device, characterized in that both ends of the coated hose are sealed and a gap is formed between the lead wire body and the coated hose.

[0010] The invention of claim 2 is the lead wire for a barrel plating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the front end of the coated hose is crimped with a ring.

[0011] The invention of claim 3 is the lead wire for a barrel plating apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that a buffer material is interposed between the electrode ball and the connection base. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the invention described in claim 1, by covering the lead wire body with an inexpensive, flexible, and durable coated hose, damage to the lead wire body due to contact with the object to be plated (small items such as screws and nuts) is prevented, and the durability of the lead wire body is improved. In addition, by providing an appropriate gap between the lead wire body and the coated hose, removal and replacement of the coated hose becomes easy, allowing the lead wire body to be reused. This allows for a longer lifespan of the lead wire.

[0013] According to the invention described in claim 2 of the present application, by crimping the front end of the coated hose with a ring, leakage of plating liquid into the coated hose can be further prevented.

[0014] According to the invention described in claim 3 of the present application, a buffer seal can be formed between the electrode ball and the connection base. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a plan view of the lead wire. [Figure 2] This is a photograph of the front end of the lead wire. [Figure 3] This is a photograph of the rear end of the lead wire. [Figure 4] This is a diagram of a lead wire in which the front end of a vinyl hose covering the lead wire body is crimped with a ring. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a view of the front end side of a lead wire whose main body is covered with a braided hose. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a lead wire in which the front end side of a braided hose covering the lead wire body is crimped with a ring. [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart showing the steps of the present invention. [Figure 8]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the internal structure of a lead wire body. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the internal structure of a lead wire. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The barrel plating method using a barrel plating device (not shown) involves placing a large number of objects to be plated (small items such as screws and nuts) in a container called a barrel, immersing this barrel container in a plating solution in a plating tank, and rotating the barrel container to move the objects to be plated inside the barrel container while passing a direct current from an anode plate (anode) placed in the plating tank to a lead wire 1 (cathode), thereby forming a plating film on the surface of the objects to be plated.

[0017] The present invention relates to a lead wire 1 that serves as a cathode to be immersed in a plating solution when performing electroplating in a barrel plating apparatus, i.e., a lead wire 1 for a barrel plating apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as "lead wire") 1.

[0018] The lead wire 1 can be broadly divided into a lead wire body 2 and a coated hose 40. The lead wire body 2 mainly comprises a conductive wire 3, a connection base 6 connected to one end (free end) of the conductive wire 3, an electrode ball 20 screwed into the connection base 6, and a terminal 13 connected to the other end (base end) of the conductive wire 3, and the conductive wire 3 is coated with an insulator 5. Furthermore, the lead wire body is coated with a coated hose 40, and both ends of the coated hose 40 are sealed (see Figure 1). The length of the lead wire 1 is not important.

[0019] Examples of the material for the conductor wire 3 include, but are not limited to, soft twisted copper wire, flexible twisted copper wire, etc. Examples of the material for the insulator 5 include soft vinyl, etc., and any insulating material may be used.

[0020] The lead wire body 2 is provided with a connection base 6 at its front end. The connection base 6 is a component that connects the conductor wire 3 and the electrode ball 20, and is connected to one end of the conductor wire 3. Specifically, a connection hole is opened at the rear end of the body 6a of the connection base 6, and the free end of the conductor wire 3 inserted into this connection hole is clamped and held. The connection base 6 is connected to the centering portion of the conductor wire 3 that is centered from the free end of the insulator 5. The clamping portion may be one or more. Regarding the internal structure, for example, with the conductor wire 3 centered from the insulator 5, the free end of the lead wire 1 may be clamped and held at two locations: an insulator crimping portion 15 that crimps the conductor wire 3 together with the insulator 5, and a conductor crimping portion 17 that crimps the conductor wire 3 (centering portion) (see FIGS. 8 and 9). In such an example, the connection hole of the connection base 6 may be configured as two stages with different diameters, with the first stage (large diameter) being the insulator crimping portion 15 and the second stage (small diameter) being the conductor crimping portion 17. On the other hand, a bolt portion 8 stands upright from the front end of the main body portion 6a, and this bolt portion 8 has a thread groove that screws into the thread groove of the electrode ball 20.

