Patent ID: 6203685
Filing Date: 2001-03-20
Classification: C25D,H05K,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for the electrolytic metallization of a workpiece; said method comprising:(a) imparting a metallizing electrolyte to said workpiece;(b) conveying said workpiece past said electrolyte;(c) causing an electrical power supply to maintain electrical contact with said workpiece while avoiding exposure of said electrical contact means to said electrolyte;(d) spacing a plurality of anode electrodes across said workpiece proximate said electrolyte, said anode electrodes each being connected to said electrical power supply;(e) individually controlling an electrical potential across each said anode electrode so as to provide a specified electrical field strength at different anode electrode positions across said workpiece and along the direction of conveyance of said workpiece during transport of said workpiece past said electrolyte imparting means; and(f) arranging said anode electrodes to extend in linear arrays above and below said workpiece; and connecting power control switches to each of said anode electrodes for selectively controlling the electrical potential of each of said anode electrodes; whereby said electrical potential is variably controllable in any direction over the area of said workpiece and along the direction of conveyance of said workpiece.