Patent ID: 6406608
Filing Date: 2002-06-18
Classification: C25D

Abstract:
An apparatus for monitoring and adding solution to a plating bath, said apparatus comprising:at least one monitor to monitor at least one condition within the plating bath and producing at least one signal corresponding to said at least one monitored condition; at least one controller for receiving said at least one signal produced by said at least one monitor, processing said at least one signal, determining whether an additional amount of at least one chemical should be added to the plating bath, and controlling at least one valves for controlling flow of said additional amount of said at least one chemical; a premix tank for premixing chemicals to be added to the plating bath; a plurality of holding tanks for holding chemicals and supplying the chemicals to the premix tank; at least one valve between each of said holding tanks and said premix tank; at least one valve between said premix tank and the plating bath; a conduit connecting the plating bath to said premix tank for recycling at least a portion of the plating bath to said premix tank during plating and returning at least a portion of the recycled portion to the plating bath; and at least one treatment element for treating the recycled portion by removing undesirable materials including spent, degraded, and broken-down chemicals prior to reintroduction into the plating bath.