[0021] An electrode ball 20 is threadedly attached to the connection base 6 at the free end (front end) of the lead wire body 2. The electrode ball 20 is a cylindrical member with a hole drilled from the base end (rear end) and a screw groove threaded on the inner circumferential surface of the hole. That is, a screw hole 20a is provided in the central axial direction. The shape of the tip end may be any shape, such as a bullet shape (spherical shape) or a flat shape, and is not particularly limited. A collar may be press-fitted onto the tip end of the electrode ball 20, or a collar may be welded (not shown). The electrode ball 20 may be made of any material that is electrically conductive, such as brass, copper, iron, or stainless steel. Titanium may also be used. The diameter, length, etc. of the electrode ball 20 may be selected as desired.

[0022] The electrode balls 20 are screwed into the connection base 6, and a buffer material 30 may be interposed between the electrode balls 20 and the connection base 6 (see FIG. 5, etc.). Specifically, the buffer material 30 is fitted onto the bolt portion 8 of the connection base 6 that connects the conductor 3 and the electrode balls 20, and is finally crimped in place by the electrode balls 20. The buffer material 30 may be any material that can provide a buffer seal between the electrode balls 20 and the connection base 6, and examples of the buffer material include an O-ring (made of resin, etc.) and a packing (made of rubber, etc.).

[0023] Electrical grease can also be applied to the bolt portion 8 of the connection base 6. This electrical grease can be any material that has an electrical conductivity, but examples include grease or other oils mixed with metal powder with low electrical resistance, such as copper, and containing additives such as antioxidants and corrosion inhibitors. The consistency, dropping point, oil separation rate, etc. of the grease composition can be selected as appropriate.

[0024] By applying conductive grease to the bolt 8, when the electrode ball 20 is screwed into the connection base 6, a thin film is formed between the thread groove of the bolt 8 and the thread groove of the electrode ball 20, reducing the electrical resistance at the contact point between the connection base 6 and the electrode ball 20, allowing for smooth and stable current flow. In addition, oxidation and corrosion at the contact point between the connection base 6 and the electrode ball 20 are prevented.

[0025] A terminal 13 having a terminal hole 13a is connected to the base end (rear end) of the lead wire body 2 (see FIG. 3, etc.). The terminal 13 and the conductor 3 may be connected by any method, such as soldering, spot welding (resistance welding), or the like.

[0026] The conductor 3 is covered with an insulator 5, and the lead wire body 2 is further covered with a covered hose 40. Examples of the covered hose 40 include a vinyl hose (FIG. 1) and a braided hose (FIG. 5). The covered hose 40 may be made of any material. For example, it may be made of a material that is stretchable, heat-shrinkable, and adheres well to the electrode ball 20 threaded onto the front end of the lead wire body, and is resistant (chemically resistant) to the chemicals used in plating. For example, soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is the main material for typical vinyl hoses and is flexible and durable, may be used. However, fluororesin or silicone rubber may also be used. In braided hoses, the reinforcing material may be woven with polyester thread, Tetron fiber, nylon fiber, or aramid fiber, or it may have a laminated structure or spiral reinforcement. Stainless steel wire reinforcement may also be used.

[0027] The front end 42 of the covered hose 40 is fitted into the base end of the electrode ball 20 and tightly fixed thereto, thereby forming a seal. Therefore, the base end side of the electrode ball 20 has a shape and structure that allows the front end 42 of the covered hose 40 to fit therein. For example, a structure in which the base end side of the electrode ball 20 has a reduced diameter portion 25 can be considered. The front end 42 of the covered hose 40 fits into this reduced diameter portion 25. Alternatively, as long as the front end 42 of the covered hose 40 can fit into the base end side of the electrode ball 20, the entire outer diameter of the electrode ball 20 may be smaller than the inner diameter of the covered hose 40. On the other hand, the rear end 44 of the covered hose 40, together with a portion of the terminal 13, is sealed by being covered with a covering 10 such as a heat-shrinkable tube. It is desirable to further provide a sealing structure at the end.

