(19)
(11) EP 0 884 404 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
27.10.1999 Bulletin 1999/43

(43) Date of publication A2:
16.12.1998 Bulletin 1998/51

(21) Application number: 97250241.3

(22) Date of filing: 18.08.1997
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)6: C25D 5/20, C25F 5/00, C25D 7/04
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

(30) Priority: 12.05.1997 US 854879

(71) Applicant: Metzger, Hubert F.
Brookfield, WI 53045 (US)

(72) Inventor:
  • Metzger, Hubert F.
    Brookfield, WI 53045 (US)

(74) Representative: UEXKÜLL & STOLBERG 
Patentanwälte Beselerstrasse 4
22607 Hamburg
22607 Hamburg (DE)

   


(54) Rotogravure cylinder electroplating apparatus using ultrasonic energy


(57) An apparatus for electroplating and deplating a rotogravure cylinder out of a plating solution includes a plating tank adapted to rotatably maintain the cylinder and to contain a plating solution so that the cylinder is at least partially disposed into the plating solution. The apparatus also includes a mounting structure mountable within the tank partially on each side of and generally below the cylinder, along with a plurality of conductors comprising elongate metallic strips at least partially disposed within the plating solution. A current source is electrically connected to the upper portions of the conductor strips and to the cylinder. An ultrasonic system to introduce wave energy into the plating solution includes at least one transducer element mountable within the tank and a power generator adapted to provide electrical energy to the transducer element. A holding tank having a circulating pump and heating and cooling elements for the plating solution may be provided.






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