Patent ID: 6153064
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: C25D,H05K

Abstract:
A plating apparatus for moving a flat work piece with through holes through an electrolyte solution to electroplate a metal onto the planer surfaces and the surfaces of the through holes of the work piece said work piece having a width which is transverse to the direction of travel of the work piece and a length parallel to the direction of travel of the work piece comprising: conveyor means adapted to carry the work piece through the electrolyte solution; flood cell means for containing the electrolyte solution and having ends located transverse to and in the path of the work piece such that the entire width of the planer surface of the work piece is immersed in the electrolyte solution; anode means positioned on each side of and spaced from the work piece in the flood cell means such the electrolyte solution covers the anode means and work piece; distribution means to distribute the electrolyte solution onto the planer surfaces and through the through holes of the work piece as same moves through the flood cell means; contactor means oriented across the entire width of the planer surface of the work piece transverse to the path of the work piece and outside the flood cell means and electrolyte solution sufficiently spaced from the flood cell means to prohibit the electrolyte solution from contacting same and adapted to provide contact with the work piece as same moves adjacent thereto; and power means adapted to provide direct current to the contactor means and anode means.