[0028] In this manner, the lead wire body 2 is covered with the covering hose 40, and both ends, ie, the front end 42 and the rear end 44 of the covering hose 40, are sealed.

[0029] The lead wire body 2 is covered with a covering hose 40 whose inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the lead wire body 2. The lead wire body 2 is covered with the covering hose 40, and a gap 35 is formed between the outer periphery of the lead wire body 2 and the inner periphery of the covering hose 40. In this way, the presence of an appropriate gap 35 between the covering hose 40 and the lead wire body 2 makes it easier to remove and cover the covering hose 40, improving workability and facilitating the assembly of each component. In addition, it allows for expansion and contraction of the material due to temperature changes, preventing deformation and damage.

[0030] Another example is a configuration in which the front end side of the covered hose 40 is crimped with a ring 45 (see FIGS. 4 and 6). As described above, the base end side of the electrode ball 20 has a shape and structure that allows the front end 42 of the covered hose 40 to fit therein, and since the front end 42 of the covered hose 40 is fitted into the base end side of the electrode ball 20, leakage of liquid into the covered hose 40 can be prevented. However, by crimping the front end 42 side of the covered hose 40 with a ring 45, leakage of liquid into the covered hose 40 can be further prevented. The ring 45 may be made of any material, and examples include a stainless steel ring.

[0031] This invention relates to a lead wire 1 that serves as a cathode when immersed in a plating solution during electroplating in a barrel plating device. One of its features is that the lead wire body 2, which has an electrode ball 20 threaded onto its front end, is covered with a coated hose 40, and both ends of the coated hose 40 are sealed, forming a gap between the lead wire body 2 and the coated hose 40.

[0032] In electroplating, the lead wire 1 (electrode balls 20) is immersed in a solution (plating solution) containing the metal to be plated, and an electric current is passed through it, reducing the metal ions and depositing the metal on the surface of the electrode balls 20. Depending on the type of plating solution and the material of the electrodes, the lead wire (electrode balls 20) may dissolve during the plating process. That is, components of the plating solution may chemically react with the material of the electrode balls 20, causing the electrode balls 20 to dissolve. For example, an acidic plating solution may make electrode balls 20 made of copper or zinc more soluble. In such cases, the electrode balls 20 must be replaced. However, since the lead wire body 2 is covered with a coated hose 40, the replacement process requires the removal of the coated hose 40.

[0033] In this device, an appropriate gap 35 is provided between the coated hose 40 and the lead wire body 2, which facilitates removal of the coated hose 40 and coating operations, improving workability and facilitating assembly. By replacing the electrode balls 20 and coated hose 40, most of the lead wire body 2 can be reused (recycled) as is. Therefore, even if plating metal is deposited on the electrode balls 20 of the lead wire 1 or the electrode balls 20 dissolve during the plating process, the lead wire 1 can be recycled and reused by going through the steps described below. An example of a plating process and a barrel plating device will be briefly described below. In the embodiments, the same reference numerals are used to refer to old and corresponding new components.

[0034] The electroplating process can use various types of plating, such as nickel plating, tin plating, zinc plating, and alloy plating. In the following embodiment, we will explain a method for recycling lead wire 1 in cases where lumps of plated metal have adhered to electrode balls, etc., due to the electroplating process using nickel plating.

[0035] The barrel container, which contains the objects to be plated and is rotatably supported within the plating tank by an arm that can move up and down, is a polygonal container body such as a hexagon, with many holes drilled through it for immersing the objects to be plated in the plating solution. A second gear that meshes with a first gear connected to the rotating shaft of the drive unit (motor) is fixedly attached to both the left and right sides of the barrel container.

