Patent ID: 6929723

Claim:
An apparatus for electroplating a rotogravure cylinder out of a plating solution wherein the cylinder is connectable to a current source, the apparatus comprising: a plating tank adapted to receive the cylinder and to contain the plating solution so that the cylinder is at least partially disposed into the plating solution; an anode system comprising at least one non-dissolvable anode connectable to the current source and at least partially disposed within the plating solution, wherein the anode comprises a conductive core, and a surface material substantially resilient to the plating solution covering at least a portion of the conductive core; and an ultrasonic system to introduce wave energy into the plating solution comprising at least one transducer element within the plating tank and a power generator adapted to provide electrical energy to the at least one transducer element; a holding tank; a circulation pump providing flow of plating solution from the holding tank to the plating tank; and a means for maintaining a level of plating solution in the plating tank.