Improvements in the Manufacture of Metallic Articles by Electro- deposition.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Apr., 1892.
Complete Specification Left, 26th Jan., 1893-Accepted, 11th Mar., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Metallic Articles by Electro-
deposition.
We, JOSEPH WALKER DAVIS, of The Cedars, Tettenhall Road, Wolver-
hampton in the County of Stafford, Mine Agent, and JOSEPH OSMUND EVANS,
of 12 Parkdale, Wolverhampton, aforesaid, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates more especially to the production of metallic hollowware
articles by the electro-deposition of metal or metallic alloy, upon or within suitable
cores, moulds, or matrices; but is applicable also to the manufacture of solid
articles.
The metal or metallic alloy to form a hollowware utensil is electro-deposited upon
a cathode which consists of a core, mould, or matrix, of wax, metal, or alloy of any
suitable composition, previously coated, if required, with plumbago or other
suitable electro-conductive substance for receiving the non-adhesive deposit ; and,
in the case of an article of a bulbous or other shape from which a rigid core could
not be removed in one solid piece, a core may be employed formed of a metal or alloy
or other substance (such as wax before specified) which can be melted out of the
In 'case,
article without injury thereto, as has been previously done in such cases.
however, of articles which are intended to be solid the core can of course be
left in.
"
The core may be formed of indiarubber, either solid or hollow, and in the latter
case may be inflated with air, water, or other fluid, and the surface is of course
prepared, by a coating of plumbago, by bronzing, or by other suitable method, to
receive the electro deposit. An inflated or hollow rubber core may be collapsed
for removal; and a solid rubber core will yield in shape and allow itself to be
drawn out of a bulbous or inwardly-enlarged cavity.
In the case of electro-depositing inside the surface of a mould or matrix, such
mould or matrix can of course be removed in halves or other parts from the surface
of the electro-deposited metal; but in some cases it may be found convenient to
form the mould or matrix in the manner of the core above described for removal
from an article from which a rigid core cannot be removed in one piece.
The bath in which the electro-deposition takes place may be under pneumatic or
hydrostatic pressure, for the purpose of pressing and otherwise making more solid
the deposited material.
Metal or alloy may be deposited in a mould having only one aperture, for the
purpose for instance of forming an article with one aperture only, in which case
the solution in the bath may be circulated into and out from the mould by the aid
of a pump, or other suitable appliance, to maintain an equal density of the solution
therein.
The core, mould, or matrix, upon or within which the electro-deposition is taking
place is revolved in a horizontal, vertical or inclined position in the bath; and a
special feature of the invention consists in causing a periodic reversal of the
direction of rotation, such as that of a meat jack, and in moving the core, mould
or matrix, also to-and-fro end ways, thereby producing a very smooth surface of
the deposited metal or alloy. The movements of the cathode may be accelerated
in speed, or in regard to the number of reversals in the direction of rotation in a
given time, or in both respects, as the article nears completion.
The anode or anodes may be either stationary within the bath, or may be
revolved therein, and may be divided from the cathode by a porous earthenware
or other porous partition, and the liquid be circulated through such partition by

page_text: means of a pump or other suitable appliance to maintain it at an equal density
throughout. The partition may consist of two walls, between which may be placed
charcoal or other suitable filtering substance.
Dated this 28th day of April 1892
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Metallic Articles by Electro-
deposition.
We JOSEPH WALKER DAVIS of The Cedars Tettenhall Road Wolverhampton
in the County of Stafford, Mine Agent, and JOSEPH OSMUND EVANS of
12 Parkdale Wolverhampton aforesaid Engineer do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates more especially to the production of metallic holloware
articles by the electro-deposition of metal or metallic alloy upon or within suitable
cores moulds or matrices but is applicable also to the manufacture of solid articles.
The metal or metallic alloy to form a holloware utensil is electro-deposited upon a
cathode which consists of a core, mould, or matrix, of wax, metal, or alloy of any
suitable composition, previously coated, if required, with plumbago or other suitable
electro-conductive substance for receiving the nonadhesive deposit; and, in the case
of an article of a bulbous or other shape from which a rigid core could not be
removed in one solid piece, a core may be employed formed of a metal or alloy or
other substance (such as wax before specified) which can be melted out of the
article without injury thereto, as has been previously done in such cases.
case, however, of articles which are intended to be solid the core can of course be
left in. The core may be formed of india rubber, either solid or hollow, and, in
the latter case may be inflated with air, water, or other fluid, and the surface is of
course prepared, by a coating of plumbago, by bronzing, or by other suitable
method, to receive the electro-deposit. An inflated or hollow rubber core may be
collapsed for removal; and a solid rubber core will yield in shape and allow itself
to be drawn out of a bulbous or inwardly enlarged cavity.
In
In the case of electro-depositing inside the surface of a mould or matrix, such
mould or matrix can of course be removed in halves or other parts from the surface
of the electro-deposited metal; but in some cases it may be found convenient to
form the mould or matrix in the manner of the core above described for removal
from an article from which a rigid core cannot be removed in one piece.
The metallic moulds may be made as follows, from a metallic or other matrix
previously finished; by electro-depositing a non-adhesive deposit of copper, or other
metals, or alloys, on the aforesaid matrix of a desired thickness.
Such deposit is backed by copper or other metals, or alloy of such a form as to
strengthen the same; the whole mould is then cut into two or more parts as
required, lugs being cast upon the same, and fitted with bolts previous to the mould
being cut through to ensure a true joint of the same.
The original matrix is then removed leaving of course a mould bearing its exact
impression. Wax, metals, alloys, or other suitable substances are then run into
this mould (under pressure if desired) and a cathode is therein formed, and when
removed is coated with plumbago previous to receiving the electro-deposit. The
cathode after receiving the necessary deposit is melted out of the deposited metal
or alloy, the plumbago above mentioned preventing any of the molten metal
adhering to the deposited metal in the process of melting out.
Moulds may likewise be made as previously mentioned for receiving an inside
non-adhesive electro-deposit, the mould is then removed in the usual way, producing
the desired effect.

page_text: Metal or alloy may be deposited in a mould having only one aperture, for the
purpose for instance of forming an article with one aperture only, in which case the
solution in the bath may be circulated into and out from the mould by aid of a
pump, or other suitable appliance, to maintain an equal density of the solution
therein.
The core, mould, or matrix, upon or within which the electro-deposition is taking
place is revolved in a horizontal, vertical, or inclined position in the bath; and a
special feature of the invention consists in causing a periodic reversal of the
direction of rotation, such as that of a meat jack, and, at the same time, moving
the core, mould, or matrix also to & fro endways, thereby producing a very
smooth surface of the deposited metal or alloy. The movements of the cathode
may be accelerated in speed, or in regard to the number of reversals in the direction
of rotation in a given time, or in both respects, as the article nears completion.
The anode or anodes may be divided from the cathodes by a porous earthenware
or other porous partition, and the liquid be circulated through such partition by
means of a pump or other suitable appliance to maintain it at an equal density
throughout. The partition may consist of two walls, between which may be placed
charcoal or other filtering substance; thus preventing any impurity in the anode
1
JOSEPH W. DAVIS.
JOSEPH OSMUND EVANS.