[0036] One or more lead wires 1 (cathode) are inserted into the barrel vessel, and the electrode balls 20 of the lead wires 1 are in contact with the object to be plated. With electricity flowing from the anode plate (anode) in the plating tank to the cathode in the barrel vessel, the drive unit rotates the first gear and the second gear meshing with the first gear, causing the barrel vessel to rotate. This causes electricity to flow from the anode plate (anode) connected to the positive terminal of the power supply to the lead wire 1 (cathode) connected to the negative terminal of the power supply, resulting in electroplating of the object to be plated in contact with the cathode. The multiple lead wires 1 can be arranged, for example, by inserting a pair of lead wires 1 through through-holes at both lateral ends of the barrel vessel, or by hanging two or more lead wires 1 from above into the barrel vessel. When inserting a pair of lead wires 1 from the left and right of the barrel vessel, it is desirable to reverse the direction of the screw threads of the electrode balls 20 of the left and right lead wires 1. Specifically, it is desirable to form the screw hole 20a of the electrode ball 20 of one lead wire 1 into a forward-rotation thread, and the screw hole 20a of the electrode ball 20 of the other lead wire 1 into a reverse-rotation thread. By using electrode balls 20 with opposite-rotation threads in this way, the rotation of the barrel container brings both electrode balls 20, 20 into frictional contact, rotational contact, etc. with the inner surface of the barrel container, thereby allowing both electrode balls 20, 20 to be fastened together.

[0037] First, as a preliminary step in this invention, the lead wire 1 with plated metal clumps adhering to the cathode electrode ball 20 is removed and collected from the barrel plating machine. After a certain period of plating work, old electrode balls 20 must be replaced due to the adhesion of plated metal clumps to the electrode ball 20 of the lead wire 1. To facilitate the recycling process of the lead wire 1 to maintain or improve its performance, the lead wire 1 with plated metal clumps adhering to the electrode ball 20 is removed from the barrel plating machine. For example, if the lead wire 1 is fastened to the barrel plating machine via fasteners such as bolts and nuts in the terminal hole 13a of the terminal 13 at the base end, the lead wire 1 is removed from the barrel plating machine by loosening the fastener. Removal can be done manually or with a tool. From here, the steps of this invention are introduced (see Figure 7).

[0038] The first step is to remove the old electrode ball 20 that is screwed into the connection base 6 (ST1). The old electrode ball 20 with the plated metal clumps attached thereto is removed from the connection base 6 of the lead wire 1 by turning the screw in the direction opposite to the fastening direction.

[0039] The second step is removing the old coated hose 40 (ST2). When replacing the old electrode ball 20, the coated hose 40, which covers the lead wire body 2 and fits over the old electrode ball 20, must be removed. This can be done, for example, by cutting the coated hose 40 and tearing it. The coating 10, such as a heat-shrinkable tube, is also removed in the same way. Because a gap 35 is formed between the lead wire body 2 (mainly the insulator 5) and the coated hose 40, cutting can be performed with a cutting tool such as scissors or a utility knife without damaging the lead wire body 2 (mainly the insulator 5). The old coated hose 40 may be scratched during the plating process, and clumps of plated metal may adhere to the coated hose 40 as well as the old electrode ball 20, so it is necessary to remove the old coated hose 40.

[0040] The third step is to screw new electrode balls 20 into the connection base 6 (ST3). The new electrode balls 20 are screwed into the connection base 6 and tightened, forming a new lead wire body 2. When screwing the electrode balls 20, by tightening the electrode balls 20 firmly, it is possible to prevent the plating solution from seeping in. The electrode balls 20 can be tightened manually or with a tool. In addition, a step of interposing a buffer material 30 between the electrode balls 20 and the connection base 6 may be performed.

[0041] The fourth step is to cover the lead wire body 2 with a new covered hose 40 and seal both ends of the covered hose 40 (ST4). The covered hose 40 is inserted from the rear end of the lead wire body 2, and the covered hose 40 is fitted over and tightly fixed to the base end (rear end) of the electrode ball 20, thereby sealing the front end 42 of the covered hose 40. This sealing improves the airtightness between the electrode ball 20 and the connection base 6. Meanwhile, the rear end 44 of the covered hose 40 is sealed by covering the base end side of the covered hose 40 with a covering 10 such as a heat-shrinkable tube between the terminal 13. The heat-shrinkable tube heat-shrinks, and this heat-shrinkable tube covers and seals the rear end 44 of the covered hose 40. This completes the new lead wire 1. An additional step of providing a sealing structure at the rear end may be performed.

