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Electroplating Equipment

Basically, electroplating is a simple process and can be performed in simple glass
beakers with a simple d.c. electrical supply. However, if good consistent quality is desired,
it is preferable to use purpose-made equipment, which will include:
 Plating tank – preferably in glass or plastic, with lid (e.g. pyrex glass, Teflon,
Polypropylene, PVC, HDPE)
 Additional rinsing tanks, with lids
 A reliable D.C. power supply with sufficient current output
 Electrolyte temperature heating and control system
 Stirrer, pump and filtration systems
 Insoluble anodes (often platinum or platinum-plated titanium sheet or gauze)
 Inert connecting wires for electrodes where immersed in bath
 Ability to plate several items simultaneously
 Fume cupboard or fume extraction.
Whether one is only plating on a small scale on a bench or on a mass production scale,
there are many suppliers of purposemade equipment to suit all needs. Some examples
are shown in Figure 6. They can often be viewed at the major jewellery shows, e.g. at
Basel and Vicenza in Europe. Prices do vary significantly, but it is possible to buy suitable
equipment quite cheaply, or even to find a local fabricator to make one tailored to your
needs.

Figure 6 – Typical commercial electroplating
equipment, for small bench operations (a) range of
sizes (b) in use
It is appropriate to make a comment on masking of surfaces so that electroplating is only
done in areas where it is wanted, e.g. around gem stone settings. This is done by painting
on an organic lacquer (often pink in colour) to those areas where plating is not wanted
and allowing it to dry. After plating, it can be easily removed with an organic solvent such
as acetone. There are many commercial products on the market.
Remember that such lacquers are inflammable and must be stored in well closed
containers. More details of masking lacquers are given in the WGC publication, The
Finishing Handbook.