Automated Brush Coating for Chrome Plating Masking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for selectively applying a covering lacquer to three-dimensional plastic components for electrochemical metallization, such as chrome plating, are unreliable due to variations in application width and layer thickness, leading to electrical breakdowns or flashovers during the metallization process.
Innovation Solution
An automated method using a brush with continuous lacquer supply and relative movement along multiple axes, enabled by a collaborative robot arm, ensures precise and reproducible application of the lacquer, maintaining consistent layer thickness and track width, even on complex geometries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual masking lacquer application is used, then the application process is simple and flexible, but the application width and layer thickness vary leading to electrical breakdowns or arcing during electroplating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical brushing system with an automated robotic system that uses a brush equipped with a lacquer supply device. The robotic arm precisely controls the brush movement along predetermined paths, eliminating manual variability while maintaining the mechanical brushing action that ensures proper lacquer application to the component surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush is equipped with an integrated lacquer supply device that automatically provides masking lacquer to the brush during the application process. The system self-regulates the lacquer flow and application parameters, eliminating the need for manual intervention to maintain consistent application quality throughout the process.
2Manufacturing precision
If automated robotic brush application is used, then consistent layer thickness and application width are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic brush system integrates multiple functions into a single device: the brush serves both as the application tool and the lacquer delivery mechanism through the integrated supply device. The robotic arm is programmed to handle various component geometries and application patterns, making the system versatile while maintaining precision. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated devices for each function.
3Reliability
If the brush is continuously supplied with masking lacquer during automated application, then consistent coating quality is maintained, but the system complexity and lacquer supply infrastructure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lacquer supply device with the brush itself, integrating the lacquer delivery mechanism directly into the application tool. This combination eliminates the need for separate lacquer storage and delivery systems, reducing overall system complexity while ensuring continuous and consistent lacquer supply to the brush during the automated application process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides a process-reliable and efficient application of the lacquer, preventing metallization errors and ensuring consistent results on three-dimensional components, particularly those made of ABS or ABS-PC plastics, by maintaining the lacquer application's quality and precision.
Implementation Method 1
The brush is supplied with masking lacquer via a masking lacquer supply line from a masking lacquer reservoir during application
Implementation Method 2
automatic relative motion means are provided, i.e., driven by at least one, in particular electric (pneumatic or hydraulic) drive, by means of which a relative movement is automatically generated between the brush and the component during the application of the masking lacquer
Implementation Method 3
The invention relates to a method for, preferably galvanic (electrochemical) metallization, in particular chrome plating, of a plastic component
Implementation Method 4
the metallization, in particular electrochemical, and further preferably comprising at least one, preferably uppermost, chrome layer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for metallizing, preferably electroplating, in particular chrome plating, a component, in particular a three-dimensional component, in particular a plastic molded part, preferably a plastic injection molded part, wherein a cover lacquer is applied to the component and the component is then metallized, wherein the cover lacquer is applied to the application surface by means of a brush (3), and that for the application of the cover lacquer a relative movement is generated between the brush (3) and the application surface of the component by means of automatic relative motion means (2), and that the brush (3) is supplied during the application, in particular continuously, via a cover lacquer supply line (6) from a cover lacquer reservoir (7).