[0042] Further, a step of crimping the front end 42 of the coated hose 40 with a ring 45 may be carried out.

[0043] Finally, the new lead wire 1 that has undergone each process is fixed to the barrel plating apparatus. For example, when a pair of left and right lead wires 1 are placed in a barrel container, the lead wire 1 that screws into the bolt portion 8 when the electrode ball 20 is rotated forward (clockwise) and the lead wire 1 that screws into the bolt portion 8 when the electrode ball 20 is rotated backward (counterclockwise) are fixed to the barrel plating apparatus. For example, when plating work is performed in a barrel container that rotates toward the front, by arranging and fixing a lead wire 1 with an electrode ball 20 that screws in in a forward (clockwise) direction on the right side as viewed from the front, and a lead wire 1 with an electrode ball 20 that screws in in a reverse (counterclockwise) direction on the left side as viewed from the front, it is possible to prevent the two electrode balls 20, 20 from loosening due to the rotation (frictional contact) of the barrel container and maintain a tightly fastened state.

[0044] In addition to the steps described above, the following steps may be added. When multiple steps are inserted, the order of the steps may be reversed, and the steps may be inserted between any of the steps.

[0045] For example, the method may further include a step of marking the lead wire 1 according to the number of times of recycling before the step of fixing a new lead wire 1 in the barrel plating device. The replacement time of the lead wire body 2 can be estimated, but the marking may be performed at any location on the lead wire 1 and by any method. For example, the marking may be performed by printing, engraving, writing with a marking pen or the like, or coloring the terminal 13. Furthermore, if the rear end of the lead wire body 2 is covered with a coating 10, marking may be performed by cutting a notch in the coating 10.

[0046] The process may further include a step of heating and / or cooling the new lead wire 1 to form a shape before the step of fixing the new lead wire 1 to the barrel plating apparatus. Examples of steps for forming (forming) the new lead wire 1 into a shape that makes it difficult for the electrode beads 20 to float, conforms to the internal shape of the barrel container, or allows the electrode beads 20 to contact the object to be plated. Examples of the shape of the lead wire 1 include a U-shape, an L-shape, and a crank shape. The heating temperature and cooling temperature are not particularly limited, and any method for forming the shape may be used.

[0047] A process of spreading the conductive grease evenly onto the bolt portion 8 of the connection base 6 may be added. By spreading the conductive grease evenly onto the thread grooves of the bolt portion 8, it is possible to improve heat resistance and weather resistance and prevent a decrease in conductivity due to oxidation and corrosion. Note that the grease can also be spread evenly onto the bolt portion 8 of the connection base 6 by screwing in a new electrode ball 20 several times.

[0048] Before the step of spreading the conductive grease onto the bolt portion 8 of the connection base 6, a step of polishing the bolt portion 8 manually using a device such as a rotary wire brush or a metal brush may be added. This step removes rust, dust, etc. from the bolt portion 8, further improving the electrical conductivity.

[0049] Furthermore, in order to prevent the electrode ball 20 from loosening and to make the screwing stronger, a thread locking agent may be applied between the bolt portion 8 of the connection base 6 and the screw hole 20a of the electrode ball 20.

[0050] After forming the new lead wire 1, the method may further include a step of measuring the resistance of the new lead wire 1 before the step of fixing the new lead wire 1 in the barrel plating apparatus.

[0051] A step of coating the insulator 5 of the lead wire body 2 with a coating material may be added. The coating material may be any material, and the entire insulator 5 may be coated, or only a portion of the front end side may be coated.

[0052] To determine when the lead wire 1 should be recycled, a process for measuring the amount of plated metal lumps deposited on the electrode balls 20 may be added. For example, the amount of precipitation may be measured by using a caliper, gauge, or the like to measure the thickness (width in the transverse direction) of the old electrode balls 20 to which plated metal lumps have adhered after plating, and subtracting the thickness (width in the transverse direction) of the electrode balls 20 to which no plated metal lumps have adhered from the thickness of the old electrode balls 20. If the difference exceeds a certain range, the lead wire 1 (electrode balls 20) should be recycled. Also, in the case of melted electrode balls 20, if the thickness of the melted electrode balls 20 becomes thinner than a certain thickness of new, unmelted electrode balls 20, the lead wire 1 (electrode balls 20) should be recycled. Other methods for determining when the lead wire 1 should be recycled include visual inspection or simply determining the time when the lead wire 1 was installed in a barrel plating device.

