METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRO-PLATING STRIP CONTACTS

摘要

This invention relates to improved method and apparatus for batch plating stamped electrical contacts attached to a web. In prior art arrangements for electroplating stamped contacts, a web having the contacts attached thereto is passed into a plating bath through complicated and expensive equipment which controls the passage of the contacts into, through and out of the bath. This arrangement is not teasable or economic for use with relatively small batches of contacts. The present invention provides a contact electroplating process and apparatus in which a web carrying the contacts is attached to a plastic carrier strip formed of modules in end to end relationship and then wound on a plating reel. Projections on the strip register with pilot holes in the web to attach the strip to the web. Teeth on the strip enable the strip to be properly indexed for attachment to the web and the projections and a rib on one surface of the strip are nestingly received between the teeth on adjacent turns of the strip and web as they are wound in a stack on the plating reel. The plating reel has a bushing for establishing an electrical connection to the contacts which is easily sealed by a simple nut mounting the reel on an arm or beam for immersion in a plating bath. After plating, the stacked contacts and strip are easily separated and wound on separate reels permitting reuse of the strip, and plating reel.