[0053] The barrel plating device to which the new lead wire 1 is fixed may be a horizontal barrel plating device having a barrel with a horizontal rotation axis, or an inclined barrel plating device having a barrel with an inclined rotation axis.

[0054] It is desirable that the new lead wire 1 completed through each step of the recycling method be consistently processed by the manufacturer of the lead wire 1 before being removed from the barrel plating device. That is, it is desirable that all steps, including the step (ST1) of removing the old electrode ball 20 threaded onto the connection base 6, the step (ST2) of removing the old coated hose 40, the step (ST3) of threading a new electrode ball 20 onto the connection base 6, and the step (ST4) of coating the lead wire body 2 with the new coated hose 40 and sealing both ends of the coated hose 40, be performed by the manufacturer of the lead wire 1 (including subcontractors).

[0055] If the electrode part (electrode ball 20) is replaced carelessly, there is a risk that the plating effect will be reduced due to a decrease in the power supply of the lead wire 1. Therefore, if the manufacturer of the lead wire 1, who is most familiar with the performance, function, safety, effectiveness, etc. of the lead wire 1, carries out each of the recycling steps described above, the new lead wire 1 will also be able to exhibit high performance such as high sealing properties and low electrical resistance.

[0056] For completeness, we will also explain the steps before and after each step, as well as examples of workers. The lead wire 1 with the plated metal lumps attached thereto is removed from the barrel plating device by a plating company, and the lead wire 1 removed from the barrel plating device is collected by a dealer (sales agent, etc.) and handed over to the lead wire 1 manufacturer. After the lead wire 1 manufacturer performs each step of the present invention, it hands over a new lead wire 1 to the dealer, who then delivers the new lead wire 1 to the plating company, who then fixes the new lead wire 1 to the barrel plating device. This division of roles contributes to improved business efficiency and maintains high performance regarding the new lead wire 1. Alternatively, the plating company may directly send the lead wire 1 with the plated metal lumps attached thereto to the lead wire 1 manufacturer without going through a dealer, and the lead wire 1 manufacturer may then send the new lead wire 1 to the plating company. Note that the lead wire 1 manufacturer may also perform the steps before and after each step.

[0057] The present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, in the embodiments shown in the drawings, some components have been omitted or simplified for ease of understanding, and the present invention is not limited to these illustrations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1: Lead wire 2: Lead wire body 3: Conductor 5: Insulator 6: Connection base 6a: Main body 8: Bolt section 10: Covering body 13: Terminal 13a: Terminal hole 15: Insulator crimping part 17: Conductor crimping part 20: Electrode ball 20a: screw hole 25: Small diameter part 30: Cushioning material 35: Gap 40: Coated hose 42: Front end 44: Rear end 45: Ring ST1: First step ST2: Second process ST3: Third process ST4: Fourth process

Claims

1. A lead wire for a barrel plating apparatus that applies an electric current from an anode to a cathode in a plating solution stored in a plating tank of the barrel plating apparatus to electroplating a workpiece, The lead wire includes a lead wire body formed by covering a conductor with an insulator, an electrode ball, and a terminal, The electrode ball is screwed to the front end of the lead wire body via a connection base connected to one end of the conductor, The terminal is connected to the rear end of the lead body, and is connected to the other end of the conductive wire. covering the lead wire body with a covering hose, and sealing both ends of the covering hose; The lead wire for a barrel plating apparatus is characterized in that a gap is formed between the lead wire body and the coated hose.

2. 2. The lead wire for a barrel plating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the front end of the coated hose is crimped with a ring.

3. 3. The lead wire for a barrel plating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a buffer material is interposed between said electrode ball and said connection base.

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